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 Red Sea
Marine Life

Photographic guide with 2100+ species

Andrey Ryanskiy
 INTRODUCTION, COPYRIGHT, ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
INTRODUCTION
Basics. The Red Sea is a semi-enclosed young ocean basin between Asia and Africa, about 2000 km long with a
maximum width of 355 km, with unique environment and biology. The Red Sea is bordered on its western shore
by Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea and Djibouti and on its eastern shore
by Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

10 facts to know about the Red Sea:

• The Red Sea is a rich and diverse ecosystem that harbours

over 1200 species of fish and 360 species of scleractinian coral.
• Of these, 15% of the fish species, 17% of ascidians and 7% of
the coral species are endemic. Peripheral regions, such as the
Red Sea, are extremely important as “evolutionary incubators”
that contribute unique genetic lineages to other regions of the
Indo-West Pacific.
• It is the northernmost tropical sea in the world.
• The extremely low rainfall over the Red Sea and its coasts and
high surface temperatures make it one of the warmest and
saltiest saltwater bodies in the world.
• No significant rivers or streams drain into the sea. This results
in much better visibility than in other seas, including South-East
Asia.
• It has an average depth of 490 m, and in the central Suakin
Trough it reaches its maximum depth of 3,040 m.
• The name of the sea may signify the seasonal blooms of the
red colored algae near the water's surface. Some scholars think
that the name red is referring to the direction south, just as
the Black Sea's name may refer to north.
• The 101-mile-long Suez Canal links the Mediterranean Sea to
the Red Sea. It resulted in the migration of marine species
across the Suez Canal, usually from the Red Sea to
the Mediterranean Sea, and more rarely in the opposite
direction. More than 300 species native to the Red Sea have
been identified in the Mediterranean Sea.
• The Red Sea is one of the most popular dive destinations in
the world with crystal clear water, the world's most beautiful
coral reefs, plentiful marine life, and highly diverse sites to dive.
• Marine Protected Areas are very important in protecting Red
Sea natural resources and marine biodiversity. Ras Mohammed,
Nabq, Abu Galum, Gebel Elba, Wadi El Gemal in Egypt, Sanganeb and Dungonab Bay in Sudan - all of them
are impressive reef formations and areas of great natural beauty. Diving centers in the area operate under
environmental-friendly procedures.

10 facts to know about the Red Sea Marine Life Book

• Two hundred years ago, in 1822, Dr. Eduard Rüppell of the Senckenberg Museum in Frankfurt collected fishes
in the Red Sea for his book, “Fishes des rothen Meeres”, featuring 161 species. This book continues the
tradition, at the modern technical level.
• A comprehensive pictorial guide: 2900 full color photographs of 2100+ species, including 810+ fish species,
250 cnidarians (corals and relatives) and near 350 species of nudibranchs and sea slugs.
• New species of fish, nudibranchs, sea slugs and other invertebrates were discovered by the author during the
work on this book.
• Several well-known Western Pacific species have been recorded for the first time in the Red Sea. Some
important and interesting species were photographed for the first time in their natural environment.
• Important discoveries were made by the author's colleagues and friends, many of whom contributed wonderful
and unique photographs to this book.
• Live photo of hundreds of species have never before appeared in field guides or popular books.
• The book covers the region from the Aqaba and Eilat to Farasan Islands, South Sudan and Erithrea.
• Red Sea Marine Life serves to fill a gap in the general public's understanding of Red Sea marine life in the two
decades since the previous guides were published.
• This book does provides its readers with basic information about the biology and taxonomy, serving mainly as a
visual guide to their identification. Validity of the species names was checked with the help of the World
Register of Marine Species (WoRMS).
• Convenient pictorial guide at the beginning will help readers navigate through the book.
 PICTORIAL INDEX

SHARKS - 6 RAYS - 8 EELS - 12 LIZARDFISHES - 19

PIPEFISHES & SEAHORSES -

FROGFISHES - 21 SOLDIERFISHES - 25 28 SCORPIONFISHES - 32

STONEFISHES - 35 FAIRY BASSLETS - 36 GROUPERS - 37 DOTTYBACKS - 41

CARDINALFISHES - 44 JACKS - 52 SNAPPERS - 55 FUSILIERS - 58

THICKLIPS - 59 EMPERORS - 61 MULLETS - 63 BUTTERFLYFISHES - 66

ANGELFISHES - 67 DAMSELFISHES - 69 WRASSES - 75 PARROTFISHES - 87

BLENNIES - 93 GOBIES - 99 SURGEONFISHES - 115 BARRACUDAS - 117

SOLES - 120 TRIGGERFISHES - 121 FILEFISHES - 123 PUFFERS - 125 4

 PICTORIAL INDEX

NUDIBRANCHS: DORIDINA -
DOLPHINS, WHALES - 128 TURTLES - 130 DUGONS - 130 132

NUDIBRANCHS: SEA SLUGS: ACTEONOIDEA, SEA SLUGS: SACOGLOSSA - SEA SLUGS: SEA HARES -
CLADOBRANCHIA - 154 CEPHALASPIDEA - 169 174 179

