Bluestreak cleaner wrasse Labroides dimidiatus

Bluestreak cleaner wrasse are active on coral reefs and provide a cleaning service to larger fish. These busy little fish feed on the parasites and mucus covering their “clients”. The clients will even open their mouths and gill covers to allow… Read more

Common carp (alien) Cyprinus carpio

Naturally occurring in Central Asia and parts of Europe, common carp are now found in many parts of the world.  Like most other alien species, they are hardy and can tolerate a wide range of conditions, thriving in dams and large turbid rivers. … Read more

Loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta

The loggerhead turtle, which is the most common in southern Africa, has a reddish-brown carapace and a hooked beak.  Adults reach a maximum mass of 125kg and measure up to 1.2m in length.  Loggerheads feed predominantly on sea urchins, molluscs… Read more

Western leopard toad Amietophrynus pantherinus

The Western leopard toad uses camouflage to blend into its environment and hide from predators. The Western Cape is the only place in the world where you will find Western leopard toads. They live in natural vegetation, on farms and in compost… Read more

Common octopus Octopus vulgaris

According to Two Oceans: A guide to the Marine Life of Southern Africa (Struik, 2007), the common octopus lives at depths of up to 200m and feeds on crabs, shellfish and rock lobsters. It lives in crevices and holes and is fiercely territorial.… Read more

African black oystercatcher Haematopus moquini

Oystercatchers are shorebirds that live on temperate and tropical coasts around the world, occurring on every continent except Antarctica. There are 12 known species worldwide. They are black to black-brown, or black and white in colour, depending… Read more

Plankton

Life depends on plankton. Plankton is made up of microscopic plants (phytoplankton) and animals (zooplankton). Zooplankton feed on phytoplankton and drift with the currents. Plankton are very important in the marine food chain. The largest fish… Read more