By far one of the most colorful and diverse groups of animals on the reef is that of the marine fishes. Their extensive range of bright colors and bold patterns is virtually unmatched in all the undersea kingdom. And although they may be beautiful to behold, there is a real function behind each of these designs.
Red colors appear black under water, helping a fish to go unseen.
Stripes allow a fish to camouflage itself against the coral. Spotted patterns serve to confuse a would-be predator. Each species of fish deals with survival in its own way, and we are left to wonder at their accomplishments. Below is a listing of some of the more common reef fishes. Most of these species are suitable for the home aquarium.