SEA SLUGS: NOTASPIDEA - GASTROPODS, CHITONS - OCTOPUSES, SQUID,

181 184 BIVALVS - 204 CUTTLEFISH - 206

OCTOCORALS - 208 SEA ANEMONES - 217 BLACK CORALS - 221 STONY CORALS - 223

HYDROZOANS, SHRIMPS - 242

SCYPHOZOANS - 239 LOBSTERS - 250 ANOMURANS - 253

BRACHURA - TRUE CRABS - STARFISHES - 267 BRITTLE STARS - 269 SEA URCHINS - 272
256

TUNICATES - 278 SPONGES - 282 FLATWORMS, ACOEL

SEA CUCUMBERS - 274 WORMS - 285

RIBBON WORMS, PEANUT BRYOZOA, FORAMINEFERA,

WORMS - 290 SEGMENTED WORMS - 290 CTENOPHORA - 296 MARINE PLANTS - 298
APLOACTINIDAE

VELVETFISHES
Cocotropus steinitzi Steinitz’ Velvetfish, IWP, 5 cm. 5 Ptarmus gallus Crested Velvetfish, Red Sea, 10 cm.
distinct spines on preopercle ©Sven Kahlbrock, Sataya Imitates sunken leaf with swaying movements. ©AR

Plectranthias nanus Dwarf Perchlet, IP: Red Sea to Plectranthias winniensis Redblotched Perchlet, IP:
Hawaii, 3.5 cm. ©Stan Jazwinski, Marshall Islands. Red Sea to Hawaii, 5 cm. ©AR, Mangrove Bay
SERRANIDAE - FAIRY BASSLETS

SERRANIDAE - FAIRY BASSLETS

Pseudanthias gibbosus Redstripe Anthias, IWP: Red Pseudanthias lunulatus Lunate Anthias, IO: Red Sea
Sea to Tonga, 20 cm. Locally common at 60-90 m. ©AR to Maldives and Bali, 10 cm. Female. ©AR

Pseudanthias lunulatus (continued) Usually in small groups, one male and several females, below 60 m.
Male with distinct Y-shaped yellow-orange bar below dorsal fin. ©AR, Ras Mohammed

Pseudanthias heemstrai Orangehead Anthias, Red Sea endemic, 13 cm. Found in large aggregations near 36
deep drop-offs, usually below 35 m. Photo on the left - female, right - male. ©AR
 SERRANIDAE - FAIRY BASSLETS
SERRANIDAE - FAIRY BASSLETS

Pseudanthias squamipinnis Scalefin Anthias, IWP: from Red Sea to Fiji and Japan, 15 cm. Male with red spot
on pectoral fin (left photo), female with blue and orange stripe behind eye. ©AR

Pseudanthias taeniatus Broadstriped Anthias, Red Sea endemic, 13 cm. Males with two broad red stripes.
Usually in aggregations near drop-offs, 10-65 m depth. ©AR, Sinai

Pseudanthias taeniatus (continued) Females orange dorsally and lavender-pinkish or red ventrally.
©AR, Sharm El Sheikh
SERRANIDAE - GROUPERS

SERRANIDAE - GROUPERS

Cephalopholis rogaa Redmouth Grouper, IWP: Red Sea, East Africa to Fiji, 60 cm. Former Aethaloperca rogaa.
Common near caves, overhangs with aggregations of small fish. Photo on the right subadult. ©AR, Marsa Alam

Cephalopholis oligosticta Fewspot Hind, Red Sea Cephalopholis argus Peacock Grouper, IP: Red Sea 37
endemic, 30 cm. Orange with blue spots. ©M. Bernal to F. Polynesia, 55 cm. Hunts at night, common. ©AR
 Cephalopholis hemistiktos Halfspotted Hind, WIO, Red Sea to Socotra and Pakistan, 35 cm. Brown or reddish
with dark-edged blue spots. Common but shy and hard to photograph. ©AR, Marsa Shagra

Cephalopholis miniata Coral Hind, IP: Red Sea to South Africa and French Polynesia, 50 cm. Reddish with
SERRANIDAE - GROUPERS

SERRANIDAE - GROUPERS
numerous blue spots, juveniles (photo on the right) orange. ©AR, Marsa Nakari

Cephalopholis sexmaculata Sixblotch Grouper, IP: Red Sea and South Africa to Japan and French Polynesia, 50
cm. Usually near drop offs, in shallow caves and overhangs. ©AR, South Egypt

Epinephelus leucogrammicus Slender Grouper, Epinephelus coioides Orange-Spotted Grouper, IWP,

IWP: Red Sea to Samoa, 65 cm. ©Sven Kahlbrock 95 cm. H-shaped marks on sides. ©Keith D. P. Wilson

Epinephelus areolatus Areolate Grouper, IWP: Red Sea to Japan, New Caledonia and Fiji, 40 cm. White with 38
numerous polygonal rounded orange-yellow spots. Tail with narrow white margin. ©AR, Dahab
 Epinephelus fasciatus Blacktip Grouper, IP from Red Sea to Western Pacific, 40 cm. Probably a species
complex. Dorsal fin rays with black white tips. Common. Shown here are two color morphs. ©AR, Dahab

