Fish of Eritrea: The Complete List

Eritrea’s coastline on the southern Red Sea hosts a rich mix of reef, coastal and estuarine habitats that support both local fisheries and diverse marine life. From shore-based catches to reef snorkelling, the country’s waters are a practical place to observe regional fish diversity.

There are 36 Fish of Eritrea, ranging from African catfish to Yellowstripe scad. For each species you’ll find below columns showing Scientific name, Max length (cm), and Habitat & Eritrea range to help you compare identification, size and local distribution.

Which habitats around Eritrea host the most species?

Coastal coral reefs and rocky shores hold the greatest variety, with many reef-associated and coastal pelagic species; estuaries and mangrove-influenced areas support brackish and freshwater-tolerant species like the African catfish, while open-water species such as Yellowstripe scad are common offshore.

Can I use this list to identify fish I see while diving or fishing?

Yes — the Scientific name plus Max length (cm) and Habitat & Eritrea range give practical clues: match habitat and approximate size first, then compare photos or field guides for markings; for precise ID and rare records, consult local experts or reference collections.

Fish of Eritrea

Images and Descriptions

Clown anemonefish

Orange to reddish body with two white bars and black margins; lives in sea anemones on shallow reefs. Red Sea endemic, small and charismatic, popular with divers and of low commercial value but vulnerable to habitat loss.

Sohal surgeonfish

Bold horizontal blue and white stripes with orange highlights along the tail base. Highly territorial on shallow reefs, commonly seen by divers. Important herbivore helping control algal growth; not endemic but iconic to the Red Sea.

Brown surgeonfish

Dusky brown surgeonfish with faint blue lines on fins; often in schools on reef slopes and lagoons. Common herbivore with minor fishery value and widespread Indo‑Pacific distribution including Eritrea.

Orange-spine unicornfish

Slender, laterally compressed body with orange dorsal spine and black tail region. Grazes on macroalgae, forms small aggregations. Notable for a distinctive head profile; common reef fish with little commercial targeting.

Humphead parrotfish

Large parrotfish with robust beak-like teeth plate, often greenish-blue. Feeds on coral and algae, important reef bioeroder. Moderate fishery interest locally; not endemic but a conspicuous reef species.

Napoleon (Humphead) wrasse

Massive, hump-nosed wrasse with bright colours when young; inquisitive and slow-moving. Endangered from overfishing and live reef trade; occasional in Eritrean waters, a conservation priority.

Coral hind

Orange to reddish grouper with blue spots and rounded tail. Ambush predator on reef crevices, sought in local fisheries. Widespread in Red Sea; juveniles frequent shallow coral heads.

Peacock hind

Brownish grouper covered in blue-ring eyespots. Shy ambush predator of reef crevices. Caught for food locally; widespread Indo‑Pacific including Eritrean reefs.

Masked butterflyfish

Bright yellow body with a blue-masked face and vertical bands; forms pairs and feeds on coral polyps. Red Sea endemic and one of the most distinctive reef butterflies divers spot in Eritrea.

Red Sea butterflyfish

Pale yellow with subtle vertical bands and dark eye stripe. Specialist coral feeder, common in shallow reef zones. Endemic to the Red Sea and a frequent sight on Eritrean dives.

Moorish idol

Distinctive black, white and yellow banding with long dorsal filament. Tough to keep in aquaria; feeds on sponges and invertebrates. Iconic reef fish seen by divers along Eritrean reefs.

Yellowbar angelfish

Large angelfish with bright yellow band and dark body; juveniles contrast strongly with adults. Occurs in sheltered to deep reefs. Of minor commercial value but attractive to divers.

Devil firefish (lionfish)

Red-banded lionfish with venomous dorsal spines and feathery fins. Ambush predator that can reduce small-fish communities. Native to the Red Sea but invasive elsewhere; occasional local fisheries remove them.

Marbled rabbitfish

Laterally compressed, mottled brown rabbitfish often in schools. Important herbivore and locally fished; noted for expanding into Mediterranean as a Lessepsian migrant but native and common in Eritrean waters.

