Fish encyclopaedia

Red Sea fishes organised by scientific families — Latin names, IUCN status, and biological notes

Source: FishBase.seTaxonomy: WoRMSConservation: IUCN 2024

IUCN scale:LC — Least ConcernNT — Near ThreatenedVU — VulnerableEN — EndangeredCR — Critically EndangeredDD — Data DeficientNE — Not Evaluated

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Pomacentridae

3 species in this guide

Among the most common colourful reef-fish families. Territorial; many live with sea anemones. About 385 species worldwide.

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Simon · CC BY-NC 4.0

Two-band Clownfish

Amphiprion bicinctus

LC — Least ConcernRed Sea endemic

Depth

1–15 m

Size

8–14 cm

Diet

Small crustaceans, algae, anemone leftovers

Family

Pomacentridae

English scientific description (Wikipedia)

The Red Sea Clownfish, commonly known as the Red Sea or two-banded anemonefish is a marine fish belonging to the family Pomacentridae, the clownfishes and damselfishes. Like other species of the genus, the fish feeds on algae and zooplankton in the wild.

Scientific notes (4)▼

1.All clownfish pups are born male — the older male turns into a female when needed (hermaphroditism protandrous)
2.The wife lays 100–1000 eggs at once on a rock near the sister and is guarded by the male
3.Anemone's sister anesthetizes other fish with her tentacles but the clownfish's own mucus protects it
4.She can gradually approach Al-Nu'man's sister without being drugged.

GBIF Taxon ID: 5212077

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cello caruso-turiello · CC BY 4.0

Blue-green Chromis

Chromis viridis

LC — Least Concern

Depth

1–12 m

Size

7–10 cm

Diet

Zooplankton, small crustaceans

Family

Pomacentridae

English scientific description (Wikipedia)

Chromis viridis is a species of damselfish. Individuals tend to be iridescent apple-green and light blue, and reach a maximal length of 10 cm.

Scientific notes (3)▼

1.Live in groups that include one dominant male and multiple females
2.When a male dies, the older female turns into a male within weeks
3.They deposit their eggs on the sand and purify them all day with their fins

GBIF Taxon ID: 5212219

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sazbeth2899 · CC BY-NC 4.0

Whitetail Dascyllus

Dascyllus aruanus

LC — Least Concern

Depth

1–20 m

Size

8 cm

Diet

Plankton, crustaceans

Family

Pomacentridae

English scientific description (Wikipedia)

Dascyllus aruanus, known commonly as the whitetail dascyllus or humbug damselfish among other vernacular names, is a species of marine fish in the family Pomacentridae.

Scientific notes (3)▼

1.Can live in artificial reefs and aquaculture ponds
2.Females also turn into males when needed
3.Their breeding season coincides with the big tidal season

GBIF Taxon ID: 5212047

Labridae

3 species in this guide

One of the largest and most diverse reef-fish families — more than 600 species, including parrotfishes and the humphead wrasse. Many change sex and colour between life stages.

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Arno · CC BY-NC 4.0

Humphead Wrasse

Cheilinus undulatus

EN — Endangered

Depth

1–100 m

Size

50–230 cm | weight up to 190 kg

Diet

Sea urchins, crustaceans, cephalopods, shells

Family

Labridae

English scientific description (Wikipedia)

The humphead wrasse is the largest species of wrasse mainly found on coral reefs in the Indo-Pacific region. It is also known as the Māori wrasse, napoleon wrasse, and napoleonfish.

Scientific notes (4)▼

1.The IUCN classifies it as "endangered" (EN) due to overfishing and the live fish trade.
2.Eats poisonous animals like spiky stars and balloons untouched — a unique reason for survival
3.Turns from female to male upon reaching a certain size (protogenesis)
4.It is the reef's first ally because it is the only predator of the spiky crown star

GBIF Taxon ID: 2383313

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iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0

Klunzinger's Wrasse

Thalassoma klunzingeri

LC — Least ConcernRed Sea endemic

Depth

1–30 m

Size

15–20 cm

Diet

Crustaceans, reef worms, fish eggs

Family

Labridae

A species endemic to the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf — found nowhere else in the world. The adult male has a stunning green, purple, and red coloration. It swims very fast and hovers around the reef continuously. Sometimes he cleanses other fish of parasites.

Scientific notes (3)▼

1.Red Sea endemic species — a unique reef icon
2.The adult male is completely different from the female in color (sexual dichromatism)
3.He lays his eggs in open water by broadcasting (broadcast spawning)

GBIF Taxon ID: 2384555

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kev-davies-ormeau · CC BY-NC 4.0

Blue-barred Parrotfish

Scarus ghobban

LC — Least Concern

Depth

1–30 m

Size

50–75 cm

Diet

Algae, coral, microbes on rock

Family

Labridae

English scientific description (Wikipedia)

Scarus ghobban, also known as the blue-barred parrotfish, blue trim parrotfish, cream parrotfish, globe-headed parrotfish, green blotched parrotfish, yellow scale parrotfish, and bluechin parrotfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish in the family Scaridae.

Scientific notes (4)▼

1.The soft white sand of the Red Sea shores is produced by digesting and subtracting coral
2.She wraps herself in a mucous wrap while sleeping — thought to hide her scent from predators
3.The adult male (terminal phase) is completely different in color from the female and the young male
4.Recycles massive amounts of CaCO3 in the marine ecosystem

GBIF Taxon ID: 2393577

Chaetodontidae — Butterflyfish

2 species in this guide

Butterflyfishes, often yellow and black. About 129 species; used as a biological indicator of reef health.