Epinephelus fasciatus (continued) Juveniles are red- Epinephelus fuscoguttatus Tiger Grouper, IP, 95 cm.
SERRANIDAE - GROUPERS

SERRANIDAE - GROUPERS
brown with a darker head. ©AR Brown spots, dark saddle above tail base. ©AR

Epinephelus geoffroyi Brownspotted Grouper, Red Sea Epinephelus malabaricus Malabar Grouper, IP, 234
endemic, 75 cm. ©S. Bogorodsky, Ras Mohammed cm (record, usually smaller) ©AR, Ras Mohammed

Epinephelus lanceolatus Giant Grouper, Red Sea to Hawaii and Australia, reported to 270 cm, 300 kg. Often
near caves and wrecks. Feeds on fishes, crabs, lobsters. ©AR, left, N. Caledonia, ©Rafi Amar, Tanzania, right

Mycteroperca morrhua Comet Grouper, IWP, 90 cm. Epinephelus polyphekadion Camouflage Grouper, IP, 39
Deep water species. ©Chiharu Ichimura, Indonesia 75 cm. Head and body with dark-brown spots. ©AR
 Epinephelus stoliczkae Epaulet Grouper, WIO: Red Epinephelus summana Summan Grouper, Red Sea,
Sea to Pakistan, 35 cm. ©Keith D. P. Wilson, Gulf Gulf of Aden, 52 cm. ©Sven Kahlbrock, Sudan

Epinephelus tauvina Greasy Grouper, IP, 75 cm. Epinephelus tukula Potato Grouper, IWP: Red Sea to
SERRANIDAE - GROUPERS

SERRANIDAE - GROUPERS
Shallow reefs, night hunter. Orange-brown spots. ©AR Australia, 140 cm.©Derek Keats-SA-CC BY 2.0

Plectropomus marisrubri Roving Coralgrouper, Red Sea endemic, 90 cm. Close to P. pessuliferus, was treated as a
subspecies before. Grey-brown to red with pale bars. ©Nicole Lindegger (left), ©Keith D. P. Wilson (right)

Plectropomus marisrubri (continued) Found on rocky reefs, usually hides in caves and overhangs during the
day. ©AR, subadult 35 cm, left, juvenile, 20 cm, right. Wadi Lahami

Plectropomus areolatus Squaretail Coralgrouper, Variola louti Lyretail Grouper, Red Sea to Japan, 90 40
Red Sea to Marshall Islands, 75 cm ©S. Biger, Egypt cm. Lunate tail with a bright yellow margin ©AR, adult
 Pseudochromis dixurus Lyretail Dottyback, Red Sea endemic, 8 cm. Silty reefs, in caves and overhangs.
Dark grey-brown color phase and (younger specimens) yellow caudal fin phase with dark stripe. ©AR, Dahab
PSEUDOCHROMIDAE - DOTTYBACKS

PSEUDOCHROMIDAE - DOTTYBACKS
Pseudochromis pesi Pale Dottyback, Red Sea Pseudochromis sankeyi Striped Dottyback, Red Sea
endemic, 10 cm. ©AR, Marsa Nakari to Socotra, 8 cm. ©S. Bogorodsky, Farasan Isl.

Pseudochromis olivaceus Olive Dottyback, Red Sea endemic, 8 cm. Shallow reefs, hides in the branching
corals, usually Pocillopora. Dark olive dorsally and yellow ventrally or drab brown. ©AR, Wadi Lahami

Pseudochromis springeri Bluestriped Dottyback, Chlidichthys rubiceps Redhead Dottyback, Red Sea
Red Sea endemic, on branching corals, 5.5 cm. ©AR endemic, 4.5 cm. ©S. Bogorodsky, Saudi Arabia

Chlidichthys auratus Golden Dottyback, Red Sea endemic, 4.5 cm. Usually on the roof of small caves, 42
inverted. Shy but curious and returns to look at the photographer. ©AR, Marsa Shagra
 Paracaesio sordida Fusilier Snapper, IWP, 48 cm. Dorsal and caudal fins reddish. Solitary but often in big
schools near deep reef slopes. ©AR, Sudan

Lutjanus argentimaculatus Mangrove Snapper, IWP: Red Sea to Samoa, 100 cm. Subadults with curved blue
LUTJANIDAE - SNAPPERS

LUTJANIDAE - SNAPPERS
line on the snout (photo on the right, in mangroves!) Feeds on fishes and crabs. ©AR, Mangrove Bay.

Lutjanus bohar Twinspot Snapper, IWP: Red Sea to South Africa and Australia, 80 cm. Adults with yellow eyes.
Photo on the right - subadult. ©AR, Wadi Lahami

Lutjanus bohar (continued) Juveniles with two white Lutjanus coeruleolineatus Bluelined Snapper, Red
spots on the back. ©AR, Marsa Shagra Sea to Oman and Socotra, 35 cm ©Daniele Heitz

Lutjanus ehrenbergii Ehrenberg's Snapper IWP, 35 Lutjanus fulviflamma Dory Snapper, IWP: Red Sea to 56
cm. Five yellow stripes below lateral line. ©AR, Sinai Samoa and Japan, 35 cm. ©AR, Wadi Lahami
 Lutjanus gibbus Humpback Snapper, IP: Red Sea to Hawaii, 50 cm. Red-brown fins. Usually in small schools
near coral reefs, juveniles (right) in the bays and lagoons. ©AR, Sudan, Wadi Lahmi.

