House Reef Catalogue

HOUSE REEF CATALOGUE

INDIAN GREGORY (DAMSEL FISH) Common in Maldives and found in shallow inshore reef habitats, juveniles are known for their bright orange colour across the top of its body, which generally reduces once they approach maturity. POWDER-BLUE SURGEONFISH Located widespread in the Indian Ocean, this common species o en form large and dense schools in Maldives waters. Identified by their black face, white chin, blue body and yellow dorsel fin, they can be mostly found in clear water reef habitats. BLACKFOOT ANEMONEFISH A common species, easily recognisable by its single white bar over the head and black lower fins. Occupies reef crests and slopes to depths of up to 15 meters. FIVE-SADDLE PARROTFISH Usually seen in smaller groups of mixed sexes, Parrotfish mainly inhabit large lagoons and inner reefs. Readily identified by colour patterns, as females have three saddle bars on their back, while males are greenish in colour, with a pale side patch behind their pectoral fin.

ORIENTAL SWEETLIPS Commonly found in groups, and located in caves along drop-offs on outer reefs, adults are instantly recognised by their yellow lips and horizontal black striped pattern. BLUESTRIPE SNAPPER Adults are o en found in large schools during the day, or laying sheltering in reefs during strong currents. Juveniles are mostly located in silty habitats, and are easily recognised by their blue lines, yellow ventral fins, and yellow below the lowest blue stripes. SILVER-STREAKED WRASSE Common in lagoons, seagrass beds and in silty conditions, Silver-Streaked Wrasse inhabit shallow reefs usually in depths of less than 10 meters. CHECKERBOARD WRASSE Lives in shallow lagoons. Adults o en swim separately above the reefs as males are known to have large territory. Mature ones are whitish with a yellow tail, a single saddle below the spinous dorsal fin and a black spot easily distinguished on the upper tail fin base.

CONVICT SURGEONFISH O en found in shallow protected lagoons and around jetties, Convict Surgeonfish which are easily identified by their black stripes, form large schools where esh water runs over the reef and where there is rich alage growth. MOON FUSILIER Found in the deep lagoons of the Maldives, and along inner reef walls. Adults form large schools and feed at various depths om the surface to 40 meters deep. Juveniles a distinctive yellow caudal fin base while adults come in a single blue shade. THREADFIN BUTTERFLY FISH Lives in lagoons and inner reefs, o en over sand and fees on various invertebrates; tubed or ee roaming worms. Matured occur in pairs while juveniles travel alone. Their features o en come with areas of diagonal dark lines running opposite ways over the body; Adults normally develop a long trailing filament om the dorsal fin. CLOWN TRIGGERFISH Frequently seen along steep slopes or walls, Juveniles are secretive in small caves that are rich in invertebrate growth. They are identified by the white spots in the lower half of its black body and yellow to orange mouth.

PICASSO TRIGGERFISH Normally found in shallow protected lagoons and harbours, o en in silty habitats around rubble pieces or small bommies. They make shelters under solid objects by biting it and swimming fiercely to force away sand. VIOLET SOLDIERFISH Moderately common in the Maldives, occurs in clear water protected reef habitats ranging om deep lagoon to outer reef. They could come in ranges of colours om pink or pale with dark outlines of each scales depending on the mood. COMMON LIONFISH Lives in various common habitats, om remote coral bommies in lagoons; outcrop coral reefs/rock formations, to caves along deep drop-offs. They usually like to hunt for small fishes and uses its large fins to corner its prey. SPOT-FIN PORCUPINEFISH Have no scales or lateral line and have a set of slightly protruding nostrils on the snout. The background colour is usually a light brown colour, and they have numerous brown-black dots spread across the body and fins. When disturbed during the day their colour quickly lightens.

BLUE SPINE UNICORN FISH Inhabits protected shallow reef habitats. Juveniles foind inshore in algae rich reefs. Identify by the blue spines, juveniles lack the horny protrusion on the head. CORAL RABBITFISH Inhabits rich coral slopes, usually seen in pairs. Hass blue spots in yellow background colour, is deep bodied and has a black area on the throat. Length to 35 cm. MIMIC FILEFISH They have a prominent first dorsal spine which can be raised for defense or wedging themselves into a hole. Filefish obtain their name om their rough non over-lapping scales which have small spikes on them. SILTY SAND-GOBY Common in shallow silty lagoons. It is characterised by the thin vertical dark line below the eyes. This species has small spots all over, including the fins.

SLENDER NEEDLEFISH Patrol along beaches where small herring and hardy heads congregate. Usually seen singly. MOORISH IDOL Moderately common in the Maldives, occurs in clear water protected reef habitats ranging om deep lagoon to outer reef. They could come in ranges of colours om pink or pale with dark outlines of each scales depending on the mood. PHANTOM BANNERFISH Its body is compressed laterally, with the first rays of its dorsal fin stretched in short white feather-like filaments. The background color is white with light chocolate to dark areas and a brown face mask covering the mouth. Found in coral-rich areas of lagoons. SERGEANT MAJOR Very common in Maldives, om inshore to inner reefs and o en forms large schools. Easy recognised by the colour pattern and five dark bars.

EMBER PARROTFISH Mainly seen along slopes, openly swimming in groups. Females are distinctly marked with an irregular dark pattern and reddish colour. BLACK BOXFISH Males recognised by the yellow spots and blue sides, and o en swim openly about. Female is black with many small white spots over the body and is more secretly in the reef. BLUE-FIN JACK Commonly seen patrolling reef slopes. Occasionally seen in schools. Adults are robust. Identify by the blue fins and dark spots on upper half body. BLACK SEA CUCUMBER Body so long cylindrical without an obvious under and upper side. With short so pointed 'spines' and tube feet all over the body. Colour uniformly very dark brown or maroon to black.

BLACKTIP REEF SHARK Large adults o en solitary, prefers shallow water and o en seen swimming over sandbars and shallow reefs. One of the most noted species by snorkelers. Easily recognized by the dark on each flank stripe and black fin-tips. WHITE-SPOTTED EAGLE RAY Fast swimmer, o en forming large schools well above the bottom or near the surface. Prefers open water, mainly over extensive sand-flats between shore and reefs in the a ernoon. PINK WHIPRAY It has a diamond-shaped pectoral fin disc wider than long, with a broad-angled snout and a very long, whip-like tail without fin folds. Colour is uniformly pink to brownish. inhabits shallow water in sandy areas associated with coral reefs. HAWKSBILL SEA TURTLE Named for their narrow, pointed beak. They also have a distinctive pattern of overlapping scales on their shells that form a serrated-look on the edges. Found mainly throughout the world's tropical oceans, predominantly in coral reefs. They feed mainly on sponges.

PAINTED REEF LOBSTER It is a carnivorous animal which is nocturnal and feeds on both carrion and esh caught arthropods, other crustaceans, and occasional small fish CUSHION STARFISH Moves on a system of tube feet, hey feed by inverting their entire stomach, through the mouth, and digesting the so tissue off a coral’s skeleton or the meat out of a clam.