Mangroves and coral reefs

The caribbean sergeant major is a tropical fish associated with coral reefs and rocky tropical areas of the western Atlantic Ocean. This small schooling fish has a morphologically very close cousin throughout the Indo-Pacific region: A. sexfasciatus.

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.

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.

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.

The eyes of this fish are masked by a colored band and has an eye spot on the back of it body that draws the attention of predators to body parts away from vital organs. It is appreciated by aquarists, but it must be given the large preys, preferably alive ...

The blue-green Chromis is a fish that lives in large schools above dense coral areas. At the slightest alarm, this swift fish takes refuge in the colonies of branching corals. The Blue-green Chromis is common throughout the Indo-Pacific region.

The whitetail Dascyllus resides in the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region and the Red Sea. This white reef fish striped with three black bands is often found in large groups above massive colonies of staghorn corals. It feeds on zooplankton, benthic invertebrates, and algae. During the breeding season, males choose the nest and perform a dance just above it as a courtship display. The female is then invited and escorted to the nest where spawning takes place.

The common name of this species refers to the patterns observed in young individuals. Adults typically live among the arms of branching corals, while juveniles more often reside among the tentacles of anemones. These fish are omnivores with a carnivorous tendency.

It lives in fresh water but also in brackish water. Like most puffer fish species, its flesh and organs are toxic. In captivity, adults can be aggressive towards other fish species.

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.

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 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 peach fairy basslet is found from the Red Sea to the Great Barrier Reef. Juveniles hide under reef overhangs or in holes in outer lagoons, while adults prefer caves in coral-rich areas. These fish feed on sponges and form pairs for reproduction.

By day, these fish form a small group and remain free from branched corals. At night, the group dislocates and specimens go down near the bottom for food. During the incubation period, the eggs are kept in the mouth of the male. The latter fasts until they hatch.