Clown Triggerfish (Balistoides conspicillum)

To reproduce, these adorable fish dig a hole in the sand, lay eggs, and take turns guarding their nesting territory. Both the mom and dad will aggressively defend an inverted cone-shaped area above the eggs by chasing, biting, and generally attacking anything that swims too close.

Spotted Trunkfish (Lactophrys bicaudalis)

Trunkfish have a triangular, bony outer layer that serves as a sort of body armor and protects them from predators. Their shape and rigidity makes it awkward to swim, so they usually amble around in a slow hover by using the smaller fins for locomotion. (The tail fin kicks in when something requires a high speed getaway.)

Squirrelfish (Holocentrus adscensionis)

All squirrelfish have such large, adoring eyes because they are noctural. Most spend their days hiding in the dark, rocky crevasses of coral reefs, coming out only at night to hunt for food. Squirrelfish are known for an uncanny ability to click and grunt - these obnoxious noises are produced by vibrating their swim bladders, and can be used to communicate and ward off predators.

A school of purple tangs off the coast of Aruba.

Because the Achilles Tang is so active, they’re usually found in surge zones around Pacific coral reefs. These are areas where incoming waves break over the shallow reef head, oxygenating the water and creating strong currents for fish to float back and forth in.

Achilles Tang (Acanthurus achilles)

Omigosh, these are one of the cutest fish I’ve ever seen! Their color combination with that teardrop on the back end is so sleek. And as far as fish go, these guys are somewhat ADD. They are always moving, constantly looking for food, and incessantly bullying any other large fish that get too close.