Fauna of the Caribbean Sea

The Caribbean Sea area belongs to the Caribbean region according to the faunal zonation. The region has a high biodiversity, with many species being endemic. The marine fauna of the region is derived from representatives of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, which entered the Caribbean Sea before the formation of the Isthmus of Panama about 4 million years ago.

Common fish of the Caribbean Sea

The Caribbean is home to some 450 species of fish, including flying fish, giant oceanic manta rays, Acanthurus bahianus, Pomacanthus, spotfin butterflyfish (Chaetodon ocellatus), parrotfish, Atlantic goliath grouper (Epinephelus itajara), tarpon and muraena. Throughout the Caribbean there are commercial catches of achelata, sardine (off the Yucatan Peninsula) and some species of tuna. Bonefish, barracuda, marlin and wahoo are popular with sport fishermen.

Sharks of the Caribbean

The bull shark, tiger shark, silky shark and Caribbean reef shark are all found in the Caribbean.

Mammals of the Caribbean Sea

There are 90 species of mammals in the Caribbean, including sperm whales, humpback whales and oceanic dolphins. Pinnipeds and the West Indian manatee are found off the island of Jamaica. The Caribbean monk seal, which once lived in the region, is thought to be extinct.

Reptiles of the Caribbean

The reptiles of the Caribbean are represented by 500 species (94% endemic). Several endemic species of Cyclura inhabit the islands, and the American crocodile is widespread. Several species of sea turtles are represented in the region: Trichechea spp. Loggerhead (Caretta caretta), Green, Hawksbill, Leatherback, Kemp's Ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) and Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea). 

Amphibians of the Caribbean

All 170 amphibian species in the region are endemic. The habitats of almost all members of the True Toad, Poison Dart Frog, Hylidae and Leptodactylidae families are restricted to one island.

Caribbean corals

The Atlantic Ocean contains about 9% of the world's coral reefs. They cover an area of 50,000 km², most of it off the Caribbean islands.  Scleractinian corals are the most common.