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[Big Fishes] [School] [Endemic species] [Other] [Land creatures]
■Scientific name：Neosynchiropus moyeriWatch video here. Indian Ocean version of a Scooter Blenny. Its red and white patches are just like its surrounding environment so finding it is hard. Seen around the Similan Islands off Anitas Reef at Island 5 and Christmas Point at Island 9.
■Scientific name：Nemateleotris magnificaWatch video here. Said to have got its name from its long dorsal fin and white and red colour.Usually found in pairs but because it runs away when approached, taking photos is hard. Seen around the Similan Islands off Shark Fin Reef at Island 3, Deep Six at Island 7, Elephant Head Rock and North Point off Island 9.
■Scientific name：Naso brevirostrisWatch video here. Became popular thanks to the movie Finding Nemo. Orange with three white bands, it protects itself by living with anemones. Found all over the Similan Islands.
■Scientific name：Amphiprion ocellarisWatch video here. As its name suggests, it has horn-like protrusions like a Japanese Tengu goblin. Often found swimming in medium depths, slightly away from the reefs. Found all over the Similan Islands.
■Scientific name：Scorpaenopsis neglectaWatch video here. Changes colour to match its surroundings. Usually found over piles of rock or coral. Can swim, but also seen moving with its pectoral fins. Similar to a False Stonefish, but distinguished by the different pattern on the inside of its pectoral fins. Usually found off areas such as Koh Bon and Richelieu Rock.
■Scientific name：Fistularia commersoniiWatch video here. Found on rocky reefs in the shallows. Long and thin, it feeds on small fish with its syringe-like mouth. Found all over the Similan Islands.
■Scientific name：Scorpaenopsis papuensisWatch video here. Found on rocky areas and coral reefs. Changes colour to match its surroundings. Often found staying still on the top of rocks so many divers accidentally touch it. Please be especially careful as its fins are very poisonous.Seen off the Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock.
■Scientific name：SolenostomidaeWatch video here. Difficult to find as it keeps its head down and drifts like seaweed.Tends to be in relatively shallow areas.Found off Anitas Reef at Island 5, Monument and the Surin Islands.
■Scientific name：Bothus mancusWatch video here. Hard to find because it hides in sand. If you swim slowly while looking closely at the sand, you can find it as the sand suddenly moves. Black specks near the centre of the body are the main features of this species. Found around the Similan Islands and off Anitas Reef at Island 5.
■Scientific name：Opstongnathus sp.Watch video here. Can be seen even off the Similan Islands but research into this species has not made much progress, and its scientific name is simply SP. It's 10-15cm long. Found around areas such as Island 9 and Koh Bon.
■Scientific name：Neotrygon kuhliiWatch video here. Main features are its flat, brown body and blue warning specks. Often on the sand at around 20m. Found off sites such as Boulder City at Island 3, Anitas Reef at Island 5 and Elephant Head Rock.
■Scientific name：Ecsenius midasWatch video here. So-called because it looks like a goldfish. Usually swims in shoals but if you approach, it goes on the alert by sticking just its face out from tiny holes in the rocks. Found at sites including Shark Fin Reef off Island 3 and Elephant Head Rock.
■Scientific name：Syngnathus schlegeliWatch video here. Has a long thin body and often stays still in areas where it can resemble seaweed.Often found around the Similan Islands off Richelieu Rock and the Surin Islands.
■Scientific name：Eurypegasus draconisWatch video here. Has a bony pelvis and crawls along the seabed. Said to have been called a Short Dragon fish (Umitengu in Japanese) because of its long nose. Found off Boulder City at Island 3, West of Eden at Island 7 and Elephant Head Rock.
■Scientific name：Amblyglyphidodon aureusWatch video here. Characterised by its yellow body and wither height (running from dorsal to pelvic fin). Often seen along the reefs. During spawning season it lays lots of tiny eggs on coral such as wire or whip coral.Territorial and can sometimes attack divers.Found off the Similan Islands and Koh Tachai.
■Scientific name：Cephalopholis miniataWatch video here. Characterised by markings on its vermillion body.In Thailand it is famous as a luxury fish. Found off the Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock.
■Scientific name：Antennarius commersoniWatch video here. Extremely popular among divers.In the Similan Islands it's possible to see others including the Warty Frogfish. It's 10-15cm long and lives off the Similan Islands and Richelieu Rock.
■Scientific name：Solenostomus paradoxusWatch video here. Often seen in pairs, snuggling close to Gorgonians and soft coral. Colour varies from white and yellow to red and green. Carnivorous and feeds on small crustaceans. It's 5-10cm long and found off the Similan Islands, Koh Bon and Richelieu Rock.
