Physical Land Features:
The Andros Reef is part of the Ocean Biome. The reef can be divided into 5 major zones, the lagoon, the back reef, reef crest, innerfore reef, and outerfore reef. The Andros Barrier Reef slopes down a vertical cliff that begins 20 m below the surface and then drops off to over 2000 m or 6000 feet in to a deep ocean trench called the Tongue of the ocean.
Location:
The Andros Barrier Reef is approximately 200 km from the Joulter Cays in the north South Cay in the south.
Plant/ Animal Species:
There are over 164 species of fish and coral that make up the Andros reef community. These species are found in various densities along the reef. A few specific fish found in the Andros Barrier Reef are the Sharp Nose Puffer, the Rock Lobster, the Queen Trigger, the Flying Gurnard, the Green Turtle, the Blue Tang, the Reef Shark, the Black Hamlet, the Black Jack, and the Spanish Hog Fish. The different types of Coral in the Andros Barrier Reef are the Giant Tube Sponge, Sea Rod, Smooth Brain Coral, Deep Water Gorgonia, and the Staghorn Coral.
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SHARP NOSE PUFFER are omnivores that consume small reef invertebrates such as crabs, shrimp, and snails.
http://saltwater.tropicalfishandaquariums.com/Puffers/Canthigaster-valentiniPhoto.asp
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ROCK LOBSTER are omnivores that feed mainly on small fish, worms and some plant life. They burrow them selves in the sand or hide from predators in small crevices.
http://www.sardi.sa.gov.au/fisheries/wild_fisheries/offshore_crustaceans
QUEEN TRIGGER is typically found in coral or rocky reefs. It preys on a variety of invertebrates commonly sea urchins.
http://reefguide.org/pixhtml/queentrigger6.html
.urchine
THE FLYING GURNARD can actually "walk" along the ocean floor. The feed on small crustaceans and other small invertebrates.
http://reefguide.org/hawaii/pixhtml/helmutgurnard2.html
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THE GREEN TURTLE is a herbivore. It can weigh up to 700 pounds and is the largest turtle in the world.
http://seaturtles.org/article.php?id=2362
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BLUE TANG is one on the most common marine fish in the world. They feed on plankton and also some algae.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blue_tang_(Paracanthurus_hepatus)_01.jpg
THE BLACK HAMLET grow up to about 4 inches and feed mainly on small shrimp.
http://www.getahugetank.com/black-hamlet-p-2231.html
http://www.getahugetank.com/black-hamlet-p-2231.html
SPANISH HOGFISH typically grows from 20-30cm long. Constantly swims in search for food.
http://www.waterworld.pk/html/hog.html
http://www.waterworld.pk/html/hog.html
Climate Conditions:
In the Bahamas there are 340 days of sun, meaning there would be warm water all year round. June to November is hurricane season. May to October is the rainy season. This ocean has a salinity of about 3.5%.
Interesting Facts
The Andros Barrier Reef is the largest reef complex in the western North Atlantic. The Andros Barrier Reef is famous for its deep water sponges and large schools of Red Snappers.