AnimalsThe sub-littoral zone hosts the majority of life in the ocean. Zooplankton, microscopic diatoms, small shrimp, and copepods form the basis of oceanic life. The majority of the world's fisheries for human seafood consumption also inhabit this region including salmon, tuna, seabass, snapper, marlin, sailfish, mahi mahi, and tuna as well as many other food fish. Dolphins, porpoises, sharks, and whales also spend a great deal of time in these waters on a constant hunt for food.
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Common species in the sub-littoral zone
Unique species in the sub-littoral zone
The Peacock
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The Pinecone FishThe Pinecone fish is a largely nocturnal fish that mainly lives in the sub-littoral zone. They use photosphoers to make light and attract zooplankton. Zooplankton makes up much of the Pinecone fishes diet. The average length of the fish is 6.5 inches long.
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Invasive Marine Animals
An invasive species is an organism that is not native to an area and has negative effects on the environment, threatening the diversity or abundance of native species. Invasive species cost an average of $138 billion in damages, losses, and control measures each year in the U.S. alone. They also threaten to make nearly half of already endangered species extinct. Invasive plants and animals are introduced by the aquarium trade and for agricultural and pest control. They are also unintentionally transported from their native habitats to new areas in ballast waters released from international cargo ships. Although there are many invasive species, one of the most significant threats in the ocean is the lionfish. They are native to subtropical and tropical regions of the Indo-Pacific. However, they make up 93% of the invasive population in the Western Atlantic and have been described as the most aggressively invasive species on the planet. Lionfish pose the greatest threat to coral reefs. They reproduce rapidly, producing 30,000 to 40,000 eggs every few days. The have venomous spines to protect them which is why they have very few natural predators to keep their population in check. They are aggressive eaters that will eat almost anything. A single lionfish can reduce young reef fish populations by 79%. There are campaigns encouraging the killing and eating of these fish by humans to help get them under control. Non-native species are not always considered an invasive nuisance. If they do not upset the delicate balance of an ecosystem, they can sometimes be beneficial. One example is Asian oysters. Scientists introduced them into the Chesapeake Bay to restore oyster stocks and remove pollution. Asian oysters filter water pollutants better, grow faster, and are more resistant to disease than the native oysters helping improve the water quality in the bay benefitting the other species that live there as well.