Types of coral fish. Parrot fish

Over millions of years of existence, the ancient sea is filled with underwater inhabitants in huge quantities. One and a half thousand fish have been studied and described by humans, but this is less than half of the inhabitants of the mysterious body of water.

Not a single river flows into the warm sea. This factor contributes to the preservation of clean water and the development of a special living world. Red Sea fish unique. Many species are not found in other bodies of water.

Popular and safe fish

A visit by tourists to popular resorts is not complete without scuba diving and sea fishing. Famous representatives of the water depths will leave a vivid impression:

Parrot fish

The name corresponds to its bright appearance: multi-colored coloring and a growth on the forehead like a bird’s beak. Blue-green, yellow, orange-red in color, large fish (up to 50 cm in length) are safe.

Fish-Napoleon

The growth on the head, similar to the emperor’s cocked hat, gave the species its name. The impressive size of the Maori wrasse (up to 2 meters long) is combined with a good nature and trusting character. The fish is so sociable that it itself swims up to the drivers to get to know each other better.

Napoleon fish is often called sponge fish

Antais

A schooling fish of very small size (7-15 cm). The inhabitants of coral reefs have bright colors of orange, green, and red. Up to 500 fish can gather in a school.

Bistriped amphiprion

The bright, unusual coloring with stripes outlined in black on an orange background attracts photographers. The fish live in pairs in sea anemones and are not at all afraid of scuba divers.

The tentacles of sea anemones, which are poisonous to others, do not harm the settlers, covered with protective mucus, as if protecting them. Amphiprions are sometimes called. They behave bravely near their shelter.

Clown fish seek protection in sea anemones, which are poisonous to other aquatic life.

Butterfly fish

The beauty is easy to recognize by its tall, strongly flattened oval body with a long dorsal fin and bright black and yellow color. Due to their diurnal lifestyle at shallow depths, they have been well studied by masked divers.

They live with small flocks and pairs. There are color options of blue-orange, black-silver, red-yellow.

Black-spotted Grunt

For her wide lips she is nicknamed sweetlip. Names of Red Sea fish often spoken, therefore the color of the fish and the grinding sound when biting through corals determined the name of the inhabitant.

Lethrina

Inhabitants of the sea coastline. They feel great among rocks, reefs, rich in vegetation. Greenish-brown in color with dark spots on the sides. The fins and interorbital space are red-pink. Body length up to 50 cm.

Imperial Angel

It’s hard not to notice the fish even among other beauties of the warm sea. Decorated with frontal and ocular stripes. Color from yellow-blue-white range in variations of shades and patterns. A variety of solid and interrupted stripes, spots, specks, transitions and mergers.

The directions of the pattern are also varied: circular, diagonal, vertical, transverse, wavy. Despite all the individuality of the fish's outfits, they are recognizable in their grace.

The imperial angel has a variety of colors

Plataxes

Young sickle-shaped fish grow up to 70 cm in length. The body is flattened on the sides. The color is bright orange or yellow with three black stripes. Curious by nature, not shy, they swim quite close to the drivers. Stay in groups. With age, the color becomes uniformly silvery as the stripes blur. The size of the fins decreases.

Lantern fish

The luminous organs most often are the eyes. The emission of greenish light comes from the lower eyelid, sometimes from the tail or abdominal part. Small fish, up to 11 cm, live in caves at depths of up to 25 m. They hide from divers. Light attracts prey to them and serves as a contact for their species.

Aggressive inhabitants

The depths of the sea can be dangerous. The inhabitants of the sea do not all attack when they meet, but you should not provoke their attack. For example, an open wound and the smell of blood always attract predators. Following simple rules can ensure safe exploration of the Red Sea:

• do not touch fish with your hands;
• avoid night bathing.

Insidious behavior when meeting or an unexpected attack by fish can result in serious injuries and risk to human life.

Poisonous fish

Surgeon fish

The tail fins have sharp spines for protection. In the normal state they are hidden in special recesses. When danger arises, the spikes move apart like cutting scalpels.

The length of the fish reaches 1 meter. An attempt to pet a bright beauty, blue, pink-brown or lemon, can result in a retaliatory strike and a deep wound.

Stone fish

The deceit lies in the inconspicuous appearance. Warty growths and gray coloring give a repulsive appearance. Buried in the seabed, the fish blend in with the surface in color and shape. An unexpected prick from the spines of the dorsal fin is so dangerous that without medical help a person dies within a few hours.

