Great Barrier Reef - 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.

Commonly known as the spiny chromis, this damselfish is found in the western part of the Pacific, from the Philippines to Northeastern Australia and New Caledonia. Inhabiting coral reefs up to 65 meters deep, these fish form territorial pairs during reproduction and actively guard the eggs until hatching.

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.

This fish lives in a sea anemone. When two individuals move into the anemone, the dominant grows faster and becomes female. The pair become aggressive towards other clownfish, but they tolerate the presence of some invertebrates (shrimp, crab).

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 ...

Blackspotted puffer frequents tropical marine waters from East Africa to Micronesia. It is common in coastal reefs with rich invertebrate growth on outer slopes. Often solitary but also in pairs, it feeds on corals, crustaceans, mollusks, sponges, tunicates, and algae. Like its congeners, it is capable of producing and accumulating toxins such as tetrodotoxin and saxitoxin in its skin, gonads, and liver.

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.