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Aquatics Gallery > Oceans of the World Zone
SPECIE NAME:Platax teira
COMMON NAME OF THE SPECIE: Longfin Batfish
LOCATION: Native to the Indo-West Pacific. Its natural range extends from the Red Sea and East Africa through the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia to Papua New Guinea, with its range extending north toward the Ryukyu Islands and south toward Australia
HABITAT: Teira Batfish is a marine, tropical, reef-associated fish. Juveniles commonly occur in shallow protected areas, while adults can inhabit lagoons, sheltered bays, coastal reefs and offshore reefs.
SIZE: Maximum recorded length: approximately 70 cm total length (TL).
DIET: Teira Batfish is primarily a carnivorous marine fish. It actively feeds on small animal prey in its reef and coastal environment. Its diet differs from some other batfish that consume greater quantities of algae and plant material.
FACT: Teira Batfish and Longfin Batfish refer to the same species: Platax teira. It belongs to the Ephippidae family, which includes batfishes and spadefishes. It can reach an impressive 70 cm total length. Juveniles have a very deep, laterally compressed body and elongated fins, giving them a distinctive appearance. Young fish can associate with floating debris, which provides camouflage and protection. Adults may occur around shipwrecks, reefs and other underwater structures. Large adults can develop a distinctive bony prominence on the forehead. Its body is strongly compressed from side to side, giving it the characteristic batfish shape. The species undergoes a major change in appearance as it grows from juvenile to adult.
COMMON NAME OF THE SPECIE: Longfin Batfish
LOCATION: Native to the Indo-West Pacific. Its natural range extends from the Red Sea and East Africa through the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia to Papua New Guinea, with its range extending north toward the Ryukyu Islands and south toward Australia
HABITAT: Teira Batfish is a marine, tropical, reef-associated fish. Juveniles commonly occur in shallow protected areas, while adults can inhabit lagoons, sheltered bays, coastal reefs and offshore reefs.
SIZE: Maximum recorded length: approximately 70 cm total length (TL).
DIET: Teira Batfish is primarily a carnivorous marine fish. It actively feeds on small animal prey in its reef and coastal environment. Its diet differs from some other batfish that consume greater quantities of algae and plant material.
FACT: Teira Batfish and Longfin Batfish refer to the same species: Platax teira. It belongs to the Ephippidae family, which includes batfishes and spadefishes. It can reach an impressive 70 cm total length. Juveniles have a very deep, laterally compressed body and elongated fins, giving them a distinctive appearance. Young fish can associate with floating debris, which provides camouflage and protection. Adults may occur around shipwrecks, reefs and other underwater structures. Large adults can develop a distinctive bony prominence on the forehead. Its body is strongly compressed from side to side, giving it the characteristic batfish shape. The species undergoes a major change in appearance as it grows from juvenile to adult.
SPECIE NAME:Tripterodon orbis Playfair
COMMON NAME OF THE SPECIE: African Spadefish
LOCATION: The African Spadefish is native to the Indian Ocean. Its documented range extends from southern Africa and South Africa's Algoa Bay eastward to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, including waters around India and Sri Lanka.
HABITAT: It is a tropical marine, reef-associated fish that inhabits coastal waters around reefs. FishBase records it mainly from approximately 40–70 metres depth, making it a relatively deep-water member of the spadefish/batfish family compared with many shallow reef-associated species
SIZE: Common length: approximately 30 cm total length (TL). Maximum recorded length: approximately 75 cm total length (TL).
DIET: African Spadefish feeds on organisms associated with rocks and corals. Its diet therefore includes small organisms living on or around reef surfaces.
FACT: It is associated with reef environments, but is generally recorded at considerably greater depths than many familiar aquarium reef fish. FishBase records its depth range as approximately 40–70 metres.Its body is short, deep and laterally compressed, giving it the characteristic spadefish profile. The body is described as silvery-brown, with dark crossbands that tend to become less obvious as the fish grows. It feeds on organisms associated with rock and coral surfaces. It is considered harmless to humans according to FishBase.
COMMON NAME OF THE SPECIE: African Spadefish
LOCATION: The African Spadefish is native to the Indian Ocean. Its documented range extends from southern Africa and South Africa's Algoa Bay eastward to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, including waters around India and Sri Lanka.
HABITAT: It is a tropical marine, reef-associated fish that inhabits coastal waters around reefs. FishBase records it mainly from approximately 40–70 metres depth, making it a relatively deep-water member of the spadefish/batfish family compared with many shallow reef-associated species
SIZE: Common length: approximately 30 cm total length (TL). Maximum recorded length: approximately 75 cm total length (TL).
DIET: African Spadefish feeds on organisms associated with rocks and corals. Its diet therefore includes small organisms living on or around reef surfaces.
FACT: It is associated with reef environments, but is generally recorded at considerably greater depths than many familiar aquarium reef fish. FishBase records its depth range as approximately 40–70 metres.Its body is short, deep and laterally compressed, giving it the characteristic spadefish profile. The body is described as silvery-brown, with dark crossbands that tend to become less obvious as the fish grows. It feeds on organisms associated with rock and coral surfaces. It is considered harmless to humans according to FishBase.