Lutjanus kasmira Bluestriped Snapper IP 35 cm. Four Lutjanus lutjanus Bigeye Snapper IP, 30 cm. Silvery
LUTJANIDAE - SNAPPERS

LUTJANIDAE - SNAPPERS
blue stripes, faint greyish stripes on lower side. ©AR with bright yellow midlateral stripe. ©AR

Lutjanus monostigma Onespot Snapper, IP, 60 cm. Lutjanus rivulatus Speckled Snapper IP, 80 cm. Yellow
Red eyes, yellow fins, black spot on back. ©AR fins and edge of tail. ©AR

Lutjanus sebae Emperor Snapper, IWP: Red Sea to Macolor niger Black Snapper, IWP, 60 cm. Adults
Japan, 80 cm, three dark red bands, red eyes. ©AR dark grey, in small aggregations at daytime. ©AR

Macolor niger (continued) Juveniles with rounded tail, black and white (left.) Sub-adults (right) with white round 57
spots under the dorsal fin. ©AR, Hurghada
 Caesio caerulaurea Scissortail Fusilier, IWP, 30 cm. Yellow stripe just above midlateral line. Occurs in
aggregations near deep reef slopes, feeding on zooplankton. Photo on the left - subadult. ©AR, Wadi Lahami

Caesio lunaris Lunar Fusilier, IWP: Red Sea to Solomons and Japan, 30 cm. Greenish-blue, caudal fin blue with
CAESIONIDAE - FUSILIERS

CAESIONIDAE - FUSILIERS
black tips. Sub-adults with yellow caudal fin base (photo on the left). ©AR, Sharm El Sheikh.

Caesio suevica Red Sea Fusilier, Red Sea endemic, 35 cm. Easily recognized by white bands on the caudal fin,
before dark tips. Photo on the right - subadult. ©AR, Marsa Shagra.

Caesio striata Striped Fusilier, Red Sea endemic, 25 Caesio varilineata Yellowlined Fusilier, Red Sea to
cm. Dark stripes dorsally. ©AR Andaman Sea, 28 cm. ©Keith D. P. Wilson

Caesio xanthonota Yellowback Fusilier, IO: Red Sea Pterocaesio chrysozona Goldband Fusilier, Red Sea 58
to Indonesia, 32 cm. ©AR, Similan Islands. to Japan, 21 cm. ©AR, Naama Bay.
 Chaetodon auriga Threadfin Butterflyfish, IP, 23 cm. Chaetodon fasciatus Diagonal Butterflyfish, Red Sea
Two-ways diagonal stripes on sides ©AR, Tiran Straits endemic, 25 cm. Feeds on coral polyps, algae ©AR
CHAETODONTIDAE - BUTTERFLYFISHES

CHAETODONTIDAE - BUTTERFLYFISHES
Chaetodon austriacus Exquisite Butterflyfish, WIO: Red Sea to Oman, 14 cm. Yellow body with 14 dark
stripes, oval spot on the 4th line. Feeds on coral polyps. Photo on the right - juvenile. ©AR, Marsa Shagra.

Chaetodon larvatus Orangeface Butterflyfish, Red Sea Chaetodon leucopleura Somali Butterflyfish, S. Red
to Oman, 12 cm. ©AR, Wadi Lahami. Sea to Seychelles, 18 cm. ©Dawn Goebbels (Kenya)

Chaetodon lineolatus Lined Butterflyfish, IWP, 30 cm Chaetodon melannotus Blackback Butterflyfish, Red
(the largest butterflyfish!) Feeds on coral polyps. ©AR Sea to Japan, 15 cm. Tail base with black saddle ©AR

Chaetodon melapterus Arabian Butterflyfish, Red Chaetodon mesoleucos Paleface Butterflyfish, Red 66
Sea to Persian Gulf, 12 cm ©Keith D. P. Wilson, Oman Sea endemic, 12 cm ©Danielle Heitz, Saudi Arabia
 Glossodoris kahlbrocki Red Sea, 60 mm. Milky-white with dark blue marginal band and sky blue submarginal
band. It feeds on a mustard-colored sponge, photo on the left. ©AR, Sharm El Naga

Glossodoris pallida WIO, 40 mm. Yellow marginal Goniobranchus pseudodecorus Red Sea, 16 mm.
band, central opaque white markings ©AR, Dahab Orange margin with white patches. ©AR, Sinai
CHROMODORIDIDAE

CHROMODORIDIDAE
Goniobranchus annulatus IWP, 100 mm. White with orange spots and two large purple circles surrounding the
gills and the rhinophores. ©AR, Naama Bay

Goniobranchus charlottae Red Sea, 60 mm. Reddish-brown with scattered circles and three marginal bands. 147
©Sarah O'Gorman (photo on the left), ©Sven Kahlbrock (upper right), ©Rafi Amar (bottom right, juvenile)
 Goniobranchus fidelis IP, 30 mm. Cream with undulated red marginal band. Rhinophores and gills black. Toxic
glands are distributed in body tissues, coloration warns potential predators. ©Rafi Amar (left), ©Sven Kahlbrock

