Practise Fish Identification Guide - Blue Venturesblueventures.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Fish_ID_Training_Guide1.pdf · Fish Identification • During your time in Madagascar

Practise Fish Identification Guide

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Fish Identification• During your time in Madagascar you will learn to

identify a large number of tropical fish species

• This guide has been put together by previous volunteers and includes species that are commonly seen in the Andavadoaka region

• Please use this guide to familiarise yourself with these species before your departure


Online Resources

• A digital species library for the fish families and species of Madagascar can be found here:www.wiomweb.org

• This library can be used as an online learning resource to help you with your fish ID skills

http://www.wiomweb.org/


Surgeonfish and Unicorn fish (Acanthuridae)

• Oval Body with small mouth

• Continuous anal and Dorsal fins

• Scalpel blade on either side of caudal peduncle (before tail), two blades in Unicornfish

• 25-35cm • Family includes

Bristletooths, Tangs Unicornfish and Surgeonfish


Goldring Bristletooth Ctenochaetus strigosus

Gold ring around eye


Striped Bristletooth Ctenochaetus striatus

Orange spots on head

Blue lines on body

Emarginate tail


Twospot Bristletooth Ctenochaetus binotatus

2 black spots at rear base of dorsal and anal fins (hence the name ‘Twospot’)

Orange/ Brown colour

Blue ring around eye

Blue lines on body


Blackstreak Surgeon Fish Acanthurus nigricaude

‘Black streak’ behind eye to above pectoral fin

Thin streak on rear body to tail spine


Convict Surgeonfish Acanthurus triostegus

White with 5-6 Black bars on head and body.

Think ‘convict’ behind bars!


Dusky/Brown surgeonfish Acanthurus nigrofuscus

Numerous orange spots on head

2 black spots at rear base of dorsal and anal fins

Brown body colour


Elongate/Yellow mask Surgeonfish Acanthurus mata

Pale to Dark blue horizontal lines on body

Yellow upper lip

Yellow band through eye


Eyestripe Surgeon Acanturus dussumieri

Yellow band through eye

Blue tail with numerous black spots

Blue to brownish body with horizontal lines


Powderblue Surgeonfish Acanthurus leucosternon

‘Powderblue’ body

Yellow dorsal fin

White ventral and anal fins

Black Face


Brushtail Tang Zebrasoma scopas

Yellow/ brown colouration darkening to black on tail

White tail spine

‘Brushed’ fins and tail


Desjardin’s Sailfin Tang Zebrasoma desjardinii

Enlarged dorsal and anal fins marked with pale lines

Dark tail with blue spots

Bars/spot patterns on sides


Blacktongue unicornfish Naso Hexacantus

Brown to Blueish grey graduating to yellow/white

‘Black tongue’ shaped lining just behind the head


Bluespine unicornfish Naso unicornis

Grey to olive colouration

2 ‘blue spines’ on tail

Short horn does not proceed past mouth


Orangespine Unicornfish Naso elegans

Brownish Grey

‘Orange spines’ on tail and anal fin

Black band on dorsal fin

Yellow edged Black area from mouth to eye


Spotted Unicornfish Naso brevirostris

Brown body

Dark spots on head

Vertical rows of spots and lines on side

Broad based tapering horn


Cardinal fish(Apogonidae)• Small moderately

elongate fish• Large mouth and

eyes• Two dorsal fins• Spine on

operculum• Small

resemblance to Goldfish.

• Often seen in shoals around the reef


Five Lined Cardinalfish Cheilodipterus quinquelineatus

Grey to whitish with ‘5 black lines’ on the body.