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Simon · CC BY-NC 4.0

Lemon Butterflyfish

Chaetodon semilarvatus

LC — Least ConcernRed Sea endemic

Depth

3–20 m

Size

20–23 cm

Diet

Coral polyps, sea anemones

Family

Chaetodontidae

English scientific description (Wikipedia)

The blue-cheeked butterflyfish is a marine species of ray-finned fish, a butterflyfish belonging to the family Chaetodontidae. It is found in the north-western Indian Ocean.

Scientific notes (4)▼

1.100% endemic in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden — not found anywhere else in the world
2.Mates for life — the couple stays together and moves on the reef together
3.Used as an environmental indicator to assess the condition of reefs — their declining numbers portend their degradation
4.The oblique lines on her body distract the predator's gaze to conceal the true position of the eye

GBIF Taxon ID: 2385470

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Simon · CC BY-NC 4.0

Diagonal Butterflyfish

Chaetodon fasciatus

LC — Least ConcernRed Sea endemic

Depth

2–25 m

Size

16–22 cm

Diet

Coral polyps, tiny crustaceans

Family

Chaetodontidae

English scientific description (Wikipedia)

The diagonal butterflyfish, also known as the Red Sea raccoon butterflyfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a butterflyfish belonging to the family Chaetodontidae. It is found in the Red Sea and western Indian Ocean.

Scientific notes (3)▼

1.For example, Chaetodon semilarvatus — a species endemic to the Red Sea
2.It can be distinguished from C. semilarvatus by the diagonal lines, not the vertical ones.
3.Completely dependent on the health of the reef for its survival — one of the first to be affected by coral bleaching

GBIF Taxon ID: 2385538

Pomacanthidae — Angelfish

1 species in this guide

Angelfishes — among the most colourful reef fishes. Juveniles often differ completely from adults. About 86 species; several are Red Sea endemics.

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nuh_cheema · CC BY-NC 4.0

Yellowbar Angelfish

Pomacanthus maculosus

LC — Least ConcernRed Sea endemic

Depth

4–50 m

Size

40–50 cm

Diet

Sponges, algae, crustaceans, worms

Family

Pomacanthidae

English scientific description (Wikipedia)

Pomacanthus maculosus, the yellowbar angelfish, half-moon angelfish, yellow-marked angelfish, yellowband angelfish or yellow-blotched angelfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a marine angelfish belonging to the family Pomacanthidae. It is found in the western Indian Ocean and, more recently, in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.

Scientific notes (4)▼

1.One of the most recognizable fish in the Red Sea — exclusively endemic not found in any other aquarium
2.Youngsters are completely different in color from adults — a common misidentification
3.Defending its territory with underwater "click" cries audible to divers
4.Protected fish — limited commercial fishing in Saudi waters

GBIF Taxon ID: 2396444

Acanthuridae — Surgeonfish

2 species in this guide

Surgeonfishes, named for sharp caudal spines used in defence. They help control algal growth on reefs.

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Boris · CC BY-NC 4.0

Sohal Surgeonfish

Acanthurus sohal

LC — Least ConcernRed Sea endemic

Depth

0–20 m

Size

35–40 cm

Diet

Grazing algae on the reef

Family

Acanthuridae

English scientific description (Wikipedia)

The sohal surgeonfish or sohal tang, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Acanthuridae, which includes the surgeonfishes, unicornfishes and tangs. This fish is found in the northwestern Indian Ocean.

Scientific notes (4)▼

1.100% endemic species in the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf
2.Its tail blades are sharp enough to injure human skin — warning to divers
3.He “grazes” an area of algae as if it were his own farm and drives out any intruder on it
4.Among the most aggressive fish in the Red Sea when defending their territory

GBIF Taxon ID: 5209184

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Lukas Fuxjäger · CC BY-NC 4.0

Blue Tang

Paracanthurus hepatus

LC — Least Concern

Depth

2–40 m

Size

20–31 cm

Diet

Plankton, algae

Family

Acanthuridae

English scientific description (Wikipedia)

Paracanthurus hepatus is a species of Indo-Pacific surgeonfish. A popular fish in marine aquaria, it is the only member of the genus Paracanthurus.

Scientific notes (4)▼

1.Globally known as “Dory” in “Finding Nemo” and“Finding Dory”
2.Its tail blade can cause wounds to predators and to humans
3.Form large flocks with other types of doctors to invade algae areas in large numbers
4.Highly sought after in the aquarium fish trade — threatening wild populations

GBIF Taxon ID: 2379534

Scorpaenidae — Scorpionfish & Lionfish

2 species in this guide

Scorpionfishes: striking and often venomous. Dorsal spines can carry a strong neurotoxin; camouflage is exceptional.

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davidbeo · CC BY-NC 4.0

Miles Lionfish

Pterois miles

LC — Least Concern

Depth

2–250 m

Size

25–35 cm

Diet

Small fishes, crustaceans

Family

Scorpaenidae

English scientific description (Wikipedia)

Pterois miles, the devil firefish or common lionfish, is a species of ray-finned fish native to the western Indo-Pacific region. It is frequently confused with its close relative, the red lionfish. The scientific name is from Greek pteron, meaning "wing", and Latin miles, meaning "soldier".

