Mediterranean Damselfish

Photo: Stergios Vasilis · CC BY-NC-ND

Chromis damselfish are the most abundant reef fish at Cleopatra Island, forming glittering blue-black clouds that hover above the reef crest and attract both predators and plankton from the water column. They are the primary prey item for barracuda and dentex at this site and their collective behaviour — funnelling into tight balls when threatened — is one of the most photogenic sights on the Turkish coast. In summer they are joined by the equally beautiful Mediterranean anthias on the deeper sections of the wall.