■Scientific name：Nemateleotris decoraWatch video here. Those off the Similan Islands have a slight yellow colour.It lives in shallower depths than those in Japan and is seen from around 18m. At 2-7cm long, it's usually found off the Similan Islands, Koh Bon and Koh Tachai. Recently given a new name and became the 4th type of fire goby - the Exquisite Dartfish. It's also yellower than Decorated Gobies.
■Scientific name：Oxycirrhites typusWatch video here. Popular among photo-loving foreigners.In the Similan Islands there are some that have grown quite considerably. It moves often but tends to return to its original place.It's 2-7cm long and found off the Similan Islands, Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock.
■Scientific name：Calloplesiops altivelisWatch video here. Called a comet by many divers, this species is very popular but is shy and often hides under rocks and coral reefs when approached.It's 5-15cm long and found off the Similan Islands, Koh Bon and Koh Tachai.
■Scientific name：AulostomidaeWatch video here. Found in warm coral reefs or rocky reefs from the Indian to Pacific Oceans. Known as a Trumpet Fish in English. Usually seen at almost all dive sites off the Similan Islands.
■Scientific name：Diodon liturosusWatch video here. With its cute, charming face, it's found over a wide area from coral reefs to rocky patches. Called Human Face because the patterns on its back resemble the face of a human.
■Scientific name：Plectorhinchus orientalisWatch video here. Colour of the Hanshin Tigers, a Japanese pro baseball team. Mainly seen in thick shoals along the rocky reefs of Christmas Point. Also found off the Similan Islands, Koh Bon and Koh Tachai.
■Scientific name：Balistoides conspicillumWatch video here. Around 30cm long, and characterised by its unusual pattern of white round shapes on its black body, making it popular among divers. Mainly found along rocky reefs.
■Scientific name：Amphiprion clarkiiWatch video here. Protects itself by living with anemones.The anemones are poisonous but the fish is not harmed. In the Similan Islands some can be seen living inside beautiful pink anemones as per the photograph.
■Scientific name：Arothron nigropunctatusWatch video here. Often described as having a cute face like a Harbor Seal and is familiar by the charming name of Dog Face. Its colours vary greatly from yellow to blue.
■Scientific name：Cirripectes auritusWatch video here. Characterised by yellow, green and black specks behind the gills.Like the Longnose Hawkfish, it moves often but tends to return to its original spot. It's 2-5cm long and found off the Similan Islands, Koh Bon and Koh Tachai.
■Scientific name：Pomacentrus alleniWatch video here. Looks like a Neon Damselfish but endemic to the Andaman Sea. Shines metallic blue and lives either alone or in small groups on the seabed. Easily frightened and tends to quickly hid away in its nest. Around 5cm long, it's seen over piles of rock and coral off the Similan Islands.
■Scientific name：Hemitaurichthys zosterWatch video here. Known as the Indian Ocean version of the Pyramid Butterfly fish in the Pacific Ocean. Often swims in shoals in medium depths, slightly far from reefs.Seen around the Similan Islands,Deep Six at Island 7, and Three Trees at Island 9.
■Scientific name：Pterois volitansWatch video here. Swims alone in areas such as cave entrances or under overhangs along coral reefs. Feeding on small fish, it spreads its pectoral fins and feeds by rounding its prey into a corner. This species is dangerous - the dorsal and pectoral fins are big and beautiful but contain strong poison.
■Scientific name：Dendrochirus zebraWatch video here. The rays of the pectoral fins are connected with a membrane and the base of the dorsal fins has a T-shaped pattern. Often found in the cracks of rocks or under overhangs in shallow coral reef areas. The spines on its dorsal fins contain poison. Said to have the strongest poison among rockfish species.
■Scientific name：Chlorurus microrhinosWatch video here. Its main feature is its parrot-like mouth. At night, when it sleeps under the coral reefs or caverns,it's said to produce a mucus shield around its body.If you're lucky, you can see this species during night dives.
■Scientific name：Cetoscarus bicolorsWatch video here. This species is found all over the Similan Islands. Bigger ones grow to 80cm. The young are popular for the orange band around their eyes.
■Scientific name：Balistoides viridescensWatch video here. Grows to around 80cm long.Its English name is in honour of the huge Titan in Roman mythology. During spawning season,it grinds the sand and makes nesting platforms there.Anything entering its territory is attacked, even divers.In rare cases it can cause external wounds so please be careful.