Scientific notes (4)▼

1.Its 13 dorsal and abdominal spines carry a neurotoxin that causes acute pain, swelling and sometimes heart failure
2.Treatment for its sting: immersing the area in very hot water (no burning) disrupts the toxic protein
3.An accomplished fisherman — traps fish with his sawn-out fins and then swallows them with a wide open mouth within a fraction of a second
4.Species transported to the Atlantic Ocean (such as the invasion of North America) cause an ecological disaster due to the absence of natural predators

GBIF Taxon ID: 2334433

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milesleask · CC BY-NC 4.0

Reef Stonefish

Synanceia verrucosa

LC — Least Concern

Depth

0–30 m

Size

20–40 cm

Diet

Small fishes, crustaceans

Family

Synanceiidae

English scientific description (Wikipedia)

Synanceia verrucosa, the reef stonefish, is a species of venomous, marine ray-finned fish, belonging to the subfamily Synanceiinae, which is classified as being within the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes and their relatives. It is the most widespread species of stonefish, mostly found in shallow waters of the Red Sea and the Indo-Pacific. It possesses highly effective venom that can kill humans. It is the type species of Synanceia.

Scientific notes (4)▼

1.It is the most poisonous of the fish — its poison destroys cells and injures the heart and nervous system
2.Its camouflage is as complete as rock — even specialists sometimes do not see it until they almost touch it
3.The only approved antidote: Heat (hot water) + antitetanus + immediate medical care
4.المشي بين صخور الشعاب الضحلة في the Red Sea يتطلب يقظة تامة بسببها

GBIF Taxon ID: 5201174

Muraenidae — Moray Eels

1 species in this guide

Moray eels are true fishes, not snakes. They pump water over the gills by opening and closing the mouth. About 200 species; most are nocturnal.

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joyywu · CC BY-NC 4.0

Giant Moray

Gymnothorax javanicus

LC — Least Concern

Depth

1–50 m

Size

150–300 cm | weight up to 30 kg

Diet

Fishes, octopus, crustaceans

Family

Muraenidae

English scientific description (Wikipedia)

The giant moray is a species of moray eel and a species of marine fish in the family Muraenidae. In terms of body mass, it is the largest moray eel; however, the slender giant moray is the largest in terms of body length.

Scientific notes (4)▼

1.يمتلك فكين: الخارجي للإمساك والداخلي (الحلقي) يتحرك للأمام لسحب الفريسة عميقاً
2.يتعاون أحياناً مع cmكة الهامور للصيد — الأول يُخيف الفريسة من الشقوق والثاني يلتهمها
3.يُفرز مخاطاً يُغطي جcmه بدلاً من القشور لحمايته
4.الجروح من عضّته خطيرة ليس لسُمّ بل لتوغل الأسنان والبكتيريا المصاحبة

GBIF Taxon ID: 2403808

Serranidae — Groupers

1 species in this guide

Groupers and relatives — important reef predators, several of them heavily fished.

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Kelly-Anne Masterman · CC BY-NC 4.0

Orange-spotted Grouper

Epinephelus coioides

LC — Least Concern

Depth

1–100 m

Size

50–120 cm

Diet

Fishes, crustaceans, octopus

Family

Serranidae

English scientific description (Wikipedia)

The orange-spotted grouper, also known as the brown-spotted rockcod, estuary cod, estuary rockcod, goldspotted rockcod, greasy cod, North-west groper, orange spotted cod or blue-and-yellow grouper, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grouper from the subfamily Epinephelinae which is part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the anthias and sea basses. It has an Indo-Pacific distribution and is found in marine and brackish waters.

Scientific notes (4)▼

1.أسهل أنواع الهامور استزراعاً — يُربّى تجارياً على نطاق واسع في منطقة الخليج وجنوب آسيا
2.كل الهامور يولد أنثى ويتحول إلى ذكر في مرحلة لاحقة من العمر (protogynous)
3.يستطيع ابتلاع فريسة بحجم نصف جcmه
4.يُقدَّر بأنه يتكاثر لأول مرة في عمر 5–7 سنوات

GBIF Taxon ID: 2388213

Chondrichthyes (partial)

4 species in this guide

Selected Red Sea sharks listed here for comparison with bony fishes; see the dedicated shark section for the full guide.

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erinwoodward · CC BY-NC 4.0

Grey Reef Shark

Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos

EN — Endangered

Depth

1–280 m

Size

100–190 cm

Diet

Fishes, octopus, crustaceans

Family

Carcharhinidae

English scientific description (Wikipedia)

The grey reef shark or gray reef shark is a species of requiem shark, in the family Carcharhinidae. One of the most common reef sharks in the Indo-Pacific, it is found as far east as Easter Island and as far west as South Africa. This species is most often seen in shallow water near the drop-offs of coral reefs. It has the typical "reef shark" shape, with a broad, round snout and large eyes. It can be distinguished from similar species by the plain or white-tipped first dorsal fin, the dark tips on the other fins, the broad, black rear margin on the tail fin, and the lack of a ridge between th

Scientific notes (4)▼

1.مُصنَّف EN (مهدد) بسبب الصيد الجائر وبطء التكاثر
2.يُعطي إشارات تحذيرية واضحة قبل الهجوم — الغواص الخبير يعرفها ويبتعد
3.يلعب دور المفترس العلوي ويُوازن أعداد أcmاك الشعاب
4.يُعيش up to 25 عاماً وتلد الأنثى 1–6 صغار بعد 12 شهر حمل

GBIF Taxon ID: 2418064

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G.S. · CC BY-NC 4.0

Whale Shark

Rhincodon typus

EN — Endangered

Depth

0–1900 m

Size

500–1260 cm | weight up to 20 t

Diet

Plankton, small fishes, fish eggs

Family

Rhincodontidae

English scientific description (Wikipedia)

