Underwater world

Iconic species of Polynesian and Hawaiian reefs, the Achilles Tang is immediately recognizable by its dark silhouette marked with a large orange drop-shaped spot. It is seen in wave-swept areas, always on the move, grazing on algae attached to rocks.

The powderblue surgeonfish typically measures around twenty centimeters but some rare individuals reach forty. This herbivore is common from East Asia to Bali. It gets its name from the white spot under its snout.

Easily recognizable by its horizontal black and blue stripes on a yellow background, this surgeonfish is a compulsive swimmer. Large males control well-defined feeding territories and surround themselves with a harem of females.

The sohal surgeonfish is native to the Persian Gulf, but an invasive population has established itself on the Greek coasts of the Mediterranean Sea. This territorial fish mainly lives alone, feeding on algae (sargassum) in outer reefs.

The convict surgeonfish are common inhabitants of the lagoons and seagrass beds of the Indo-Pacific region. Fond of filamentous algae, these herbivorous fish are often found in mangroves and estuaries, at the edge of freshwater. They are easily recognizable by their vertical black stripes.

Clark's anemonefish is found in a large part of the Indo-Pacific region, going by over a dozen names depending on the region. Capable of living in numerous species of anemone, it is the least picky anemonefish in terms of hosts.

Amphiprion ocellaris is the best-known species of clownfish. It was popularized by Disney's productions "Finding Nemo" and "Finding Dory". It is mainly found in the eastern Indian Ocean, in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, along the coasts of Thailand and Malaysia, as well as from northwestern Australia to Singapore.

This fish lives in a sea anemone. When two individuals move into the anemone, the dominant grows faster and becomes female. The pair become aggressive towards other clownfish, but they tolerate the presence of some invertebrates (shrimp, crab).

The pink skunk anemonefish is a tropical fish native to the Indian and Pacific oceans. Common in the Indonesian seas and the Great Barrier Reef, it is easily recognizable by its pinkish color that can range towards orange and its unique white band.

Commonly known as the porkfish, this species is native to the western tropical Atlantic Ocean. During the day, this fish seeks refuge alone or in small groups in crevices, actively hunting mollusks and crustaceans at night. Young porkfish also participate in cleaning sessions with larger fish.

Arothron stellatus is one of the giants among pufferfish. It is easily recognizable by its dark markings. Typically solitary, this species frequents sandy areas of lagoons and offshore reefs. It is a copepod predator that supplements its diet with various crustaceans and fish eggs.

This fish crushes the shells of its prey with its particularly strong teeth. During the breeding season, the male digs a nest in the sand where the female lays her eggs. The male protects the eggs until they hatch. In an aquarium, this species can be aggressive towards other fish.

Solitary and territorial, the clown triggerfish is aggressive during the breeding season. Its first dorsal spine, which it locks like a switchblade, allows it to protect itself in the crevices of the reef.

The Spanish hogfish changes color according to the depth: blue in shallow waters, red in deeper areas, always with a bright yellow tail.

The blacktip reef shark is viviparous and gestation lasts about a year. The litter varies from 2 to 4 juveniles, measuring about 40 centimeters. After giving birth, the female abandons it juveniles. If disturbed, this small sized shark, may attack. It gets into the Mediterranean more and more often via the Suez Canal.

The bicolor angelfish is a tropical fish found throughout much of the Indo-Pacific region. It is easily recognizable by its bicolor pattern, bright yellow on top, followed by blue. This omnivore frequents lagoons and protected reef slopes, either as a pair or in small scattered groups.

The coral beauty angelfish is always born female. As they grow, individuals change their sex to become male, a phenomenon known as protogynous sequential hermaphroditism. The difference between male and female is therefore visible. The adult male is larger and has an anal fin ending in a point.

The flame angelfish astonishes with its reddish and bluish color play reminiscent of a flame. These discreet herbivorous fish always reside close to a shelter. Dominant males form a harem that can consist of between 3 and 7 females.

This fish is very shy and it is easy to approach it when diving. it eyes are hidden by transverse black lines. It has a black eyespot on the dorsal fin, which attracts the attention of predators to parts of its body where there are no vital organs.

The blacklip butterflyfish has a broad geographical distribution that spans from the Red Sea to the Galápagos Islands. Typically, it is found alone or in pairs in shallow coral reefs. It feeds on polyps of soft corals, particularly leather corals and broccoli corals.

The raccoon butterflyfish (Chaetodon lunula) is a common reef fish in the Indo-Pacific. Yellow and brown in color, it feeds on nudibranchs, algae, and corals.