5/50.- Red Sea, snorkeling, masked butterflyfish

Diving in these waters is a unique experience. The beauty of the coral and the colors of the fishes will surprise you. It is also amazing the quantity and diversity of life in this area. In a few minutes I saw more fishes than I had seen in my entire life, and I have practiced scuba diving and snorkeling for many years!

The fish in this photo is a masked butterflyfish (chaetodon semilarvatus), endemic to the Red Sea. Butterflyfishes (chaetodontidae) are Among the most colorful and beautiful reef fishes. These fishes use their colorful designs to protect themselves from predators. The masked butterflyfish feeds on coral polyps and sponges and it is up to 23 cm long.

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