Persian Gulf - List of fishes

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.

The tiger shark is the third largest shark in the world. It is recognizable by its distinctive stripes along its sides, and by its short, flat snout. Tiger sharks are opportunistic hunters, known for their "bite-and-see" exploratory behavior to assess the nutritional value of their prey. These sharks generally prefer shallow waters, but can sometimes be found at greater depths.

The checkerboard wrasse inhabits the slopes and sandy expanses of lagoons and coral reefs. Its diet primarily consists of prey with tough shells. It can be observed at depths of up to around 30 meters

This eel-like fish digs a tunnel in the sand leaving only the front of it body out. The garden eels live in a colony of several hundred individuals, where ocean currents carry the plankton on which they feed. At the slightest sign of danger, garden eels entirely hide in its shelter.

The silver moony is a common species found in various coastal habitats, from bays and mangroves to muddy coastal reefs. It primarily feeds on plankton and detritus. Its range extends from the Red Sea and East Africa to Polynesia and Australia, including the Persian Gulf and the freshwater zone of the Mekong Delta.

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.

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 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.