Phuket Marine Guide / Small Creatures

Blue-spotted Rock Cod

Known as a high-end fish in Thailand, it features a bright red body with distinct spots. Found around Racha Yai, Racha Noi, and Phi Phi Islands.

Ornate Ghost Pipefish

Often found in pairs, camouflaging among soft corals and gorgonians. Body colors vary from white, yellow, red to green. Length: 5–10 cm. Seen at Shark Point, Dok Mai Island, and Phi Phi Islands.

Sea Moth

Nicknamed “Sea Tengu” for its long snout. Lives in rubble areas at Marina Bay, Racha Noi Island.

Clownfish

Famous as “Nemo” from movies. Orange body with three white horizontal bands. Lives symbiotically with sea anemones for protection. Found at Racha Yai and Phi Phi Islands.

Golden Damselfish

Bright yellow and deep-bodied. Seen along reefs, laying countless small eggs on gorgonians during spawning. Highly territorial; may chase divers. Found at Racha Yai and Phi Phi Islands.

Mottled Flounder

Camouflaged in sand, making it hard to spot. Look for subtle sand movement while swimming slowly over sandy flats. Found in shallow sand areas at Racha Noi and Racha Yai Islands.

Blue-spotted Cornetfish

Long slender bluish body, feeding on small fish with its pipette-like mouth. Found throughout Phuket waters.

Trumpetfish

Named for the shovel-like protrusion on its snout. Known as "Trumpetfish" in English. Found throughout Phuket waters.

Hairy Scorpionfish

Camouflages with surroundings, often staying still on rocks, sometimes accidentally touched by divers. Its fins are highly venomous. Found at Racha Yai, Phi Phi Islands, and Marine Park.

Black-blotched Porcupinefish

Characterized by a charming face, with back patterns resembling a human face, hence the name “Human-faced Porcupinefish.”

Oriental Sweetlips

Sporting “Hanshin Tigers” colors, these fish are found alone or in small groups. Observed at Racha Yai and Racha Noi Islands.

Blackspotted Puffer

Also called “Dogface Puffer,” it is known for its cute face. Color variants include yellow and blue. Found throughout Phuket waters.

Titan Triggerfish

Known for making nest-like depressions in sand during spawning. Aggressive toward intruders, including divers, with occasional injuries. Can grow up to 80 cm.

Tropical Striped Triplefin

Recognizable by distinct vertical stripes along its body, but very small and difficult to spot.

Black Sweetlip

Front view shows a wide, cute “downturned” mouth. Usually forms groups of 5–10 individuals. Seen at Phi Phi Island.

Blue-green Chromis

Small 8cm fish with pale blue-green body, forming schools around branching corals in reef lagoons. Named for its protruding lower jaw in Japanese.

Stellate Puffer

Stellate Puffers are relatively fearless of divers and often float gently in midwater. Some individuals in the shallow Marina Bay at Racha Noi Island even approach divers.

Yellow Boxfish

A diver favorite! Juveniles are bright yellow with black spots and hide among rocks or coral shadows, yet their vivid color makes them easy to spot. Seen at Phi Phi Islands and Marine Park dive sites.

Blue-spotted Stingray

Often found on sandy bottoms around 20m deep, distinguished by its brown camouflage body and blue warning spots. Observed at Racha Yai and Racha Noi Islands.

Wakayoji (Pipefish)

Slender-bodied fish often staying still in areas where it can camouflage among seaweed. Seen at Bay 1, Racha Yai Island, and Marina Bay, Racha Noi Island.