Réunion - List of fishes

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.

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.

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.

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.

The yellow boxfish is recognizable by its characteristic trapezoidal shape and its round mouth protruding like a beak. Its two large round eyes are prominent on the top of its head. Adults typically display a bright yellow color, covered with scattered black spots. However, there are variations in color such as ochre and blue, sometimes with white spots or black-ringed white spots, especially in the Red Sea. Juveniles are blue to greenish, always with the same pattern.

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.

The palette surgeonfish sports a pair of venomous, erectable scalpel spines at the base of its tail, used for self-defense against predators. It primarily dwells in small groups within coastal reefs. Its electric blue color inspired the character of Dory in "Finding Nemo" and "Finding Dory".

The juveniles of this species have very long fins. They often let themselves drift with the currents in all positions, so they look like dead leaves. Adults sometimes gather in huge schools.

The Emperor Angelfish 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.

Pseudobalistes flavimarginatus, better known as the "yellowmargin triggerfish" due to the coloration of its body, is a fish belonging to the balistidae family. It is found in tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific. It can be encountered on reefs and estuaries, but can also be observed on slopes and in lagoons.

This dartfish is easily recognizable by its two-tone blue and black body. Like its counterparts, adults live in pairs in burrows they dig in the substrate.

The dark-banded fusilier is recognizable by its vibrant colors, with a pale pink to red underside and a green-blue upper part. This diurnal fish forms large schools in the coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific Ocean. Its primary diet consists mainly of plankton.

The whale shark, the largest living shark in the world, frequents tropical and subtropical waters, excluding the Mediterranean Sea. Despite its massive size, it is harmless to humans. Its population has declined due to fishing, and its conservation remains a challenge. These sharks move slowly and feed on plankton, small fish, crustaceans, and squid. They undertake seasonal migrations, and some populations are relatively isolated. Concerns have been raised about the impacts of tourism on their behavior.

This moray is narrower than most other species. Over time, the male becomes a female (protandrous hermaphroditism). This sex change is accompanied by a color change. This moray adapts easily to life in the aquarium.

This squirrelfish is recognizable by its fine horizontal white stripes with silvery highlights on a predominantly red body. Like its counterparts, it is a nocturnal, exclusively carnivorous fish. It particularly preys on mollusks and small crustaceans living among the rocks.

The scalloped hammerhead shark, a semi-oceanic hammerhead, is found in tropical and temperate waters worldwide. This species is easily recognizable by its curved flat head and black tips on the pectoral fins. These sharks feed on fish, cephalopods, and crustaceans, taking advantage of their flat head to make tight turns while hunting. Although potentially dangerous and aggressive towards intruders, attacks on humans are rare. Conversely, despite its wide distribution, this species is threatened with extinction.