July 5, 2021: Swallowtail Bass
Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2019 Southeastern U.S. Deep-sea Exploration. Download larger version (jpg, 800 KB).
This colorful swallowtail bass (Anthias woodsi) was observed during a 2019 Southeastern U.S. Deep-sea Exploration dive on Pourtalés Terrace, about 30 miles south of the Florida Keys. During the dive, we explored both inside and outside the Pourtalés Terrace Deepwater Coral Habitat Area of Particular Concern and found an array of marine life, from squid, blackbelly rosefish, sharks, codlings, swallowtail bass, crinoids, sea urchins, brittle stars, sea stars, black coral, lace coral, sponges, and more.