June 16, 2026
Keeping up with marine life: what do marine animals do underwater?
BY: Arin Owoturo
Topics: The Ranger
The ocean is full of highly competent animals doing very serious things. Unfortunately for them (fortunately for us), from certain angles, many of these animals look relatable.
During our expeditions, we’ve captured fish that look like they’re sulking, and sharks that seem quietly judgemental.
Here are some of our favourite underwater marine animal moments where first impressions don’t tell the full story.
Parrotfish (Sparisoma cretense)
Caught mid-performance, this parrotfish looks like it’s delivering a heartfelt solo to the reef. Mouth open wide and teeth fully on display, it’s easy to imagine a dramatic karaoke performance.
Those impressive teeth, however, aren’t for singing. Parrotfish have fused, beak-like dental plates that they use to scrape algae off rocks and coral. It’s a surprisingly loud job underwater, more crunch than chorus.
Still, with an expression like that, it’s hard not to feel like we’ve interrupted something musical.
Grey seal (Halichoerus grypus)
Emerging from the forest of kelp, this grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) fixes the camera with what can only be described as deep, unfiltered curiosity. With its large, dark eyes and rounded features.
Grey seals are famously inquisitive, often approaching divers and cameras to inspect them at close range. In these underwater forests, they move with surprising agility, weaving effortlessly through kelp that looks like an obstacle course to everyone else. This familiarity, however, sits alongside the need for their protection, as grey seals are safeguarded under the EU Habitats Directive, which designates protected areas to support their populations and habitats.
Bluntnose sixgill shark (Hexanchus griseus)
This Bluntnose sixgill shark appears to be having a very serious moment. With the gentle curve of its mouth turned downward, it looks to be frowning at the intrusion. Disapproving? Judgemental? Possibly just unimpressed.
But don’t take it personally as this isn’t attitude, it’s just shark design. Their mouths naturally sit in this slightly grumpy shape, especially when viewed from this angle.
Greater weever (Trachinus draco)
At first glance, the greater weever (Trachinus draco) looks endearing. Tucked neatly into the sand, with only its big, shining eyes and slightly pouty mouth on display, it has the weekend energy we can all relate to, a relaxing day in bed, with not much social interaction.
In reality, this is a perfectly camouflaged ambush predator, buried just enough to stay hidden while it waits for its prey. That “resting” pose is a ready-to-strike position, and beneath the sand sits a fish equipped with venomous spines and excellent patience.
Red Cardinal (Apogon imberbis) with eggs in its mouth
It may look like this small fish with its adorable large eyes has bitten off more than it can chew, but this is something far more devoted. A hands-on parent, this red cardinal clutches carefully between its jaws dozens of eggs, each one part of the next generation. In this species, it’s the male that takes on the role, carrying the brood for over a week and forgoing meals while he does so.
See more on YouTube
There’s always more happening beneath the surface than meets the eye, and sometimes, it comes with an unexpectedly cute face.
If you’d like to see more of what we encounter on our expeditions, underwater footage of marine animals, and more ways to take action, follow our YouTube channel
