Another peculiar reef-dweller is the trumpetfish. It gets its name from the shape its mouth assumes when it pushes out its jaws to suck in small prey.

The trumpetfish is a clever hunter. It is often found hanging vertically among similarly shaped reef structures and patiently drifting along, waiting for the opportunity to strike its prey. When it does, it instantly darts forward like loosed leaf springs. It all happens very quickly.

And, although trumpetfish are pretty common on the reefs, I don’t often see them in the bright yellow color of this one on Diamond Rock reef.