Yellow tail base with black spot in line with mid lateral stripe


Orange Lined Cardinalfish Archamia fucata

Pair of blue stripes through eye

Black spot on tail base

Numerous narrow ‘orange lines’ on the body


Ringtailed Cardinalfish Apogon aureus

Yellow/orange graduating to pale on upper back and tail base

Black ‘ring’ tail’ base narrows in middle

Pair of blue stripes through eye


Trumpetfish (Aulostomidae)• Elongate body with

trumpet-like snout• Usually solitary• Yellow tail with two

black spots• Distinguished from

Cornetfish by having a shorter and thicker body

• Upto 80cm


Trumpetfish Aulostumus chinensis

Two black spots on tail, with yellow tip on end

Trumpet like snout and mouth


Triggerfish (Balistidae)

• Large diamond shaped laterally compressed body

• Dorsal fin with elongate spine in front

• Pelvic fin reduced• Eyes high on head• 25-35cm


Clown Triggerfish Balistoides conspiculum

Black undercolour with white spots on lower body

Pale patch with dark ‘clown’ spots on back

Yellowish band across top of snout


Halfmoon Triggerfish Sufflamen chrysopterus

Narrow yellow/orange bar behind eye

Bluish chin

White ‘moon coloured’ tail

Dark brown – yellow/ brown


Moustache/Titan Triggerfish Balistoides viridescens

Dark body with Blue/Green cross hatches

Yellow/green patch on cheek

Dark ‘moustache’ above mouthWhitish

rear of body

Very large upto 75cm


Orangestriped Triggerfish Balistapus undulatus

Dark green to brown with diagonally curved ‘orange stripes’ on body

Large black spot on tail base


Picasso Triggerfish Rhinecanthus acualetes

Snout and back tan coloured

White underside

‘Picasso’ print on body, which extends to anal fin


Scythe Triggerfish Sufflamen bursa

Grey to brown white with a white chin and belly

Yellow/brown scythe shaped marking behind eye


Fusiliers (Caesionidae)

• Slender elongate/torpedo shaped body

• Small terminal mouth

• Forked Tail• Fast swimming

in shoals


Goldband Fusilier Pterocaesio chrysozona

‘Gold band’ from eye to tail base

Dark tail tips


Lunar Fusilier Caesio lunaris

Black tail tips

Silvery blue colour

Row of black dashes on lateral line


Scissortail Fusilier Caesio caerulaurea

Yellow/gold stripe from eye to tail base

Silvery blue colour

Dark strips on each lobe of forked tail, creating ‘scissor’ effect


Yellowtop Fusilier Caesio xanthonota

‘Yellow top’, back and tail

Silvery blue colour


Jacks or Trevallys (Carangidae)• Laterally

compressed torpedo shaped bodies

• Sloping head• Large eyes and

mouth• Two dorsal fins• Forked Tail

with narrow caudal peduncle

• 60-100cm


Bar Jack Carangoides ferdau

Silvery blue colour

Yellow/green tint to rear dorsal, anal and tail fins

5 -7 chevron ‘bars’ on body


Golden Trevally Gnathanodon speciousus

Bright ‘gold’ to silver

7-11 black bars


Butterflyfish (Chaetodontidae)• Small colourful

disc-like body• Small mouth

often extended snout

• Continuous dorsal fin

• Often rounded tail

• 15-20cm


Big Longnose Butterflyfish Forcipiger longirostris

Has a ‘big long nose’