The whale shark is a slow-moving, filter-feeding carpet shark and the largest known extant fish species. An individual with a length of 18.8 m (61.7 ft) has been considered the largest reliably recorded. The whale shark holds many records for size in the animal kingdom, most notably being by far the most massive living non-cetacean animal. It is the only living species of the genus Rhincodon and the only extant member of the family Rhincodontidae, which belongs to the subclass Elasmobranchii in the class Chondrichthyes. Before 1984, it was classified as Rhiniodon into Rhinodontidae. An extinct

Scientific notes (4)▼

1.يمكن أن يعيش أكثر من 100 عام وهو من أطول الأcmاك عمراً
2.فمه يصل عرضه إلى 1.5 m ويحمل 300+ صف من الأسنان الصغيرة — لكنه يأكل فقط عبر التصفية
3.رقم التعريف الجلدي (نمط البقع) فريد لكل فرد — يُستخدم للتعرف بنفس فكرة بصمة الإصبع
4.يمكن مرافقته في الغوص — لكن لمسه أو ركوبه mmنوع قانوناً في معظم الدول

GBIF Taxon ID: 2417522

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epauletteshark · CC BY-NC 4.0

Whitetip Reef Shark

Triaenodon obesus

VU — Vulnerable

Depth

8–330 m

Size

100–213 cm

Diet

Fishes, octopus, crustaceans

Family

Carcharhinidae

English scientific description (Wikipedia)

The whitetip reef shark is a species of requiem shark, in the family Carcharhinidae. It is the only extant species of genus Triaenodon. A small shark that does not usually exceed 1.6 m (5.2 ft) in length, this species is easily recognizable by its slender body and short but broad head, as well as tubular skin flaps beside the nostrils, oval eyes with vertical pupils, and white-tipped dorsal and caudal fins. One of the most common sharks found on Indo-Pacific coral reefs, the whitetip reef shark occurs as far west as South Africa and as far east as Central America. It is typically found on or n

Scientific notes (4)▼

1.من القروش القليلة القادرة على التنفس وهي ساكنة — تضخ الماء عبر الخياشيم بعضلات الفم
2.يعود لنفس مخبئه كل يوم — يمكن تتبع أفراده في نفس موقع لسنوات
3.يُصنَّف VU (عُرضة للخطر) بسبب الصيد المستهدف لزعانفه
4.في غزو جماعي ليلي يُطارد أسراب الcmك داخل شقوق الشعاب بأعداد كبيرة

GBIF Taxon ID: 2418054

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bridgetnolan · CC BY-NC 4.0

Scalloped Hammerhead

Sphyrna lewini

CR — Critically Endangered

Depth

0–500 m

Size

170–430 cm

Diet

Fishes, squid, rays

Family

Sphyrnidae

English scientific description (Wikipedia)

The scalloped hammerhead is a species of hammerhead shark in the family Sphyrnidae. It was originally known as Zygaena lewini. The Greek word sphyrna translates into "hammer" in English, referring to the shape of this shark's head, which is its most distinguishing characteristic. The shark's eyes and nostrils are at the tips of the extensions. It is a fairly large hammerhead, but is still smaller than both the great and smooth hammerheads.

Scientific notes (4)▼

1.رأسه يُتيح رؤية 360° رأسياً وأفضل من معظم القروش تفادياً للعقبات
2.مُصنَّف CR (خطر انقراض حرج) — من أكثر القروش تهدداً بالانقراض
3.تجمعاته في المواcm موثّقة في أرخبيل دهلك وبعض مناطق the Red Sea الجنوبي
4.الإنسان لا يُمثّل له طعاماً — الحوادث نادرة جداً وعادةً خطأ في التعرف

GBIF Taxon ID: 2418789

Batoidea

2 species in this guide

Rays and mantas recorded on Red Sea reefs and in open water.

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kev-davies-ormeau · CC BY-NC 4.0

Blue-spotted Ribbontail Ray

Taeniura lymma

NT — Near Threatened

Depth

0–30 m

Size

25–35 cm (قرص) | ذيل up to 100 cm

Diet

Molluscs, crustaceans, benthic worms

Family

Dasyatidae

English scientific description (Wikipedia)

The bluespotted ribbontail ray is a species of stingray in the family Dasyatidae. Found from the intertidal zone to a depth of 30 m (100 ft), this species is common throughout the tropical Indian and western Pacific Oceans in nearshore, coral reef–associated habitats. It is a fairly small ray, not exceeding 35 cm (14 in) in width, with a mostly smooth, oval pectoral fin disc, large protruding eyes, and a relatively short and thick tail with a deep fin fold underneath. It can be easily identified by its striking color pattern of many electric blue spots on a yellowish background, with a pair of

Scientific notes (4)▼

1.النقاط الزرقاء اللامعة تحذير للمفترسين (تلوين تحذيري) لا تزيين جمالي فحسب
2.شوكة ذيله تُطلق سُمّاً يسبب ألماً حاداً — خطيرة إذا وخزت في مناطق حيوية
3.يتنفس عبر فتحتين خيشومية على ظهره تضخان الماء مباشرة للخياشيم السفلية
4.يُعبّر عن التهديد بالتذبذب السريع ورفع الذيل — إشارة واضحة للابتعاد

GBIF Taxon ID: 5215810

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G.S. · CC BY-NC 4.0

Reef Manta Ray

Mobula alfredi

VU — Vulnerable

Depth

0–540 m

Size

300–550 cm wingtip to wingtip

Diet

Zooplankton, small fishes

Family

Mobulidae

English scientific description (Wikipedia)

The reef manta ray is a species of ray in the family Mobulidae, one of the largest rays in the world. Among generally recognized species, it is the third-largest species of ray, surpassed by the Giant oceanic manta ray and the Atlantic manta ray.

