Basically what sets Bony fish apart from cartilaginous fish is their bony skeleton and the large body plate that protects the gills. Most fish also have distinct rays or spines on their fins. Ray-finned fishes are referred to as Actinopterygii and lobe-finned fishes as Sarcopterygii.
Bony fishes, possess several unique characteristics that set them apart from other classes of vertebrates. One of their most notable features is their skeleton, which is composed entirely of bone. Additionally, bony fishes have scales covering their bodies that offer protection and reduce friction as they swim through water.
Another defining characteristic of bony fishes is their paired fins, which are supported by bony rays and help the fish maneuver through water. They also have one pair of gill openings that allow them to extract oxygen from the water and release carbon dioxide.
Bony fishes also possess jaws, which are used to capture and manipulate prey. They have paired nostrils that allow them to detect scents in the water, aiding in finding food and potential mates.
With over 28,000 living species, Osteichthyes is the largest scientific class of vertebrates. This class includes a wide variety of fish, from the smallest goby to the largest sunfish.
AngelFish
Size: Reaches a maximum size of 25 cm
Oval-shaped fish unmistakeably colored with vertical bands of luminescent blue and black on a brilliant yellowish-orange background. One of the most colorful fish in the Red Sea.
Lyretail AngelFish
Size: Reaches a maximum size of 20 cm
Males and females have different coloration, the male has vertical black stripes over a pale grey body and a long dorsal fish and the female has a more pinkish hue to the body, a dark smudge above the eye, and two stripes that accentuate the lyretail.
Arabian or Blue AngelFish
Size: Reaches a maximum size of 50 cm
Large and solitary Angelfish with an overall blue body becoming pale yellow at the tail. Has a very distinctive, large, bright yellowish-orange splash of color on both flanks midway along the body.
Emperor AngelFish
Size: Reaches a maximum size of 40 cm
Synonymous with the Red Sea, usually in their life-long mating pairs and prefer areas with sea fans and many coral ledges and crevices where they can hide easily. Quite territorial. Juveniles are always on their own and have a totally different coloration of a deep blue background with concentric white swirls around the flanks of the body.
Circular Batfish
Size: Reaches a maximum size of 50 cm
Circular in shape with rounded fins getting larger towards the tail. It has vertical dark bands along the front of its flanks and lacks with a distinctive dark spot.
Longfin Batfish
Size: Reaches a maximum size of 50 cm
Named after the long fins in juveniles; the adult form is distinguished from P.orbicularis by the dark irregular spot/blotch just behind and below the pectoral fin. Often in small groups.
Black-lined Fang Blenny
Size: Reaches a maximum size of 11 cm
Another of the voracious little flesh-earing blennies. Pretends to be the much more benign Red Sea Mimic Blenny (below) allowing it to get close to prey, before taking a chunk out of them.
Scale-eating Sabretooth Blenny
Size: Reaches a maximum size of 14 cm
Long and slender, with dark stripes and a full-length dorsal fin. Voracious; generally hovers near the bottom and around known cleaning stations where it will make a sneak attack on any unwary fish and take a bite out before quickly retreating.
SPOTTED SCORPIONFISH
Size: Reaches a maximum size of 30 cm
Master of camouflage, with its mottled red and brown coloration allowing it to blend seamlessly into its surroundings. This fish is known for its venomous spines, which can cause serious injury to humans. It is found in the Red Sea and is a popular catch for recreational fishing.
STRIPED SNAPPER
Size: Reaches a maximum size of 50 cm
A beautiful fish with distinctive horizontal stripes running down its body. It is found in the Red Sea and is a popular target for recreational fishing, as well as being farmed commercially. This fish is prized for its firm and flavorful flesh, which makes it a favorite among seafood lovers.
BLUE-GREEN CHROMIS
Size: Reaches a maximum size of 7.5 cm
A small, brightly colored fish that is popular in home aquariums. It is a social species that forms large schools in the wild. This fish is found throughout the Red Sea and is known for its peaceful temperament.
ORANGE-LINE TRIGGERFISH
Size: Reaches a maximum size of 30 cm
A brightly colored fish with a distinctive orange line running from its eye to its dorsal fin. It is found throughout the Red Sea and is known for its aggressive behavior. This fish can be difficult to keep in a home aquarium, but is a popular target for recreational fishermen.
LUNGFISH
Size: Reaches a maximum size of 180 cm
A large and ancient fish found in the Red Sea. It is known for its ability to breathe air, allowing it to survive in stagnant or low-oxygen water. This fish is also prized for its flesh, which is considered a delicacy in some cultures.
SARGASSUM TRIGGERFISH
Size: Reaches a maximum size of 30 cm
A brightly colored fish with a yellow and black body and a distinctive black spot on its tail. It is found throughout the Red Sea and is known for its territorial behavior, often aggressively defending its space. This fish is popular in the aquarium trade, though it can be challenging to keep in captivity.
BANNERFISH
Size: Reaches a maximum size of 15 cm
A colorful fish with a yellow body and black vertical stripes. It is found throughout the Red Sea and is known for its peaceful temperament and social behavior, often forming large schools in the wild.
ORANGESPINE UNICORNFISH
Size: Reaches a maximum size of 25 cm
A striking fish with a blue-green body and bright orange spines on its tail and fins. It is found in the Red Sea and is known for its grazing behavior, picking at algae and other small organisms on rocks and coral.