Goldband snapper

Reddish snapper with golden lateral band, usually near reef slopes. Targeted by artisanal fisheries, important for local markets. Widespread in the Red Sea and coastal Eritrea.

Bluestripe snapper

Yellow body with bold horizontal blue stripes, forms midwater aggregations. Common small snapper in reef fisheries and popular with divers. Indo‑Pacific species present along Eritrean reefs.

Spangled emperor

Robust, silvery emperor with faint spots and blunt head. Important food fish for coastal communities, often caught by hook-and-line. Common in Eritrean reef fisheries.

Great barracuda

Long, torpedo-shaped predator with large teeth and silvery body. Ambush hunter feeding on fish schooling along the coast. Sought occasionally by anglers; large individuals impressive on pelagic trips.

Yellowfin tuna

Fast-swimming pelagic with streamlined body and bright yellow fins. Major commercial and sport fish across Eritrean waters; highly migratory and economically important for regional fisheries.

Skipjack tuna

Small, fast tuna with dark horizontal stripes when canned; forms large schools. Primary target of tuna fisheries and common in Eritrean Red Sea waters.

Dolphinfish (mahi-mahi)

Vivid blue-green with blunt head and rapid color change when caught. Fast-growing, prized sport and food fish; appears seasonally near floating debris and weed lines off Eritrea.

Spanish mackerel

Streamlined mackerel with vertical bars and spotted sides; fast predator near surface. Popular among anglers and important commercial species in local fisheries.

Bluespotted ribbontail ray

Flat disc with bright blue spots and short tail; often buried in sand awaiting prey. Harmless if left alone but can sting if provoked; common in Eritrean shallow reefs.

Moon wrasse

Colorful wrasse with green, blue and yellow bands; active daytime cleaner and predator of small invertebrates. Common, fast-moving reef fish seen by snorkelers and divers.

Trumpet wrasse

Elongated body with changing juvenile/adult colors; forages by flipping sand for invertebrates. Attractive species for divers and minor bycatch in local fisheries.

Giant trevally

Powerful predatory jack, silvery to dark in color, often hunts around reefs and wrecks. Sought by sport fishers; large and aggressive, a top predator in Eritrean waters.

Flathead grey mullet

Sturdy silvery mullet common in brackish waters and nearshore areas. Important subsistence and small-scale commercial species, often caught in nets and used locally.

Goldband goatfish

Slender goatfish with yellow lateral stripe and chin barbels used to probe sand. Often seen in small groups feeding; minor food fish for coastal communities.

Stonefish

Well-camouflaged, heavy-bodied fish with venomous spines; resembles encrusting rock. Highly dangerous if stepped on; an important species for diver awareness in Eritrea.

Soldierfish

Red, laterally compressed fish with large eyes adapted to crevice life. Nocturnal feeder on zooplankton and small fishes; commonly spotted at night dives and reef overhangs.

Blacktip reef shark

Small to medium reef shark with distinct black-tipped fins. Generally shy around divers, important apex predator maintaining reef health. Present in Eritrean reef systems, occasionally seen on dives.

Yellowstripe scad

Small, streamlined schooling fish often forming large shoals nearshore. Important bait and human food fish in local fisheries; common along Eritrean coasts.

Frigate tuna

Small fast tuna with dark dorsal side and elongate body. Predatory feeder and common bycatch in tuna fisheries; widespread in Red Sea pelagic zones.

Narrow-barred Spanish mackerel

Elongate mackerel with narrow bars and spots; hunts schooling fish nearshore. Valued game and commercial species in Eritrean waters.

Nile tilapia

Robust, laterally compressed freshwater fish, brown to silvery with vertical stripes. Widely farmed and introduced in Eritrea for food security. Resilient species but can alter native freshwater communities.

African catfish

Large, air‑breathing catfish with elongated body and barbels. Highly tolerant of low oxygen, important to subsistence fisheries and aquaculture in Eritrea; hardy and widespread in inland waters.

Other Fish by Country