Fish Tank

Dive Site Name: Fish Tank

• Location: 25 minutes drive from the dock
• Dive Site Background: Named for the multitude of fish life it attracts, Fish Tank is a hive of activity along the edge of the miniwall.
• Dive Site Details: A reef dive with depths ranging from 30-60 feet. Highlights include a large formation of Pillar Coral, schools of French and Bluestriped Grunts, and Lettuce Sea Slugs.
• Fun Fact or Anecdote: Lettuce Sea Slugs are sometimes known as Solar-Powered Slugs due to their ability to photosynthesize.
• Practical Information: Explore the coral formations east of the pin, where you can find Pillar Coral and various schools of fish. Keep an eye out for Lettuce Sea Slugs in the shallow hardpan areas.
• Safety and Conservation: Be careful not to touch the delicate Pillar Coral and follow standard diving guidelines.

The dive site's name may be simple, but it's wholly appropriate. The edge of the miniwall attracts a multitude of fish life and is a hive of activity. It's easy to visualize the reef as a city with its inhabitants scurrying about carrying out their respective roles.

A short way east of the pin is a large formation of Pillar Coral. This fantastic hard coral grows in columns vertically from the bottom and is unique among hard corals in that it feeds during daylight hours. A close look reveals its tiny polyps with extended tentacles picking up tasty morsels from the water. Careful though, despite its fuzzy appearance, it is very delicate so resist the temptation to touch it! Pillar Corals grow exceptionally slowly, and this formation is between 8 – 10 feet tall. It does not take a mathematician to realize this is an ancient example of an incredible species.

Large schools of French and Bluestriped Grunts inhabit the little grooves just east of the Pillars and make for beautiful photos as they gently move back and forth with the water. Eagle-eyed (and patient) divers can look in the shallow hardpan areas for little Lettuce Sea Slugs that are between an inch to two inches long. Their frilly backs are reminiscent of lettuce leaves, and they use them to store algal chloroplasts from the algae in their diet. These chloroplasts allow the animal to absorb energy from the sun to photosynthesize. They are sometimes known as Solar-Powered Slugs!

About Ocean Frontiers Ltd.

Ocean Frontiers Dive Shop is located on the remote East End of Grand Cayman. Founded in 1996 with one dive boat and a dream to introduce divers to the wonders of East End diving, the company has grown into one of Cayman’s premier dive operations with a reputation for legendary customer service and having the island’s friendliest staff.  Ocean Frontiers is also recognized as one of the most conservation-minded dive operators in the Cayman Islands with a long history of promoting ocean protection through its company programs, and an unwavering support for outside environmental projects. The winner of Project AWARE’s Environmental Achievement Award in 2004 and 2010, Ocean Frontiers has again been recognized in 2012. The company also received the PADI Green Star Dive Center accreditation in 2012 for demonstrating a dedication to conservation, the first dive operator in the Cayman Islands to receive this distinction.