Oceania - List of fishes

The whitetail Dascyllus resides in the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region and the Red Sea. This white reef fish striped with three black bands is often found in large groups above massive colonies of staghorn corals. It feeds on zooplankton, benthic invertebrates, and algae. During the breeding season, males choose the nest and perform a dance just above it as a courtship display. The female is then invited and escorted to the nest where spawning takes place.

The common name of this species refers to the patterns observed in young individuals. Adults typically live among the arms of branching corals, while juveniles more often reside among the tentacles of anemones. These fish are omnivores with a carnivorous tendency.

The dorsal fin of the fish, turned into suction cup allows it to cling to other animals. It sticks mostly to the body of the animal, but also in the mouth or near the gills of some "hosts" (mantas, sharks ...). it often eats its host food leftovers.

Gymnothorax favagineus, commonly known as the tessellate moray, is a marine fish from the moray eel family. It gets its common name from the pattern it displays, reminiscent of the fur of the feline of the same name. Reaching over three meters, it is one of the largest species of moray eels in the Indo-Pacific region, second only to the giant moray eel Gymnothorax javanicus.

The barred flagtail gets its name from the pattern on its caudal fin. In the wild, it is found in large schools not far from the shore. At nightfall, these fish go hunting for crustaceans and small fish.

Color varies according to gender: the male is blue and yellow, the female is brown and green. Once formed, the pair lays each day some eggs in the vegetation. The eggs hatch after 12 days. It is easy to breed in captivity.

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.