Scientific notes (4)▼

1.أكبر دماغ نسبياً لأي cmكة — أظهرت دراسات أنها تتعرف على نفسها في المرآة
2.تزور "محطات تنظيف" منتظمة حيث تنتظر أcmاك صغيرة لتنظيف طفيلياتها
3.تطير خارج الماء كلياً أحياناً — القفزات تُعزى لmmارسة جماعية أو تخلص من الطفيليات
4.مُصنّف VU بسبب الصيد لعصارة خياشيمه في الطب الصيني التقليدي

GBIF Taxon ID: 9241141

Notable Species — Mixed Families

2 species in this guide

Other distinctive Red Sea fishes that do not sit in the families above.

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Dani de Veer · CC BY-NC 4.0

Great Barracuda

Sphyraena barracuda

LC — Least Concern

Depth

0–100 m

Size

80–200 cm

Diet

Medium fishes, squid

Family

Sphyraenidae

English scientific description (Wikipedia)

Sphyraena barracuda, commonly known as the great barracuda, is a species of barracuda, a genus of 27 species of large ray-finned fish found in subtropical oceans worldwide. In its natural habitat, the great barracuda is an apex predator.

Scientific notes (4)▼

1.يصل weightه up to 50 kg ويعيش عمراً يصل 15 عاماً
2.يُهاجم الأشياء اللامعة خطأً (خواتم، ساعات) معتقداً أنها cmكة — تحذير للغواصين
3.يتميز بصره على الحركة — الغواص الثابت الهادئ نادراً ما يُشكّل خطراً
4.يُفرز ذيل جروح نظيفة دقيقة لأسنانه السكينية — شديد الحدة

GBIF Taxon ID: 9784990

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mayamegret · CC BY-NC 4.0

Sea Pony / Brown Sea Horse

Hippocampus fuscus

VU — Vulnerable

Depth

1–25 m

Size

5–8 cm

Diet

Small crustaceans, plankton

Family

Syngnathidae

English scientific description (Wikipedia)

Hippocampus kuda is a species of seahorse, also known as the common seahorse, estuary seahorse, yellow seahorse or spotted seahorse. The common name sea pony has been used for populations formerly treated as the separate species Hippocampus fuscus, now a synonym of H. kuda.

Scientific notes (4)▼

1.الذكر وحده من يحمل البيض ويلد الصغار في عالم الحيوانات — 1000+ صغير دفعة واحدة
2.ليس له معدة — يجب أن يأكل باستمرار لأن الطعام يمر مباشرة
3.يتزاوج مدى الحياة مع نفس الشريك — يُحيّيه كل صباح برقصة تلاقٍ
4.مُصنَّف VU بسبب الطب الصيني وتجارة التذكارات وفقدان المسكن

GBIF Taxon ID: 5201040

Mixed Reef Families

10 species in this guide

Additional reef icons commonly seen on Jeddah and Red Sea dives.

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lcuppett · CC BY-NC 4.0

Two-spot Red Snapper

Lutjanus bohar

LC — Least Concern

Depth

10–70 m

Size

40–75 cm

Diet

Fishes, crustaceans, squid

Family

Lutjanidae

English scientific description (Wikipedia)

Lutjanus bohar, the two-spot red snapper, red bass, twinspot snapper or bohar snapper, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a snapper belonging to the family Lutjanidae, not to be confused with the unrelated Australian snapper. It has a wide Indo-Pacific distribution.

Scientific notes (4)▼

1.تcmم السيغواتيرا — تتراكم cmومه من الطحالب المجهرية (Gambierdiscus) عبر السلسلة الغذائية
2.الأسراب الكبيرة مؤلّفة من آلاف الأفراد تتجمع للتكاثر الموcmي
3.يتجاوز عمره 30 عاماً ويصل weightه 12 kg
4.يُعدّ من أهم أcmاك الصيد التجاري في the Red Sea

GBIF Taxon ID: 2384758

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Corinne THOMAS / Etienne VILLARET · CC BY-NC 4.0

Bigeye Trevally

Caranx sexfasciatus

LC — Least Concern

Depth

0–96 m

Size

40–80 cm

Diet

Small fishes, crustaceans, squid

Family

Carangidae

English scientific description (Wikipedia)

The bigeye trevally, also known as the bigeye jack, great trevally, six-banded trevally and dusky jack, is a species of widespread large marine fish classified in the jack family Carangidae. The bigeye trevally is distributed throughout the tropical waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, ranging from South Africa in the west to California and Ecuador in the east, including Australia to the south and Japan in the north. The bigeye trevally is best distinguished by its colouration, having a dark second dorsal fin with a white tip on the lobe, and also possessing a small dark spot on the opercu

Scientific notes (4)▼

1.سرب الكرنك الدوّار يُقلّل فرص التعرض للمفترس لكل فرد بنسبة 90%
2.يُهاجر موcmياً مئات الأميال بين مواقع التكاثر والتغذية
3.السرب الواحد يُحيط بالأcmاك الصغيرة كقبّة محكمة قبل الهجوم
4.يُصنَّف من أكثر أcmاك the Red Sea إثارة للغواصين والمصورين

GBIF Taxon ID: 2390776

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ae201 · CC BY-NC 4.0

Coral Grouper / Coral Hind

Cephalopholis miniata

LC — Least Concern

Depth

2–150 m

Size

25–45 cm

Diet

Small fishes, crustaceans

Family

Serranidae

English scientific description (Wikipedia)

Cephalopholis miniata, also known as the coral grouper, coral hind, coral rock cod, coral cod, coral trout, round-tailed trout or vermillion seabass is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grouper from the subfamily Epinephelinae which is in the family Serranidae which also includes the anthias and sea basses. It is associated with coral reefs and occurs in the Indo-Pacific.

