The Fix The Reef Foundation aims to restore and protect the coral reef and the associated biodiversity. The coral reef is vital to all life on our planet. Currently it is under immense pressure and dying in all of our oceans. Our main activity, with which we want to achieve our goal, is breeding different types of coral in their natural habitat. By restoring coral reefs we protect 25% of the mystic animals in the ocean. Dive into our world and Find out what kind of unbelievable creatures live in these beautiful coral reefs.
The mystic sea dragon.
Master of disguise, animal or seaweed?
These sea dragons looking like a tangle of seaweed. The leafy sea dragon floats through 15 and 50 meters deep chilly waters in the south coast of Australia. The 30 centimeter (12-in) is a typical example of the ducht old saying, wie niet sterk is moet slim zijn. (who isn’t strong, must be clever) For the survival of these delicate ”Phycodurus eques” called laten, they develop lobes of skin with the appearance of seaweed. These masters of camouflage are also trying their enemies by not only appearing to look like seaweed, but also by acting like a floating seaweed. They are able to maintain the illusion when swimming and even changing colors to survive. A real master of evolution. The species feeds by sucking up small organismes, such as shrimps, plankton, and larval fish through its long snout.
Strange parenting skills? A pregnant father.
For many a strange phenomenon, but for the Syngnathidae a family of fish which includes seahorses, pipefishes, and seadragons. It’s the daddy who will take care of the eggs, an unsual sexrole, but uniquely. After the female lays up 100 to 250 eggs under the tail of the male. The male then fertilizes the eggs and the ”pregnant father” will bear the mass of eggs under his tail until the hague after three to five weeks. Only about 5% of the eggs survive. Once born, the young seadragon is completely independent.
Did you know, that?
The sea dragon is rarely seen except when tossed ashore by storms?
The leafy sea dragon doesn’t breed in captivity and is difficult to keep?
The Leafy sea dragons cost between $10,000 and $15,000 a piece and are prohibitive to most collectors?
The colorful nudibranch
Magical colours and forms.
The nudibranch is a sea slug. They are basically snails without the protective shells. They are soft, gentle and not exactly speedy. These beautiful colored sea slugs are showing off, their colors are actually a warning. They are venomous and not a lot of enemies are willing to try these slugs for dinner. Some of these nudibranchs have found a devious way to defend themselves. They feed on a related jellyfish called hydroids that have tentacles whicmo they use to catch loot floating by. They are covered in stingers that pack an excruciating paralyzing venom.
TIt’s the same type of potent weaponry that makes jellyfish so dangerous. Tough them and they explode, shooting out harpoons full of venom.
This is why most creatures want nothing to do with them. However, nudibranchs love them! When the nudibranch eats the nematocysts, they fire off in the nudibranch’s mouth. Some of those nematocysts don’t detonate right away, because they aren’t mature yet. The nudibranch swallows the immature stingers whole, and they travel through the nudibranch’s strange-looking digestive tract, which extends into the spikes on its back, called cerata. The stingers are collected at the very tip. Where they mature. Until the nudibranch feels threatened. That’s when this colorful little slug points its bristling creature at its attacker, squirts out the nematocysts and they explode launching their venomous harpoons. That is enough to warn predators not to mess with these guys. If you are not born with certain assets, nature finds his way to survive.
Did you know that?
Some sea slugs have a symbiotic relationship with algae?And they survive up to 10 months without food?
Sea slugs are known to eat each other?
All sea slugs contain both male and female organs?