Goniobranchus geminus IO, 35 mm. Yellowish with dark blue round spots. Feeds on sponges, often found in
shadow in caves and overhangs. ©Sven Kahlbrock
CHROMODORIDIDAE

CHROMODORIDIDAE
Goniobranchus obsoletus Red Sea, Persian Gulf, 40 mm. White with elevated tubercles and brown reticulation
between them. Purple and orange marginal bands. ©S. Kahlbrock, photo on the left, ©Y. Perevoznikov, right

Goniobranchus collingwoodi IWP, 44 mm. Central Goniobranchus tinctorius Oman, Red Sea, 95 mm.
area red-brown with bluish tubercles ©Sven Kahlbrock White with red reticulation ©Sven Kahlbrock

Goniobranchus verrieri IP, 17 mm. White, 2 marginal Hypselodoris dollfusi IO to Bali, 50 mm. Large 148
bands: outer red, inner orange. ©Sven Kahlbrock rounded purplish spots. ©Stewart Clarke, UAE
 Hypselodoris ghardaqana WIO, 50 mm. Close to H. Hypselodoris infucata IWP, 50 mm. Body with yellow
pulchella but has fewer spots on mantle ©[Link] and dark blue spots. ©AR, Dahab

Hypselodoris maculosa IP, 40 mm. Rhinophores with two orange bands. Mantle with brown or purple spots
between thin white lines. ©Sarah O'Gorman, photo on the left, Marsa Shagra ©Eitan Ben Zvi, right, Eilat
CHROMODORIDIDAE

CHROMODORIDIDAE
Hypselodoris alburtugali Red Sea, 30 mm. Brown Hypselodoris maridadillus IP, 35 mm. Mantle with 5
dots, purple marking absent ©Nicole Lindegger Makadi purple stripes and purple margin. ©Sven Kahlbrock

Hypselodoris pulchella IO, 110 mm. White with yellow spots and purplish patches. Photo on the right shows
“train behaviour” ©AR, Straits of Tiran

Hypselodoris nigrostriata IO, 40 mm. Bluish with Mexichromis katalexis Red Sea, Reunion, WP, 30 149
black zigzag lines and yellow spots ©Dov Zingerman mm. Purple conical tubercles ©N. Lindegger, Makadi
 Costasiella kuroshimae IWP, 7 mm. Colors variable. Translucent, rhinophores with red-brown tips. Sandglass-
shaped brownish patch behind the eyes. ©AR, Abu Dabab
LIMAPONTIIDAE

LIMAPONTIIDAE
Costasiella kuroshimae (continued) Found on Avrainvillea sp. green alga, like other Costasiella. Protected bays
and lagoons, seagrass and sand areas, 2-30 m. ©AR, Abu Dabab

Costasiella sp. 3 IWP, 10 mm. Closely set eyes, dark Costasiella cf. usagi Red Sea, 8 mm. Dark patch
blue rhinophores with yellow stripe. ©AR, Abu Dabab behind the head, striped cerata ©AR Wadi Lahami

Stiliger sp. 1 Red Sea to the Philippines, 5 mm. Placida kevinleei IP, 10 mm. Yellow-orange, distal
Found on filamentous algae. ©Itai Grisaru, Eilat half of cerata black. ©Nicole Lindegger, Makadi
PLAKOBRANCHIDAE
PLAKOBRANCHIDAE

Elysia obtusa IP, 20 mm. Translucent with green Elysia cf. obtusa Red Sea, 8 mm. Close to previous 176
internal pigmentation and white margin. ©AR, Dahab species, parapodia margin not white. ©AR, Dahab
 Diminovula concinna IWP: Red Sea to Philippines, Diminovula fainzilberi Red Sea, 8 mm. Found on soft
18 mm. Feeds on soft corals. ©Sven Kahlbrock corals. ©Sven Kahlbrock

Archivolva alexbrownii Red Sea,16 mm. Light brown Archivolva kahlbrocki Red Sea,15 mm. Pinkish with
with large white branching polyps. ©Sven Kahlbrock red streaks and large white polyps. ©Sven Kahlbrock

EGG SHELLS - OVULIDAE

EGG SHELLS - OVULIDAE

Crenavolva martini IO: Red Sea, E. Africa, 14 mm. Dentiovula colobica Red Sea to Japan, 11 mm. Shell
Yellow-orange shell with humped profile ©S. Kahlbrock with humped profile, yellow mantle ©Johji Nishio Japan

Prosimnia hepcae Red Sea, 6 mm. Occurs in red and yellow color forms. Found on Melithaea sinaica sea fan.
Papillae mimic the polyps of host sea fan. ©Sven Kahlbrock

Prosimnia korkosi Red Sea, 13 mm. Greenish to Rotaovula septemmacula IWP, 10 mm. Shell with 188
light-brown mantle with darker dots ©Sven Kahlbrock humped profile and seven brown spots ©S. Kahlbrock
EGG SHELLS - OVULIDAE