SPECIE NAME:Scarus tricolor
COMMON NAME OF THE SPECIE: Parrot Fish
LOCATION: Parrotfishes are found mainly in tropical and subtropical marine waters, particularly throughout the Indo-Pacific and Atlantic regions. Their exact distribution depends on the species.
HABITAT: Most parrotfish species are associated with coral reefs, rocky reefs, seagrass beds, lagoons and shallow coastal waters.
SIZE: Because Parrotfish represents many species, size varies considerably.
DIET: Parrotfishes are primarily herbivorous grazers. Their specialized beak-like teeth allow them to scrape algae from coral and rocky surfaces. While feeding, many species accidentally ingest pieces of coral rock. Their digestive system processes the organic material and the remaining mineral material is expelled as fine sediment. This feeding activity makes parrotfish extremely important to coral-reef ecosystems because they help control algae and contribute to the production of reef sand.
FACT: Parrotfish get their name from their parrot-like beak formed by tightly packed teeth. Their teeth are actually modified structures called pharyngeal teeth deeper in the throat that help grind food. Many species scrape algae from coral surfaces while feeding. Some parrotfish consume and process significant amounts of coral substrate. Their feeding can help prevent algae from overgrowing corals. The ground-up mineral material they excrete contributes to the formation of tropical reef sand. A single large parrotfish can contribute substantially to sediment production in some reef environments. Many species undergo dramatic color changes as they mature. Some parrotfish species are capable of sequential hermaphroditism, changing sex during their life cycle. Many species form harems or social groups. Some species produce a protective mucus cocoon at night while resting, which may help mask their scent from predators. Parrotfishes are important herbivores in coral-reef food webs. The largest species, the Bumphead Parrotfish, can exceed 1 metre in length. Parrotfish populations can be affected by overfishing and reef degradation. Their ecological importance means that protecting parrotfish can help support healthy coral-reef ecosystems.
COMMON NAME OF THE SPECIE: Parrot Fish
LOCATION: Parrotfishes are found mainly in tropical and subtropical marine waters, particularly throughout the Indo-Pacific and Atlantic regions. Their exact distribution depends on the species.
HABITAT: Most parrotfish species are associated with coral reefs, rocky reefs, seagrass beds, lagoons and shallow coastal waters.
SIZE: Because Parrotfish represents many species, size varies considerably.
DIET: Parrotfishes are primarily herbivorous grazers. Their specialized beak-like teeth allow them to scrape algae from coral and rocky surfaces. While feeding, many species accidentally ingest pieces of coral rock. Their digestive system processes the organic material and the remaining mineral material is expelled as fine sediment. This feeding activity makes parrotfish extremely important to coral-reef ecosystems because they help control algae and contribute to the production of reef sand.
FACT: Parrotfish get their name from their parrot-like beak formed by tightly packed teeth. Their teeth are actually modified structures called pharyngeal teeth deeper in the throat that help grind food. Many species scrape algae from coral surfaces while feeding. Some parrotfish consume and process significant amounts of coral substrate. Their feeding can help prevent algae from overgrowing corals. The ground-up mineral material they excrete contributes to the formation of tropical reef sand. A single large parrotfish can contribute substantially to sediment production in some reef environments. Many species undergo dramatic color changes as they mature. Some parrotfish species are capable of sequential hermaphroditism, changing sex during their life cycle. Many species form harems or social groups. Some species produce a protective mucus cocoon at night while resting, which may help mask their scent from predators. Parrotfishes are important herbivores in coral-reef food webs. The largest species, the Bumphead Parrotfish, can exceed 1 metre in length. Parrotfish populations can be affected by overfishing and reef degradation. Their ecological importance means that protecting parrotfish can help support healthy coral-reef ecosystems.
SPECIE NAME:Cephalopholis sonnerati
COMMON NAME OF THE SPECIE: Tomato Grouper
LOCATION: Tomato Grouper is native to the Indo-Pacific. Its recorded distribution extends from the east coast of Africa, including Djibouti and Socotra, southward to Durban, eastward to the Line Islands, north to southern Japan, and south to southern Queensland, Australia.
HABITAT: It is a marine, reef-associated, non-migratory fish. Adults commonly inhabit deep lagoon reefs, steep outer reef slopes and coastal areas with rocky substrates. They often shelter around reef structures containing large holes, some of which are occupied by cleaner shrimp. Juveniles are commonly found near sponges or coral heads. The species has been recorded from approximately 10–150 m, with adults commonly encountered around 30–100 m.
SIZE: Common length: approximately 30 cm total length (TL).
DIET: Tomato Grouper is a carnivorous predator. It feeds primarily on smaller reef-associated animals, especially small fishes and crustaceans.