Excruciating pain, clouding of consciousness, vascular disorders, and irregular heart rhythms follow after a poisonous lesion. Treatment is possible, but it is difficult and long.

Stone fish perfectly camouflages itself as the seabed

Lionfish or zebra fish

It is notable for its exotic-looking ribbon-shaped fins with poisonous spines. Infection with thorns causes a convulsive reaction, loss of consciousness, and respiratory spasms. Brownish-red scales with alternating stripes resemble a fan. Many marine inhabitants cautiously keep their distance.

There is a strong poison on the edges of the lionfish's fins.

Stingrays (electric and stingray)

Despite their strong damaging effect, stingrays are not aggressive. Careless handling of occupants may result in

• to an electrical discharge, which can result in paralysis or cardiac arrest;
• pricked by a poisonous thorn - the wound is very painful and difficult to heal.

No deaths have been recorded after encounters, but no one wants to step on a stingray.

Sea Dragon

By appearance, the inhabitant can be confused with the famous bull. But dark spots and stripes reveal one of the most unpredictable predators. It hunts prey both at depths of up to 20 m and in shallow coastal waters. There have been cases when people simply stepped on a dragon buried in the sand.

An inconspicuous fish, up to 50 cm long with an elongated body, attacks with lightning speed. The eyes are set high - this helps in hunting. The spread fan of the dorsal fin is a warning, but it is not always noticed. All needles are toxic. Additional spines are located on the gill covers.

Even dead fish can poison with a poisonous injection within 2-3 hours. Therefore, it poses a particular danger to fishermen. In a fish caught with a fishing rod, the spines are pressed down, but in the hands it will show its cunning. As a result of the poisonous injection, edema and paralysis develop, and there is a risk of death due to heart failure.

Arotron stellata

Large fish, growing up to 1.5 m, can be invisible in the water surface due to their small dot color and slow movement. The main feature is the ability to inflate into a ball.

This is facilitated by a special chamber near the stomach, where water is collected at the moment of danger. Skin without elasticity. The bloated appearance scares off enemies.

The poison tetradotoxin accumulates in the body of the arotron, so consumption is not recommended. The bites are painful. Durable tooth plates grind shellfish and coral.

Poisonous fish of the Red Sea often exceed the paralyzing power of terrestrial reptiles.

Dangerous fish

Needlefish

The body of a narrow hexagonal shape is elongated up to 1 meter in length. The color varies from light green, gray to reddish-brown. With its long jaws, the fish can easily bite through a human body. Meeting her is dangerous.

Tiger shark

The cunning of the species is the unpredictable appearance of man-eating fish in the port, on the beach area, in the bay. Large predators, from two to seven meters long, are decorated with tiger stripes on the sides. The color on a gray background disappears with age. The peculiarity is the ability to hunt even in complete darkness.

The tiger shark is one of the first places in attacks on people

Barracuda

In appearance it resembles a river fish with small scales, up to 2 meters long. The barracuda's large mouth with knife-like teeth grabs prey tightly and can cripple a person's limbs, mistaking them for fish in muddy water.

It does not show aggression towards humans, but hunts together with sharks, which creates an additional threat. Connoisseurs classify certain species as edible fish with valuable meat.

The risk of eating the “unknown” barracuda delicacy is severe poisoning with many symptoms, which complicates diagnosis. Disruption of the body systems: respiratory, nervous, circulatory - leads to death.

Moray

Varieties can be from 15 cm to 3 m long. The serpentine body without scales gracefully moves at the very bottom among stones and crevices. The dorsal fin extends from the head to the tail.

The color is varied. There are individuals both plain and spotted, striped in yellowish-gray tones. Huge mouth with two jaws. After an attack, the teeth of a moray eel can only be unclenched with outside help. A torn bite does not heal for a long time, although the fish is not poisonous.

Bluefin ballistode

It is especially dangerous in the summer months, when nesting season begins. A meeting with a person will certainly end in an attack by a predator. At other times, the ballistod is calm and does not react to large objects. Stays near coral reefs.

The color is spotted or striped, with bright streaks on a dark greenish background. Powerful teeth, up to 7 cm in size, split the shells of crustaceans and grind limestones. The bites are not poisonous, but the wounds inflicted are always very severe. The fish is considered unpredictable and one of the most dangerous on the reefs.

