Fish of the Reefs Trivia Quiz

Coral reefs are home to an astonishing variety of fish, many of them quite interesting. Come test your knowlege about the diverse array of reef fish!

A multiple-choice quiz by Crystallina. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
Crystallina

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
80,006

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
2382

This quiz has 2 formats: you can play it as a or as shown below.
Scroll down to the bottom for the answer key.

1. This basslet, which can also be called a royal gramma, has a purple front and a golden-yellow back. It is very common in the Caribbean. Which fish is this? Hint

fairy basslet

candy basslet

yellowcheek basslet

threeline basslet

NEXT>

2. This species of snapper is extremely common in Caribbean reefs. The silvery-white fish usually swim well above reefs, either alone or in schools. They have a vividly colored stripe across their body. Which species is this? Hint

yellowtail snapper

lane snapper

blackfin snapper

gray snapper

NEXT>

3. This family of fish has its name because the fish are brightly colored and have fused, beaklike teeth, which they use to scrape algae off rocks or coral. What family of fish is this? Hint

angelfish

parrotfish

damselfish

butterflyfish

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4. This bright yellow fish is found in the Bahamas and south Florida. It feeds on shrimp and small fish, attracting them by mimicking and swimming with cleaner fish. Hint

wrasse blenny

secretary blenny

bluehead wrasse

clown wrasse

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5. This fish can change colors from grey or blue to brown. It takes its name from the sharp spine located at the base of its tail. Which fish is this? Hint

parrotfish

needlefish

triggerfish

surgeonfish

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6. Fish from this family are oval-shaped and, except for juvenile fish, not colorful. Many are very territorial, fiercely guarding algae patches and eggs. Which family is this? Hint

triggerfish

parrotfish

squirrelfish

damselfish

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7. Fish from this group resemble damselfish, but are actually related to sea bass. They are small and have several color schemes and markings. Which group is this? Hint

hamlets

grouper

butterflyfish

surgeonfish

NEXT>

8. The Townsend angelfish is a hybrid of which two species of angelfish? Hint

French and blue

queen and blue

queen and gray

French and gray

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9. True or false: Polka dot batfish can move by using their pectoral and ventral fins as feet to walk.

True

False

NEXT>

10. True or false: Squirrelfish take their name from their wary, squirrel-like behavior.

True

False

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. This basslet, which can also be called a royal gramma, has a purple front and a golden-yellow back. It is very common in the Caribbean. Which fish is this?

Answer: fairy basslet

The fairy basslet will sometimes swim upside down, by raising its stomach to the ceiling of a cave or ledge.

Answer: yellowtail snapper

The yellowtail snapper is not afraid of divers; the fish often approach them.

3. This family of fish has its name because the fish are brightly colored and have fused, beaklike teeth, which they use to scrape algae off rocks or coral. What family of fish is this?

Answer: parrotfish

Some species of parrotfish are hermaphrodites and can undergo a sex reversal, changing in color and shape.

4. This bright yellow fish is found in the Bahamas and south Florida. It feeds on shrimp and small fish, attracting them by mimicking and swimming with cleaner fish.

Answer: wrasse blenny

These clever fish are also protected from predators by mimicking the bluehead wrasse.

5. This fish can change colors from grey or blue to brown. It takes its name from the sharp spine located at the base of its tail. Which fish is this?

Answer: surgeonfish

The surgeonfish uses its tail to defend itself. It is very closely related to the doctorfish- in fact, they are in the same family- but the two species have slightly different markings.

6. Fish from this family are oval-shaped and, except for juvenile fish, not colorful. Many are very territorial, fiercely guarding algae patches and eggs. Which family is this?

Answer: damselfish

Several species will attack anything that enters their territory, including divers' fingers, ears, and skin!

7. Fish from this group resemble damselfish, but are actually related to sea bass. They are small and have several color schemes and markings. Which group is this?

Answer: hamlets

Hamlets have around eleven color patterns. Some think that these patterns are from hamlets of separate species, but others believe that they are simply variations of a single species, Hypoplectrus unicolor.

8. The Townsend angelfish is a hybrid of which two species of angelfish?

Answer: queen and blue

Townsend angelfish are born when the queen and blue angelfish interbreed. Because of this, they are quite rare.

9. True or false: Polka dot batfish can move by using their pectoral and ventral fins as feet to walk.

Answer: True

These fins are the reason batfish have their name- they supposedly look like the wings of a bat.

10. True or false: Squirrelfish take their name from their wary, squirrel-like behavior.

Answer: False

Although some squirrelfish are indeed shy around divers, the family is so named because of their large, squirrel-like eyes and their long dorsal fin which supposedly resembles a squirrel's tail.

Source: Author Crystallina

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor crisw before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

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Mar 25 2023 : BigTriviaDawg: 8/10
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