Coral fish :Ouwehands Dierenpark by Loek Lobel

Coral fish is an informal term for often brightly colored fish that live with corals. It can be species from different families, most species are quite small like the three-band anemone fish and therefore vulnerable. Because of the bright colors with many plaque colors they stand out in the reef, which has the disadvantage that they are clearly visible to enemies. In the coral formations they can quickly dive into holes, holes and crevices. The colours do not serve as a deterrent to enemies, but are a warning to those of the same kind: This is my area. Stay away from here. Young fish are not yet food competitors of their parents. In order to prevent them from being chased away by their own parents, some species have a different colouring when they are young. This can be seen very well at the Pomacanthus imperator. Coral fish are often highly territorial, and do not tolerate other fish within their territory. Often these are showy coloured and solitary swimming fish like the emperor fish and coral butterflies. Some of these fish also make growling or crackling noises.
On coral reefs one can also find cleaning fish, fish that are intended to rid other fish of parasites either full-time or part-time. In crevices and burrows of the coral there are moray eels, which go out at dusk and at night for predatory purposes.
Photographed in Ouwehands Dierenpark