La Cité de la Mer

This butterflyfish is easily recognized by its elongated snout, which is useful for capturing aquatic microorganisms among corals. It also uses it to peck at the feet of echinoderms, the pedicellariae of sea urchins, and the tentacles of marine worms.

In some languages, this fish is called the "birdmouth wrasse" because of its hopping swimming, its long pectoral fins and a long "nose". It is hermaphrodite and changes sex and color in it life. Juveniles and females have two colors, while males are blue.

Gymnothorax favagineus, commonly known as the tessellate moray, is a marine fish from the moray eel family. It gets its common name from the pattern it displays, reminiscent of the fur of the feline of the same name. Reaching over three meters, it is one of the largest species of moray eels in the Indo-Pacific region, second only to the giant moray eel Gymnothorax javanicus.

The checkerboard wrasse inhabits the slopes and sandy expanses of lagoons and coral reefs. Its diet primarily consists of prey with tough shells. It can be observed at depths of up to around 30 meters

The magnificent sea anemone is found in a large part of the Indo-Pacific region. With individuals reaching nearly one meter in diameter, this species is one of the most impressive anemones in the animal kingdom. In many areas, clownfish, immune to their venom, live in symbiosis with these animals, protected by their tentacles.

The barred flagtail gets its name from the pattern on its caudal fin. In the wild, it is found in large schools not far from the shore. At nightfall, these fish go hunting for crustaceans and small fish.

The bluestreak cleaner wrasse feeds exclusively by parasitically cleaning larger fish and turtles. In the reefs, it coordinates a cleaning station, typically near branching corals. Particularly active at the beginning of the day, these small cleaner wrasses clean the gills and mouths of many fish species.

It is one of the largest species of European wrasses. During breeding, the male delimits a territory. From the age of six, females become males (hermaphroditism protogynous). In Britain, the flesh of the big wrasse is highly appreciated.

The silver moony is a common species found in various coastal habitats, from bays and mangroves to muddy coastal reefs. It primarily feeds on plankton and detritus. Its range extends from the Red Sea and East Africa to Polynesia and Australia, including the Persian Gulf and the freshwater zone of the Mekong Delta.

The name 'unicornfish' refers to the protrusions found in adult individuals. These unicornfish inhabit the tropical waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Throughout their growth, these fish continuously change colors and patterns. They usually live in small groups, but large schools can form in areas with strong ocean currents.

Young orangespine unicornfish live near rocky reefs, in the company of other surgeonfish. As adults, these fish find their food, leafy brown algae, in coral or rocky areas. They usually live in small groups.

This large unicorn fish is a common inhabitant of lagoons and reefs with strong currents. Primarily diurnal, it feeds on brown algae like sargassum. It can be encountered in small groups or solitary.

Naso vlamingii, more commonly known as the bignose unicornfish, is a surgeonfish found in much of the Indo-Pacific. It has a bump above its mouth from which a blue stripe runs to the base of its eyes. It has the ability to make this stripe appear or disappear.

The fire goby gets its name from the vibrant red color that covers the back of its body. As adults, these fish live in pairs in small burrows they dig. They are shy species that spend their time suspended near their refuge, hunting zooplankton.

It is particularly smart. In case of danger, it can cover up or release a "cloud" of ink. In general, the male dies shortly after mating. The female protects the eggs until they hatch and then it dies. Its flesh is highly appreciated.

Easily recognizable by its shape and blue color, this triggerfish naturally lives in groups in the turbulent waters near coral reefs. During the breeding season, males and females pair up to build a nest. They fiercely defend this small territory against other fish species and, more broadly, against any intrusion, even human.

This fish lives camouflaged among the gorgonians. it watches its prey from a promontory and swims quickly toward them to catch them before returning to it observation post. During the breeding season, the male performs a courtship display to attract the attention of a female.