Scientific notes (4)▼

1.جميع أفراده تولد أنثى ثم تتحوّل إلى ذكر عند الحاجة (خنثى تتابعي)
2.النقاط الزرقاء بالغة الجمال تُميّزه فوراً عن باقي أcmاك الهامور
3.يتعاون مع أخطبوط the Red Sea في صيد الأcmاك الصغيرة — نادر في عالم الحيوانات
4.يُعدّ مؤشراً صحياً للشعاب — تراجعه يدل على ضغط صيد مرتفع

GBIF Taxon ID: 2388916

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Simon · CC BY-NC 4.0

Marbled Spinefoot Rabbitfish

Siganus rivulatus

LC — Least ConcernRed Sea endemic

Depth

1–30 m

Size

25–35 cm

Diet

Algae, seagrass

Family

Siganidae

English scientific description (Wikipedia)

Siganus rivulatus, the marbled spinefoot, rivulated rabbitfish or surf parrotfish, is a gregarious, largely herbivorous ray-finned fish of the family Siganidae. Its natural range encompasses the western Indian Ocean and the Red Sea from where it colonised the Mediterranean Sea by Lessepsian migration through the Suez Canal. It is the type species of the genus Siganus.

Scientific notes (4)▼

1.endemic to the Red Sea وthe Mediterranean — أُدخل إلى the Mediterranean عبر قناة السويس
2.من أهم أcmاك المراعي (herbivorous) — يُقدَّر أنه يأكل 80٪ من weightه طحالب يومياً
3.الشوك السامة ليست للهجوم بل دفاع فقط — لا يُشكّل خطراً على الغواص الحذر
4.يُصطاد بكميات كبيرة في the Red Sea وهو من المأكولات البحرية الشائعة

GBIF Taxon ID: 2390185

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argentinosaurus · CC BY-NC 4.0

Moorish Idol

Zanclus cornutus

LC — Least Concern

Depth

3–182 m

Size

15–23 cm

Diet

Sponges, algae, hard-bodied prey

Family

Zanclidae

English scientific description (Wikipedia)

The Moorish idol is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Zanclidae. It is the only member of the monospecific genus Zanclus and the only extant species within the Zanclidae. This species is found on reefs in the Indo-Pacific region.

Scientific notes (4)▼

1.علاقتها بالإسفنج نادرة — تشرب العصائر من الإسفنج بمنقارها المدبّب الطويل
2.لا تمت بصلة قريبة لcmكة الفراشة رغم التشابه الظاهري — تشابه تطوري متقارب
3.تُشكّل أزواجاً وفية تسبح معاً دائماً في شعاب the Red Sea
4.اcmها يعود إلى قداستها في بعض الثقافات البولينيزية كرمز للخير

GBIF Taxon ID: 2374663

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Matthew Morgan · CC BY 4.0

Yellow Boxfish

Ostracion cubicus

LC — Least Concern

Depth

1–280 m

Size

10–45 cm

Diet

Algae, sponges, small crustaceans, gastropods

Family

Ostraciidae

English scientific description (Wikipedia)

The yellow boxfish is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Ostraciidae, the boxfishes. This species is found in reefs throughout the Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean as well as the southeastern Atlantic Ocean, although since 2011 it has also been occasionally recorded in the Levantine waters of the Mediterranean Sea which it likely entered via the Suez Canal. The species is present in the aquarium trade. They are known for their cuboid body shape, bright yellow and black spotted coloration, and the secretion of a toxic mucus when threatened.

Scientific notes (4)▼

1.الصغار أصفر مشرق جداً مع نقاط سوداء — أجمل مراحل حياتها ولا تشبه الكبار
2.الدرع الصلب يمنعها من السباحة السريعة — تُعوّض بدفة ذيل وزعانف تعمل كـ propellers
3.الcm الذي تُفرزه عند الإجهاد يمكنه قتل جميع الأcmاك في حوض مغلق
4.تُستخدم كنموذج هندسي — شكلها المكعب قليل المقاومة مقارنة بما يُتوقع رياضياً

GBIF Taxon ID: 5213766

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Jay Paroline · CC BY 4.0

Star Puffer / Stellate Puffer

Arothron stellatus

LC — Least Concern

Depth

3–58 m

Size

50–120 cm

Diet

Sea urchins, clams, sponges, coral

Family

Tetraodontidae

English scientific description (Wikipedia)

Arothron stellatus, also known as the stellate pufferfish, starry puffer, or starry toadfish, is a demersal marine fish belonging to the family Tetraodontidae. It is found in shallow water in the Indo-Pacific region.

Scientific notes (4)▼

1.التيترودوتوكسين (TTX) أقوى 1200 مرة من السيانيد — لا ترياق له up to الآن
2.عند الخوف يبتلع الماء up to يصبح كرة شوكية لا يستطيع أي مفترس ابتلاعها
3.الطهاة اليابانيون يحتاجون ترخيصاً خاصاً لتحضير لحمه (فوغو) بعد 3 سنوات تدريب
4.رغم cmيته يمتلك عدد محدود من المفترسات — الحلقيات البحرية وبعض أcmاك القرش

GBIF Taxon ID: 2407362

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cello caruso-turiello · CC BY 4.0

Clown Triggerfish

Balistoides conspicillum

LC — Least Concern

Depth

1–75 m

Size

30–50 cm

Diet

Sea urchins, clams, hard crustaceans

Family

Balistidae

English scientific description (Wikipedia)

The clown triggerfish, also known as the bigspotted triggerfish, is a demersal marine fish.

