Banded Rudderfish

Rudderfish

Seriola zonata

Size
to 24"

Habitat
Coastal surface waters, congregating around any floating objects

Description
Juveniles ( shown, up to 12" ) are attractively patterned with six or seven dark bars; these are lost in adults, which are also much slimmer. Schools of small Rudderfish can often be found around boats, and even around divers hanging on the anchor line. Pilotfish are similar, but larger and retain dark bars throughout life.

Rudderfish
Herb Segars Photography

Cladophera
Cladophera
Sea Lettuce
Ulva or Sea Lettuce
Hollow Green Weed
Enteromorpha or Hollow Green Weed
Green Algae

Green algae take many forms, some of which superficially resemble grass and other plants. Cladophora grows in tufts 3"-12" in size. Sea Lettuce - Ulva lactuca - is a green algae that grows in large sheets up to 36" like tissue paper. Small specimens are attached, but large ones are usually found drifting. It is edible and extremely common in protected waters. Enteromorpha algae superficially resembles eelgrass, and like eelgrass may also grow in thick beds.