How good are your fish ID skills? Can you name these fish?
1. We start our quest in British waters. This species is the most commonly encountered of its type by divers around Britain. It can grow up to 80cm in length. The females lay very distinctive egg cases known commonly as "Mermaids Purses". Groups of females can be found in caves or gullies (e.g at Firestone Bay, Plymouth Sound) apparently taking refuge from aggressive courting males This individual was photographed near Stoke Point.
2. This species was once thought to be two separate ones due to the males (R) and females (L) having distinct differences in colouration. The male will often follow divers and even come right up to their masks. All individuals of this species start their lives as females. Some will turn into males later in life depending on the relative numbers of males and females in a given area. These individuals were photographed near Stoke Point (L) and at the Eddystone Reef (R).
3. This species is often found in large shoals in or around wrecks. It has a distinctive black spot at the base of the pectoral fins and a single barbel below the mouth. In some individuals the vertical banding can be less apparent than in others. They are usually around 30 cm in length when mature but can grow to 50cm. These individuals were photographed inside the wreck of the "Maine".
4. An expert in camouflage, this fish lies in wait for its prey which is lured by the twitching of modified fin rays above it's mouth. Once the prey is near this fish opens its huge mouth and the inrush of water sweeps it into the mouth. Backward pointing teeth make an escape impossible. It can grow to 2m in length. This specimen was on the "Persier".
5. Named for the colour of its skin, this fish is distinguished by the single black spot on the topside of it's tail stem. They will often approach divers if they keeps still. In a reef community, they will act as cleaners of larger fish species picking of damaged or diseased tissue and parasites. This has made them popular with the salmon farming industry where they are caught and used to remove parasites from caged salmon.
6. This flatfish lives on rocks and can be found on wrecks. Because they are often upside down when in cracks or under boulders they can be difficult to spot. They are experts in camouflage which adds to the difficulties in spotting them. Lengthwise they can grow to 25cm. This one was photographed on the "City of Westminster" wreck on the Runnelstone in south Cornwall.
7. This goby is quite common but very timid. It disappears in to cracks or crevices when disturbed. Therefore studying or photographing them requires patience. Males will guard the eggs laid by the female. It can grow to 12cm in length. This one was photographed near Stoke Point.
8. The colour of this species varies considerably from many shades of brown to those of red and green. The skin can be plain or patterned in different ways. Individuals start life as females and can change in to males when older. There are no distinct colour differences between males and females. These are the largest of their group of fish species found in British waters and can grow to 60cm long.
9. Top marks for cuteness from this species which is a divers favourite. They are often found looking out from cracks and crevices amongst rocks of wrecks. They can be quite defensive over their eggs and I can recall being nipped by one when trying to photograph it. This individual was on the wreck of the "James Eagan Layne".
10. These relatively small fish (15cm) are often found in shoals on reefs and wrecks. They act as cleaners of larger fish and can be associated with prominent wreck or sea bed features which act as cleaner stations. The best way of telling them apart from similar species is the broad black band across the tail fin but this is not always distinct. The males are quite colourful in the summer with additional blue colouring on their backs and flanks. These were photographed on the "James Eagan Layne"
11. Closely related to sea horses, these fish have no scales. They move around the sea bed in a snakelike motion but can use their pectoral fins to move through the water. This species stands out due to its angular, box shaped body section which gives it a rigid appearance. It has a tiny mouth at the end of its snout which is used to suck up its tiny prey. It can grow to 50cm. This one was photgraphed in the River Yealm at Newton Ferrers during the Wembury Bioblitz.
12. One of the most distinctive fish species to be found in British waters especially during the summer. It is said that the dark blotch on the flank is the fingerprint of St Peter. This species is very thin vertically when looked at from in front or behind. It uses this almost invisibility to slowly stalk prey species which are quickly seized by large jaws which shoot the mouth forward. It makes for excellent eating and can grow to 90cm. This one was seen on the "Persier".
13. We now move to the mediterranean and this iconic top predator species. Once extensively hunted by spearfishers it is now protected in many areas such as France. It can grow to 1.5m and weigh up to 50kg. They can be inquisitive and will sometimes come up to divers but back away when approached. Often found outside or near to the holes or overhangs where they live. The comeback of this species in some areas often marks the success of conservation areas or schemes. This one was photographed in the Cap de Creus marine park near the spanish border with France not far to the north from Estartit and the Medes Isles.
14. The various species of this type of eel are a must see for most divers in warmer waters. The species in the pic is found in the Med and nearby Atlantic especially the Canary Islands. It is distinguished by the darker upper head colouration when compared to the rest of the body. It is nocturnal in habit but can be seen in caves and caverns in the day. This one was photographed in a drowned lava tube near the german nudist colony on Lanzarote in the canaries. N.B. When leaving the water by the exit ladder at this site do check above you first, as you might not like to see what could be descending!
