Beyond the Blue: Guide to the Fish of the Seychelles

If you’re currently browsing liveaboard itineraries for the Seychelles, you already know about the turquoise water and the white-sand beaches. But for us divers, the real "Seychelles" starts about 15 meters down. Whether you’re drifting past the prehistoric granite boulders of the Inner Islands or exploring the remote coral atolls of the Outer Islands, the fish life here is as diverse as the geology.

Here is your quick-reference guide to the underwater locals you’ll meet on your next voyage.

The "Heavyweights": Mega-Fauna

Seychelles is world-renowned for its seasonal visitors. If you time your trip between September and November, your safety stops might get interrupted by the biggest fish in the sea.

Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus): These gentle giants frequent the waters around Mahé. Look for the white-spotted "checkerboard" pattern and that massive, terminal mouth.

Manta Rays: Often seen around the Outer Islands like Alphonse and Cosmoledo. Unlike the reef-dwelling stingrays, Mantas "fly" through the water column using their cephalic (head) fins to channel plankton.

**Bumphead Parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum): **These look like green, underwater buffalo. They travel in large herds, and you’ll often hear them before you see them—the sound of their "beaks" crunching on coral is unmistakable.

The Endemic Celebrities

One of the coolest things about a Seychelles liveaboard is seeing fish found nowhere else on Earth.

Seychelles Anemonefish (Amphiprion fuscocaudatus): Forget Nemo; this is his local cousin. You can ID them by their dark, dusky tails and two distinct white bars. They are feisty little guardians of their host anemones.

Seychelles Squirrelfish: Watch for these red, large-eyed residents tucked into the granite crevices of the Inner Islands. They are nocturnal, so they’ll be "chilling" in the shade during your morning dives.

Reef ID: Patterns and Personalities

The reefs are a riot of color, but a few species stand out for their unique silhouettes.

Imperial Angelfish: Easy to spot with their horizontal blue and yellow stripes and a distinctive dark "mask" over the eyes.

Titan Triggerfish: The "tough guy" of the reef. If you see a large fish with a heavy jaw and a "trigger" fin on its back looking at you sideways, give it some space—especially if it’s guarding a nest.

Lionfish and Scorpionfish: Masters of camouflage. The Leaf Scorpionfish often sways with the current to mimic a piece of debris. Look for a highly compressed, paper-thin body in shades of pink, yellow, or green.

Why the Seychelles is Unique

Most Indian Ocean destinations are strictly coral-based. In the Seychelles, you get granitic reefs. These massive, sunken boulders create "swim-throughs" and canyons where Grey Reef Sharks and Nurse Sharks love to nap. The granite provides a different substrate for soft corals, leading to a unique "look" that you won't find in the Maldives or the Red Sea.

This article was written by @Shueri (Dive and Cruise Team member), Please do not reproduce without permission.