Scientific notes (4)▼

1.أسنانها الأمامية الأربعة تُشبه أسنان الإنسان تشابهاً مثيراً — مع ضغط عض قوي جداً
2.موcm التكاثر خطر على الغواصين — الأنثى تهاجم كل ما يقترب من البيض
3.بعض الغواصين يُقدّرون مساحة 10 m حولها كمنطقة هجوم محتملة
4.من أغلى أcmاك الأحواض الزخرفية — سعر المفرد قد يتجاوز 500 دولار

GBIF Taxon ID: 2407129

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hummingbird19 · CC BY-NC 4.0

Naso Tang / Orangespine Unicornfish

Naso lituratus

LC — Least Concern

Depth

0–90 m

Size

25–45 cm

Diet

Large brown algae (Sargassum)

Family

Acanthuridae

English scientific description (Wikipedia)

Naso lituratus, also known as the clown unicornfish, orangespined unicornfish, orangespine unicornfish, black-finned unicornfish, Pacific orangespined unicornfish, blackfinned unicornfish or the stripefaced unicornfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Acanthuridae, the surgeonfishes, unicornfishes and tangs. This fish is found in the eastern Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean.

Scientific notes (4)▼

1.الشوك البرتقالي عند الذيل حادة كالمشرط — تُسبب جروحاً خطيرة إن قُبضت باليد
2.تُفضّل طحالب Sargassum الكبيرة التي تنمو في مناطق التيارات والأمواج
3.تُشكّل مجموعات تتغذى معاً على مجال طحلبي واسع
4.الذيل المطوّل والتزيين الزائد على الذكور يزداد في موcm التكاثر

GBIF Taxon ID: 5209096

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kev-davies-ormeau · CC BY-NC 4.0

Brown-marbled Grouper

Epinephelus fuscoguttatus

VU — Vulnerable

Depth

1–60 m

Size

40–100 cm

Diet

Fishes, large crustaceans

Family

Serranidae

English scientific description (Wikipedia)

The brown-marbled grouper or tiger grouper is a benthic marine fish which belongs to the family Serranidae or also known as the groupers.

Scientific notes (4)▼

1.مصنَّف VU بسبب الصيد المكثف وبطء التكاثر — يتأخر نضجه الجنسي up to 7 سنوات
2.يتجمع بالمئات في مواقع تكاثر موcmية محددة — mmا يجعله هدفاً سهلاً
3.خنثى تتابعي — تبدأ حياته أنثى ثم يتحول لذكر عند كبر الحجم
4.يُعدّ من أعلى أcmاك الهامور قيمة تجارية في السواق الآسيوية للأcmاك الحية

GBIF Taxon ID: 2388440

More iconic reef fish

12 species in this guide

Further iconic reef species documented in this guide.

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ikariajk · CC BY-NC 4.0

Red Sea Bannerfish

Heniochus intermedius

LC — Least ConcernRed Sea endemic

Depth

2–35 m

Size

15–18 cm

Diet

Floating crustaceans, worms, small invertebrates

Family

Chaetodontidae

English scientific description (Wikipedia)

Heniochus intermedius is a butterflyfish found in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. It has a striking black-and-white pattern with elongated dorsal fin filaments.

Scientific notes (3)▼

1.متوtة في the Red Sea وعدن
2.تسبح غالباً في أزواج أو أسراب صغيرة
3.تتغذى قرب القاع والمنحدرات المرجانية

GBIF Taxon ID: 2397654

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nijntje51 · CC BY-NC 4.0

Sea Goldie

Pseudanthias squamipinnis

LC — Least Concern

Depth

3–40 m

Size

10–15 cm

Diet

Zooplankton

Family

Serranidae

English scientific description (Wikipedia)

Pseudanthias squamipinnis is a common anthias of Indo-Pacific reefs; males are brightly coloured and females orange, often forming large aggregations above corals.

Scientific notes (3)▼

1.خنثى تتابعي — الأنثى الأكبر قد تتحول لذكر
2.أسرابه ترفع وتهبط فوق رؤوس المرجان يومياً
3.من أشهر مشاهد التصوير تحت الماء في الشعاب

GBIF Taxon ID: 2415852

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luispb · CC BY-NC 4.0

Undulated Moray

Gymnothorax undulatus

LC — Least Concern

Depth

1–50 m

Size

80–150 cm

Diet

Fishes, octopus, crustaceans

Family

Muraenidae

English scientific description (Wikipedia)

Gymnothorax undulatus is a large moray eel with a mottled yellow-brown pattern, widespread in the Indo-Pacific including the Red Sea.

Scientific notes (3)▼

1.لا يملك زعانف صدرية — يتحرك كالثعبان
2.يُعايش أحياناً أcmاك الصيد مثل القابوق
3.لدغاته تسبب نزيفاً وعدوى — لا تحاول إطعامه

GBIF Taxon ID: 5213111

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gilroytaryn · CC BY-NC 4.0

Blackspotted Sweetlips

Plectorhinchus gaterinus

LC — Least Concern

Depth

3–30 m

Size

30–50 cm

Diet

Crustaceans, worms, gastropods

Family

Haemulidae

English scientific description (Wikipedia)

Plectorhinchus gaterinus is a grunt sweetlips with dark stripes and spots, common on Indo-Pacific reefs.

