Scientific name : Neocirrhites armatus

 

Family : Cirrhitidae
Size : Up to 9 cm
Distribution : Pacific ocean

 

Biology : It positions itself on observation points among the corals. If it spots any danger, it can hide away in the coral.
The flame hawkfish is a rather aggressive fish and mightily defends its territory against its fellow creatures.
They live in pairs.

 

Scientific name : Zoanthus spp

 

Family : Zoanthidae (zoanthus, 23 species)
Size : The polyps are about 1 cm width, but the colony may extend over several square meters
Distribution : They occur in all tropical seas of the world

 

Biology : Like many reef corals, zoanthus host symbiotic algae, allowing them to feed indirectly through photosynthesis. Besides, they also feed on zooplankton. Zoanthus secrete palytoxin, one of the most poisonous toxins in the world. Therefore, they hardly have predators. Aquarists love them because they are so varied in color and have such remarkable fluorescence.

 

IUCN status : Not assessed

 

Scientific name : Chrysiptera parasema

 

Family : Pomacentridae (damselfishes and clownfishes, 418 species)
Size : Up to 7 cm
Distribution : From Indonesia to the Ryūkyū Islands

 

Biology : This species inhabits shallow, sheltered waters. It is usually found near branching corals where it can quickly hide. It is omnivorous and feeds on algae and small invertebrates. The female lays about 300 adhesive eggs and the male protects and distributes them.

 

IUCN status : Not assessed

 

Scientific name : Lysmata amboinensis

 

Family : Hippolytidae
Size : Up to 7 cm
Distribution : South Pacific ocean, Red sea, Indian ocean

 

Biology : It is detritivorous and a parasite-remover. It spends most of its time sheltered under rocks.

 

Scientific name : Pictichromis paccagnellae

 

Family : Pseudochromidae (dottybacks, 154 species)
Size : Up to 7 cm
Distribution : Indonesia, from Java to the Vanuatu islands

 

Biology : It is a relatively discrete species that can be found among the crevices of rocks. However, the dottyback will defend its territory against fish several times its size. It is a micro-predator and feeds on small prey (crustaceans, worms, etc.).

 

IUCN status : Least concern

 

Scientific name : Synchiropus splendidus

 

Family : Callionymidae (dragon-fish, mandarin-fish, 196 species)
Size : Up to 7 cm
Distribution : Indonesia and the western Pacific Ocean

 

Biology : This very discreet little fish spends all its time scouring the seabed in search of small crustaceans to peck at, often pausing to observe its surroundings.
The mandarin dragonet is the only fish to be blue thanks to pigment rather than reflective structures, a rare occurrence in the animal kingdom.

 

IUCN status : Data missing

 

Scientific name : Hippopus hippopus

 

Class : Bivalvia (bivalve molluscs : oysters, mussels, cockles…)
Size : Up to 45 cm
Distribution : Indo-Pacific

 

Biology : The clam can be found on sandy seabeds near reefs and in seagrass beds.
Unlike other clams, the rolling clam does not secrete byssus, the fibrous material that enables bivalves to cling to rocks.
However, it is very well adapted to its life on the sand; despite its mass, it is able to turn over and emerge from the sand if it finds itself buried.

 

IUCN status : Near threatened

 

Scientific name : Tridacna gigas

 

Class : Bivalvia (bivalve molluscs : oysters, mussels, cockles…)
Size : Up to 120 cm
Distribution : Indo-Pacific

 

Biology : Weighing up to 200 kg, the giant clam is the largest of all bivalve molluscs. It grows slowly and is thought to live well over a century.
Unfortunately, this animal is threatened by poaching, its meat is highly prized and its shell is a much sought-after collector’s item. With its slow reproductive cycle, the giant clam is finding it hard to cope with over-exploitation.

 

IUCN status : Vulnerable

 

Scientific name : Acanthurus guttatus

 

Family : Acanthuridae
Size : Up to 25 cm
Distribution : Indo-Pacific

 

Biology : It mostly eats seaweeds and helps keep the aquariums clean!
This surgeon lives above exposed and shallow coralline or shingly areas. Its white spots allow it to hide between the rough water bubbles that it is particularly fond of.

 

IUCN status : Least concern

 

Scientific name : Pseudanthias tuka

 

Family : Serranidae
Size : Up to 17 cm
Distribution : Indo-Pacific

 

Biology : Lives in shoals and feeds on planktonic crustaceans and fish eggs.

 

IUCN status : Least concern