■Scientific name：Ostracion cubicusWatch video here. This species is like an icon for divers.The young have black specks on their yellow bodies and hide in the shadows of rocks and reefs. Usually easy to find because they stand out. At Shark Reef,there are many adults over the rocks.
■Scientific name：Scomberoides lysanWatch video here. Its Japanese name contains the word Katsuo (Skipjack Tuna) but this species is in the Carangidae family that includes jacks and mackerels. Although it stays closer to the surface,it's known to dive to 100m. It's long and thin, between 50 - 80cm long.Found off the Similan Islands and the surface layers of Richelieu Rock.
■Scientific name：Plagiotremus phenaxWatch video here. Indian Ocean version of the Yellowtailed Blenny. Swims slowly between the shallow reefs.Around 5cm long and found over piles of rocks and coral off the Similan Islands.
■Scientific name：Pomacanthus xanthometoponWatch video here. A beautiful species that looks as though it's wearing a vivid blue/yellow mask over its face. Main feature is its yellow pectoral fins. Usually alone but sometimes forms harems.
■Scientific name：Synodus ulae SchultzWatch video here. Often spotted in areas such as borderlines between coral reefs and sandy areas. Often found perched on top of rocks or coral. Its huge mouth contains rows of sharp teeth. Mainly catches small fish. Many are nocturnal and become active after sunset. Named because it looks like a lizard.
■Scientific name：Arothron caeruleopunctatusWatch video here. Usually alone and not so vigilant so can be observed slowly. Other similar species like the Map Puffer and Stellate Puffer also exist but this one is distinguished by the area around its eyes.
■Scientific name：Anyperodon leucogrammicusWatch video here. Gets its name from its small reddish-brown specks. Facial features are smart, its snout long and its lips thick. Changes colour a lot as it grows. When young it's dark with white bands, which remain until it becomes an adult.
■Scientific name：Cryptocentrus fasciatusWatch video here. Digs holes in sandy areas around coral reefs and lives with shrimp. Usually more black but on this day, perhaps because of the high water temperature, it appeared white. Some are yellow.
■Scientific name：Hemitaurichthys polylepisxWatch video here. Typical of tropical fish with its vivid yellow colour and cute, pointed beak.Its long mouth is ideal as it can stick in between coral and suck up food. Lives in coral reefs off the Similan Islands and Koh Bon. Usually appears in pairs.
■Scientific name：Bryaninops lokiWatch video here. The transparent gobies that live on long rope-like whip coral on rocks or coral reefs are the Whip Coral Goby, Large Whip Goby, the Loki Whip-Goby and the Black Coral Goby. With their seemingly transparent bodies and huge eyes, they all look very similar. They appear to live in one spot forever, making a spawning bed on the host polyp.
■Scientific name：Chaetodon citrinellusWatch video here. The origin of the Japanese word goma, or sesame, comes from this fish's dots. It's a light lemon colour with spots along its body. A black band runs through its eye.It swims either alone or in shoals of several dozen.It's herbivorous and feeds on coral polyps, small benthic species and algae.When other fish approach, it puts its head down and turns the spines on its dorsal fins towards it in a position of defence.
■Scientific name：Fusigobius inframaculatusWatch video here. Lives on sandy bottoms in coral reef areas. Brownish yellow spots are all over its body and on its caudal peduncle (the narrow part of a fish's body to which the tail fin is attached) is a black blotch, or spot, around the same diameter as its eye. It gets its Japanese name because the first spine on its first dorsal fin can extend like a thread.
■Scientific name：DendrochirusWatch video here. A type of lionfish, distinguished by the three snake eye patterns on the back of its dorsal fin. Often found stuck upside down to dark areas like overhangs and protruding blocks of coral, and can be hard to find. Its impressive whiskers protruding from the sides of its mouth have an air of importance.
■Scientific name：Urogymnus rhombeusWatch video here. Found in shallow, sandy areas above 30m. In the Similan Islands it's often in relatively shallow parts and can be easier to spot while snorkelling. Doesn't have poison in its tail but its front is covered with sharp needles. Numbers are declining and it has been listed as a critical species.
■Scientific name：Monocentris japonicaWatch video here. Prefers deeper rocky reefs or crevices in waters over 30m. Only seen at Richelieu Rock during Similan Island cruises. Its Japanese name is Matsukasazakana (pine cone fish). As well as the knitted pattern over its yellow body, it has a bioluminescent organ under its chin, which it shines at food before eating.