Spotted flathead (crocodile fish)

Favorite habitats are in coral reefs. The size of the fish reaches 70-90 cm. The large head with a wide mouth gives it a resemblance to a crocodile. The body is covered with sandy or dirty green scales.

It swims little, mostly buries itself in the bottom sand and remains motionless for several hours. With sudden jerks he catches unwary fish. The mouth is small, so it hunts only small prey.

The flathead is a fearsome species, covered with spines that protect it from other predators. When meeting a person, he does not show aggression. Spotted flathead should not be touched. The danger is in causing accidental wounds from the dirty spines of a bottom-dwelling crocodile. They lead to inflammation if the affected area is not thoroughly treated.

Red Sea Tylosur

The predator can be seen at shallow depths while hunting for small fish. Large individuals, up to 1.5 meters, are similar to barracudas, but their jaws are longer. A special feature of tylosurs is the ability to jump out of the water and, bending, fly over the waves for a considerable distance.

With their tail they seem to push off the water, accelerating to jump into a school of fish that cannot see the hunter. Fishermen have often become victims when they fall under the toothy snout of a powerful tylosur.

Dangerous fish of the Red Sea have not been fully studied. The unique qualities of the inhabitants, who have survived in the natural reserve for millions of years, fascinate with the diversity and unpredictability of their manifestations. The richness of the underwater world continues to amaze tourists and researchers with its evolutionary beauty.

Coral fish in the Red Sea.

What kind of fish swim among the corals: short, long, thick, transparent?

Brightly colored coral fish swim alone or in schools between the corals, pinching off polyps on which they feed. Their shape and coloring are very diverse. There are red, blue, yellow, green and black fish. They are very shy, as they constantly live among motionless corals. Every moving object forces them to seek refuge in the reef. Some of the coral fish have powerful jaws with which they bite off pieces of coral. For example, a parrot fish bites coral branches on which algae grow with teeth tightly fused like a beak. Since this fish has a bright coloring, it has to hide from predators. She does this very skillfully. The parrot fish sinks to the bottom and builds a cocoon house made of mucus around itself. On a coral reef, in clear water penetrated by the sun's rays, butterfly fish swim. These bright, multi-colored creatures are very nimble and agile. Above the coral thickets in the water live hedgehog fish and ball fish. If their life is not in danger, they do not attract attention to themselves. But as soon as a threat appears in the form of a predator, these fish begin to swallow water and swell in size, frightening predators with their needles and balls. Predatory moray eels like to hide in coral forests. Flexible fish like snakes are a threat to all small inhabitants of the reef. They swim out of a coral crevice in search of food; such fish can even attack a person. Transparent and colorful jellyfish swim in the depths of the sea. They look harmless, but can sting like nettles. Their tentacles contain many cells with poison, which burst when touched. Many sea creatures try not to get close to jellyfish, but the fry of some fish hide between the poisonous tentacles from predators. There are many burrows in the reef. Some of them have interesting neighbors - goby fish and shrimp. And the responsibilities were divided equally. The shrimp keeps the home clean and comfortable, and the goby guards the burrow and produces food for both. A dog fish with horns on its head swims out from behind a coral bush. All day long the zebra fish freezes among the corals, lying in wait for small fish. Its upper fin on its back contains spines with strong poison. Here, and not far away, a motley gurnard makes strange sounds similar to grumbling. A pipefish hides among the algae and corals, stretching out its head downwards, so no one will find it. Seahorses hide in algae; by the way, they can change their color depending on the color of the plant in which they are hiding.

The most beautiful fish in the world (photo)

Quote from Konstancia's message Read in full In your quotation book or community!
The most beautiful fish in the world (photo)

Mandarin are small, very colorful fish that live in coral reefs in the western Pacific Ocean. The name "mandarin duck" comes from their colorful pattern, which is similar to the clothing of the Chinese mandarin. These are bottom fish. They secrete a toxin in mucus that coats their bodies and is toxic to some predators.

Imperial Angels- one of the most beautiful coral fish, which, moreover, changes its color throughout its life. Juveniles have a black body with white and blue concentric stripes. Adults have a bright purple body with approximately 25 thin diagonal yellow-orange stripes. With age, the head becomes emerald above and red-brown below, with a characteristic bright mask around the eyes. The Emperor lives on the coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific region.

