Madagascar
Checklist of Endemic Marine Fish Species
This list of marine fish species found exclusively in Madagascaris based on the taxonomy used in Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes (2023). For further details on possible inaccuracies in the list see Sources & Caveats.
Fricke, R., Eschmeyer, W. N. & Van der Laan, R. (eds) 2023 Catalog of Fishes: Genera, Species, References. Version downloaded 9 February 2023 https://researcharchive.calacademy.org/research/ichthyology/catalog/fishcatmain.asp
The current version can be accessed here
An alternative 2018 list indicating 37 endemic marine fish species (including deepwater species) is at (ResearchGate)
Marine fishes known only from the deep-sea (below 200 m) are listed at the bottom of the page and are not included in species totals
+ = species added to the Catalog of Fishes after 9 Februrary 2023
Photolateralis antongil
(Acanthuriformes Leiognathidae) Madagascar
Ponyfish
Pempheris andilana
(Acropomatiformes Pempheridae) Andilana Sweeper
Pempheris hollemani
(Acropomatiformes Pempheridae) Madagascar Sweeper
Pempheris rubricauda
(Acropomatiformes Pempheridae) Redtail Sweeper
Samariscus desoutterae
(Carangiformes Samaridae) Desoutter's Tongue
Flatfish
Plesiops malalaxus
(Cichliformes Plesiopidae) Loosejaw Longfin
Pomacentrus atriaxillaris
(Cichliformes Pomacentridae) Blackaxil Damsel
Pomacentrus vatosoa
(Cichliformes Pomacentridae) Corazon's Damsel
Halimuraenoides isostigma
(Cichliformes Pseudochromidae) Madagascar Eel
Blenny
Pseudochromis
madagascariensis (Cichliformes
Pseudochromidae) Madagascar Dottyback
Neobythites crosnieri
(Ophidiiformes Ophidiidae) Crosnier's Cusk Eel
Plectranthias maugei
(Perciformes Anthiadidae) Fringed Perchlet
Parapercis maramara
(Perciformes Pinguipedidae) Madagascar
Sandperch
Plotosus fisadoha
(Siluriformes Plotosidae) Madagascar Eel
Catfish
Draculo maugei
(Syngnathiformes Callionymidae) Mauge's Dragonet
Chiloscyllium
caeruleopunctatum (Orectolobiformes
Hemiscylliidae) Bluespotted Bambooshark
Acroteriobatus andysabini
(Rhinopristiformes Rhinobatidae) Malagasy Bluespotted Guitarfish
Narcine insolita (Torpediniformes Narcinidae) Madagascar Numbfish
Additional deep-sea species (below 200 m) recorded only from Madagascar:Owstonia similis
(Acanthuriformes Cepolidae)
Ariosoma bauchotae
(Anguilliformes Congridae)
Parabathymyrus karrerae
(Anguilliformes Congridae)
Melamphaes shcherbachevi
(Beryciformes Melamphaidae)
Coelorinchus zinjianus + (Gadiformes Macrouridae)
Chaunax flammeus
(Lophiiformes Chaunacidae)
Chaunax hollemani
(Lophiiformes Chaunacidae) Holleman's Frogmouth
Halicmetus granulosus
(Lophiiformes Ogcocephalidae) Rough Shortnose
Seabat
Plectrogenium occidentale
(Perciformes Plectrogeniidae)
Pterygotrigla
madagascarensis (Perciformes Triglidae) Madagascar
Deepwater Gurnard
Pseudoscopelus vityazi
(Scombriformes Chiasmodontidae)
Eustomias zygolampas
(Stomiiformes Stomiidae)
Hoplostethus rifti
(Trachyichthyiformes Trachichthyidae) Madagascar Roughy
Bythaelurus clevai
(Carcharhiniformes Pentanchidae) Broadhead Catshark
Fenestraja maceachrani
(Rajiformes Gurgesiellidae) Madagascar Pygmy
Skate
Dipturus crosnieri
(Rajiformes Rajidae) Madagascar Skate