These fish take their name from the venomous spines positioned on the dorsal fin, which are characteristic of many species.They are typically sedentary animals and are famous for their poisonousness. So well do they blend into their environment that they are often unrecognizable even on careful and close up scrutiny of the reef. They prevalently live in shallow waters and are thus a great danger for bathers who may step on them and be stung by the venomous spines. Excruciating pain is followed by swelling, breathing difficulties and in some cases even death.
The name of these fish derives from their mobile spines and bone plaquettes, which are as sharp as scalpel blades, and are located on either side of the caudal peduncle. These weapons are used both for defense against predators and for fighting with members of the same species, causing deep wounds.
	The shallow waters of the coral reef are inhabited mostly by these fishes, which pass the day feeding lgae and plankton, and the night sheltered in lot crevices and cracks. This is one of the most usual encounters for the snorkeller.
The name of these fish derives from their mobile spines and bone plaquettes, which are as sharp as scalpel blades, and are located on either side of the caudal peduncle. These weapons are used both for defense against predators and for fighting with members of the same species, causing deep wounds.
	The Pomacanthidae are among the most typical fish of the coral reef and are characterised by beautiful and bright colours which change dramatically with age.
Even their sex changes with age : female when young and male thereafter. The social system of the Angelfish is characterised by the dominance of a male which defends a territory (from a few square metres to over 1000, depending on the species) containing from 2-5 females. If the male disappears, the largest and most dominant female changes sex and takes his place.
	Their diet is made up of a great variety of organisms, both plant and animal, depending on the species. Some Pomacanthidae, especially in their juvenile period, can change occasionally into cleaner-fish, freeing other fish from irritating parasites. They are easy to distinguish from the Chaetodontidae as they have a pre-opercular spine.
Morays are particularly well suited to the coral reef environment: their elongate and strongly muscular form and smooth scaleless skin allow them to slip into narrow holes with the greatest of ease. Their snake-like appearance, their sometimes remarkable size (up to 3 metres) and the continual opening and closing of the mouth (a motion connected with breathing) inspire a certain fear. But in actual fact they are not at all dangerous for man, if not provoked or annoyed; on the contrary they are rather timid. However, just the same, one must never put one's hand into their holes, as bites are extrerrfiy painful and dangerous due to the moray's sharp teeth which are turned towards the inside of the mouth. Morays undergo a sex change during growth, changing from male to female.
	The Napoleonfish (Cheilinus undulatus), which wes its name to the prominent lump on its head which calls to mind the headgear of EmiDeror Na oleon, is one of the fish most loved by scuba divers, maybe due to its ungainly appearance, its considerable size or its expressive eye which exaniznes one attentively. They are especially numerous at Ras Mohammad, the exleme point of Sinai, where they used to be fed zdth hard-boiled eggs by divers,. a practice which is now justly banned. Like other Wrasses, it has a remarkable jaw articulation and can protrude its lips out of all proportion, swallowing its prey whole with a powerful suction. Young fish have a yellowylight greyish livery, whilst the largefish boast a very elegant livery mth green and blue reflections and a beautiful series of hieroglyphics on their heads.
Comparing these fish with the Lutianidae to which they have a similiar appearance, they are thinner and more elongate. They form large shoals and feed, dur- ing the day on the small animal organisms which live in the mid- dle water above the coral reef. An encounter with Caesionidae is very likely on the edge of the external slopes of the reef, and it is always thrilling for the diver who finds himself enveloped in clouds of fishes.
	The family of Wrasses is second only to the Gobiidae in nurriber of species. Its members vary enormously in form, colour and size, going from fish a few cen~ timetres long to colossi of 2 metres. Many species of family possess strong teeth which protude from their mouth and which they use to chop up sea urchlw, crustaceans and molluscs.

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