For years, parrotfish were seen as coral's caretakers. But science is revealing a more complex story. In this post, I explore how parrotfish and corals support each other through a dynamic feedback loop that helps reefs stabilize after damage. #sciart #coralreefs oceanartivist.com/more-than-ga...

Tomorrow is the first dive day, so I’m posting my #sundayfishsketch a little early. This spotted eagle ray painting is part of my current art giveaway. #sciart #coralreefs #marinelife

In my first parrotfish blog, I explore why these fish are often called the "gardeners of the reef" and how their everyday behavior helps corals survive. Read the science behind my parrotfish gallery here. oceanartivist.com/the-gardener...

I’m giving away shark paintings to promote ocean conservation later this month. If you’re in the Maldives, you may be one of the lucky winners. #sundayfishsketch #sciart #coralreefs #marinelife

Vibrant fish are the pulse of a healthy reef. For decades, scientists have known that reefs with lots of parrotfish tend to have healthier coral. These fish aren't just colorful, they're working all day, every day, to keep reefs alive. oceanartivist.com/parrotfish-s...

Here is a Pacific Longnose Parrotfish for #Sundayfishsketch Reference photo by #spanglersscuba #sciart #coralreefs #marinelife

Happy New Year

Here is are some watercolor paintings of the developmental phases of Bullethead Parrotfish, Chlorurus spilurus, for my Sunday Fish Sketch. Reference photo(s) by Stephen Spangler #sciart #marinelife #coralreefs #parrotfish #spanglersscuba #sundayfishsketch

Every year, I participate in a global creative challenge called the 100 Days Project, an open invitation to pick a creative focus and commit to it for 100 days. oceanartivist.com/100-days-of-...

Happy Holidays from Ocean Artivist oceanartivist.com #sciart #coralreefs #marinelife

Here is a watercolor painting of a juvenile Spotted Parrotfish, Cetoscarus ocellatus, for my Sunday Fish Sketch. Reference photo(s) by Stephen Spangler, Scuba.Spanglers.com #sciart #marinelife #coralreefs #oceanconservation #parrotfish #spanglersscuba #sundayfishsketch

Here is a watercolor painting of a Redlip Parrotfish, intermediate phase, Scarus schlegeli, for my Sunday Fish Sketch. Reference photo(s) by Stephen Spangler, Scuba.Spanglers.com #sciart #marinelife #coralreefs #oceanconservation #parrotfish #spanglersscuba #sundayfishsketch

Here is a watercolor painting of a Yellowbar Parrotfish, Scarus schlegeli, for my Sunday Fish Sketch. Reference photo(s) by Stephen Spangler, Scuba.Spanglers.com #sciart #marinelife #coralreefs #oceanconservation #parrotfish #spanglersscuba #sundayfishsketch

Here is a watercolor painting of a Bluebarred Parrotfish, Scarus ghobban, terminal phase, for my Sunday Fish Sketch. Reference photo(s) by Stephen Spangler, Scuba.Spanglers.com #sciart #marinelife #coralreefs #oceanconservation #parrotfish #spanglersscuba #sundayfishsketch

Here is a watercolor painting of a Bartail Parrotfish, Scarus caudofasciatus, for my Sunday Fish Sketch. Reference photo(s) by Stephen Spangler, Scuba.Spanglers.com #sciart #marinelife #coralreefs #oceanconservation #parrotfish #spanglersscuba #sundayfishsketch

Here is a watercolor painting of a blacktop reef shark, Carcharhinus melanopterus, for your mid-week pick-me-up. #sharks #sharksandrays #sciart #marinelife #coralreefs

Here is a watercolor painting of a Dusky Parrotfish, Scarus niger, for my Sunday Fish Sketch. Reference photo(s) by Stephen Spangler, Scuba.Spanglers.com #sciart #marinelife #coralreefs #oceanconservation #parrotfish #spanglersscuba #sundayfishsketch

Here is a watercolor painting of a silvertip shark, Carcharhinus albimarginatus, which is not nearly as friendly-looking as the whitetip I posted a few days ago. #sciart #marinelife #coralreefs #oceanconservation #sharks #sharksandrays

Here is a watercolor painting of a white tipreef shark to make you smile. #sciart #marinelife #coralreefs #oceanconservation #sharks #sharksandrays

Here is a watercolor painting of a Bower’s Parrotfish, Chlorurus bowersi, for my Sunday Fish Sketch. Reference photo by Stephen Spangler, Scuba.Spanglers.com #sciart #marinelife #coralreefs #oceanconservation #parrotfish #spanglersscuba #sundayfishsketch

Here is a watercolor painting of a grey reef shark to brighten up your week. #sharks #sharksandrays #sciart #marinelife #coralreefs #oceanconservation

Here is a spotted eagle ray watercolor to round out your weekend. #sundayfishsketch #sciart #marinelife #coralreefs #sharks #sharksandrays

