POMACENTRIDAÉ 



(Coral Fishes) 



In contrast with the Mediterranean, where this family is 

 represented by only one species, Chromis chromis, the poma- 

 centrids in the Red Sea exist in numerous species and even 

 different genera. While these fish are rather alike in shape, 

 they often differ in size, colour and sometimes in habits. 

 Anphiprion for example, resplendent with vertical blue 

 stripes over a deep yellow-orange ground, are about four 

 inches long. Immune to all stinging processes, they are often 

 to be found between the tentacles of big actinians of the 

 genus Crambactis where they may seek refuge in case of 

 danger. The dascyllus is compressed laterally and almost 

 round, like a dull medallion, sometimes striped with vertical 

 dark lines. It varies in length from half an inch to four 

 inches. The giants of the family are the glyphidodons, about 

 eight inches long and of a variable sky-blue colour. The 

 pomacentrus, which is uniformly green, blue or white with 

 vertical smoke-black stripes, is the classical inhabitant of all 

 madrepore formations. 



We saw swarms of the last group on several occasions, in 

 all the coralline waters from Suez to Thio in Dankalia. They 

 gathered in clouds around certain species of madrepore. 

 These two-inch fish circled round the blocks for no apparent 

 reason, yet never left it. I thought they were probably after 

 food, but one day when I involuntarily lifted my hand 

 towards one of these blocks, the fish disappeared inside so 



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