western Indian Ocean - List of fishes

Pseudobalistes flavimarginatus, better known as the "yellowmargin triggerfish" due to the coloration of its body, is a fish belonging to the balistidae family. It is found in tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific. It can be encountered on reefs and estuaries, but can also be observed on slopes and in lagoons.

This dartfish is easily recognizable by its two-tone blue and black body. Like its counterparts, adults live in pairs in burrows they dig in the substrate.

The dark-banded fusilier is recognizable by its vibrant colors, with a pale pink to red underside and a green-blue upper part. This diurnal fish forms large schools in the coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific Ocean. Its primary diet consists mainly of plankton.

The whale shark, the largest living shark in the world, frequents tropical and subtropical waters, excluding the Mediterranean Sea. Despite its massive size, it is harmless to humans. Its population has declined due to fishing, and its conservation remains a challenge. These sharks move slowly and feed on plankton, small fish, crustaceans, and squid. They undertake seasonal migrations, and some populations are relatively isolated. Concerns have been raised about the impacts of tourism on their behavior.

This squirrelfish is recognizable by its fine horizontal white stripes with silvery highlights on a predominantly red body. Like its counterparts, it is a nocturnal, exclusively carnivorous fish. It particularly preys on mollusks and small crustaceans living among the rocks.

The scalloped hammerhead shark, a semi-oceanic hammerhead, is found in tropical and temperate waters worldwide. This species is easily recognizable by its curved flat head and black tips on the pectoral fins. These sharks feed on fish, cephalopods, and crustaceans, taking advantage of their flat head to make tight turns while hunting. Although potentially dangerous and aggressive towards intruders, attacks on humans are rare. Conversely, despite its wide distribution, this species is threatened with extinction.