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'Local' Omani Fishes
There are some species of fishes that, as far as is known, have a limited distribution such that they may be called 'Omani species'. Unlike the Red Sea which is virtually isolated, the Sultanate of Oman borders three distinct and different maritime regions - the Arabian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. It is therefore unrealistic to expect a large number of endemic, or native, fishes to the Omani coastline. However, there are a number of species that appear to be limited in distribution to the coastal areas of Oman, with overlap into the neighbouring countries. We shall try to include as many examples of these species as we can, when (and if) we find them to photograph. Most of our source information is taken from Dr. Jack Randall's excellent 'Coastal Fishes of Oman' - recommended reading for further study.
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Spottedtail
Hawkfish - Cirrhitichthys
calliurus, Regan
1905 Ranges from the Gulf of Oman to the Gulf of Aden. Like other hawkfishes, it is haremic, and may be seen in groups with a dominant male. Grouper-like, they are sequential hermaphrodites, the terminal phase being male. They are territorial and feed on benthic crustaceans and small fishes. photo - Bandar Jissah |
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Persian
Cardinalfish - Cheilodipterus
persicus, Gon 1993 Arabian Gulf to southern Oman. The Cheilodipterus group of C.persicus, lineatus and lachneri resemble each other and have caused considerable confusion amongst ichthyologists. Gon decided only in 1993 that C.persicus is the 'model' we see here. This is a shallow water species, and is active at night. Like some other cardinalfishes it incubates eggs in its mouth. It appears to feed mainly on zooplankton and benthic invertebrates. photo - Bandar Jissah |
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| Gulf Parrotfish - Scarus
persicus, Randall &
Bruce, 1983 Ranges from the Arabian Gulf to southern Oman. The mature male is shown on the left, and the initial stage on the right. The relatively recent description of this species suggests how little known are the fishes of the Oman coast. Scarus persicus is very common in the Muscat area. photo - Fahl Island |
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Pearly Goatfish - Parupeneus
margaritatus, Randall
& Gueze, 1984 Arabian Gulf to Masirah Island, very common in the Muscat area. Goatfishes are benthic feeders that use their barbels to locate crustaceans and worms in the bottom sand. The barbels are sensory organs that can detect organisms. Goatfishes are often seen accompanied by opportunistic followers, particularly wrasses. photo - Fahl Island |
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Blackspotted Butterflyfish
- Chaetodon nigropunctatus,
Sauvage 1880 Randall reports distribution Arabian Gulf to Masirah Island. A fairly common species in the Muscat area. Like most other butterflyfishes, it feeds on coral polyps. Usually solitary, or paired. photo - Fahl Island |
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Oman Dwarf Goby - Trimma
omanensis This is a new species of goby that was described by Winterbottom in 2000. It is of personal interest - in May of this year we collected with the author a specimen in Sodwana South Africa which he says may be the same species. It is only known so far from the NE coast of Oman. Apologies for the photo quality - I include it for interest value. Trimmas are small gobies that feed on passing zooplankton - they will be found on coral. photo - Daymaniat Islands |