Lion fish- This fish is one of the most poisonous fish on the ocean floor. It uses its poisonous spines exclusively for defensive purposes. For humans, its poison is not fatal. They live near coral reefs and rocky crevices in the Indo-Pacific region.

Triggerfish- they usually have very bright colors and are inhabitants of coral reefs. They didn't get their name for nothing. The first spine of their dorsal fin is very powerful and can be rigidly fixed in a vertical position with the help of the second spine

Nudibranchs- gastropods, bottom dwellers. They have fantastic colors and color patterns.

Discus- Sometimes he is also called “King Aquarium”. Discus is one of the most beautiful tropical fish.

Triggerfish Picasso- The Picasso triggerfish lives in warm shallow waters, inside and outside reefs, where there are many cracks in the rocks, which they explore in search of food. Habitat: Indian-Pacific region. From the south of the Red Sea to South Africa, Hawaiian Islands, Tuamotu Islands, Lord Howe Islands, Japan. Eastern Atlantic: from Senegal to South Africa.

Moorish idol- one of the most popular aquarium fish. But these fish are extremely difficult to care for. They do not live long in captivity. In nature, this species has a wide distribution in the Indo-Pacific region in tropical and some temperate waters.

Pisces are clowns - usually found in the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean, Red Sea and Indian Ocean. The peculiar name of the fish comes from its cheerful coloring and active behavior. They live in symbiosis with anemones.

Parrot fish- so named because of its bird-like beak, which it uses to crush and eat small invertebrates that live in corals.

To the Red Sea no rivers flow into, apparently, that’s why it remains the warmest and saltiest of all. It also has crystal clear water, due to the fact that there is no additional influx of sand, silt and other river pollutants. Almost the entire sea coast is located in the tropical zone.

Even in the coldest time of the year, the water temperature in it remains at twenty degrees, and in the summer months it rises to twenty-seven.

The flora and fauna are very diverse and unique. Comfortable climatic conditions and a rich underwater world have made it one of the most popular tourist destinations today. Diving And exciting fishing in the Red Sea will leave vivid impressions for a long time.

Currently found and described about one and a half thousand different species of fish, living in the warm and clean waters of the Red Sea. They have the most varied, sometimes unusual shapes and colors. Moreover, many of them are endemic and cannot be found in other bodies of water. In addition, scientists believe that only a little more than half of the inhabitants of the fish kingdom are known, and many deep-sea fish that exist in this sea remain unexplored.

To admire the most beautiful underwater world of the Red Sea, all you have to do is fly to Egypt. Find out how long it is to fly to this country.

Catalog with photos and descriptions

To the most popular and safe For humans, the species include the following:

• Parrot fish. It owes its name to a growth on its jaw that resembles the beak of a parrot. Its color is always bright and multi-colored, and its wide body reaches an average length of fifty centimeters. She does not attack humans, but you should not provoke her, since she has very powerful jaws and a bite with them can be quite painful;
• Antais. This is a very small schooling fish that lives in coral reefs. The length of its bright reddish, orange or green body ranges from seven to fifteen centimeters. A flock can contain up to five hundred specimens at a time;
• Black-spotted Grunt(black-spotted sweetlip). This large fish, yellowish in color with graceful black spots, received its name for the specific grinding sound it makes and its large, thick lips. Loves to be photographed with drivers;
• Fish Napoleon(Maori wrasse). This is the most beloved inhabitant of the Red Sea by drivers. Despite its impressive size (up to two meters in length), it is a very friendly and trusting fish with thick lips and a peculiar growth in the frontal part. This appearance gives her even more good nature;

The Napoleon fish is so highly intelligent that it itself swims up to a person to get acquainted and play.



• Butterfly fish(mothfish). The body of these fish, from fifteen to thirty centimeters long, in shape and brightness of color, actually resembles multi-colored butterflies. All their types are absolutely safe for humans;
• Bistriped amphiprion. The fish is very active and harmless to humans, although it can be aggressive towards some marine life. She is not at all afraid of swimmers, who love to photograph her because of her bright and unusual coloring. Its bright orange body is decorated with vertical stripes of white, which are outlined in black.

The most dangerous and poisonous inhabitants

In addition to harmless and peaceful fish, there are a large number of dangerous and poisonous species in the Red Sea:






Dangerous fish in the waters of Sharm el-Sheikh

In the sea waters near Sharm el-Sheikh you can find many species of dangerous fish living in the Red Sea. Therefore, those who are little familiar with its underwater world are recommended to purchase and study the relevant literature. In addition to the types described above, by visiting, you may encounter the following:




A current discharge can only be obtained by touching the stingray with your hand or by accidentally stepping on it. There have been no recorded deaths from contact with an electric stingray.