Black upper head and white below

Black spot on anal fin below tail base

Yellow body


Blackbacked Butterflyfish Chaetodon melannotus

Black saddle on base of tail

‘Black back’, with diagonal lines

White body with many diagonal black lines


Chevroned butterflyfish Chaetodon trifascialis

White body with many ‘chevron’ black markings

Black tail with yellow margins


Indian Teardrop Butterflyfish Chaetodon unimaculatus

White body with bright yellow dorsal anal and ventral fins Black

‘teardrop’ shaped spot on back

Adults develop large bulbous snout


Klein's Butterflyfish Chaetodon kleinii

Light brownish yellow

Dirty white head

Diffuse central bar

Black lips and ventral fins


Lined Butterflyfish Chaetodon lineolatus

Black eye bar with white spot on nape

White with black ‘lined’ body

Wide black band on rear


Longfin Bannerfish Heniochus acuminatus

2nd black band ends behind tip of anal fin

‘Long’ dorsal fin filament


Madagascar butterfly Chaetodon madagascariensis

Orange band on rear and orange tail tipBlack eye bar

and spot or smudge on nape

White with black chevron markings


Masked Bannerfish Heniochus monoceros

Yellow rear body and fins

White band from extended fin filament to lower body with black band behind

Black ‘masked’ face


Meyer's Butterflyfish Chaetodon meyeri

White to Bluish

Curving black bands meeting near pectoral fin

Yellowish rim around body


Racoon butterflyfish Chaetodon lunula

White band connected to black band running to dorsal fin

Yellow body with dark diagonal lines

Black spot on caudal peduncle

Black ‘racoon’ band face


Redfin Butterflyfish Chaetodon trifasciatus

‘Red’ anal fin

Pale with purplish horizontal lines

‘Red’ tail base

Yellow edged black band across base of anal fin


Spotted Butterflyfish Chaetodon guttatissimus

White with brown/purple ‘spotted’ body

Wide yellow margin on dorsal fin extending to tail base

Black eye band


Threadfin Butterflyfish Chaetodon auriga

White with black chevron lines

Yellow tail and rear dorsal fin

Black spot on rear dorsal fin

Thin trailing ‘threadfin’ filament


Vagabond Butterflyfish Chaetodon vagabondus

White with thin black chevron lines

Black band across rear body does not cover entire rear dorsal fin


Yellowhead Butterflyfish Chaetodon xanthocephalus

White with thin black vertical stripes

Yellow dorsal and anal fins

‘Yellowhead’ and stripe on gill cover


Cornetfish (Fistulariidae)

• Elongate Body and snout• Whip-like tail• Generally solitary but may form shoals• Longer and thinner than trumpetfish• Upto 150cm


Cornetfish Fistularia commersonii

Thin silvery body

Elongated trumpet like snout

Thin whip like tail


Sweetlips (Haemulidae)• Also known as

grunts• Sloping

forehead• Prominent

thickened lips• Tail (Caudal) fin

straight back edge in adults

• 70-90cm


Dusky Sweetlips Plectohinchus chubbi

Rounded head profile

Large thickened lips

Pale in colour


Goldspotted Sweetlips Plectorhinchus flavomaculatus

Grey/blue with stripes extending to dorsal and tail fins

‘Goldspotted’ body


Blackspotted Sweetlips Plectorhinchus gaterinus

Whitish yellow ‘blackspotted’ body

Doral, tail and pectoral and anal fins yellow


Squirrelfish and Soldierfish (Holocentridae)

• Medium sized fish with bony head

• Large Eyes• Reddish colour• Soldierfish

distinguished by blunter snout and lack of pre- opercular spine


Bronze Soldierfish Myripristis adusta

Dark margin on tail, dorsal and anal fins

Pale pink with dark scale margins

Black spot on rear gill cover


Pearly Soldierfish Myripristis kuntee

Orange- pink with small scales

Red fins with narrow white margins

Brown band on rear gill cover


Red Soliderfish Myripristis murdjan

Brown margin on gill cover

Spiny red dorsal fin with narrow white margins on all except pectoral fins


Bloodspot Squirrelfish Neoniphon sammara

Silvery with thin dark lines

Dark ‘bloodspot’ on gill cover

Spiny dorsal fin with large black spot at front, white spine tips and white spots at base


Tailspot Squirrelfish Sargocentron caudimaculatum

Red with variable amount of silvery white on rear of body and tail base

Silver white streak at upper edge of gill cover White

‘tailspot’


Crown Squirrelfish Sargocentron diadema

Dark red/black spiny ‘crown like’ dorsal fin

Alternating red/white stripes

White margin on anal fin


Wrasse (Labridae)• Diverse and large

family• Elongated with

continuous dorsal fin• Most are brightly

coloured• Thickened lips with

protruding teeth• Most species have

ability to change sex• Juveniles often have

different colouration to adults


Axilspot Hogfish Bodianus axillariusReddish

head and front of body

Black spot on base of pectoral and rear of dorsal and anal fins

White/pale rear body

Juvenile


Lyretail Hogfish Bodianus anthioidesWhite rear

body with scattered brown spots

Orange/ brown head

Deeply forked ‘lyretail’


