western Indian Ocean - 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.

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.

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.

With an adult size that can exceed 70 cm, the yellowfin surgeonfish is one of the largest fish in its family. This species is found from the coasts of East Africa to the Galápagos Islands. It mainly feeds on diatoms, algae that make up plankton.

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.

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.

Unlike its famous cousin from the movie Finding Nemo, this tomato clownfish is reddish with a darker body. It has a single white vertical stripe just behind the eye. Young individuals have one to two additional stripes which they lose as they grow.

The false skunk striped 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.

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 ...

This fish crushes shells and the shells of its prey using its particularly strong teeth. During breeding, the male digs a nest in the sand where the female comes to lay its eggs. The male protects them until they hatch. In an aquarium, this species can be aggressive towards other fish.