fonds vaseux - Discover fishes living in these biotopes

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.

It has a body allowing it to breathe oxygen from the air and is able to survive in the mud. With its pectoral fins, sturdy and with large thorns, it may leave the water at night in search of prey or of a nesting site. It is used intensively in pisciculture under the name "Claresse". In some countries, it is an invasive species.

The Malabar grouper is a fish native to the Indo-Pacific region. Adults can reach considerable sizes, with recorded catches of individuals over 150 cm and 50 kg. Sought after for the quality of its flesh, this species is captured through various methods such as line fishing, trawling, longlining, traps, and even harpooning. In Hong Kong, it is sold as an ornamental fish. The species has nearly disappeared from several historical regions and is currently heavily overexploited in the waters of the Andaman Islands.

It is sometimes called "Doctor Fish" because it eats dead skin. It lives in pools of hot water and, in Turkey, it is used to treat skin diseases such as psoriasis. Balneotherapy establishments sometimes offer skin care provided by these fish.

Industrial fishing has endangered spawning stocks of the species. Its flesh is sometimes used to make "coley" sticks (Fish sticks). It has been attempted to use the fish for pisciculture. But because of the low profitability, farming the fish was abandoned.