Angelfish
(family Pomacanthidae)

These beautiful fish, with their minute, brushlike teeth, browse on sponges, algae and corals. Their vibrant coloring varies according to the species, like those of the butterflyfish and were once thought part of the same family. However, they are distinguishable by a short spike extending from the gill cover. Angelfish are territorial in habit and tend to occupy the same caves or ledges for a period of time.

Butterflyfish
(family Chaetodontidae)

Among the most colorful of reef inhabitants, butterflyfish have flat, thin bodies, usually with a stripe through the eye and sometimes with a dark blotch near the tail: this serves as camouflage and confuses predators, who lunge for the wrong end of the fish. Butterflyfish can also swim backwards to escape danger. Many species live as mated pairs and have territories while others school in large numbers.

Damselfish and Clownfish
(family Pomacentriade)

These pugnacious little fish often farm their own patch of algae, aggressively driving away other herbivores. Found almost everywhere on the reef, they also sometimes form large aggregations to feed on plankton. Clownfishes, which live among the stinging tentacles of sea anemones, are also members of this family. Of the 27 clownfish species known from the Indo-Pacific, 15 are found on the reefs of Southeast Asia.

Grouper
(family Serranidae)

Groupers range from just a few centimeters long to the massive Giant Grouper, 3.5m (12ft) long. They vary enormously in color; gray with darker spots is the most common. Movement is slow except when attacking prey with remarkable speed. All groupers are carnivorous, feeding on invertebrates and other fish. Like wrasse and parrotfish, some start out as females and become males later while others are hermaphroditic.

Goby
(family Gobiidae)

The Goby is a "bottom dweller" with the ability to remain stationary and undetected on the sea bed for long periods of time. They have large protruding eyes which are raised above the level of the head and powerful jaws which enable them to snatch prey and dart back to safety. Gobies are among the most successful reef families, with literally hundreds of species. In fact new species of these small, secretive fish are being discovered all the time.

Moray Eel
(family Muraenidae)

This ancient species of fish have gained their undeserved reputation for ferocity largely because, as they breathe, they open and close the mouth to reveal their numerous sharp teeth. They do not have fins or scales. Moray Eels anchor the rear portion of their bodies in a selected coral crevice and stay hidden during the day. They emerge at night to feed on shrimp, octopuses and mussels.

Moorish Idols
(family Zanclidae)

This graceful and flamboyant fish reaches a maximum size of 20cm. It is easily distinguished by its long dorsal fin, thick protruding lips and pointed snout. It probes for food (mostly algae and invertebrates) in nooks and crannies. Moorish Idols are related to surgeonfish even though their body shape is different.

Parrotfish
(family Scaridae)

So-called because of their sharp, parrot-like beaks and bright colors, the parrotfishes are among the most important herbivores on the reef. Many change color and sex as they grow, the terminal-phase males developing striking coloration by comparison with the initial-phase males and females. Many build transparent cocoons of mucus to sleep in at night, the mucus acting as a scent barrier against predators.

Pufferfish
(family Tetraodontidae)

These small to medium-size omnivores feed on algae, worms, molluscs and crustaceans. Pufferfish are found all the way down on the reef to depths of around 30m (100ft). They are slow moving but when threatened, they inflate themselves into big, round balls by sucking water into the abdomen, so that it becomes almost an impossible task for predators to swallow them.

Triggerfish
(family Balistidae)

Medium to large fish with flattened bodies and often striking markings, these have powerful teeth and feed on crustaceans and echinoderms on the mid-reef. When a triggerfish is threatened it squeezes itself into a crevice and erects its first dorsal spine, locking it into place with a second, smaller spine: this stays wedged until the "trigger" is released.