15. Know by many different common names around the Med this very colourful fish is a delight to see. There are two colour forms of which the one shown is the most commonly seen. Females can change in to males and it is thought that this might be determined by water temperature. The black spot in the centre of the back or dorsal surface is a distinguishing feature. It can be up to 20cm long. This one was photographed in the Cap de Creus marine park in Spain.
16. This commonly seen Mediterranean fish is not unknown in the waters of SW England where it is at the northern extreme of its range. It can also be found in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean. Usually around 15-20cm it can grow to 40cm. It is a true hermaphrodite with the same individual having both ovaries and testes maturing at the same time. Commonly found on rocky bottoms and in seagrass beds. This one was photographed in Spain near to Lescala on the Costa Brava.
17. Shoals of this fish are instantly recognisable in very shallow waters around the Mediterranean. These shoals are large, tightly packed and very disciplined. The golden lines on each side of its pale green body stand out. It is a fish species where individuals change from male to female as they grow older (protandry). It is said that eating this fish can cause hallucinations but most individuals do not produce these effects. Its arabic name means the fish that causes dreams. However, it can also be toxic if the fish has been feeding on Caulerpa taxifola - an invasive species of alga spreading around parts of the Med. These were photographed just off the shore at Illa Mateua near Lescala in Spain.
18. And now on to the Red Sea. One of the more venomous fish to be encountered on a dive. The dorsal fin rays can inject a toxin which is very painful. Some types of fish of the same family have toxins that are potentially lethal. They can be very difficult to see as they are experts at camouflage and blend in to the background. Individuals can vary in size up to 40cm. This was photographed in near Port Ghalib.
19. Easily identified by its colouration and frequently seen on dives in the Red Sea. These fish have venomous barbs at the base of the tail which can deliver a toxin which causes excruciating pain in humans. It is usually associated with reefs and not often found deeper than 30m. They feed on molluscs, shrimps and worms; being most active at night. Can be up to 90cm in length. This one photographed in the Red Sea at Hurghada.
20. These colourful fish and related species are a frequent sight on coral reefs in the Red Sea. This species has a variety of common names. They are usually seen in pairs and occasionally in small shoals often hovering under coral overhangs. During spawning they can occur in very large aggregations. They feed on coral polyps, xmas tree worms and the tentacles of feather stars. It is a popular species for the aquarium trade. Can grow to 30cm. This species was once thought unique to the Red Sea but have been recorded near Aden and Oman in the Indian Ocean. Those pictured were photographed near Port Ghalib just north of Marsa Alam.
21. A very distinctive species which is mainly active nocturnally. In the day it is most often seen in dark recesses unless disturbed by divers. The fin rays can inject a particularly toxic and painful venom. When hunting small fish they will corral them against the reef using their fins before shooting out their mouth to capture them. Released specimens in the Caribbean, where they are non-native, are a major problem where they prey on the juveniles of other fish species. There are major programmes in place to try and eradicate them. This one photographed near Port Ghalib where it was out in the open during the day. In size they can grow to 38cm
22. These fish are around 6cm and have many different common names. Its comical behaviour and easy maintenance make it a popular species in the aquarium trade for which it can be bred captively. They are associated with flat topped table corals such as Acropora sp. On which they live, often in groups. The skin of these fish produces a toxic bitter tasting mucus which acts as a deterrent to potential predators. It will feed off the coral polyps of the Acropora on which it lives and will strip an area bare for laying its eggs. However, the Acropora probably benefits as they will see off other polyp eating fish which would be more damaging.
23. One to be avoided during their breeding season as they become very defensive and aggressive. These attacks can produce quite severe injuries as they have very large sharp teeth. They have an invisible territory around their nest site. This territory forms an inverted cone shape with widest area at the surface. Anything inc. Divers inside the cone will be attacked and driven off. Best to retreat backwards in a horizontal direction with fins towards the nest site to fend off the fish. The photographed individual and its mate were defending their territory. Our dive guide had briefed us saying that these fish were in the area but were docile during the previous day's dives. Claire casually mentioned what to do, just in case of attack, as we entered the water. We duly followed her advice. The fish seemed to take a particular delight in harassing Lynda. Photo taken near Port Ghalib.
24. One of many related species, the particular species in the photograph was the one responsible for the demise of Nemo's mum and siblings in the well know animated film. They are solitary as adults and usually non-aggressive unless provoked or attracted by shiny objects in murky water. They can grow to nearly 2m and weigh 38kg. Other related species are smaller and form large shoals. In Thailand we were once surrounded by two huge shoals made up of different species. Photo taken in Thailand.
25. Often described as intelligent and wary these large fish are a welcome sight to divers. They can grow up to 2.3m in length and weigh up to 191kg. Their popularity in SE Asian restaurants resulted in a massive drop in their numbers in some areas. It is now protected in most of its range as a result. Consequently, where protected well, they will investigate groups of divers. It feeds on molluscs, sea urchins and starfish such as the Crown of Thorns. It has been know to hunt cooperatively with the Roving Coral or Leopard Grouper. The photo was taken at Ras Mohammed near Sharm el Sheikh in the Red Sea.
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