EGG SHELLS - OVULIDAE

Naviculavolva debelius Red Sea, 15 mm. Yellow or Ovula ovum IP, 120 mm. White shell, black mantle
white shell, translucent-whitish mantle ©S. Kahlbrock with white or yellow papillae. On leather corals. ©AR

Calpurnus verrucosus IWP, 40 mm. Feeds on leather Procalpurnus lacteus IP, 24 mm. White shell, mantle
corals Sarcophyton sp. ©Sven Kahlbrock with brown network pattern. ©S. Kahlbrock, Sudan
TRIVIA SHELLS

TRIVIIDAE
Purpurcapsula exigua IP, 5 mm. Shell with transverse Trivirostra sp. 1 Red Sea, 5 mm. White shell. Red-
ridges. Mantle with yellowish papillae ©Rafi Amar Eilat brown mantle, elongated papillae. ©AR, Marsa Nakari

VELUTINIDAE
VELUTINIDAE

Coriocella nigra IP, 120 mm (shell 40 mm.) Small shell Lamellaria sp. 1 Red Sea, 15 mm. Shell is covered by
is completely covered by the mantle ©Rafi Amar, Eilat the red mantle. Imitates its sponge prey ©AR, Nabq
MOON SNAILS

NATICIDAE

Notocochlis gualtieriana IWP, 30 mm. Creamy shell Natica sp. 1 Red Sea, 25 mm. Pale yellow shell with 189
with a pattern of axial brown lines. ©Rafi Amar, Eilat rows of darker spots. ©Rafi Amar, Eilat
 Dendronephthya hemprichi Red Sea endemic, 70 cm. Coloration variable: pink, red, orange, maroon. The
most common shallow water soft coral in the Red Sea. ©AR, Marsa Shagra
SOFT CORALS - NEPHTHEIDAE

SOFT CORALS - NEPHTHEIDAE

Dendronephthya hemprichi (continued) Feeds on phytoplankton. Azooxanthellate, can exist without
photosynthesis. Dendronephthya klunzingeri is a junior synonym. ©AR, Straits of Tiran

Litophyton arboreum IWP, 70-80 cm. Coloration variable, usually pale olive or grey. Smooth stalks with
clusters of branches and densely arranged polyps. Zooxanthellate. ©AR, Wadi Lahami

Scleronephthya sp. 1 IWP, 25 cm. Widely distributed species with marbled pale orange or yellowish stem and
distinct yellow polyps with orange centers. ©AR, Wadi Lahami, Straits of Tiran.

Siphonogorgia variabilis WIO, 40 cm. Yellow branches Siphonogorgia cf. variabilis Red Sea, 35-40 cm. Pink 208
shading into pink, crown and points purple. ©AR, Egypt branches, yellow polyps. ©AR, Ras Mohammed
 Siphonogorgia godeffroyi IWP, 60 cm. Widely distributed species. Variable coloration, usually with pink-red
branches and lighter polyps. ©AR, Sudan. Siphonogorgia & Chironephthya genera are Incertae sedis today.
SOFT CORALS - NEPHTHEIDAE

SOFT CORALS - NEPHTHEIDAE

Siphonogorgia sp. 1 Red Sea, 25 cm. Small colonies Siphonogorgia mirabilis IWP, 45 cm, 45-65 m. Smooth
with white polyps largely on the sides ©AR, Nabq maroon branches, yellow polyps ©AR, Ras Mohammed

Chironephthya sp. 1 Red Sea, 30-40 cm, 25-40 m Paralemnalia thyrsoides IWP, 20 cm colony. Colony
depth. Hides in the overhangs. ©AR, Ras Mohammed of short, weekly branched stalks ©AR Ras Mohammed

Stereonephthya sp. 1 Red Sea, 20 cm, several similar shallow water species in the Indo-Pacific, with large
surface sclerites (white streaks under the surface of the translucent stem). ©AR, Straits of Tiran
PARASPHAERASCLERIDAE

ALCYONIIDAE

Parasphaerasclera sp. 1 Red Sea, 12 cm. Occurs on Cladiella pachyclados IWP, 20-30 cm colony. Finger 209
steep reef slopes. ©AR, Ras Mohammed leather coral with fully retractable polyps ©AR El Quseir
 Klyxum cf. utinomii IWP, 25 cm colony. Kluxum species are similar to Cladiella, but polyps are not fully
retractible (photo on the left with contracted polyps) ©AR, Ras Mohammed.

Alcyonium verseveldti IWP, 15-20 cm (colony) Steep reef slopes, 12-40 m. Rare blue coral with unresolved
identity, enough to mention that all members of Alcyonium are temperate Atlantic species ©AR, Ras Mohammed
ALCYONIIDAE

ALCYONIIDAE
Lobophytum sp. 1 Red Sea, 40 cm. Identification to Lobophytum sp. 2 Red Sea, 30 cm. Shallow protected
species level in situ is not possible. ©AR, Sudan bays, isolated pinnacles ©AR, Straits of Tiran

Rhytisma fulvum IP, usually colony reaches 40-50 cm. Encrusting, variable colors from yellow to olive and
brown. Photo on the right - a colony with planulae (larva). ©AR, Sharm El Naga