Hurghada - the most insidious species

It is a great place for fishing. But at the same time, everyone fishing tour accompanied by an experienced instructor, since you can get damaged from dangerous fish not only when swimming, but also when catching such species as:




Despite the fact that there are a large number of poisonous dangerous fish in the Red Sea, in most cases, with the right behavior, collisions with them can be avoided. To do this you need to comply simple recommendations:

1. Don't swim away from the coast;
2. Stay away approach unfamiliar fish and do not try to touch them with your hands;
3. Don't swim at night time;
4. Don't go into the water, having open wounds so as not to attract aggressive species with the smell of blood.

Edible fish

From the huge variety of edible fish of the Red Sea, commercial value have the following:

You are unlikely to take fish as a souvenir, but hibiscus tea - easily! Read in what else you can bring from Egypt.

Popular dishes from the Red Sea inhabitants

Many types of edible Red Sea fish have very good taste and texture of the meat. In addition to the fact that they are simply fried, stewed and canned, they are also used to prepare quite complex dishes, as they go well with most vegetables and fruits, rice, pasta, as well as garlic and a wide variety of herbs.

Popular dishes using sea fish include: sesame-breaded tuna steaks; sea ​​bass stuffed with mushrooms; dorado baked in salt; marlin in Hawaiian.

The Red Sea is an amazing place of extraordinary beauty. It attracts millions of tourists with its azure water, magnificent corals and unusual inhabitants of the deep sea. To get to know the underwater inhabitants better, we bring to your attention a selection of Red Sea fish.

Diversity of fauna of the reservoir

The Red Sea is the only one among similar bodies of water into which not a single river flows. The natural process of water circulation occurs only in the southern part of the natural reservoir through the Bab-El-Mandeb Strait. This natural isolation has contributed to the diversity of fauna.

Its sea waters are home to thousands of amazing animals. Moreover, a quarter of them can be found only in this part of the world. Those who visit this paradise for the first time and watch the fish living in the Red Sea are amazed by the transparency of the water and the countless number of nimble, colorful underwater inhabitants scurrying around.

The lack of flowing rivers has caused the water in the sea to be unusually salty. The concentration of the crystalline substance is so high that it is impossible for a person to drown in its waters. The fish that live in the sea have highly developed muscles, and their meat is famous for its minimal fat content. It is no coincidence that seafood delivered from this paradise is included in the list of dietary products.

There is a version that the Red Sea got its name due to the numerous colonies of corals, as well as algae, which have the ability to change the color of the water from azure to reddish at a certain period.

Harmless inhabitants of the Red Sea

The underwater world of the Red Sea is incredibly beautiful and diverse. Here you can meet the most intellectually developed animals - bottlenose dolphins. Agile and agile animals live in large families and hunt crustaceans and fish. Places most favored by dolphins:

• St. John Reef near Zabargad Island;
• in the lagoon of the Shaab Sharm reef;
• Shaab Sataya Lagoon;
• Samadi reef complex.

Photo taken underwater in Shaab Sataya Lagoon

Dolphins differ from other underwater inhabitants in their reverent attitude towards their fellow creatures. They never leave a family member in trouble.

Among the widest variety of fish species in the Red Sea, the most interesting are:

Near the coral reefs you can find many more species of interesting fish. This is a cube body with an unusual square body shape, the appearance of which certainly makes you smile, and a blue surgeon, known to many from the cartoon “Finding Nemo,” and an elegant, beautiful flute fish.

Poisonous inhabitants of the depths

The inhabitants of the Red Sea are amazingly beautiful, but meeting many of them can be dangerous for humans. Even coral fish can be poisonous. The threat lies in the fins and colorful plumage with which they kill their victims.

It is better to know the enemy by sight! Which of them pose a threat to swimmers?

Anyone who has ever snorkeled or dived in the waters of the Red Sea will confirm that among the fish that live there, moray eels are the most terrifying looking ones. The opening mouth is terrifying. In fact, it’s moray eels that breathe like that.

But don't relax! Moray eel, although a peace-loving fish, shows a violent and even aggressive disposition in case of danger. In an effort to protect her home from curious swimmers, she is ready to attack.

