{"id":5338,"date":"2025-12-17T16:38:24","date_gmt":"2025-12-17T15:38:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.latitude21.re\/fish-of-the-reunion-island-lagoon-the-top-10-species-found-only-in-saint-gilles"},"modified":"2025-12-17T16:38:24","modified_gmt":"2025-12-17T15:38:24","slug":"fish-of-the-reunion-island-lagoon-the-top-10-species-found-only-in-saint-gilles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.latitude21.re\/en\/fish-of-the-reunion-island-lagoon-the-top-10-species-found-only-in-saint-gilles","title":{"rendered":"Fish of the Reunion Island lagoon: the top 10 species found only in Saint-Gilles"},"content":{"rendered":"

You move forward in the water, and everything changes almost instantly.<\/em><\/p>\n

The surface calms, the light softens, and a scene is revealed: that of the fish of the lagoon of Reunion Island.<\/em><\/p>\n

A precise, colorful, surprisingly close universe that unfolds before you from the very first steps.<\/em><\/p>\n

You feel that something is still eluding you, but the desire to discover more immediately takes hold.<\/em><\/p>\n

In Saint-Gilles, this feeling is reinforced. The lagoon is clear, protected, and easily accessible. <\/em><\/p>\n

You look around, and the underwater landscape seems to take its time to reveal itself: shapes, movements, silhouettes that stand out with each advance.<\/em><\/p>\n

It’s not just a swim.<\/em><\/p>\n

It is an encounter with a discreet ecosystem, whose richness appears as the eye becomes accustomed.<\/em><\/p>\n

What if you learned to recognize the species that make up this living tableau?<\/em><\/p>\n

Latitude 21<\/em><\/strong> , your hotel nestled in Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, guides you through this unique underwater journey.<\/em><\/p>\n

>>> <\/strong>I’ve just discovered your hotel in Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, R\u00e9union.<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

1. The striped-tailed surgeonfish<\/h2>\n

You see him before you know his name.<\/p>\n

This blue-grey surgeonfish<\/strong> darts by in a group, skimming the reef<\/strong> , and sets the tone: here, the herbivore<\/strong> is king.<\/p>\n

It can be found everywhere in the marine fauna of Saint-Gilles-les-Bains<\/strong> , often just a few meters from the white sand<\/strong> .<\/p>\n

A true visual landmark for understanding the dynamics of reef fish on the west coast<\/strong> .<\/p>\n

>>> <\/strong>I’m enjoying a relaxing stay after the lagoon<\/a><\/p>\n

2. The butterflyfish<\/h2>\n

You approach a section of coral<\/strong> , and suddenly\u2026 yellow, white, black, bright. The butterflyfish<\/strong> , king of coral species<\/strong> , glides between the branches. <\/p>\n

Present in all marine life of the Saint-Paul lagoon<\/strong> , it is one of the easiest to observe while snorkeling in the lagoon of Reunion Island<\/strong> .<\/p>\n

If you are a beginner in marine observation<\/strong> , he will immediately put you at ease.<\/p>\n

3. Picasso’s Ballista<\/h2>\n

It’s impossible not to notice it. It features patterns that look hand-drawn. <\/p>\n

In Saint-Gilles, it is common in the lagoon protection<\/strong> zones, near the coral heads.<\/p>\n

Keep your distance: he is protecting his territory confidently.<\/p>\n

A must-see of the coral reef fauna of R\u00e9union<\/strong> .<\/p>\n

4. The Indo-Pacific Damsel<\/h2>\n

She turns, returns, watches.<\/p>\n

The damselfish is a small fish of remarkable efficiency.<\/p>\n

Always close to its marine habitat<\/strong> , it constantly animates the coral areas<\/strong> .<\/p>\n

For anyone who wants to understand the social life of tropical fish<\/strong> , it is perfect.<\/p>\n

5. The clownfish of Mauritius<\/h2>\n

You spot an anemone<\/strong> \u2026 so wait two seconds.<\/p>\n

The clownfish will come out.<\/p>\n

He can’t help it.<\/p>\n

Highly appreciated by visitors, it symbolizes the marine biodiversity of Reunion Island<\/strong> and is one of the highlights of any freediving experience in Saint-Gilles<\/strong> .<\/p>\n

6. The parrotfish<\/h2>\n

You might hear it before you see it. It’s biting into coral \u2014 literally. <\/p>\n

Parrotfish<\/strong> are artisans: they participate in the making of the white sand<\/strong> that you walk on the beach.<\/p>\n

Their presence says a lot about the health of the coral reef in R\u00e9union<\/strong> .<\/p>\n

7. The Capuchin friar Lent<\/h2>\n

Yellow, silvery, nervous. The capuchin is one of the most representative fish of the Hermitage lagoon<\/strong> . <\/p>\n

Its abundance makes it a reference point for observing fish on the beach<\/strong> .<\/p>\n

It moves from a seagrass bed<\/strong> to a block of coral, always in motion.<\/p>\n

8. The rabbitfish: a peaceful herbivore<\/h2>\n

You will recognize it by its soft, almost oval shape.<\/p>\n

The herbivorous rabbitfish<\/strong> is a keystone of protected marine ecosystems in Reunion Island<\/strong> .<\/p>\n

By scanning the turquoise waters<\/strong> , you will see it grazing calmly where the light penetrates best.<\/p>\n

9. The blue-green chromis<\/h2>\n

Imagine a shower of turquoise scales. The school of fish<\/strong> circles around a branching coral. <\/p>\n

These multicolored fish<\/strong> are valuable indicators: the more of them there are, the better the condition of the reef.<\/p>\n

A true signature of snorkeling in Saint-Gilles: fish<\/strong> .<\/p>\n

10. The cornetfish<\/h2>\n

Long, motionless, improbable. The cornetfish blends into the scenery. <\/p>\n

This is the species that awakens the eye of the attentive swimmer, the one that is spotted after a few minutes of calm.<\/p>\n

A rare pleasure among the fish species to observe in Reunion Island<\/strong> .<\/p>\n

The final word: a rich\u2026 and fragile lagoon<\/h2>\n

You can feel it, can’t you?<\/p>\n

This diversity is as awe-inspiring as it is alarming.<\/p>\n

The endemic species of Reunion Island<\/strong> , the variety of tropical fish in the Indian Ocean<\/strong> , the role of the fringing reef<\/strong> \u2026 all of this rests on a subtle balance.<\/p>\n

A balance that everyone can protect: avoid using fins in coral, respect marine reserve areas<\/a> , limit contact.<\/p>\n

Because the lagoon is a treasure. And Saint-Gilles is one of its most beautiful settings. <\/p>\n

>>> <\/strong>I’m booking my stay in Saint-Gilles<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Dive into the heart of the fish of the Reunion Island lagoon and explore the species of Saint-Gilles in a unique and preserved marine 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