mer d'Oman - List of fishes

This damselfish lives in shallow waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. It feeds on algae and small invertebrates, and is recognized by its 5 black vertical stripes and the fluorescent yellow band under its dorsal fin.

Named the pale surgeonfish due to its pastel blue-gray color, this fish is a common resident of the coral areas of the Indo-Pacific. It is regularly observed in schools of hundreds of individuals not far from the reefs.

The chocolate surgeonfish, A. pyroferus, gets its name from its color gradient. In addition to this morphological characteristic, this typically solitary species in adulthood is known for its lively and bold nature.

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.

The spotted eagle ray, also known as the leopard ray, inhabits coastal and estuaries waters of the Indo-Pacific zone. The largest individuals can reach over 3 meters. Subjected to overfishing, this species, characterized by its gregarious lifestyle and low fecundity, is threatened throughout its range. Partial protective measures exist today in some areas, such as the Maldives and Australia.

The body of this fish is almost completely covered with small spines. It can swell with water and triple in size to impress predators. Its flesh is toxic. In the aquarium, it is very voracious and grows rapidly. It can damage, with a bite, the decors, pipes, diffusers ...

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.

Carcharhinus falciformis, known as the silky shark, is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical seas. However, this species is threatened due to overfishing, and is classified as vulnerable by the IUCN. Recognizable by its elongated and slender body, gray back, and white belly, this fast and aggressive predator feeds on fish, mollusks, and crustaceans.

The bull shark is listed in most tropical and subtropical seas. It is feared due to its propensity to attack humans, being responsible for most recorded fatal attacks to date. This active predator primarily hunts in murky waters. It is capable of swimming long distances and adapts to changes in salinity, frequenting estuaries, coves along the coasts, and waters with high turbidity.

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.

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.