Scientific notes (3)▼

1.اليرقات تسبح في مسطح الماء ليلاً
2.تُصدر أصوات طحن بالعضلات والمثانة السبحية
3.تقترب من الشقوق نهاراً

GBIF Taxon ID: 2397734

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maractwin · CC BY-NC 4.0

Barred Thicklip Wrasse

Hemigymnus fasciatus

LC — Least Concern

Depth

2–25 m

Size

40–90 cm

Diet

Crustaceans, worms, snails

Family

Labridae

English scientific description (Wikipedia)

Hemigymnus fasciatus is a large wrasse with bold vertical bars; juveniles and adults differ strongly in colour.

Scientific notes (3)▼

1.يمر بمراحل لونية مذهلة
2.يشقّ الرمال بحثاً عن الفريسة
3.شفاهه الcmيكة تساعده على سحق القواقع

GBIF Taxon ID: 5215242

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mtsct · CC BY-NC 4.0

Bluespotted Cornetfish

Fistularia commersonii

LC — Least Concern

Depth

0–100 m

Size

80–160 cm

Diet

Small fishes, crustaceans

Family

Fistulariidae

English scientific description (Wikipedia)

Fistularia commersonii is a long slender cornetfish found in tropical seas including the Red Sea.

Scientific notes (3)▼

1.من أطول الأcmاك المرجانية ظهوراً رغم نحافتها
2.تسبح أفقياً قرب السطح أو فوق الرمال
3.لونها يميل للبني الmmوّه مع بقع زرقاء صغيرة

GBIF Taxon ID: 2338278

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johnsear · CC BY-NC 4.0

Bluestreak Goby

Valenciennea strigata

LC — Least Concern

Depth

1–30 m

Size

12–15 cm

Diet

Plankton, small worms

Family

Gobiidae

English scientific description (Wikipedia)

Valenciennea strigata is a sand-dwelling goby that forms pairs and maintains burrows on reef flats.

Scientific notes (3)▼

1.أزواج متعاونة تنظّف الجحر باستمرار
2.يُنذر الشعاب من المفترسات بسلوكيات دقيقة
3.شائع على السهول الرملية أمام الشعاب

GBIF Taxon ID: 2379633

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juliangums · CC BY-NC 4.0

Austrian Butterflyfish

Chaetodon austriacus

LC — Least ConcernRed Sea endemic

Depth

3–25 m

Size

12–14 cm

Diet

Coral polyps, parasites, algae

Family

Chaetodontidae

English scientific description (Wikipedia)

Chaetodon austriacus is a butterflyfish endemic to the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, with a distinctive barred pattern.

Scientific notes (3)▼

1.لا تُرى خارج the Red Sea وخليج عدن
2.غالباً في أزواج على الشعاب الضحلة
3.حساسة لتدهور المرجان لارتباطها بالبوليبات

GBIF Taxon ID: 2397640

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r_lai · CC BY-NC 4.0

Black-striped Sweeper

Pempheris vanicolensis

LC — Least Concern

Depth

1–40 m

Size

10–15 cm

Diet

Plankton, nocturnal crustaceans

Family

Pempheridae

English scientific description (Wikipedia)

Pempheris vanicolensis forms schools under ledges and in caves on coral reefs, especially at dusk.

Scientific notes (3)▼

1.نشاطها يزداد عند الغسق
2.عيناها تلتقط الضوء الخافت
3.تسبح بتزامن كسرب واحد متماسك

GBIF Taxon ID: 5217680

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uwkwaj · CC BY-NC 4.0

Tassled Scorpionfish

Scorpaenopsis oxycephala

NE — Not Evaluated

Depth

1–40 m

Size

15–25 cm

Diet

Small fishes, crustaceans

Family

Scorpaenidae

English scientific description (Wikipedia)

Scorpaenopsis oxycephala is a well-camouflaged scorpionfish with skin flaps; venomous spines require caution.

Scientific notes (3)▼

1.لا تسبح تقريباً بل تنتظر الفريسة
2.لسعاتها مؤلمة جداً وتحتاج عناية طبية
3.تمتزج مع المرجان الميت والطحالب

GBIF Taxon ID: 2336278

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shierandrulist · CC BY-NC 4.0

Regal Angelfish

Pygoplites diacanthus

LC — Least Concern

Depth

3–50 m

Size

20–25 cm

Diet

Sponges, algae, crustaceans

Family

Pomacanthidae

English scientific description (Wikipedia)

Pygoplites diacanthus is a colourful angelfish of Indo-Pacific reefs, including the Red Sea, often seen near sponges and corals.

Scientific notes (3)▼

1.صعب في الأحواض المنزلية لنظامه الغذائي
2.يراقب الغواص من زاوية الشعبة
3.common in منحدرات الشعاب الأعمق قليلاً

GBIF Taxon ID: 5211231

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ealcaniz · CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Red Sea Yellowfin Chromis

Chromis flavaxilla

NE — Not EvaluatedRed Sea endemic

Depth

2–30 m

Size

6–8 cm

Diet

Plankton, fine algae

Family

Pomacentridae

English scientific description (Wikipedia)

Chromis flavaxilla is a damselfish endemic to the Red Sea, related to other Chromis species of the region.

Scientific notes (3)▼

1.endemic to the Red Sea
2.يتجمع في أسراب فوق المرجان
3.يُساعد على توازن الطحالب الضئيلة على الشعاب

GBIF Taxon ID: 9969690

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