How to ID Reef Fish

Fish can be easy to identify if you know what to look for. Just like any plant or animal, we need to understand what features some fish have in common, and what the differences are.

When identifying a fish, there are several things that you should be looking for. Here are some tips when observing a fish. You can check your fish online on FishBase or use the many Fish ID books that you can buy in bookstores.

Things to look at are:

1. Anatomy

a. Tails – Sometimes called caudal fin helps fish to propel forward through water. Fast swimming fish have forked fins. Rounded rails are usually found on slow moving fish but they are capable to provide short burst of speed.

b. Mouth – Location of the mouth on a fish can tell you how and what it eats. Mouth located on the upper front means the fish is a surface-feeder. Mouth located on the middle front means the fish finds food in front of them. Some fish (goatfish) have barbells to help them find prey in the sand. Butterflyfish have small pointed mouth that specializes in getting into small crevices to find food.

c. Shape – General shape of the body will help you identifying a fish.

2. Colors and markings

Most reef fishes are colorful, making it easy to use colors to identify them. But relying on colors alone is not enough to make identification. It is important to also note the markings on the fish. Look at the diagram below to familiarize yourself with the terms used in fish ID books.

3. Habitat

Sometimes the location of the fish will give you clue as to what kind of fish it is. Grouper likes to perch on the bottom of the reef waiting for preys. A groupers mouth is located in the upper front, meaning they will catch prey swimming above them. Goatfish usually swims in sandy area where they can use their barbells to find preys.

Most of the time, i will bring a slateboard with me when I go snorkeling to draw fishes or any other marine organisms that I want to identify later. So next time you head out for a snorkeling adventure, be sure to bring your slateboard, pencil and an ID book to identify your fish.

Sal’s tip: Be sure your hands are dry before you touch your ID books :) Don’t want to ruin it.

Malohom Bay - Closed

Sabah Parks has announced that Malohom Bay in Gaya Island is closed until further notice. It is closed due to construction of new resort within the bay.

I am a bit disappointed by this development. I used to snorkel in Malohom Bay at the Hornbill Beach. It is an amazing snorkeling site. The reef was beautiful with lots of marine life and the water was crystal clear.

I do hope that the developer take measures to minimize impact to the reefs and marine life. I will revisit the beach once development is finished and see if the place is still as good as it was before.

Snorkel Bunaken National Marine Park - Siladen

Photo: 100% coverage as far as I can see. By Sal

Another favorite snorkeling destination of mine. The reef was shallow, making it very suitable for snorkeling activity. The current was very strong and there was no way I could swim against it. So I decided to just go with the flow and just drift.

Taking photos was quite tricky while drifting. But after a few tries, I figured out some tricks of my own. When I spot my subject in front of me, I will duck dive and drift with the current, all the while my camera is ready. When I get closer to my subject, I will click as many times as I can manage. If I see something I would like to photograph and its below me when you spotted it, well….. that's a missed opportunity already.

Sal's tip: Most of the photos I take while snorkeling are upside down ;) I find that its easier and this was I reduce damage to the corals.

Siladen was a delightfull surprise for me. You will see on the photos below that this reef is almost 100% corals. Soft corals mostly. The strong current is actually a very nice accessory for soft corals because looking at the soft corals was like looking at a field of grass with soft wind blowing through.

Photo: Serenity. By Sal

Photo: Color of the Reef. By Sal

Upon entering the water, I was able to see that the majority of the corals on this reef are soft corals. But there are some small colonies of hard corals as well. I don't know if the hardies were just starting to grow or maybe the softies are naturally dominant in this reef. There were some very fierce warfare going on in this place.

Photo: A small colony of hard coral trying to fend off the soft coral from smothering it. By Sal

Photo: I sure hope the Giant Clam is ok. By Sal

I'm sure you all noticed by now that most of my photos from Siladen are of marine organisms that do not move. It was not easy to photograph those that can move while I drifted.

Sal's tip: Be careful of stinging corals. Always watch out for them especially when current is strong and you cannot control your speed.

Photo: Stinging Hydrozoan.

For more information on Bunaken National Park and how to get there: Manado Tourist Info