Smooth Trunkfish

Photo: craigjhowe · CC BY-NC-ND

An indicator of healthy, complex reef structure, smooth trunkfish hover just above the substrate at CEADS, puffing water into the sand to expose buried invertebrates. Their rigid, box-like bodies and comically slow movement make them endearing subjects for underwater photographers. The CEADS population is notably large for the region, consistent with the exceptional reef health documented in Brazilian Navy-commissioned surveys.