Barred Thicklip Wrasse Hemigymnus fasciatus

Black/dark rear body with 5 narrow white bars

Green face with pink bands and ‘thick lips’


Bicolour Cleaner Wrasse Labroides bicolor

Blue/Black front of body

White rear and tail

Blue crescent on tailBlue lips


Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse Labroides dimidiatus

White to yellowish head

Rear of body becomes blue

Black streak from snout becomes wider towards tail


Checkerboard Wrasse Halichoeres hortulanus

‘Checkerboard’ pattern on scales

Greenish head with pink stripes and spots on nape

Yellow spot below front of dorsal fin

Juvenile

Three yellow saddle spots


Crescent Wrasse Thalassoma lunare

Blue – blue/green

Purple and green bands on head

Deep lunate tail with yellow centre


Gold Bar Wrasse Thalassoma hebriacum

Yellow/brown face with bluish lines

‘Gold bar’ behind pectoral fin

Deep lunate tail with dark base

Yellow/brown body


Indian Ocean Bird Wrasse Gomphosus caeruleus

Slender body with elongate ‘beak like’ snout


Napoleon/Humphead Wrasse Chelinus undulatus

Blue head with intricate maze like patterns

Pronounce hump above eyes

Greenish body with dark vertical streaks

Large fish upto 2 ½ m


Sixbar Wrasse Thalassoma hardwicke

Greenish body with ‘6 bars’ which decrease in size towards tail

Pink bands on head


Slingjaw Wrasse Epibulus insidiator

Juvenile colouration

Dark body with orange back

Black streak through eye Black

outline around scales


Tripletail Wrasse Cheilinus trilobatus

Greenish colour with pink lines and spots cover head

Two white bars on tail base

Rounded tail fin with extended upper and lower lobes


Yellowbreasted Wrasse Anampses twistii

‘Yellow breasted’ lower body

Twin spots on rear of dorsal and anal fins


Yellowtail Wrasse Anampses melegrides

Full ‘yellow tail’

Twin spots on rear of dorsal and anal fins

Black with white spots


Zig-zag Wrasse Halichoeres scapularis

Whitish/pale green

continuous or interrupted ‘zig-zag’ black stripe from head to tail base


Emperors (Lethrinidae)

• Thickened lips• Emarginate/For

ked tail• Continuous

dorsal fin• Similar in

appearance to snappers

• Upto 100cm


Bigeye Emperor Monotaxis grandaculis

Silvery/ grey back with paler underside

Yellow tint on head

Black spot on base of pectoral fin


Blackspot emperor Lethrinus harak

Pale grey colour

‘Blackspot’/ mudge on middle of its side, often with orange halo


Long Face Emperor Lethrinus olivacea

No distinct markings although often mottled colour

Long pointed snout


Orange Stripe Emperor Lethrinus obsoletus

Pale grey colouration

‘Orange stripe’ from base of pectoral fin to tail


Snubnose Emperor Lethrinus borbonicus


Snapper (Lutjanidae)• Medium sized

oblong fish with a triangular shaped head

• Shallow notched tail

• Single continuous dorsal fin

• Large canine teeth


Big Eye Snapper Lutjanus lutjanusSilvery with

yellow tail and several narrow yellow stripes

Yellow/brown stripe from eye to tail

Small gap between eye and lip

Bronze eye


Black Snapper Macolor niger

Grey/brown

Large eye with dull gold iris

Juvenile

No blue lines or spots


Black-spot Snapper Lutjanus fulviflammaWhitish with

yellow stripes below lateral line

‘Black spot’ on lateral line

Yellow tail and anal fin


Bluelined Snapper Lutjanus kasmira

Yellow upper body 4 neon ‘blue lines’

