Diving with Velvetfish

Velvetfish are a family of small fish with a velvet-textured skin. They are generally compressed with small pelvic fins and some also have venomous spines. These elusive fish are very rarely seen while diving from Koh Lanta.

These fish are in the same super family as the scorpionfish, waspfish, stonefish and lionfish.

Velvetfish have a long dorsal fin that begins far forward on the head, running all the way to the tail fin.

These fish are extremely well-camouflaged ambush predators, living amongst algae or rubble, on or near rocky and coral reefs.

Find Out More

• Allen, G., Steene, R., Humann, P., DeLoach, N. (2003) Reef Fish Identification, Tropical Pacific. Jacksonville, FL., USA: New World Publications, Inc., ISBN 1-878348-36-1.
• Humann, P., DeLoach, N., (2010) Reef Creature Identification, Tropical Pacific. Jacksonville, FL., USA: New World Publications Inc., ISBN 978-1-878348-44-9
• Debelius, H. (2013) Indian Ocean Reef Guide. Frankfurt, Germany: IKAN - Unterwasserarchiv, ISBN 978-3-939767-52-7.
• Debelius, H. (2004) Nudibranchs and Sea Snails, Indo-Pacific Field Guide. Frankfurt, Germany: IKAN - Unterwasserarchiv, ISBN 3-925919-51-1
• Erhardt, H., Knop, D. (2015) Corals Indo-Pacific Field Guide. Frankfurt, Germany: IKAN - Unterwasserarchiv, ISBN 3-925919-69-4.
• Veron J.E.N., Stafford-Smith M.G., Turak E. and DeVantier L.M. (2016). Corals of the World

More Marine Life References and Further Information