A pen and ink drawing of a peacock mantis shrimp, Odontodactylus scyllarus #inktober #inktober2025 #sciart #coralreefs #marinelife #crustaceans

A pen and ink drawing of a white spotted hermit crab, Dardanus megistos #inktober #inktober2025 #sciart #coralreefs #marinelife #crustaceans

A pen and ink drawing of a candy cane cleaner shrimp, Stenopus hispidus #inktober #inktober2025 #sciart #coralreefs #marinelife #crustaceans

A pen and ink drawing of a tiger shrimp, Phyllognathia ceratophthalmus #inktober #inktober2025 #sciart #coralreefs #marinelife #crustaceans

A pen and ink drawing of an anenome hermit crab, Dardanus tinctor #inktober #inktober2025 #sciart #coralreefs #marinelife #crustaceans

A pen and ink drawing of a golden mantis shrimp, Lysiosquilloides mapia #inktober #inktober2025 #sciart #coralreefs #marinelife #crustaceans

My next art give-away and virtual gallery will be sharks and rays. In preparation, I’ve been combing through my photos and sketchbooks for inspiration. Here is a repost of one of my old watercolors. #sundayfishsketch #sciart #coralreefs #marinelife #sharks

Pen and ink drawing of a mushroom coral shrimp, aka popcorn shrimp, Cuapetes kororensis #Inktober #inktober2025 #sciart #coralreefs #marinelife #crustaceans

Pen and ink drawing of a bubble coral shrimp, Vir philippinensis #Inktober #inktober2025 #sciart #coralreefs #marinelife #crustaceans

Pen and ink drawing of a painted lobster, Panulirus versicolor #Inktober #inktober2025 #sciart #coralreefs #marinelife #crustaceans

Pen and ink drawing of a camel shrimp, Rhynchocinetes durbanensis #Inktober #inktober2025 #sciart #coralreefs #marinelife #crustaceans

Pen and ink drawing of a scarlet starfish shrimp, Zenopotonia soror #Inktober #inktober2025 #sciart #coralreefs#marinelife #crustaceans

Pen and ink drawing of a scarlet skunk cleaner shrimp, Lysmata ambionensis #Inktober #inktober2025 #sciart #coralreefs#marinelife #crustaceans

My next art give-away and virtual gallery will be sharks and rays. In preparation, I’ve been combing through my photos and sketchbooks for inspiration. Here is a repost of one of my old watercolors. #sundayfishsketch #sciart #coralreefs #marinelife #sharks

Pen and ink drawing of a bumblebee shrimp, Gnathophyllum americanum #Inktober #inktober2025 #sciart #coralreefs #marinelife #crustaceans

Pen and ink drawing of a Sarasvati anenome shrimp, Ancylomenes sarasvati #Inktober #inktober2025 #sciart #coralreefs #marinelife #crustaceans

Pen and ink drawing of a soft coral spider crab, Achaeus spinosus #Inktober #inktober2025 #sciart #coralreefs #marinelife #crustaceans

Pen and ink drawing of a ghost shrimp, Isopotonia platycheles #Inktober #inktober2025 #sciart #coralreefs #marinelife #crustaceans

Pen and ink drawing of a skeleton shrimp, a member of the family Caprellidae. #Inktober #inktober2025 #sciart #coralreefs #marinelife #crustaceans

Pen and ink drawing of a sexy shrimp, Thor ambionesis. #Inktober #inktober2025 #sciart #coralreefs #marinelife #crustaceans

en and ink drawing of a harlequin shrimp, Hymenocera picta. #Inktober #inktober2025 #sciart #coralreefs #crustacians #marinelife

My next art give-away and virtual gallery will be sharks and rays. In preparation, I’ve been combing through my photos and sketchbooks for inspiration. Here is a repost of one of my old watercolors. #sundayfishsketch #sciart #coralreefs #marinelife #sharks

Pen and ink drawing of a Coleman shrimp, Periclimenes colemani #Inktober #inktober2025 #sciart #coralreefs #crustacians #marinelife

Pen and ink drawing of a candy crab, Hoplophrys oatesii. This one was done using red Sharpie #Inktober #inktober2025 #sciart #coralreefs #crustacians #marinelife

Pen and ink drawing of a porcelain crab, Polyonyx obesulus. #Inktober #inktober2025 #sciart #coralreefs #crustacians #marinelife

Pen and ink drawing of a boxer crab, Lybia tessellata. #Inktober #inktober2025 #sciart #coralreefs #crustacians #marinelife

Pen and ink drawing of a whip coral spider crab, Xenocarcinus tuberculatus. #Inktober #inktober2025 #sciart #coralreefs #crustacians #marinelife

Pen and ink drawing of a depressed spider crab, Xenocarcinus depressus. #Inktober #inktober2025 #sciart #coralreefs #crustacians #marinelife