Its fearlessness in front of humans and the presence of sharp teeth make the fish especially dangerous. Moray eels feed mainly on shrimp, crabs and small fish, but can covet octopus and squid.

The skin of these colorful beauties has no scales. But the thick mucus covering the body, which protects the moray eel from large predators, can cause severe burns.

Stone fish

The wart, which lives near coral reefs, is considered one of the most poisonous fish in the world. Thanks to its ability to mimic, the predator is quite difficult to detect. The mottled-brown coloring helps her with this. A wart buried in silt or sand, the size of which does not exceed 30-50 cm, can easily be confused with a stone or plant.

The main weapon of the predator is the pectoral fins, which are 12 thick spines with glands that secrete poison. It contains a neurotoxin that causes severe pain followed by paralysis and tissue death. The fin needles are so sharp that they can easily pierce even the sole of a shoe.

The outcome of an unsuccessful “contact” depends on the degree of damage. With deep penetration, the injection can be fatal; with minor penetration, it can cause swelling that will subside over several months.

The motley beauty lionfish got its name due to its developed pectoral fins, which look similar to wings. Due to its striped coloring it is often called a zebra fish. The lionfish leads a sedentary lifestyle: during the day it hides among the stones in caves, and at night it hunts for mollusks.

The main decoration of the lionfish is its luxurious dorsal and pectoral fins. But it is precisely in them that danger lurks. They contain sharp needles that release poison.

Beginner scuba divers often get caught by the colors. Wanting to take a photo with the motley fish, they try to get as close to it as possible and pick it up. At this moment, the “zebra” releases a terrible injection with a portion of poison, which can cause convulsions and heart rhythm disturbances. Experiencing sharp pain, a person can lose consciousness and fall into a state of shock.

Representatives of echinoderms are among the most common inhabitants of the Red Sea. Urchins settle near the shores and feed on plankton.

The body diameter of these creatures does not exceed 10 centimeters; the “volume” is determined by long needles sticking out in all directions. It is in them that the main danger lies. The sharp ends of the needle are surrounded by bags of poisonous liquid. For humans, this poison is not fatal, but quite painful. In some cases, it can cause palpitations and numbness.

Contact with a hedgehog is also fraught with the fact that its sharp spines have a fragile structure. Having penetrated deep under the skin, they often break off. Getting them out is extremely problematic.

Elasmobranch cartilaginous fish stand out from their fellow fish with their unusual body shape. The flattened body is framed by large pectoral fins that smoothly merge with the head. The color of the upper side of the fish, adapting to the living space, varies from black to light sand.

In the waters of the Red Sea there are large specimens of fish, the main weapon of which is the ability to cause an electric shock. From transformed muscles, with the help of a special organ located in the tail, they can paralyze prey by generating electrical discharges in the range from 60 to 230 volts. For humans, an electric shock is not very dangerous, although there are cases where it caused paralytic shock.

In addition to electric stingrays, stingrays, which wield poisonous spines, are also found in the waters of the Red Sea. The wounds received from the injection are very painful and take a long time to heal.

Agile and voracious predators with huge mouths and large knife-like teeth, they mainly feed on fish. But large individuals are capable of attacking people.

Sea pikes live at shallow depths. They live in packs, but prefer to hunt alone. Magnificent hunters are able to remain motionless for a long time and sneak up unnoticed. Camouflage coloring helps them with this.

Barracudas are aggressive towards people. They attack with lightning speed, inflicting lacerated wounds with their sharp small teeth. Up to a hundred people suffer from these creatures every year. Half of the cases are fatal.

1. Parrotfish (Chlorurus bleekeri)
This fish got its name due to the external resemblance of its beak to a bird's beak. The many species and color variations of sea parrots further emphasize their analogy with parrot birds. They use their powerful beaks to crush corals in search of small invertebrates that parrotfish feed on. Much of the sand near coral reefs is the result of these fish searching for food. Having pinched off a piece of coral, the parrot fish crushes it with its powerful jaws, eating invertebrates and spitting out calcium fragments.

2. Surgeonfish (Regal Tang)
After the release of the cartoon “Finding Nemo,” children call these fish nothing more than “Dory the fish.” The "Dory" belongs to a family of surgeonfish that have a small, retractable, sharp plate near the caudal fin used for protection. By pointing their “scalpel” towards the enemy, they thus try to get rid of the conflict. These are very beautiful coral fish that mainly feed on algae. Some representatives of the large “surgical” family eat plankton and detritus.