Sarcophyton sp. 1 Red Sea, 15 cm. Identification to Sarcophyton sp. 2 Red Sea, 40 cm. Mushroom- 210
species level in situ is not possible ©AR, Nabq shaped brown species. ©AR, Marsa Shagra
 Sarcophyton sp. 3 Red Sea, 10 cm. Elongated base, Sinularia cf. brassica Red Sea, 30 cm. Flat brown
small greenish polyps. ©AR, Ras Mohammed species with visible sclerites. ©AR, Sinai
ALCYONIIDAE

ALCYONIIDAE
Sinularia sp.1, Sinularia sp. 2, Red Sea, 30-40 cm. Similar to S. polydactyla, but ID to species level is
challenging. Differences in sclerite and colony morphology are unreliable according to genomic research. ©AR

Sinularia sp. 3 Red Sea, 25 cm. Medium sized coral Sinularia sp. 4 Red Sea, 30 cm. Olive-brown coral
with unbranched “fingers” ©AR, Marsa Nakari with short “fingers” ©AR, Marsa Shagra
XENIIDAE

XENIIDAE

Anthelia glauca WIO, possibly Red Sea endemic, colony reaches 25 cm. Polyps with pinnate non-pulsating
tentacles, grow from an encrusting mat. ©AR, Straits of Tiran

Heteroxenia fuscescens IWP, 25 cm. Pulsating Xenia sp. 1 Red Sea, stalked colonies. ID tentative, 211
polyps grow from dome-shaped base. ©AR, Sinai poss. Ovabunda sp., indistinguishable in situ. ©AR
 Astrogorgia sp. 2 Red Sea, 30 cm. Intertwined purple Echinomuricea sp. 1 Red Sea, 60 cm. Unbranched
branches orange-yellow polyps ©AR, Ras Mohammed red colonies with purple polyps, 60-70 m. ©AR, Sinai

PLEXAURIDAE
PLEXAURIDAE

Plexaurid 1 Red Sea, 50-70 cm. Common on deep Plexaurid 2 Red Sea, 24 cm. Compact red colonies
reef slopes, 60-90 m. ©AR, Ras Mohammed with visible sclerites, yellow polyps. ©AR, Safaga

Plexaurid 3 Red Sea, 30 cm. Intertwined brown Plexaura cf. debora Red Sea, 45-60 cm. Network of
branches with orange-yellow polyps ©AR, Safaga red branches, white small polyps. ©AR, Hurghada
BRIAREIDAE

BRIAREIDAE

Briareum hamrum Red Sea, 40 cm colony. Dozens of greenish polyps grow from two-layer mat, often invisible.
Like other genus members absolutely tasteless for predators due to internal chemistry ©AR Marsa Nakari
MELITHAEIDAE
MELITHAEIDAE

Melithaea erythraea Red Sea endemic, 5-12 cm. Recently introduced into the Mediterranean Sea. Found inside 214
small shallow crevices, 1-5 m depth. Flattened branches, polyps arranged on the narrow sides. ©AR, El Quseir
 Melithaea delicata WIO, 35 cm. Network of white Melithaea sinaica Red Sea, 15 cm. Red, orange or
branches with red joints. ©AR, Ras Mohammed yellow branches. ©AR, Sharm El Naga

MELITHAEIDAE
MELITHAEIDAE

Melithaea splendens Red Sea, 60 cm, 15-30 m depth. Red or violet red branches, rarely pale violet. Polyps
biserially arranged or leaving one side free on larger branches. ©AR, Ras Mohammed

Melithaea rubrinodis Red Sea, 60 cm. Bushy bifurcated branches, pale brown or grayish. The red nodes are
not visible. Protected bays, lagoons, 5-35 m depth. ©AR, Marsa Shagra
SUBERGORGIIDAE

SUBERGORGIIDAE

Annella mollis IWP, 200+ cm. Common species on outer reef slopes with moderate current, 5-55 m depth. 215
Home to commensal seashells (check Ovulidae pages), small gobies, Longnose Hawksfish ©AR, Sudan
 Ancylomenes longicarpus, Red Sea endemic, 2.5 cm. Translucent with white-purple spots on tail and saddle.
Associated with sea anemones, Entacmaea quadricolor, Heteractis aurora and Megalactis hemprichii. ©AR
COMMENSAL SHRIMPS (PALAEMONIDAE)

COMMENSAL SHRIMPS (PALAEMONIDAE)

Brucecaris tenuis IP, 1 cm. Translucent with two wide stripes, upper one is shorter. Associated with several
species of crinoids. Nocturnal. ©AR, Marsa Shagra

Ancylocaris brevicarpalis IP, 4 cm, on sea anemones. Coralliocaris superba IP, 1,5 cm, on branching
Tail with 5 large purple spots. ©AR, Wadi Lahami corals. Distinctive white carapace. ©Rafi Amar, Eilat

Lipkemenes lanipes IP, 1 cm. On basket stars.

