Manatee Facts 
In 1493 it was documented in a journal that Christoher Columbus sighted mermaids tossing in the sea (in reality what he saw were manatees)and wrote that they were “not half as beautiful as they are painted”.
The average adult manatee is 10 ft./1,200lbs. and eats 200 lbs of vegetation a day.
Manatees often have algae and barnacles on their backs. Manatees feed mostly underwater so they must hold their breath.
Manatees are slow. They travel approx 3-5 miles per hour.
Manatees use their flippers like canoe paddles, to steer or for eating and walkng along the ocean floor.
Marla's Ocean Friends
Porcupine fish swallow water and or air to increase their size- too big for some mouths to swallow! Besides their spines would do some damage on the way down!
The lionfish may also be called Turkey Fish or Dragon Fish 
Lionfish have venomous spines that are deadly to their prey.
Seahorse anchor themselves with prehensile tails to seagrasses and corals.
Octopus hide in rocky crevices. They prey on crabs. Tread lightly Crabby!
Take a look at barracuda's toothy grin and you’ll understand why it has earned the nickname Tiger of the Sea.Discovery Education.com
Information websites
www.nationalgeographic.com
www.encyclopedia.com
www.savethemanatee.com