Coral Reef Fish: A Guide to the Most Colorful Species

Coral reefs host 25% of all marine species despite covering less than 1% of the ocean floor. Parrotfish produce sand and keep algae in check. Clownfish live symbiotically with anemones.

Lionfish are devastating invasive predators in the Atlantic. Mandarinfish produce toxic blue pigment. Butterflyfish and angelfish are reef health indicators.

Reef fish diversity is highest in the Coral Triangle (Indonesia, Philippines, Papua New Guinea)..