Luiz Rocha
@coralreeffish.bsky.social
Curator of Fishes at CalAcademy and Rolex Laureate inspiring protection of the oceans through science, photography, exploration, and storytelling.
The reef is full of dangers 🌊 The Orange-spotted Filefish has a wild trick—it smells like the coral it eats, fooling predators! Often seen in pairs, it’s double trouble. 🧡🐟 #CoralConnections #ReefMagic #OceanAdaptations
July 31, 2025 at 3:00 PM
The reef is full of dangers 🌊 The Orange-spotted Filefish has a wild trick—it smells like the coral it eats, fooling predators! Often seen in pairs, it’s double trouble. 🧡🐟 #CoralConnections #ReefMagic #OceanAdaptations
New paper out in Proceedings B @royalsociety.org by our team and Brazilian collaborators! Mid-Atlantic islands act as natural evolutionary incubators and highlight how rare dispersal across soft barriers can spark speciation. DM me if you want the PDF! royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...
July 16, 2025 at 5:01 PM
New paper out in Proceedings B @royalsociety.org by our team and Brazilian collaborators! Mid-Atlantic islands act as natural evolutionary incubators and highlight how rare dispersal across soft barriers can spark speciation. DM me if you want the PDF! royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...
This Candy Basslet (Liopropoma carmabi)—which I photographed her in the Steinhart Aquarium’s Twilight Zone exhibit—is a vivid reminder of the hidden beauty thriving in mesophotic reefs. Rarely seen, but impossible to forget. 🌊🔦 #TwilightZoneExhibit #HiddenDepths
July 8, 2025 at 5:12 PM
This Candy Basslet (Liopropoma carmabi)—which I photographed her in the Steinhart Aquarium’s Twilight Zone exhibit—is a vivid reminder of the hidden beauty thriving in mesophotic reefs. Rarely seen, but impossible to forget. 🌊🔦 #TwilightZoneExhibit #HiddenDepths
The Black-lined Sleeper Goby (Valenciennea helsdingenii) is common on sheltered reefs and estuaries throughout the Indo-Pacific. They are usually seen in pairs of small groups, and I was lucky to photographed these two here perfectly lined up! #ichthyology #NastyGoby #Indonesia
July 5, 2025 at 5:54 PM
The Black-lined Sleeper Goby (Valenciennea helsdingenii) is common on sheltered reefs and estuaries throughout the Indo-Pacific. They are usually seen in pairs of small groups, and I was lucky to photographed these two here perfectly lined up! #ichthyology #NastyGoby #Indonesia
Our new paper reporting several new records of deep reef fishes in Australia's Coral Sea is out in Coral Reefs! Great team effort led by @kaithefishguy.bsky.social and including records made both by technical diving and ROVs. link.springer.com/article/10.1...
June 16, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Our new paper reporting several new records of deep reef fishes in Australia's Coral Sea is out in Coral Reefs! Great team effort led by @kaithefishguy.bsky.social and including records made both by technical diving and ROVs. link.springer.com/article/10.1...
The Gilded Triggerfish (Xanthichthys auromarginatus) is a common and widely distributed fish. But because it prefers deeper waters (usually below 40m) in places with a lot of current, it's rarely seen. I photographed this beautiful male in the Maldives at about 70m depth.
June 11, 2025 at 11:08 AM
The Gilded Triggerfish (Xanthichthys auromarginatus) is a common and widely distributed fish. But because it prefers deeper waters (usually below 40m) in places with a lot of current, it's rarely seen. I photographed this beautiful male in the Maldives at about 70m depth.
Today, we celebrate the vast blue heart of our planet—the oceans. Be mindful, be curious, and be bold in your efforts to protect them.
Here’s to the beauty, power, and mystery of the oceans. 🌍💙
#WorldOceansDay #ProtectOurBluePlanet #OceanLove
Here’s to the beauty, power, and mystery of the oceans. 🌍💙
#WorldOceansDay #ProtectOurBluePlanet #OceanLove
June 8, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Today, we celebrate the vast blue heart of our planet—the oceans. Be mindful, be curious, and be bold in your efforts to protect them.
