récifs extérieurs - Discover fishes living in these biotopes

At night, the yellowbanded sweetlips hunt benthic invertebrates in sandbanks and seagrass beds. During the day, they rest in the crevices and recesses of the reefs. This tropical species, which can grow over 70 cm, is targeted by fishermen in many Pacific Ocean islands.

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.

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 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.