Fire Dartfish [Nemateleotris magnifica]

The Fire Goby, Fire Fish, Fire Dartfish, or Red Fire Goby is a marine dartfish. This fish is most commonly found near the substrate of the upper reef in tropical marine waters. These waters include the Indo-Pacific, Central Pacific, east African waters, Ryukyu Islands, Japan, New Caledonia, and Pitcairn Islands.[1] They swim as deep below the surface as 70 meters, and usually hover directly above the ocean floor, facing the current to catch their prey.[1] They eat mostly copepods, zooplankton, and crustacean larvae. They usually have a bright yellow head, merging into a white body, gradually shading into a red-orange tail. Their dorsal fins are very long, and the fish flicks it back and forth. This is used as a signal to conspecifics. As a full grown adult, it reaches a maximum length of 9 centimeters (3 in). Adults occupy sandy burrows alone or in pairs, while the juveniles live in small groups. These fish are monogamous. They will retreat to burrows if threatened.

 Pictures: Phillipines by Sami Salmenkivi

Striped Eel Catfish [Plotosus lineatus]

Plotosus lineatus, common name Striped eel catfish, is a species of eeltail catfishes belonging to the family Plotosidae. Plotosus lineatus can reach a maximum length of 32 cm (13 in) in males.[1] The body is brown with cream-colored or white longitudinal bands. The most striking feature of this species is in the fins, in fact the second dorsal, caudal and anal are fused together as in eels. In the rest of the body is quite similar to a freshwater catfish: the mouth is surrounded by four pairs of barbels, four on the upper jaw and four on the lower jaw. The first dorsal and each of the pectoral fins have a highly venomous spine. They may even be fatal.[1]   Plotosus lineatus schooling in a ball. Juveniles of Plotosus lineatus form dense ball-shaped schools of about 100 fish, while adults are solitary or occur in smaller groups of around 20 and are known to hide under ledges during the day.[1] Adult P. lineatus search and stir the sand incessantly for crustaceans, mollusks, worms, and sometimes fish.[1] Striped eel catfish is an oviparous fish; this species has demersal eggs and planktonic larvae. This species has evolved long ampullary canals in its electrosensory organs.

 Pictures: Philippines by Sami Salmenkivi

Scribbled pipefish [Corythoichthys intestinalis]

Scribbled pipefish, Corythoichthys intestinalis, is a pipefish of the genus Corythoichthys within the family Syngnathidae. The males carry the eggs inside a specific pouch until they hatch the eggs, however they are not themselves pregnant. The species live in the Indo-pacific waters. Max length : 16.0 cm. Climate / Range Tropical; 16°N – 23°S Environment Marine; reef-associated; depth range 20 – 68 m.

Biology Adults occur in shallow sandy or mixed sand, rubble, or coral areas of reef flats and lagoons, also sometimes on seaward reefs (Ref. 1602). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205). Males may be brooding at 6.5-7.0 cm SL.

 Pictures: Great Barrier Reef, Australia by Sami Salmenkivi

Lined Blenny [Ecsenius lineatus]

Lined Blenny, Ecsenius lineatus is a Blenny from the Indo-West Pacific. It occasionally makes its way into the aquarium trade. It grows to a size of 9cm in length. (text source: Wikipedia)

Pictures: Misool Islands, Raja Ampat, Papua, Indonesia by Sami Salmenkivi

Tailspot blenny [Ecsenius stigmatura]

Tailspot blenny, Ecsenius stigmatura is a Blenny from the Western Pacific. It occasionally makes its way into the aquarium trade. It grows to a size of 6cm in length. (text source: Wikipedia)

Pictures: Misool Islands, Raja Ampat, Papua, Indonesia by Sami Salmenkivi

Striped fangblenny [Meiacanthus grammistes]

Striped fangblenny, Meiacanthus grammistes is a Blenny from the Western Pacific Ocean. It grows to a size of 11cm in length. (text source: Wikipedia)

Pictures: Misool Islands, Raja Ampat, Papua, Indonesia by Sami Salmenkivi

Variegated Lizardfish [Synodus variegatus]

 

 

Australia

 

Egypt

The variegated lizardfish, Synodus variegatus, is a lizardfish of the family Synodontidae, found in the western Pacific and Indian Ocean, at depths from 4 m to 90 m. It can reach a maximum length of 40cm.
The variegated lizardfish is rounded in cross-section with a broad moderately flattened head containing a large wide mouth. The jaws protrude equally. Both jaws and all the mouth bones are covered with conical barbed teeth. The strong thick pelvic fins serve as props when the fish is resting on the bottom waiting for prey. Variegated lizardfish vary in color from grey to red hourglass shaped markings.

Picture: Great Barrier Reef, Australia and Dahab, Egypt by Sami Salmenkivi

Freckled Hawkfish [Ambassis kopsii]

(Wikipedia does not have a description: Freckled hawkfish)

  Picture: Egypt, Red Sea by Sami Salmenkivi