Here’s to the beauty, power, and mystery of the oceans. 🌍💙
#WorldOceansDay #ProtectOurBluePlanet #OceanLove
Here’s to the beauty, power, and mystery of the oceans. 🌍💙
#WorldOceansDay #ProtectOurBluePlanet #OceanLove
These spawning hamlets that I photographed in Belize are a perfect reminder of the ocean's rhythms and resilience. This #WorldOceanWeek, let’s celebrate and protect the underwater wonders that sustain our planet. Every fish, every reef, every ripple matters. 🌍🌱
June 4, 2025 at 10:17 AM
These spawning hamlets that I photographed in Belize are a perfect reminder of the ocean's rhythms and resilience. This #WorldOceanWeek, let’s celebrate and protect the underwater wonders that sustain our planet. Every fish, every reef, every ripple matters. 🌍🌱
Kicking off World Ocean Week with one of the ocean’s most colorful powerhouses — the mantis shrimp! 🌊🦐💥 Let’s protect their home and all the magic beneath the waves. 💙 #WorldOceanWeek #MantisShrimp #ProtectOurOceans #OceanMagic
June 2, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Kicking off World Ocean Week with one of the ocean’s most colorful powerhouses — the mantis shrimp! 🌊🦐💥 Let’s protect their home and all the magic beneath the waves. 💙 #WorldOceanWeek #MantisShrimp #ProtectOurOceans #OceanMagic
The Bicolor Basslet (Lipogramma klayi) is a Caribbean deep-reef basslet. I photographed this one at 90m depth off Roatán at its natural #mesophotic habitat. This species is very rarely seen, but common at depths between 80 and 110m. #Honduras #DeepReefBiodiversity
May 26, 2025 at 4:26 PM
The Bicolor Basslet (Lipogramma klayi) is a Caribbean deep-reef basslet. I photographed this one at 90m depth off Roatán at its natural #mesophotic habitat. This species is very rarely seen, but common at depths between 80 and 110m. #Honduras #DeepReefBiodiversity
🌊🌿 Happy International #BiodiversityDay2025! 🌿🌊 Symbiotic relationships are everywhere; these partnerships keep ecosystems balanced, species thriving, and life interconnected in ways we’re still discovering. And that teaches us a powerful lesson: we are better together!
May 22, 2025 at 3:36 PM
🌊🌿 Happy International #BiodiversityDay2025! 🌿🌊 Symbiotic relationships are everywhere; these partnerships keep ecosystems balanced, species thriving, and life interconnected in ways we’re still discovering. And that teaches us a powerful lesson: we are better together!
🌍 Coris atlantica is a beautiful wrasse common in oceanic islands of the tropical eastern Atlantic. Males often spread their fins and show off their colors to intimidate rivals and attract females. #ichthyology #biodiversity #SaoTome
May 15, 2025 at 4:37 PM
🌍 Coris atlantica is a beautiful wrasse common in oceanic islands of the tropical eastern Atlantic. Males often spread their fins and show off their colors to intimidate rivals and attract females. #ichthyology #biodiversity #SaoTome
Happy Cinco de Mayo! Wishing everyone a day full of vibrant colors and Mexican Caribbean vibes — just like this magnificent Queen Angelfish (Holacanthus ciliaris) that I photographed a couple of years ago in Cancún! 🌊🎉🇲🇽 #CincoDeMayo #Cancun #Explore
May 5, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Happy Cinco de Mayo! Wishing everyone a day full of vibrant colors and Mexican Caribbean vibes — just like this magnificent Queen Angelfish (Holacanthus ciliaris) that I photographed a couple of years ago in Cancún! 🌊🎉🇲🇽 #CincoDeMayo #Cancun #Explore
Meet the Flame Angelfish (Centropyge loriculus), one of the most stunning pygmy angelfishes in the world. I love the contrast between its bold red-orange body, black stripes, and electric blue markings on the fins. Found in shallow reefs of the central and south Pacific.
April 29, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Meet the Flame Angelfish (Centropyge loriculus), one of the most stunning pygmy angelfishes in the world. I love the contrast between its bold red-orange body, black stripes, and electric blue markings on the fins. Found in shallow reefs of the central and south Pacific.