FACT: Tomato Grouper belongs to the grouper family, Epinephelidae. Its scientific name is Cephalopholis sonnerati. FishBase's preferred common name is Tomato hind, although Tomato Grouper is widely used as a common name. Adults are generally solitary, rather than forming large schools. They commonly shelter around reef holes and bommies, sometimes in areas occupied by cleaner shrimp. Juveniles are often associated with sponges and coral heads. Adults can occur at considerably greater depths than many shallow-water reef fish. The species has been recorded from 10 to 150 m, although it is commonly encountered around 30–100 m. Adults in the Pacific are generally pale reddish to yellowish brown, with numerous small reddish-brown or dark-brown spots. Juveniles can be dark reddish-brown to nearly black and may have whitish fin margins.
COMMON NAME OF THE SPECIE: Tomato Grouper
LOCATION: Tomato Grouper is native to the Indo-Pacific. Its recorded distribution extends from the east coast of Africa, including Djibouti and Socotra, southward to Durban, eastward to the Line Islands, north to southern Japan, and south to southern Queensland, Australia.
HABITAT: It is a marine, reef-associated, non-migratory fish. Adults commonly inhabit deep lagoon reefs, steep outer reef slopes and coastal areas with rocky substrates. They often shelter around reef structures containing large holes, some of which are occupied by cleaner shrimp. Juveniles are commonly found near sponges or coral heads. The species has been recorded from approximately 10–150 m, with adults commonly encountered around 30–100 m.
SIZE: Common length: approximately 30 cm total length (TL).
DIET: Tomato Grouper is a carnivorous predator. It feeds primarily on smaller reef-associated animals, especially small fishes and crustaceans.
FACT: Tomato Grouper belongs to the grouper family, Epinephelidae. Its scientific name is Cephalopholis sonnerati. FishBase's preferred common name is Tomato hind, although Tomato Grouper is widely used as a common name. Adults are generally solitary, rather than forming large schools. They commonly shelter around reef holes and bommies, sometimes in areas occupied by cleaner shrimp. Juveniles are often associated with sponges and coral heads. Adults can occur at considerably greater depths than many shallow-water reef fish. The species has been recorded from 10 to 150 m, although it is commonly encountered around 30–100 m. Adults in the Pacific are generally pale reddish to yellowish brown, with numerous small reddish-brown or dark-brown spots. Juveniles can be dark reddish-brown to nearly black and may have whitish fin margins.
SPECIE NAME:Panulirus ornatus
COMMON NAME OF THE SPECIE: Tropical Rock Lobster
LOCATION: Tropical Rock Lobster has a broad Indo-West Pacific distribution. It occurs from the western Indian Ocean and eastern African region across the tropical Indo-Pacific, including areas around India, Southeast Asia, northern Australia, Papua New Guinea and Pacific islands.
HABITAT: It is a marine, benthic tropical crustacean. It can inhabit shallow coastal waters, sandy and muddy bottoms, rocky substrates and coral reefs. It is also commonly associated with areas near river mouths and coastal habitats. Juveniles may occupy holes and crevices partially covered by seagrass or macroalgae. Recorded depth is approximately 1–50 m, although shallow water is particularly important.
SIZE: Typical adult length: approximately 30–35 cm total length (TL).
DIET: Unlike many predatory marine animals, this lobster is not strictly carnivorous. It is considered omnivorous, feeding on a mixture of animal and plant material found on or near the seafloor.
FACT: Tropical Rock Lobster is not a true fish; it is a marine decapod crustacean. Its scientific name is Panulirus ornatus. It belongs to the Palinuridae, the family of spiny lobsters. Unlike clawed lobsters, spiny lobsters such as Panulirus ornatus do not have large crushing claws. It has exceptionally long antennae, which are important sensory structures. Its body is covered by a hard, spiny exoskeleton. The species can reach approximately 50 cm total length, although individuals are usually considerably smaller.It is generally found in relatively shallow tropical marine environments, with records from about 1–50 m depth.
COMMON NAME OF THE SPECIE: Tropical Rock Lobster
LOCATION: Tropical Rock Lobster has a broad Indo-West Pacific distribution. It occurs from the western Indian Ocean and eastern African region across the tropical Indo-Pacific, including areas around India, Southeast Asia, northern Australia, Papua New Guinea and Pacific islands.
HABITAT: It is a marine, benthic tropical crustacean. It can inhabit shallow coastal waters, sandy and muddy bottoms, rocky substrates and coral reefs. It is also commonly associated with areas near river mouths and coastal habitats. Juveniles may occupy holes and crevices partially covered by seagrass or macroalgae. Recorded depth is approximately 1–50 m, although shallow water is particularly important.
SIZE: Typical adult length: approximately 30–35 cm total length (TL).
DIET: Unlike many predatory marine animals, this lobster is not strictly carnivorous. It is considered omnivorous, feeding on a mixture of animal and plant material found on or near the seafloor.
FACT: Tropical Rock Lobster is not a true fish; it is a marine decapod crustacean. Its scientific name is Panulirus ornatus. It belongs to the Palinuridae, the family of spiny lobsters. Unlike clawed lobsters, spiny lobsters such as Panulirus ornatus do not have large crushing claws. It has exceptionally long antennae, which are important sensory structures. Its body is covered by a hard, spiny exoskeleton. The species can reach approximately 50 cm total length, although individuals are usually considerably smaller.It is generally found in relatively shallow tropical marine environments, with records from about 1–50 m depth.