Fish of Koh Tao: Your Guide to What You’ll See While Diving with Chalok Reef Divers
Introduction
This is the second installment in our blog series exploring the vibrant and diverse marine life around Koh Tao. In this part, we’ll introduce you to even more fascinating fish and creatures you’re likely to encounter while diving with Chalok Reef Divers. From colorful wrasses to the striking barracudas, this guide will keep you excited for your next underwater adventure!
Six Banded Angelfish
About: With their six bold, black stripes against a golden-yellow body, Six Banded Angelfish are a regal sight on Koh Tao’s reefs. These fish are usually seen in pairs, gracefully swimming near coral gardens.
How Common? Occasionally seen, particularly in areas with thriving coral growth.
Fun Fact: Juveniles of this species look completely different, sporting a black body with electric blue lines—a true transformation as they mature!
Longfin Bannerfish
About: Often mistaken for a Moorish Idol, the Longfin Bannerfish is a striking beauty with its elongated dorsal fin and bold black, white, and yellow stripes. These social fish often swim in small groups, adding a touch of elegance to any dive.
How Common? Fairly common and easy to spot near coral-rich dive sites.
Fun Fact: Longfin Bannerfish are sometimes called “reef butterflies” due to their delicate, fluttering swimming style.
Yellowtail Barracuda
About: Smaller and less intimidating than their larger relatives, Yellowtail Barracudas form dense schools that shimmer in the sunlight. Their slender, torpedo-like bodies and yellow-tipped tails make them easy to identify.
How Common? Very common, often seen schooling around dive sites like Shark Island.
Fun Fact: Unlike the solitary Great Barracuda, Yellowtail Barracudas rely on their numbers for protection, creating mesmerizing underwater displays.
Scribbled Filefish
About: With its unique, scribble-like patterns and elongated snout, the Scribbled Filefish is a quirky addition to Koh Tao’s reefs. These fish are often found near coral heads, nibbling on polyps and algae.
How Common? Occasionally seen but worth the effort to spot!
Fun Fact: Filefish can change their coloration to blend into their surroundings, making them masters of underwater camouflage.
Honeycomb Grouper
About: The Honeycomb Grouper is a stunning reef dweller with a body covered in dark, honeycomb-like spots. These fish are usually found resting near coral outcroppings or hiding in crevices.
How Common? Fairly common, especially around sheltered reef areas.
Fun Fact: Like many groupers, the Honeycomb Grouper starts life as a female and can change to male as it matures.
Bluespotted Ribbontail Ray
About: Back by popular demand! This graceful ray is a frequent favorite among divers. Its vivid blue spots make it stand out against the sandy seabed where it often rests.
How Common? Fairly common and frequently seen on dives around Koh Tao.
Fun Fact: Bluespotted Ribbontail Rays are often spotted during night dives when they’re more active and searching for food.
Blacktip Grouper
About: One of the most common grouper species on Koh Tao, the Blacktip Grouper is named for its dark-tipped fins. These solitary hunters can often be seen resting on the reef or darting out to catch unsuspecting prey.
How Common? Very common and easy to spot.
Fun Fact: Blacktip Groupers have a wide diet, feasting on small fish, crustaceans, and even octopuses.
Maze Rabbitfish
About: The Maze Rabbitfish gets its name from the intricate, maze-like patterns on its body. Often found in pairs, these herbivores play a vital role in keeping algae growth under control on Koh Tao’s reefs.
How Common? Fairly common, especially in areas with abundant algae growth.
Fun Fact: Rabbitfish are known for their venomous spines, which can deliver a painful sting if handled carelessly.
Harlequin Sweetlips
About: The Harlequin Sweetlips is a showstopper with its spotted body and flowing, fin-like tails. Juveniles are especially captivating, with exaggerated movements that mimic floating leaves to evade predators.
How Common? Occasionally seen but always a delight when encountered.
Fun Fact: The dramatic coloration of juveniles helps them blend into the reef’s shadows, making them harder to spot by predators.
Crown of Thorns Starfish
About: Returning from Part 1! This spiny starfish remains an enigmatic presence on Koh Tao’s reefs, playing its part in coral reef dynamics.
How Common? Occasionally seen, especially on night dives.
Fun Fact: Its sharp spines are loaded with toxins, making it one of the most carefully avoided creatures on the reef.
All of these images are AI generated, come diving with us on Koh Tao to see what they really look like!!
Conclusion
In this second part of our series, we’ve explored even more of Koh Tao’s incredible marine life. From elegant bannerfish to the quirky filefish, every dive brings something new to discover. Join us for our next installment, where we’ll dive deeper into the fascinating world of Koh Tao’s underwater ecosystem!