Creature Feature

NOAA’s Monitor National Marine Sanctuary is home to a rich and biodiverse community of ocean life. Since the USS Monitor sank during a storm in 1862, the historic ironclad has become a thriving artificial reef—offering shelter, feeding areas, and breeding grounds for numerous fish species and underwater sea creatures.

In 2022, a telepresence expedition to the USS Monitor collected footage of a wide variety of marine creatures on and around the shipwreck. Many of the following species were documented and identified from the footage in partnership with North Carolina Aquariums. From giant manta rays to schools of tiny mackerel, here’s a look at just some of the species that live and swim through the sanctuary

The wildlife in Monitor National Marine Sanctuary need you to be a good steward on your outdoor adventures. Remember to follow the wildlife viewing guidelines, responsible diving practices, and our guidelines for boaters.

Sharks and Rays

Sand Tiger Shark (Carcharius taurus)

Sand tiger sharks are found in coastal waters, often near wrecks and reefs worldwide. Carnivorous, feeding on bony fish, rays, and small sharks, they can grow up to 10.5 feet long. Sand tiger sharks are known for gulping air to regulate buoyancy, enabling them to hover motionlessly.

White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias)

Among the largest predatory fish in the ocean, white sharks are known for their size, strength, and speed. With powerful tails, they can reach speeds of up to 35 miles per hour. They are often found in temperate coastal waters with abundant marine life. They occasionally visit the waters off North Carolina, including areas near Monitor National Marine Sanctuary, where seasonal gatherings of marine mammals and fish attract them.

Giant Manta Ray (Mobula birostris)

The largest manta rays in the world, giant manta rays can have a wingspan of up to 29 feet across. They keep their mouths open and filter plankton out of the water for food while swimming. These gentle giants are often found in the ocean near lively coastal areas. However, their populations have declined in some regions due to commercial fishing,where they are unintentionally caught as bycatch.

Bony Fish

Almaco Jack (Seriola rivoliana)

Almaco jack are typically found in deep water in tropical and temperate areas. They are carnivorous and often feed on smaller fish, squid, and crustaceans. Almaco jack can grow up to 63 inches long and weigh over 130 pounds. Known for their strength and speed, Almaco jack are popular among sport fishers.

Greater Amberjack (Seriola dumerili)

Living in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, greater amberjacks favor deeper waters near wrecks and reefs. They prey on a variety of smaller fish and other marine animals. Greater amberjacks are a top predator in their ecosystem and can exceed 6 feet in length and weigh up to 176 pounds.

Atlantic Spadefish (Chaetodipterus faber)

Prefers warm, coastal waters, especially near reefs and mangroves. Atlantic spadefish are omnivorous and consume jellyfish, plankton, and small invertebrates. Atlantic spadefish grow up to 35 inches in length. These schooling fish are easily recognized by their vertical black stripes.

Black Sea Bass (Centropristis striata)

Black sea bass feed on crustaceans, mollusks, and smaller fish. Living in the western Atlantic, often near reefs and structures like shipwrecks, they typically grow up to 24 inches long.

Grey Triggerfish (Balistes capriscus)

Found in the Atlantic Ocean, particularly near reefs, grey triggerfish eat crustaceans, mollusks, and echinoderms. They have a "trigger" fin which locks into place for protection against predators. Grey triggerfish are highly territorial, especially when nesting, and have been known to go after swimmers or divers who get too close to their nests.

Red Lionfish (Pterois volitans)

Found in coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves, red lionfish are originally native to the Indo-Pacific but are now invasive in the western Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of America. Carnivorous, preying on small fish and invertebrates, red lionfish can grow up to 15 inches. They are known for their venomous spines, which provide defense against predators.

Red Snapper (Lutjanus campechanus)

Common in the Gulf of America and south Atlantic Ocean, red snappers are often found around reefs and shipwrecks. They are opportunistic feeders, consuming fish, crustaceans, and mollusks. Red snappers can grow up to 40 inches and weigh up to 50 pounds.

Roughtongue Bass (Pronotogrammus martinicensis)

This vibrant fish is often observed in groups near the seafloor and is found in deep reef environments of the western Atlantic. Roughtongue bass feed on zooplankton and small invertebrates, and can grow up to 8 inches long.

Spotfin Hogfish (Bodianus pulchellus)

Found in coral reefs and rocky areas in the western Atlantic and Gulf of America, spotfin hogfish are carnivorous, feeding on mollusks, crustaceans, and sea urchins. Their juveniles often serve as cleaner fish, removing parasites from other species. Adults reach up to 11 inches and are bright reddish-pink with a yellow caudal fin (tail) and a distinctive black spot on the rear dorsal fin.

Vermillion Snapper (Rhomboplites aurorubens)

Found in the western Atlantic, often in large schools near reefs and rocky bottoms, vermillion snappers eat plankton, small fish, and crustaceans. They typically grow up to 24 inches and can be recognized by their rosy reddish coloration with yellow streaks and forked tail.