White underside with faint grey stripes


Onespot Snapper Lutjanus monostigma

Silvery coloured body Yellow/orange

fins and tail

‘One spot’ on rear back


Twinspot/Red snapper Lutjanus bohar

Red to reddish grey colour Groove in

front of eye

Dark upper edge of pectoral fin


Dartfish (Ptereleotridae)• Small elongate

fish with two- part dorsal fins

• Long anal fins • Small upturned

mouths• Generally

solitary although sometimes in pairs or small feeding groups


Blackfin/Twotone Dartfish Ptereleotris evides

Pale grey head and front of body

Black rear body and ‘black fins’

Pale forked tail


Fire Dartfish Nemateleotris magnifica

Yellow head

White front of body graduating to red/brown‘Fire’

coloured tail

Elongated first dorsal fin


Filefish (Monacanthidae)• Similar in

appearance to Triggerfish

• First dorsal spine does not lock

• Can change colouration and patterns to match surroundings


Barred filefish Cantherhinea dumerii

Brownish Grey colour

Yellow iris

Faint dark bars on rear body

Yellow tail spines


Broom Filefish Amanses scopus

Dark brown

Black tail

Several dark/black bars on side


Wirenet Filefish Cantherhinea pardalis

Bluish grey to bluish brown

Blue stripes on head

Pale blue ‘wirenet’ pattern on body

White spot on upper tail base


Goatfish (Mullidae)

• Pair of distinct barbels on chin

• 2 separate dorsal fins

• Forked tail• 30-40cm


Dash-Dot Goatfish Parupeneus barberinus

Black ‘dot’ on tail base

Yellow back with black ‘dash’ from snout to 2nd

dorsal fin


Indian Goatfish Parupeneus indicus

Yellow oval patch in middle of body

Black dot on tail base

Bluish/ white to brownish


Yellowfin Goatfish Mulloidichthys vanicolensis

Yellow back and fins

Yellow stripe from eye to tail base


Coral Bream/Spinecheeks (Nemipteridae)

• Small-medium sized• Small terminal mouth

never extends past the eye

• Single unnotched dorsal fin

• Indented/forked tail• Mainly solitary

although occasional groups

• 25cm


Arabian Spinecheek Scolopsis ghanam

Alternating white and grey/brown stripes on back

White lower body with rows of dark spots


Thumbprint Spinecheek Scolopsis bimaculatus

Dark brown/black ‘thumb print’ on side

Blue line from eye to corner of mouth


Boxfish or Trunkfish (Ostraciidae)

• Square/triangular bony fish

• Also includes Cowfish which have a sharp spine over each eye

• Swim with sculling action of dorsal anal and pectoral fins


Spotted Trunkfish/Boxfish Ostracion meleagris

Black to dark brown back with white ‘spotted’ back

Blue head and sides with orange spots

Pale pink area below eye


Sweepers (Pempheridae)

• Distinctive thin hatchet shaped body

• Seen in groups within caves and shadows


Copper Sweeper Pempheris oualensis

Copper brown colour

Dark edge to 1st dorsal fin

Dark spot at base of pectoral fin


Schwenk's Sweeper Pempheris schwenkii

Silvery colour (sometimes copper colour)