Hoping your day is as bright and beautiful as this Klunzinger's wrasse (Thalassoma rueppellii)! This species is only found in the Red Sea, and I photographed this one in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, home to some spectacular coral reefs. #PositiveVibes
April 24, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Hoping your day is as bright and beautiful as this Klunzinger's wrasse (Thalassoma rueppellii)! This species is only found in the Red Sea, and I photographed this one in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, home to some spectacular coral reefs. #PositiveVibes
From lots of color to no color at all! Meet the Midnight Angelfish (Centropyge nox). Yes, it's a real fish, and it's common in shallow coral-rich areas of the western Pacific. I photographed this one in Batangas, Philippines. #ichthyology
April 12, 2025 at 5:11 PM
From lots of color to no color at all! Meet the Midnight Angelfish (Centropyge nox). Yes, it's a real fish, and it's common in shallow coral-rich areas of the western Pacific. I photographed this one in Batangas, Philippines. #ichthyology
Crosshatch Triggerfish (Xanthichthys mento) sends everyone wishes of a very colorful and exciting week! #ichthyology #explore #scuba
April 7, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Crosshatch Triggerfish (Xanthichthys mento) sends everyone wishes of a very colorful and exciting week! #ichthyology #explore #scuba
Groppos (genus Grammatonotus) are only found in #mesophotic or deeper depths in the tropics. During our trip to the Marshall Islands I had the chance to photograph the beautiful G. xanthostigma at about 140m depth, and what a beauty it is! This was its first record to the region.
March 31, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Groppos (genus Grammatonotus) are only found in #mesophotic or deeper depths in the tropics. During our trip to the Marshall Islands I had the chance to photograph the beautiful G. xanthostigma at about 140m depth, and what a beauty it is! This was its first record to the region.
Staying in the Hawaii/Johnston area, here is another beautiful #mesophotic species that I photographed in Johnston Atoll: the Hawaiian Butterflyfish (Chaetodon tinkeri). This one is common at both places, rare in the Marshall Islands, and almost always found below 30m depth.
March 26, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Staying in the Hawaii/Johnston area, here is another beautiful #mesophotic species that I photographed in Johnston Atoll: the Hawaiian Butterflyfish (Chaetodon tinkeri). This one is common at both places, rare in the Marshall Islands, and almost always found below 30m depth.
The beautiful Centropyge nahackyi is a very rare angelfish found only on deep reefs of Johnston Atoll and occasionally Hawaii. When I went to Johnston back in 2006 they were quite common below 35m depth, and, unlike other pygmy angelfishes, surprisingly easy to photograph!
March 21, 2025 at 11:30 AM
The beautiful Centropyge nahackyi is a very rare angelfish found only on deep reefs of Johnston Atoll and occasionally Hawaii. When I went to Johnston back in 2006 they were quite common below 35m depth, and, unlike other pygmy angelfishes, surprisingly easy to photograph!
The beautiful Headband Butterflyfish (Chaetodon mitratus) is found in deep reefs of the tropical Indian Ocean. They can be seen in some places as shallow as 20m depth, but are most common around 60m. I photographed this one at about 70m depth in Zanzibar. #mesophotic #ichthyology
March 15, 2025 at 11:31 AM
The beautiful Headband Butterflyfish (Chaetodon mitratus) is found in deep reefs of the tropical Indian Ocean. They can be seen in some places as shallow as 20m depth, but are most common around 60m. I photographed this one at about 70m depth in Zanzibar. #mesophotic #ichthyology
The Neopercularis Hogfish (Bodianus neopercularis) is a deep reef wrasse found in the Central Pacific. They are especially common in the Marshall Islands where I photographed this one at about 90m depth. #explore #mesophotic
March 10, 2025 at 10:14 AM
The Neopercularis Hogfish (Bodianus neopercularis) is a deep reef wrasse found in the Central Pacific. They are especially common in the Marshall Islands where I photographed this one at about 90m depth. #explore #mesophotic
Here is another beauty from the deep, the Yellow-crowned Butterflyfish (Chaetodon flavocoronatus). It's only found in deep reefs of the Mariana Islands, and I photographed these at about 100m depth, but they have been seen in caves as shallow as 30m. #ichthyology #explore
March 4, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Here is another beauty from the deep, the Yellow-crowned Butterflyfish (Chaetodon flavocoronatus). It's only found in deep reefs of the Mariana Islands, and I photographed these at about 100m depth, but they have been seen in caves as shallow as 30m. #ichthyology #explore
Did you know that coral reefs extend to depths of about 150m? The deeper communities are very different and poorly known with some of the most incredible fish I've ever seen. This one is Odontanthias katayamai that I photographed at about 140m depth in the Marshall Islands!
February 26, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Did you know that coral reefs extend to depths of about 150m? The deeper communities are very different and poorly known with some of the most incredible fish I've ever seen. This one is Odontanthias katayamai that I photographed at about 140m depth in the Marshall Islands!