estuaire - Discover fishes living in these biotopes

The European sturgeon is a migratory fish. The eggs are collected before they mature, they are used for the production of caviar. The sturgeon disappeared from many European rivers because of fishing and the construction of dams. For several years, it was raised in captivity in many countries.

Alosa fallax, also known as twait shad, is a shad species native to Europe. Adults live in the sea and migrate to estuaries only for reproduction. Found in the Eastern temperate Atlantic, they face challenges from dams, pollution, and coastal overfishing. Juveniles gather in estuaries and feed near the shore.

The European eel, A. anguilla, is a freshwater fish native to Europe. Abundant until the 1980s, it has been severely affected by overfishing. It is considered a critically endangered species in France and several neighboring countries.

The tete sea catfish is listed from Mexico to Peru in the coastal waters of the Pacific coast. It is characterized by large eyes useful for hunting its prey (crustaceans, fish) and escaping from its predators. These territorial fish are among the few species of catfish adapted to marine life.

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.

Atherina presbyter lives in the cold and temperate waters of the Atlantic coast. It is listed from the North Sea to the Mediterranean Sea and along the Saharan coasts of Africa. It forms large shoals near the shore, moving closer to the bottom at night in search of planktonic prey. This species undergoes seasonal migrations for reproduction.

Carcharhinus falciformis, known as the silky shark, is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical seas. However, this species is threatened due to overfishing, and is classified as vulnerable by the IUCN. Recognizable by its elongated and slender body, gray back, and white belly, this fast and aggressive predator feeds on fish, mollusks, and crustaceans.

The bull shark is listed in most tropical and subtropical seas. It is feared due to its propensity to attack humans, being responsible for most recorded fatal attacks to date. This active predator primarily hunts in murky waters. It is capable of swimming long distances and adapts to changes in salinity, frequenting estuaries, coves along the coasts, and waters with high turbidity.

Carcharodon carcharias, known as the white shark, is found in the coastal and oceanic waters of temperate and sub-tropical oceans and seas worldwide. A solitary predator, it feeds on fish, sharks, rays, and marine mammals, and can also scavenge on whale carcasses. With a keen sense of sight, it is curious and observant towards objects and activities. It is sometimes responsible for attacks on surfers.

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.

This species of seahorse is covered with bony plates and can hang on gorgonians or algae with its prehensile tail. During mating, the female lays its eggs in the pouch of the male: the "Marsupium". When the development of the juveniles is completed, it is the male who "gives birth"!