3. (Clown Triggerfish)
A rare, expensive and indecently beautiful fish, but get ready: it can ruin all your corals, and even the communications in the aquarium. Under good conditions, triggerfish live long enough in captivity. These are quite aggressive fish, and in one aquarium (at least 400 liters) it is better to keep one triggerfish with other large species. Triggerfish are fed with meat from squid, mussels, crabs and shrimp.

This close relative of the coral beauty is striking in its coloring, the most provocative of all the fish we have ever seen. Fire angels and other species of the "angel" family often form the basis of a reef aquarium. They are quite capricious and demanding of water quality, but get along well with peaceful species of coral fish. The basis of their diet is frozen and live invertebrates, as well as plant foods.

5. Moorish idol (Zanclus cornutus)
The shape and color of this fish has perhaps become the symbol of a reef aquarium. At the same time, Moorish idols (not to be confused with the flag slave or false idol) are one of the most finicky fish to keep in an aquarium. This is the highest level for those who are passionate about marine aquariums. Moorish idols get along well with surgeon fish and angels. Their life expectancy is short, and even with proper care they do not live longer than five years. Idols feed on sponges, bryozoans and various sessile invertebrates, and also eat frozen food and even chopped beef heart.

6. Lion fish
This is one of our most revered sea fish. It is extremely interesting to watch this bright representative of lionfish. You can do this for hours. The spines of the lion-headed scorpionfish are poisonous, and the sting from them is very painful. Therefore, owners of such fish should be extremely careful when cleaning the aquarium; fortunately, scorpion fish do not swim very quickly and do not attack on their own. Lionhead lionfish are unpretentious in keeping and get along well with large, but not very aggressive fish species. Scorpionfish are predators and it is best to feed them small fish, such as guppies, but you can also accustom them to non-living food.

7. (Mandarin fish)
Looking at this fish, you involuntarily question the generally accepted theory of the creation of living species. The coloring of the Chinese grouper is so original and has stunning color combinations that you take your hat off to Mother Nature's imagination. There are two varieties: common Chinese snapper and bright Chinese snapper. And both types are very beautiful. These are small (up to 15 cm) marine fish that feed on small invertebrates that live in the untouched rock of coral reefs. Fish can be introduced into a reef aquarium only after the corals have been there for at least a month. To fully appreciate the beauty of these amazing fish, as well as other fish from this list, you need to see them with your own eyes.

8. Zebrasoma
Zebrasoma is one of the most popular marine fish kept in aquariums. In nature, they live alone or in small groups. The appearance of zebras is downright cartoonish. These are very funny fish, their elongated snout gives them an expression of constant surprise. Watching zebrasomas, one gets the impression that they are very curious. In fact, they constantly explore the reefs for algae, the zebrafish's main food. A zebrafish aquarium must be well lit so that algae can grow in the required quantity. Each individual accounts for 200 liters of volume.

9.Clown fish (amphiprion)
It is enough to see this fish once, and the desire to have such a chic guest in your aquarium will never leave you. The colors of amphiprions have nothing to do with mimicry. Yes, she has no need to be afraid of enemies, because she lives under the reliable protection of poisonous sea anemones - anemones. The fish have developed immunity to the poisonous substance of the anemones, and they enjoy their protection for a small rent in the form of leftover food. Amphiprions are also called clown fish, either for their good disposition or for their bright appearance. These are one of the few coral fish species that reproduce well in captivity.

10.Blacktip reef shark
The blacktip reef shark is perhaps the ultimate dream of all fish enthusiasts. Watching a blacktip shark, or as it is also called a blacktip shark, in a reef aquarium is a hypnotic spectacle, captivating with its originality. In its natural environment, this shark grows up to 2 m in length and can weigh up to 14 kg. Only very wealthy hobbyists can afford to keep such relatively large sharks in aquariums, since the tank for them must hold at least 3000 liters of water. These “babies” feed on cephalopods and other mollusks, as well as crustaceans.

11. Clownfish is white and brown. This is one of the varieties of amphiprions. Like other representatives of this family, the white-brown clownfish cannot exist in nature outside of symbiosis with sea anemones. Interestingly, clownfish have no innate immunity to anemone venom. These fish adapt to it, carefully touching their bodies and even receiving minor burns. Their patience is enviable and, in the end, their skin begins to secrete mucus, which makes them invisible to the anemone. In turn, amphiprions attract the attention of fish, which subsequently become victims of the anemone.