PUFFERFISH
Size: Reaches a maximum size of 50 cm
A unique-looking fish with a round body and a comical, expressive face. It is known for its ability to inflate its body to several times its normal size when threatened, making it an unappealing target for predators. This fish is also popular in the aquarium trade, but it requires specialized care due to its dietary and environmental needs.
HUMPHEAD WRASSE
Size: Reaches a maximum size of 2 m
A large and impressive fish with a distinctive hump on its forehead. It is found in the Red Sea and is known for its vibrant colors and unique appearance. This fish is also an important member of the ecosystem, helping to maintain healthy coral reefs and controlling populations of smaller fish.
CLOWNFISH
Size: Reaches a maximum size of 14 cm
A small and colorful fish with orange and white stripes. It is found throughout the Red Sea and is known for its symbiotic relationship with anemones. This fish is popular in the aquarium trade and is relatively easy to care for.
MIMIC BLENNY
Size: Reaches a maximum size of 11 cm
A small and colorful fish with a long, slender body and a distinctive red stripe running down its side. It is known for its ability to change color and mimic other species to avoid predation. This fish is a popular choice for home aquariums, but it requires specialized care due to its dietary and environmental needs.
PARROTFISH
Size: Reaches a maximum size of 1 m
A large and colorful fish with a beak-like mouth and powerful teeth. It is found throughout the Red Sea and is known for its important role in maintaining healthy coral reefs. This fish feeds on algae and dead coral, which helps to prevent overgrowth and maintain a balanced ecosystem.
SWEETLIPS
Size: Reaches a maximum size of 70 cm
A large and striking fish with a colorful pattern of spots and stripes. It is found in the Red Sea and is known for its delicious flesh, which is prized by seafood lovers. This fish is also a popular catch for recreational fishing and is farmed commercially.
GOBY Fish
Size: Reaches a maximum size of 10 cm
A small and colorful fish with a unique ability to form symbiotic relationships with certain species of shrimp. It is found throughout the Red Sea and is known for its intricate burrows and social behavior. This fish is also popular in home aquariums, but it requires specialized care and attention.
RABBITFISH
Size: Reaches a maximum size of 40 cm
A small and colorful fish with a distinctive shape and elongated spines on its fins. It is found throughout the Red Sea and is known for its important role in maintaining healthy coral reefs. This fish feeds on algae and helps to prevent overgrowth and maintain a balanced ecosystem.
TILEFISH
Size: Reaches a maximum size of 25 cm
A small and colorful fish with a unique pattern of squares and rectangles on its body. It is found throughout the Red Sea and is known for its beauty and unique appearance. This fish is a popular choice for home aquariums and is relatively easy to care for.
Tang
Size: Reaches a maximum size of 40 cm
A small and colorful fish with a distinctive shape and elongated fins. It is found throughout the Red Sea and is known for its beauty and unique appearance. This fish is a popular choice for home aquariums and is relatively easy to care for.
TRIGGERFISH
Size: Reaches a maximum size of 60 cm
A large and powerful fish with a distinctive shape and powerful jaws. It is found throughout the Red Sea and is known for its aggressive behavior and territorial nature. This fish is a popular catch for recreational fishing, but it should be handled with care due to its sharp teeth and potential for injury.
YELLOW-BACKED FUSILIER
Size: Reaches a maximum size of 30 cm
A small and colorful fish with a distinctive yellow patch on its back. It is found throughout the Red Sea and is known for its beauty and unique appearance. This fish is a popular choice for home aquariums and is relatively easy to care for.
BANDED SOLE
Size: Reaches a maximum size of 30 cm
A small and flat fish with a distinctive pattern of bands and spots on its body. It is found throughout the Red Sea and is known for its ability to blend in with its surroundings. This fish is also popular in home aquariums, but it requires specialized care due to its dietary needs and susceptibility to disease.
ARABIAN GHOST PIPEFISH
Size: Reaches a maximum size of 20 cm
A small and slender fish with a unique and almost transparent body. It is found throughout the Red Sea and is known for its beauty and unique appearance. This fish is also popular in home aquariums, but it requires specialized care and attention.
DASCYLLUS
Size: Reaches a maximum size of 10 cm
A small and colorful fish with a distinctive shape and elongated fins. It is found throughout the Red Sea and is known for its beauty and unique appearance. This fish is a popular choice for home aquariums and is relatively easy to care for.
GOATFISH
Size: Reaches a maximum size of 50 cm
A medium-sized fish with a distinctive shape and elongated barbels on its chin. It is found throughout the Red Sea and is known for its unique appearance and interesting behavior. This fish is also popular in home aquariums, but it requires specialized care due to its dietary needs and susceptibility to disease.
BUTTERFLYFISH
Size: Reaches a maximum size of 25 cm
A beautiful and vibrant fish with a unique shape and long fins. It can be found throughout the Red Sea and is admired for its striking appearance. This bony fish is a favorite for home aquariums due to its colorful and easy-to-care-for nature.
Redtooth Triggerfish
Size: Reaches a maximum size of 50 cm
Named for its sharp, red teeth, this fish is known for its territorial behavior and aggressive nature. It can be found near coral reefs and rocky areas, where it feeds on a variety of small invertebrates.