Brownish with light bands. ©AR, Marsa Shagra

Harpiliopsis depressa IP, 1,2 cm. Flattened carapace Pontonides ankeri IP, 1.5 cm. Associated with wire 242
with fine red-brown lines. ©AR, Dahab corals. Species group needs revision. ©Itai Grisaru
ACANTHASTERIDAE

ACANTHASTERIDAE
Acanthaster sp. 1 Crown-of-Thorns Sea Star - part of the Acanthaster planci species complex, occurs in the
Red Sea and, according to recent studies, has not been described. Up to 14 arms, less toxic spines, 80 cm ©AR

GONIASTERIDAE
Fromia ghardaqana Ghardaqa Sea Star, WIO, Red Sea to Mauritius, 8 cm. Red with scattered bluish spots,
nocturnal. Photo on the right - oral view. ©AR, Naama Bay, Marsa Nakari
GONIASTERIDAE

Fromia ghardaqana (continued) Spawning. Fromia cf. nodosa Red Sea, 10 cm, undescribed.
©AR, Dahab Pale orange with white spots. ©AR, Marsa Shagra

OPHIDIASTERIDAE

Fromia sp. 1 Red Sea, 10 cm. Undescribed. Red with Dactylosaster cylindricus Cylindrical Sea Star, IO:
numerous white spots. ©AR, Dahab Red Sea to Andaman Isl, 20 cm. ©P. Bourjon, Reunion
OPHIDIASTERIDAE

Gomophia egyptiaca Egyptian Sea Star IWP, 10 cm. Conical sharp tubercles on tubular tapering arms, several 267
color morphotypes - reddish, purplish, brownish. ©AR, Wadi Lahami, Sharm El Naga
ACOEL FLATWORMS

CONVOLUTIDAE
Waminoa sp. 1 IP, up to 6 mm. Translucent orange with pale spot near the edge. Occurs on soft corals. Feeds
on tiny crustaceans, mostly copepods. Asexual, reproduce mostly by fragmentation. ©Rafi Amar, Eilat

Acanthozoon fuscobulbosum IO, 15 mm. Bulbous Thysanozoon nigropapillosum IP, 30 mm. White
papillae, margin w/transverse white lines.©I. Sverdlova outer margin, yellow-tipped papillae. ©I. Khlopunova
PSEUDOCEROTIDAE

PSEUDOCEROTIDAE
Acanthozoon or Thysanozoon sp. 1 IWP, red with Acanthozoon or Thysanozoon sp. 1 IWP, 2.5 cm. Red
black tips, white outer margin. ©S. O'Gorman (sp.14 MF) with white dots, round papillae ©I. Sverdlova (sp.14 MF)

Bulaceros porcellanus IP, 2.2 cm. White with orange Pseudobiceros damawan IWP, 3 cm. Mottled cream
outer margin and black spots. ©Brindusa Eisele with widely scattered black spots.©Rafi Amar, Eilat

Pseudobiceros fulgor IWP, 7 cm. Orange to brown Pseudobiceros gratus IP, 5 cm. Transparent brownish 285
with fine white broken lines, black margin. ©AR Dahab with 3-4 dark stripes, dark margin ©Rafi Amar, Eilat
 AMPHINOMIDAE
FIRE WORMS

Chloeia bistriata IWP, 8 cm. Two distinct red-brown Hermodice carunculata West Atlantic, Red Sea, 15
stripes dorsally. ©Nicole Lindegger, Makadi cm, red gills, white tufts of bristles. Carnivores. ©AR

Eurythoe complanata IP, reaches 24 cm. Described from the Red Sea, a species complex. Red-brown, often
with bluish iridescence, white tufts of bristles. ©AR, Dahab
IPHIONIDAE

Iphione muricata IWP, 3 cm. 13 pairs of brown to red Polynoidae 1 Red Sea, 1.5 cm. Red-brown pattern on
elytra (scales) covers the dorsum. ©AR, Marsa Nakari white elytra. ©Inna Sverdlova

POLYNOIDAE
SCALE WORMS

Polynoidae 2 Red Sea, 1.8 cm. 15 pairs of elytra, Polynoidae 3 Red Sea, 1.2 cm. 13 pairs of elytra, grey
tufts of yellow bristles. ©AR, Marsa Nakari with darker blotches. ©Rafi Amar, Eilat

Polynoidae 4 Red Sea, 2 cm. Red-brown with 10 rows Paradyte crinoidicola IWP, 1.4 cm. Associated with 291
of conical tubercles. Occurs on crinoids ©AR, Tiran crinoids, imitates their arms. ©AR, Marsa Shagra
 REEF ID BOOKSHELF

Andrey Ryanskiy, a resident of Sharm El Sheikh

(South Sinai) can usually be found diving or
snorkeling in the Red Sea. After years of travelling in
Southeast Asia and publishing a unique series of
books on the marine life of the region, he returned to
where it all began in 2000 when he first dived into the
tropical sea.

He has achieved the highest levels of diver

certification in scuba, trimix, caves, won international
photography competitions, but a deep interest in
marine life won and he dedicates his dives to the
search for rare marine life, then creating photo guides
with a unique quality of content and scientific
expertise.

His photo guides on fish, nudibranchs, crustaceans,

sea shells, echinoderms and flatworms have been
highly acclaimed by the diving and scientific
communities, but he has always dreamed of making a
truly comprehensive book of Red Sea marine life.
He reads all your awesome Amazon reviews and likes
to know about your experience with Red Sea Marine
Life in the FB group of the same name.

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