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Macro Life - Marine life of Marsa Alam

Marine Life . 8 species

Macro LifeThe tiny, the weird, the hidden.

For photographers and slow-divers, the macro world of Marsa Alam is a treasure hunt. Crocodilefish, frogfish, seahorses, and a kaleidoscope of nudibranchs reward patient eyes.

Small Red Sea reef fish8Species in this group
BestYear-round
Where9 dive sites

About macro life

The Red Sea is a macro paradise. Marsa Tondoba and Marsa Shouna are macro favourites.

The species

Every macro life you can meet in Marsa Alam.

Crocodilefish (Papilloculiceps longiceps)Common

Crocodilefish

Papilloculiceps longiceps

Flat well-camouflaged ambush predator on sandy bottoms. Distinctive elaborate eye curtains.

Did you know? Their eye lappets are iris extensions - personal sun visors.
Size
70 cm
Diet
Fish, crustaceans
Season
Year-round
Reef Stonefish (Synanceia verrucosa)Common

Reef Stonefish

Synanceia verrucosa

The world's most venomous fish - perfectly disguised as a rock.

Did you know? Their dorsal spines can inject venom through a wetsuit.
Size
40 cm
Diet
Small fish, crustaceans
Season
Year-round

Best places to see one

Painted Frogfish (Antennarius pictus)Rare

Painted Frogfish

Antennarius pictus

Bizarre slow-moving ambush predator with a lure on its forehead.

Did you know? They can swallow prey twice their own size in a fraction of a second.
Size
30 cm
Diet
Fish
Season
Year-round

Best places to see one

Razorfish (Aeoliscus strigatus)Common

Razorfish

Aeoliscus strigatus

Swim head-down in groups, hovering over seagrass and urchins. Silver bodies with thin black stripes.

Did you know? They use long-spined sea urchins as protective umbrellas.
Size
15 cm
Diet
Plankton
Season
Year-round

Best places to see one

Spanish Dancer (Hexabranchus sanguineus)Seasonal

Spanish Dancer

Hexabranchus sanguineus

The largest nudibranch - bright red-orange with frilly edges. Usually nocturnal.

Did you know? When threatened, they can detach pieces of their body as decoy meals.
Size
60 cm
Diet
Sponges
Season
Year-round on night dives

Best places to see one

Ornate Ghost Pipefish (Solenostomus paradoxus)Rare

Ornate Ghost Pipefish

Solenostomus paradoxus

Wildly camouflaged seahorse relative that mimics drifting weed or feather stars.

Did you know? They drift head-down and change colour to match their host within hours.
Size
12 cm
Diet
Tiny crustaceans
Season
Year-round

Best places to see one

Common Seahorse (Hippocampus kuda)Rare

Common Seahorse

Hippocampus kuda

Iconic upright-swimming fish that anchors to coral with its prehensile tail.

Did you know? Males carry and birth the babies - the only animal where the male gets pregnant.
Size
17 cm
Diet
Plankton, tiny crustaceans
Season
Year-round

Best places to see one

Leaf Scorpionfish (Taenianotus triacanthus)Rare

Leaf Scorpionfish

Taenianotus triacanthus

Looks exactly like a dead leaf. Comes in white, yellow, brown, or pink. Sways gently.

Did you know? They moult periodically by rubbing against the reef to shed algae.
Size
10 cm
Diet
Small fish, shrimp
Season
Year-round

Best places to see one

Other marine life

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