12. (Amphiprion Frenatus)– has a taller body than most amphiprions. These fish have one of the richest colors, which can range from bright red to dark burgundy. Like other clownfish, phrenatus lives in symbiosis with anemones. These are one of the most popular coral fish, without which a reef aquarium will not be able to fully reflect the beauty of the underwater world of corals.

13. Chrysiptera Cyanea- a medium-sized sea fish, with amazingly beautiful, large eyes and a bright color with a predominance of deep blue color, changing its hue depending on the lighting. Despite their harmless appearance, these fish are very unfriendly to individuals of their own species, so they can only be kept together in a spacious aquarium, where each fish can occupy its own territory.

14. Chrysiptera Parasema- another representative of marine fish of the Pomacentra family. It looks like nature was going to repaint these fish by dipping their tails into yellow paint, but then changed their mind. A very beautiful, one might say, fashionable combination of bright blue and yellow has forever become the hallmark of this species of chrysipter. Like most representatives of Pomacentra, Chrysipterus are hostile towards their own kind. A group release of these fish into the aquarium is only possible at the same time and it is desirable that these are young animals of the same age.

15. Royal Gramma (Gramma Loreto). These bright little fish are very whimsical and demanding of their living conditions. Grammas are very beautiful fish, but it would be wrong to recommend them for keeping in a marine aquarium to everyone. Despite its miniature size, the royal grama is jealous of its territory, desperately protecting it from its fellow tribesmen. We do not advise you to combine adult individuals of the gram family in one aquarium. If you want to decorate your aquarium with these fish, it is better to do this when they are young, releasing them at the same time. The main diet of king grams consists of small zooplankton.

16. (Pseudanthias Squamipinnis)- one of the most common coral fish. They are often the mainstay of a reef aquarium as they live in groups. This family has about two hundred species. Almost all anthias are very colorful. One of the smallest representatives of this family is Plectranthias highfin. Its length is only 4.5 cm. It is a very beautiful and peaceful fish that does not require large aquariums to keep. The main condition in this case will be the creation of a sufficient number of shelters for several individuals of this species. Plectranthias - ideal for an aquarium with live corals, because... does not pose a danger to ornamental invertebrates.

17. Tweezer Butterfly (Chelmon Rostratus) very common in marine aquariums. The unusual elongated shape of the snout helps this fish, like tweezers, pinch off the soft tissues of sea urchins, which are a favorite delicacy for butterflies. But more often these fish eat small invertebrates and worms. The tweezer butterfly loves spacious aquariums (250 liters per individual) with a lot of live stones. Given enough food, these fish do not spoil the coral tissue, although they are never averse to nipping off a piece or two from the fins of their slowly swimming neighbors.

18. (Chaetodon Collare) unlike humans, he gets along well with his Indian relatives. This is a large peaceful and very beautiful fish. This butterfly is most suitable for experienced hobbyists, as it is sensitive to changes in water parameters. Also, to maintain it you need a large aquarium (from 300 liters) with a good filtration and aeration system. Butterflies of this species can be kept in pairs and groups, in which they look most impressive.

19. Imperial Angel (Pomacanthus Imperator)- are very popular in marine aquariums, not only due to their stunningly spectacular appearance, but also because they are quite easy to keep. These rather large fish, under good conditions, can live in captivity for up to 15 years. Large aquariums with a good filtration system are required to maintain them. Imperial angels, when they reach large sizes, can pose a danger to smaller inhabitants of the aquarium. They are also not averse to harming sessile invertebrates, in particular the soft tissues of corals.

20. Centropyge blue-yellow (Centropyge Bicolor)- another large species of the angelic family. It has a very bright and contrasting color, which is further emphasized by the lighting necessary for the growth of corals. This centropygian fish adapts well to a reef aquarium and gets along with other peaceful coral fish. Its content is not a problem. For a comfortable existence, a 200-liter aquarium is enough for centropygus. It is interesting that from a group of young centropyges, the largest individual becomes the male, and the females of these fish are capable of turning into males. These fish cannot be placed in established communities with large angels and butterflies, since in this case they will not be able to find a place for themselves and, most likely, will die from stress.

22.