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Click the play button above to view a montage of the rich variety of marine life found near the wreckage of USS Narcissus.

The sunken tugboat is home to a surprising diversity of marine life, not only of fish but also of invertebrate species, including hard and soft corals. Divers may encounter scaled sardines and spadefish, as well as belted sandfish, wrasse, goliath grouper, gag grouper, flounder, and sheepshead are found onsite. Invertebrates include sponges, feather duster worms, orange, purple, and yellow gorgonians, sand dollars, and hermit crabs.

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images of the various marine life located at the wreckage of USS Narcissus.

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{caption} (Image courtesy of the Florida Aquarium)

Lined Seahorse – Seahorses are rare, but can group together in sheltered areas. They use their tails to hold fast, and grow up to six inches long.
Lined Seahorse
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Lined Seahorse
Lined Seahorse – Seahorses swim in an erect position using their dorsal and pectoral fins for steering.
Lined Seahorse
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Lined Seahorse
Southern Stingray – Southern Stingrays can be a variety of colors, tan, brown, black or gray. They tend to stay on the bottom, covered in sand.
Southern Stingray
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Southern Stingray
Stone Crab – Be careful, a Stone Crab claw can break an oyster shell. This crab hides among the structure.
Stone Crab
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Stone Crab
Sponges and Wrass – Sponges and small wrasses can be found in close proximity to one another.
Sponges and Wrass
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Sponges and Wrass
Goliath Grouper – These gentle giants grow up to 8 feet long, and can be found near the USS Narcissus’ engine and stern assembly. Goliath grouper have been protected in Florida waters since 1990.
Goliath Grouper
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Goliath Grouper
Goliath Grouper – Until recently the population of Goliath groupers was in a rapid decline. Now it is slowly recovering, due to a ban on harvesting.
Goliath Grouper
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Goliath Grouper
Goliath Grouper – This Goliath Grouper has found a place to hide in the engine.
Goliath Grouper
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Goliath Grouper
Goliath Grouper – By nature the fish is solitary, seeking refuge in areas of caves, wrecks, and ledges.
Goliath Grouper
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Goliath Grouper
Goliath Grouper – These groupers can produce a distinctive rumbling sound generated by their swim bladders.
Goliath Grouper
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Goliath Grouper
Flounder – Masters of camouflage, Flounder can blend into the seabed when still.
Flounder
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Flounder
Flounder – The Flounder hides under a thin covering of sand; only its eyes peek out.
Flounder
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Flounder
Soapfish – Soapfish get their name from the soapy, toxic mucus that they secrete.
Soapfish
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Soapfish
Sheepshead – Sheepshead use the structure of USS Narcissus for shelter.
Sheepshead
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Sheepshead
Sheepshead – Sheepshead are a fairly common sight on USS Narcissus.
Sheepshead
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Sheepshead
Baitfish – Thousands of small fish call USS Narcissus home.
Baitfish
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Baitfish
Baitfish – Schools of fish circle the remaining structure.
Baitfish
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Baitfish
This small fish finds shelter under a shell beside the structure.
small fish finds shelter
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This small fish finds shelter under a shell beside the structure.