Scientific name : Rhinecanthus rectangulus

 

Family : Balistidae
Size : Up to 30 cm
Distribution : Pacific ocean, Oceania, Indian ocean, Red sea

 

Biology : It is famous because of its Hawaiian name “Humuhumunukunukuapua’a”. It is emblematic of Hawaii.
They live near coral reefs and in shallow lagoons where they feed on algae, molluscs, crabs, sea urchins…

 

Scientific name : Astropyga radiata

 

Family : Diadematidae (long-spined sea urchins and red urchins, 46 species)
Size : 20 cm width
Distribution : Abundant throughout the Indo-Pacific, from Mozambique to Hawaii

 

Biology : This sea urchin especially likes sandy seafloors and seagrass beds. It is able to inoculate a venom causing severe pain. However, very few accidents have occurred because it is easily spotted. This sea urchin acts as a shelter for some small fish and crustaceans. The urchin crab is well known for carrying one around on its carapace in order to protect itself.

 

IUCN status : Not assessed

 

Scientific name : Sphaeramia nematoptera

 

Family : Apogonidae
Size : Up to 9 cm
Distribution : Tropical western Pacific

 

Biology : During the day, it is hidden mainly between the branches of the corals. At night, it looks for food near the bottom.

 

Scientific name : Taenianotus triacanthus

 

Family : Scorpaenidae (scorpionfish, rockfish, stonefish… 231 species)
Size : Up to 10 cm
Distribution : Indo-Pacific Ocean, from Mozambique to French Polynesia

 

Biology : This scorpionfish is an ambush predator that catches shrimps and small fish flowing past it. Its outstanding camouflage allows it to blend in with corals and seagrass beds. It even makes gentle sideways movements to simulate backwash waves.

 

IUCN status : Least concern

 

Scientific name : Choerodon fasciatus

 

Family : Labridae
Size : Up to 30 cm
Distribution : Western Pacific (discontinuous)

 

Biology : Solitary and territorial, it is constantly on the move, exploring its territory for food. It is rather shy and wary but very curious.

 

IUCN status : Least concern

 

Scientific name : Scorpaenopsis diabolus

 

Family : Scorpaenidae (scorpionfishes, 231 species)
Size : Up to 30 cm
Distribution : Indo-Pacific

 

Biology : This scorpionfish has a massive, humpbacked appearance that makes it easy to pass off as a stone. Like all other scorpionfish, it has venomous dorsal spines. It owes its name to the particularly atrocious sting it can inflict if accidentally stepped on. As it can live in very shallow waters, accidents can happen very quickly…
However, if it feels threatened, it may deploy its bright orange pectoral fins as a warning.

 

IUCN status : Least concern

 

Scientific name : Centropyge bispinosa

 

Family : Pomacanthidae
Size : Up to 10 cm
Distribution : Indian ocean and Pacific ocean

 

Biology : As a hermaphrodite species, the fish are first females and then become males as they get older. Centropyges live in a harem which includes one male and 5 to 8 females.
It prefers rocky bottoms with plenty of algae, dense coral reefs and external slopes. Their territory usually spans a few square meters.

 

Scientific name : Pygoplites diacanthus

 

Family : Pomacanthidae (marine angelfishes, 91 species)
Size : Up to 25 cm
Distribution : Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea to Hawaii

 

Biology : They are territorial species that can be found solitary and occasionally in pairs. It feeds mainly on sponges and other invertebrates. It is a sequential hermaphrodite; it is born as a female and eventually it transforms into a male.

 

IUCN status : Least concern

 

Scientific name : Zebrasoma xanthurum

 

Family : Acanthuridae
Size : Up to 22 cm
Distribution : Indian ocean, Red sea

 

Biology : Like all surgeonfish, it has a scalpel-shaped spine on each side at the base of its tail.
It lives in schools above the reef where it feeds on algae and invertebrates.

 

IUCN status : Least concern

 

Scientific name : Pseudanthias dispar

 

Family : Serranidae
Size : Up to 10 cm
Distribution : Indo-Pacific

 

Biology : They’re planktivorous animals. They constantly feed on tiny crustaceans, eggs, and different larvae that they catch in the open water.
They can be found by walls and reef slopes exposed to currents. They change sex during their lives (Sequential hermaphroditism). They are born female and then become male over the course of their lives.

 

IUCN status : Least concern