Ocean & Reef Fish

Information about Coral Reef Fish:

Coral Reef Fish, as the name implies, are fish that inhabit the tropical coral reefs in the warm waters of the world’s oceans. They are integral parts of the ecosystem of the reef. Some of them use the coral itself to feed on, others provide food for the reef’s apex predators like the shark and barracuda. Fish of the coral reefs use various feeding strategies, which often means they have evolved specialized mouths and mouth parts which help them exploit different food sources in their habitat. Some fish are herbivores, feeding only on plant materials and algae. Many of the fish are brightly colored, which helps them camouflage themselves among the myriad of colors found in the reef’s corals and anemones. Other reef fish may school in large shoals to help protect themselves.

Many different types of fish inhabit the reefs, but most are ray-finned fishes, which are known for the characteristic sharp, bony rays and spines in their fins. There are many symbiotic relationships which exist in the reefs, usually where a specific species of fish lives in or around a type of coral, anemone or plant. Like the clownfish, that lives in and among the stinging tendrils of the anemone, but is immune to it’s toxins. In return, the clownfish fiercely defends it’s territory within the anemone.

These fish are all facing uncertain future, as the warming seas due to climate change and the fouling of the reefs from pollution is causing a worldwide decline.