Invertebrates

Arrow Crab (Stenorhynchus seticornis)

Arrow crabs get their name from their shape, which resembles an arrow. Commonly found in coral reefs and rocky areas in the Atlantic Ocean, arrow crabs are omnivorous and feed on small invertebrates and organic debris. They have a long, spindly body with legs that can span up to 4 inches.

Bristle Worms (Ploychaeta spp.)

Bristle worms are found worldwide in marine environments, from shallow shores to deep seas. Some species are filter feeders; others are scavengers or predators, and their size varies widely; some species are less than 1 mm, while others exceed 1 m in length. Their bristle-covered bodies allow for burrowing and swimming.

Long-Spine Sea Urchin (Diadema antillarum)

Sea urchins inhabit coral reefs and rocky substrates. They are known for their hard, round shell and long spines. They graze and feed on algae, helping to prevent algal overgrowth on reefs. Several species of urchins can be found in the sanctuary, including long-spined urchins, reef urchins, and rock urchins.

Sea Sponges (Class Demospongiae)

Sea sponges are immobile aquatic invertebrates that belong to the phylum Porifera. They are important inhabitants of reef ecosystems that filter water, collect bacteria, and process nutrients. Sea sponges appear in many different forms, with different skeletal types adapting well to their particular habitats. They typically live on hard, rocky surfaces or soft sediments such as sand and mud. Alongside corals, tunicates, and other invertebrates, sponges are a prominent feature in the benthic community of the USS Monitor.

Sea Stars (Class Asteroidea)

Different species of true sea stars exist within the sanctuary. Sea stars generally have a central disc with five or more radiating arms. They can regenerate lost arms or even more of their body, depending on the circumstances.

Slipper Lobster (Articides spp.)

Slipper lobsters have flattened bodies and lack the prominent claws that most other lobsters have. They are nocturnal scavengers who eat a variety of benthic organisms.

Tulip Snail (Fasciolaria tulipa)

Tulip snails have a large, spindle-shaped shell with varying color patterns. They can be found in seagrass beds, near oyster reefs, and in sandy substrates in shallow coastal waters.

Decorator Crab (Majidae spp.)

Decorator crabs are known for adorning their shells with debris for camouflage. They use hooked setae to attach materials to themselves and can be found in various marine habitats.

Hermit Crab (Petrochirus spp.)

Decorator crabs are known for adorning their shells with debris for camouflage. They use hooked setae to attach materials to themselves and can be found in various marine habitats.

Sea Anemone (Actiniaria spp.)

Possessing stinging tentacles that they use to capture prey, sea anemones are soft-bodied, sessile marine predators. They also form mutualistic relationships with clownfish.

Sea Cucumber (Holothuroidea spp.)

Sea cucumbers are critical to help with nutrient recycling in ocean floor ecosystems. Some species can expel their internal organs (known as "evisceration") to deter predators.

Serpent Stars (Ophiolepis spp.)

Serpent stars, also called brittle stars, are found in sandy or rocky substrates and reefs worldwide. They are scavengers and detritivores, feeding on organic debris. Their arm span can reach up to 20 inches, and they can regenerate lost arms as a defense mechanism.

Sea Turtles

Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta)

Named for their large heads, loggerhead turtles are the most abundant species of sea turtle that nests in the U.S. They have powerful jaw muscles that help them eat hard-shelled prey like whelks and conch. They face population declines due to being caught as bycatch in commercial fishing.

Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas)

Named for their large heads, loggerhead turtles are the most abundant species of sea turtle that nests in the U.S. They have powerful jaw muscles that help them eat hard-shelled prey like whelks and conch. They face population declines due to being caught as bycatch in commercial fishing.

Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)

With their unique beak-shaped mouth, hawksbills can reach food in small cracks and crevices. They are found in tropical and sub-tropical oceans and are critical to marine ecosystems. However, hawksbill populations are endangered due to historically being hunted for their beautiful shells, which were often made into jewelry.

Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys kempii)

Kemp’s ridley sea turtles are named after Richard Kemp, the fisherman who first submitted the species for identification in 1906. They are the smallest sea turtle in the world, and can be found in the Atlantic Ocean, primarily in the Gulf of America.

Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)

The largest sea turtle in the world, leatherbacks are also the only species of sea turtle that do not have scales or a hard shell. Instead, leatherbacks have tough, rubbery skin, after which they are named. Leatherbacks are facing population declines due to hunting, being caught as bycatch, and facing habitat loss.

Marine Mammals

Common Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)

Found in offshore and coastal waters globally, common bottlenose dolphins are one of the most well-studied marine mammals in the wild. They often live close to shore, which makes them easier to view but more threatened by human activities. They are an intelligent species and use sound for communication and hunting. They are threatened by being caught as bycatch, disease, pollution, habitat loss, oil spills, illegal feeding, and many other human activities.