The beauty and mystery of Roatan revealed
Roatan is an island in the Republic of Honduras. It is home to more than 41,000 people. It is also one of the world's most beautiful tourist destinations. A group of Canadians made their way to Roatan to experience the magic and the mystery of this unique place. They were not disappointed.
The warmth of the people is one of the first things that grabs you in this little piece of paradise. The food, the smells, and the abundance of culinary choices make exploring this island a pleasure that doesn't stop.
This video provides a close up look at the mystery and wonder of Roatan, filmed on land, underwater, and from the air. The beauty is unrivaled and the magic is unforgettable. Roatan should be on everybody's bucket list.
The animals in Roatan are fascinating. An indigo hamlet darts about, showing off the brilliant blue colour that gives it the name, divers exploring with Native Sons Dive Centre carry their tanks across the beach, hop on a boat and depart on an adventure they will not forget. Two giant porcupine fish frolic over the coral, curious about the divers. An orange spotted file fish changes colour in seconds to blend in with the reef, a spotted eel hunts for food, a school of squid glide past, and a grouper lurks in the soft corals. A great barracuda shows its menacing teeth, a blue spotted file fish regards the divers as it eats algae, and dog tooth snappers follow the divers, hoping for a handout.
A grouper hides in a barrel sponge, getting a teeth cleaning from his little wrasse friend. An upside down jellyfish pulsates on the sand, creating a flow of water to filter nutrients. A basket star expands in the darkness to reach out for its meals, and a moray eel patrols the sea bottom, hoping to ambush an octopus or a fish. a string jellyfish, almost invisible drifts on the current, and a massive channel clinging crab walks along, eating algae. A giant midnight parrot fish turns around in its crevice. A moray eel investigates the camera. A queen angel fish shows off her stunning colours, a school of surgeon fish provide a beautiful display, and a peacock flounder blends in on the sand with impressive camouflage. Creole wrasses dance over the coral head. Scuba divers explore a mysterious swim through, a box fish nibbles, and hungry sharks compete for fish scraps in a controlled feed. Guests visit a sanctuary and get a close look at parrots, sloths, and monkeys. A fire dancer gives a mesmerizing performance on the beach (Moni Noo). Amid shouts of taco taco taco, one of the locals performs as he cooks his wares. A boat takes us on a tour of the mangroves, home to thousands of species that come here to hide until they are big enough to survive in the ocean.
A visit to Roatan provides memories that will last a lifetime.
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Grouper in Roatan gets a teeth cleaning by his little friend
Groupers are intelligent fish, and capable predators. They ambush their prey or actively hunt fish, octopus, and crustaceans. They create a powerful suction as they open their mouths and inhale their prey. Small fish are wise to avoid the powerful jaws of the grouper.
But the ocean is a complex world with many unusual relationships that exist between the inhabitants here. The grouper has found a resting spot in a large barrel sponge. The sponges are animals, although they are rooted in place, unable to move. They draw sea water in and pass it out, filtering nutrients that they consume as food. The gentle water flow may be enjoyable for the grouper as it also enjoys the concealment from predators and their intended prey. Barrel sponges are the longest living animals on the planet, occasionally reaching 2500 years.
This grouper is involved in a mutually beneficial arrangement with the small wrasse that darts in and out of its mouth. The wrasse is known as a cleaner fish and they hide among the corals and sponges until they are called into action. A larger fish such as this grouper signals the wrasse by tilting upwards and opening its mouth wide. The wrasse trusts the grouper in an age old contract that provides the wrasse with food as it cleans the teeth of the grouper. This benefits the grouper by preventing rotting material from remaining in the mouth, causing infections and sores. The grouper gets free dental care and the wrasse gets a meal. The grouper will not break the trust of his little friend.
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