Purple tint on back and head

Often purple/green iridescence

Dark line on inside/base of anal fin


Vanikoro Sweeper Pempheris vanicolensis

Copper brown colour

Black line on outside/ margin of anal fin

Black tip on 1st dorsal fin

Steep curve in


Angelfish (Pomacanthidae)• Small-medium

sized• Brightly coloured• Sharp spine on

lower edge of gill covers

• More robust body than butterflyfish

• Small spines on head

• Juveniles often different colour and pattern to adult

• 10-15cm


Earspot Angelfish Pomacanthus chrysurus

Black ‘earspot’ with yellow halo

Yellow tail

Bright blue stripes around mouth


Emperor Angelfish Pomacanthus imperator

Vivid blue and yellow stripes

Yellow tail

Blue edged black eye mask

White mouth and snout


Many Spined Angelfish Centropyge multispinus

Black ear spot

Iridescent margins to anal and ventral fins

Dark brown with black bars


Regal Angelfish Pygoplites diacanthus

Yellow with 7-8 black edged bluish/white bars

Blue and orange stripes on anal fin

Dark patch around eye

Yellow tail


Semicircle Angelfish Pomacanthus semicirculatus

Greenish brown with blue spots

Yellow lips

Narrow blue margin on fins, tail, cheek spine and gill cover

Distinctive white semicircle bands in juvenile

‘Semicircle’ behind eyes


3 Spot Angelfish Apolemichthys trimaculatus

Blue lips

Bright yellow

Broad black margin on anal fin

Black spot on nape and grey spot behind head


2 Spined Angelfish Centropyge multispinis

Orange with numerous blue bars

Head and fins blue- purple

Two spines from lower gill cover


Damsels (Pomacentridae)• Small rounded

often colourful • Continuous dorsal

fin• Two nostrils either

side of snout• Forked or lunate

tail• Includes

demoiselles, dascyllus, anemonefish, sergeants and chromis


Madagascan Anemonefish Amphiprion latifasciatus

Orange with two white bars

Yellow/orange tail with pale/white margin

Orange with numerous blue bars


Skunk Anemonefish Amphiprion akallopiosis

Pinkish orange colour

White ‘skunk’ stripe from head to tail


Bronze Reef Chromis Chromis agilis

‘Bronze’ colour with blue tint on breast and lower head



Choc Dip Chromis Chromis dimidiata

Dark black/brown head and front of body

White lower body and tail


Ternate Chromis Chromis ternatensis

Brown with silver/blue lower parts

Black borders on tail


Scaly Chromis Chromis lepidolepis

Grey/brown colour

Dark tips on tail fin

Dark blotch on edge of anal fin

Dark tips on dorsal fin


Weber's Chromis Chromia weberi

Grey/brown with dark margins on scales

Black tips on tail lobes

Dark bar on gill cover


Baench's Damsel Pomacentrus baenschi

Pale cream colour with blue spots

Blue fin tips

Black spot on top back


Jewel Damsel Plectroglyphidodon lacymatus

Brown with black scale margins

Pale tail

Small blue spots on head and body


Pale Damsel Amblyglyphidodon indicus

Pale Blue/green

Dusky bar on cheek

Black margins of tail and dorsal fin


Sulphur Damsel Pomacentrus sulfureus

Yellow



Indian Dascyllus Dascyllus carneus

Dirty head

Diffuse black bar

Black pectoral and anal fins

White body and tail

Broad black margin on dorsal fin


3-Spot Dascyllus Dascyllus trimaculatus

Grey/black with black scale margins

All fins dark except rear dorsal

Juvenile black with white spot on forehead and middle of upper back


False Eye Sergeant Abudefduf sparoides

Pale grey

Distinct lateral line

Black spot on lower tail base


Indo-Pacific Sergeant Abudefduf vaigiensis

Silvery grey colour

Yellow back

5 Black bars including band on tail base


Natal Sergeant Abudefduf natalensis

Black lower margin on anal fin

4 white bars and black back

Black margins to tail

Pale grey


Scissortail Sergeant Abudefduf sexfasciatus

Whitish grey with 5 black bars

Bold black ‘scissor shaped’ borders on tail


Parrotfish (Scaridae)• Teeth fused into

distinctive beak• Large scales• Males larger and

more brightly coloured

• Females upto 30cm, Males upto 150cm

• Hermaphroditic, change colour with age (life stages) and sex


Bicolour Parrotfish Cetoscarus bicolor Green with

pinkish spots and lines on head

Pink stripe from mouth to belly

Pink bands on fins

Juvenile – white with orange bar around head and large black spot on dorsal fin


Blue Banded Parrotfish Scarus ghobban

Yellow with Blue/green scale markings

Blue bands around mouth

Blue tail borders


Bullethead Parrotfish Chlorurus sordidus

Blue/lavender /pale green patch on snout

Green with lavender scale edges

Pale green tail base

Juvenile distinct 3-4 vertical rows of small white spots


Swarthy Parrotfish Scarus niger

Yellow/green spot/streak behind eye

Dark Red/brown becoming purple green with size


Redlipped Parrotfish Scarus rubroviolaceus

Greenish with darker front

Green/blue band on upper lip and double bands on chin

Juvenile – reddish/reddish brown with small black spots, often red lips


Lionfish and Scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae)