■Scientific name：Naso unicornisWatch video here. Lives in areas with good water flow such as drop offs, slopes and outer edges of coral reefs. Mainly eats algae. Has two orange bands on its caudal peduncle and two forward-facing spines, which is where it gets its English name. Although it's called a unicorn fish, it doesn't have protruding horns on its front head. Both sides of the adult male's caudal fin are long and thread-like.
■Scientific name：Pygoplites diacanthusWatch video here. With its bright colouring, this is a type of Bluestriped Angelfish. Its tail fin has a blue and yellow border, its dorsal fin is blue with a yellow tail, and its yellow body has white stripes with a black border. It's a size smaller than Emperor Angelfish or Blue Ring Angelfish and lives on coral reefs, often sticking its head out from between the coral in shallow waters.
■Scientific name：Novaculichthys taeniurusWatch video here. Likes rocky fragments and coral reefs in shallow waters. Adults look a bit grotesque but the young have two feelers on their dorsal fins and swim like dead leaves dancing, which is impressive to watch. Also called Rock Mover. Make sure you watch them moving rocks or coral by carrying them in their mouths to eat shrimp and crabs hiding below.
■Scientific name：Chaetodon rafflesiiWatch video here. Has a beautiful lemon yellow colour and prefers shallow waters with coral reefs. Found on almost all dive sites in the Similan Islands but their number is low.
■Scientific name：Pomacanthus semicirculatusWatch video here. Loves its make up, with blue eyeshadow over the top of its eyes and yellow lipstick over its mouth. Not often seen in the Similan Islands. When young, there are ripple patterns on its body hence the Japanese name Sazanami, or ripples.
■Scientific name：Apolemichthys trimaculatusWatch video here. Seen at almost all dive sites in the Similan Islands. Because it has black dots above its eyes and purple lips, divers call it Maro.Its Japanese name refers to four dots, its English name to three. Which is correct?
■Scientific name：Aluterus scriptusWatch video here. It's worth seeing this fish because although very thin, it's actually quite big. It's easy to photograph as it swims slowly. Gets its name because the patterns on its body resemble grass paper that's been scribbled on (grass paper is recycled paper from the Edo period from 1603 - 1868).Found at almost all dive sites in the Similan Islands.
■Scientific name：Helcogramma striata HansenWatch video here. A typical species living on clumps of coral, eating small crustaceans and shells. Has clear bands on its body. No body colour difference between males and females.
■Scientific name：Coris gaiWatch video here. Prefers coral reefs with good water flow. The young have white markings on their orange bodies. As they grow their colour changes. This also happens depending on where they live.
■Scientific name：Antennarius nummiferWatch video here. Main features are its red or yellow body and dark spots on its sides. In the Similan Islands it often mimics antler coral. If you come across such coral, look in between its branches to try and find the fish.
■Scientific name：Tanianotus triacanthusWatch video here. Gets its name because it's shaped just like a leaf. Comes in various colours from yellow ocher like the photo to white or red. Because they mimic their surroundings they are hard to spot but are rare in the Similan Islands.
■Scientific name：Amblyeleotris steinitzi Watch video here. Most often spotted off coral reef areas in the Similan Islands.Lives with the snapping shrimp.
■Scientific name：Paracirrhites forsteriWatch video here. A top class fish among the hawkfish species with stunning colours. Perches on hard coral like cauliflower coral and stays still. Extremely easy to photograph as it doesn't swim away when approached.
■Scientific name：Scorpaena onariaWatch video here. Hides between cauliflower coral and eats small fish that approach. Its small body, huge eyes and pectoral fins are funny to watch.
■Scientific name：Antennarius maculatusWatch video here. Was called an Angler Fish but is now called a frogfish. Comes in different colours such as a mix of yellow and red as seen above, or white and red. Usually found in areas with the same colour as its body.
■Scientific name：Plectorhinchus picusWatch video here. Usually forms groups of five to ten. Looking at it from the front, its big wide mouth is quite funny. More sturdy than the Indian Ocean Oriental Sweetlips.
■Scientific name：Epinephelus polyphekadionWatch video here. Has some wither height (height running from dorsal to pectoral fin) with black spots on the caudal peduncle (the narrow part of a fish's body to which the tail fin is attached). Pectoral fins are light to dark with small spots, while the head and back are round and smooth. Mainly eats small fish, crustaceans, squid and octopus. Aamous species of the sea bass family. If eaten raw, because this species is a rockfish, it tastes better if left for one or two days.
