Tropical reef fish
Identity card
Indo-Pacific: Mayotte, Réunion, New Caledonia, French Polynesia.
The depth varies between 8 and 150 metres, but is generally more than 20 metres.
22,7 cm.
Zooplankton.
The first dorsal spine can be raised to prevent a predator from swallowing it.
This same spine allows it to attach itself to the crevices of the reef, making it difficult to dislodge.
Males and females are easily distinguished by their colours: only the male has a blue spot on its throat and yellow edges on its dorsal and anal fins.
Mankind and shores
The Ocean Mag
In the spotlight
La tortue caouanne, recueillie par Nausicaá en janvier 2026 retrouve l'océan après un séjour au centre de soins de l'Aquarium La Rochelle.
Article
From egg collection to transfer to the tanks, breeding and rearing at Nausicaá.
Article
Young cardinalfish are hiding among the spines of a sea urchin in the ‘Tropical Escape’ exhibition.