• Large spiny head with bony ridge on cheek

• Dorsal fins usually notched

• Well developed pectoral fins

• Venemous fin spines


Lionfish Pterois volitans

Numerous brown/black bands with white lines between

Long feather- like pectoral fin rays

Dark spotted dorsal, anal and tail fins


Grouper (Serranidae)• Robust body • Large Mouth

with more than one row of teeth

• Single well defined dorsal fin

• Upto 270cm


Coral Hind/Grouper Cephalopholis miniata

Orange/ Red with numerous dark edged blue spots

Narrow blue margin on all fins except pectorals


Lyretail Grouper Variola louti

Orange/Red colour with numerous blue spots

‘Lyre tail’ with yellow margin

Yellow margin on fins


Marbled Grouper Plectropomus punctatus

Brown with numerous dark brown/black spots

Irregular pattern of dark blotches creating marbled effect


Peacock Grouper Cephalopholis argus

Yellow/ brown with small black edged blue spots

Broad blue margins on fins


Potato Grouper Epinephelus tukula

Huge, pale grey

Large round grey/black blotches on body

Dark spoke like lines radiating from eye


Whitespotted Grouper Epinephelus caeruleopunctatus

Brown/dark grey

White spots and blotches

Anal and convex tail fin black


Barracuda (Sphyraenidae)

• Elongate silvery fish

• Two widely spaced dorsal fins

• Pointed head• Large mouth

and big teeth• 70-100cm


Great Barracuda Sphyraena barracuda

Silvery

Long cylindrical body (Biggest of the Barracuda)

Large under slung jaw with pointed teeth


Pickhandle Barracuda Sphyraena jello

Silvery, long cylindrical body

Yellowish tail

20 wavy bars on upper body


Yellowfin/Yellowtail Barracuda Sphyraena flavicauda

Silvery, long cylindrical body

‘Yellow tail’ Diffuse brown stripes on side


Puffers and Tobies (Tetraodontidae)• Odd shaped

scaleless fish• Ability to expand

size of body by drawing in water

• Four teeth fused to form a beak

• Small single dorsal fin with no fin spines

• Poisonous• 10-40cm


Blackspotted Puffer Arothron nigropunctatus

Black lipsScattered ‘black spots’ on body


Whitespotted Puffer Arothron hispidus

Grey/brown ish colour

Numerous ‘white spots’

White edged black spot around base of pectoral fin


Bennet's Toby Canthigaster bennetti

White underneath

Brown upper body

Blue lines and spots

Blue edged black spot at base of dorsal fin


Black Saddled Toby Canthigaster valentini

White with light brown spots

4 dark brown to ‘black saddles’ (middle two extend to lower body)


Spotted Toby Canthigaster solandri

Blue spots on lower body and tailBrown/tan

colour

Blue lines on upper body


Moorish idol (Zanclidae)

• Three wide black and two pale yellow bars

• Long protruding snout

• Elongated dorsal fin

• Upto 20cm


Moorish idol Zanclus cornutus

Three wide black bars

Two wide yellow bars

Extended dorsal fin filament

Yellow saddle marking on snout


Bigeyes (Priacanthidae)• Deep

compressed body• Large upturned

mouth with projecting lower jaw

• Large ventral fin connected to belly by membrane

• Nocturnal• 30-40cm


Goggleeye Priacanthus hamrur

Red to silvery red Crescent

tail

Fins without spots or mottling

‘Goggle eyes’


Rabbitfish (Siganidae)• Medium sized • Small terminal

mouth• Complete

lateral line• Venemous

dorsal, ventral and anal spines

• 20-50cm


Forktail Rabbitfish Siganus argenteus

Blue to Bluish grey

Numerous small yellow spots and lines

Deeply ‘forked tail’

Practise Fish Identification Guide - Blue Venturesblueventures.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Fish_ID_Training_Guide1.pdf · Fish Identification • During your time in Madagascar

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