■Scientific name：Donckerocampus multiannulatusWatch video here. Sometimes seen under overhangs or between blocks of coral. Attractive with a round tail like a fan and detailed stripes.
■Scientific name：Pterois antennataWatch video here. Distinguished by black spots on its pectoral fins and stripes above the eyes. Please be careful as it's poisonous.
■Scientific name：Diodon hystrixWatch video here. Distinguished from others by its many small black dots.
■Scientific name：Chromileptes altivelisWatch video here. With some wither height (height running from dorsal to pectoral fin) compared to others in the sea bass family, this species has black spots on its grey body. A rare humpback grouper in the Similan Islands. Last year it was spotted around Anitas Reef.
■Scientific name：Oxymonacanthus longirostrisWatch video here. Extremely cautious, and immediately hides between the coral branches when it senses danger. Often in pairs, it's bright and popular among divers.
■Scientific name：Antennarius coccineusWatch video here. Has sharp spines as if there is algae on its red brown body. Often in sandy areas and coral reefs but is good at camouflage so difficult to find. Looks like the Spotfin Frogfish but has no dark red spots on its body.
■Scientific name：Epinephelus malabaricusWatch video here. Biggest of the sea bass family in the Similan Islands. Often seen over rocks being cleaned at depths of 15-25m. Its Japanese name Yaito means moxibustion (a traditional Chinese medicine therapy of burning dried mugwort on certain points of the body), because its dots look like dark marks formed from moxibustion. Bigger species can grow to over 1m.
■Scientific name：Valenciennea sexguttata Watch video here. With a white body and one black dot on its dorsal fin, this species is distinguished by blue dots around its gills, hence the name. Swims in pairs around sandy areas. Found in sandy parts of the Similan Islands.
■Scientific name：Ecsenius lubbockiWatch video here. Only spotted in the east Indian Ocean. It's a little dull in colour but if you look closely it has a charming face and huge eyes with a gold border. Lives on the bottom in coral reefs.Found in the Similan Islands.
■Scientific name：Siganus guttatusWatch video here. A member of the rabbit family, and a very beautiful species characterised by yellow dots and a big yellow dot before the start of the tail fin. Its dorsal and anal fins contain poison.Looks like the Java Rabbit Fish but distinguished by the yellow dot at the start of the tail fin. Found from the Similan Islands to Richelieu Rock.
■Scientific name：Chromis viridis Watch video here. At 8cm long, this is pale blue-green with no noticeable markings. Lives in groups around branch coral in lagoons. Its Japanese name comes from the teeth under its jaw which stick out. Found across the Similan Islands.
■Scientific name：Chrysiptera rollandiWatch video here. Characterised by colourful blue rings on its head. It's a type of damselfish not often spotted in the Similan Islands but can be found.
■Scientific name：Zanclus cornutusWatch video here. Main features are its black tail and third spine on the dorsal fin which is long like string. Its mouth sticks out, and it's yellow with black borders. A typical species on coral reefs. Sometimes forms large shoals.Found across the Similan Islands.
■Scientific name：Synanceia verrucosaWatch video here. Very dangerous because it secretes a strong poison from the spiny rays on its dorsal fin. Stays still, hiding on the rocks and eating small fish. As its English name suggests, it's a master of camouflage and looks just like a stone. Found between the Similan Islands and Richelieu Rock.
■Scientific name：Arothron mappaWatch video here. At 60cm long, it has small white or blue specks on the side of its body, stomach, caudal peduncle and tail fin. There are dark brown lines around its eyes. Found between the Similan Islands and Richelieu Rock.
■Scientific name：Dascyllus trimaculatusWatch video here. Has three white specks on its head and the sides of its body when young. These disappear as it grows. When it's young, it's known to live with coral reefs or, like clownfish, with anemones. Adults leave the anemones and coral and live by themselves.Found across the Similan Islands.
■Scientific name：Labroides dimidiatusWatch video here. Famous for being a cleaner that eats parasites on other fish.Carefully cleans bigger species, focusing on the inside of the mouth and gills and around the fins. It's never eaten, even when cleaning the inside of another fish's mouth. Cleans in a group if the target species is too big. Also cleans fish smaller than itself. Divers are also known to have been cleaned. Found across the Similan Islands and Richelieu Rock.
■Scientific name：Arothron stellatusWatch video here. Covered in small spines. Light grey and also seems yellow. Dark patches can also be seen. Its stomach is white, while several black specks cover the sides of its body, back and tail. Adults don't have specks or striped patterns on the stomach but the young have black stripes. Found between the Similan Islands and Richelieu Rock.
