Reef Ecology Guide Phuket Thailand - Bony Fishes 2

TREVALLIES (Carangidae)

A large tropical to temperate family, compromising approximately 25 genera and 140 species globally. Many are pelagic and wide-ranging, some enter brackish water. Many of the post-larval stages swim with floating objects or weed rafts, taken well beyond their normal range.

The trevallies are streamlined fast swimming, usually schooling, fishes. Carnivorous, smaller species feed on zooplankton and larger species feeding on other fishes such as pilchards or herring type species. The larger species are tuna-like, growing to 2 m long and a weight of 80 kg.

BIG-EYE TREVALLY (Caranx sexfasciatus)

SNAPPERS (Lutjanidae)

A large family with about 100 species world wide. Snappers live in most benthic habitats and many species change their life style with growth, and often change as juvenile from estuarine or freshwater to adult in a full marine environment.

All are carnivorous, feeding on small fishes and invertebrates, either benthic or planktonic. Behavior varies greatly in the family. They occur singly or in schools between size and species.

BIG-EYE SNAPPER (Lutjanus lutjanus)

SWEETLIPS (Haemulidae)

A widespread, large family with an estimated 120 species in about 18 genera. The taxonomy was in a confusing state because of very different phases between juveniles and adults some of which were only recently linked.

Sweet lips are mostly reef dwellers, sheltering in caves or shipwrecks during the day, and feeding mainly at night over sand and rubble in search of benthic invertebrates. They occur singly or in groups, depending on the species or area and are pelagic spawners. Small juveniles are solitary, and have their own unique color pattern.

Most swim close to the substrate in an unusual way by waving the tail in an exaggerated manner. The adults differ from related or similar fish by its small mouth with thick lips. Other features are small scales, strong fin spines and a large head.

HARLEQUIN SWEETLIPS (Plectorhinchus chaetodontoides)

ORIENTAL SWEETLIPS (Plectorhinchus vittatus)

BATFISHES (Ephippidae)

A small but interesting family of 5 known species. Adult fishes can be found from coastal lagoons to outer reefs where they may form large schools. They are thought to be pelagic spawners.

Batfishes feed in daytime and are not shy towards divers. Their diet consists of algae and a variety of invertebrates such as jellyfish or plankton.

ROUND BATFISH (Platax orbicularis)

BUTTERFLYFISHES (Chaetodontidae)

A large family of colorful fishes. It comprises 10 genera with about 120 species which mostly inhabit coral reefs. Most species occur in shallow depths on coral reefs, many of which in pairs or in schools.

Their diet consists of small invertebrates, which are usually picked from the substrate, except those adapted to zooplankton. Their high, flat bodies are ideal build to maneuver between corals. They are active in daytime. By night they seek for shelter between corals and take a dark coloration.

RED-TAILED BUTTERFLYFISH (Chaetodon collare)

SCHOOLING BANNERFISH (Heniochus diphreutes)

ANGELFISHES (Pomacanthidae)

This family comprises some of the most beautiful reef fishes, comparable to the butterfly fishes, however they are generally larger and more majestic. They are readily distinguished from the closely related butterfly fishes by the large spine on the lower corner of the gill plate.

Angelfishes are territorial. They have the most dramatic different colored juveniles imaginable, not even slightly relating to the adults. Most species have very different color patterns between sexes.

Angelfishes feed on algae, sponges and corals, including the associated invertebrates. These fishes can produce low frequency drum-like or thumping noises, and when produced by the large species, so loud that it can startle a diver.

RING ANGELFISH (Pomacanthus annularis)

EMPEROR ANGELFISH (Pomacanthus imperator)

PARROTFISHES (Scaridae)

A large tropical family of medium sized fishes which are characterized largely by their teeth, one group the jaws with numerous conical teeth, the other fused teeth into plates, beak-like similar to parrots, hence their common name.

The majority of species feed by scraping algae off dead coral rock or rubble and sand. In the process much of the coral surface is crushed and digested. They produce vast quantities of sand this way which often is released during displays and swimming over reef-crests. As these fishes occur abundantly on coral reefs, often feeding in densely packed large schools, they are an important component in the reef building process.

Parrot fishes are protogynous hermaphrodites. After the juvenile phase they develop into females, later into males with a completely different color pattern, usually a mixture of brilliant contrasting colors with blue and green dominating.

BLUE-BARRED PARROTFISH (Scarus ghobban)

EMBER PARROTFISH (Scarus rubroviolaceus)

SURGEONFISHES (Acanthuridae)

A large circumtropical family, featuring a single fixed spine on each side of the caudal peduncle, some of which are venomous. The spine is not hinged, but when used in defense or when fighting, the tail is bent which makes the spine stick out.

Diet varies between species, some graze on algae, feed on zooplankton or both. Others filter food from the substrate by digesting sand. Planktivorous species often school in great numbers. Reef dwelling species are often very colorful. The spines on the tail are often surrounded by bright colors to serve as a warning.

POWDER-BLUE SURGEONFISH (Acanthurus leucosternon)

LINED SURGEONFISH (Acanthurus lineatus)

BARRACUDAS (Sphyraenidae)

The Barracuda family comprises 1 genus and about 20 species globally distributed. They are efficient predators, feeding mainly other fishes and squid. Their bodies are streamlined and the large mouth is equipped with powerful jaws and saber-like teeth.

Most of their hunting is done during dusk and dawn, though they appear to patrol the reefs on the look-out to take advantage of any opportunity for an easy feed. Some species are large, reaching more than 1 m in length and the great barracuda attains almost 2 m.

BLACKFIN BARRACUDA (Sphyraena qenie)