These fish are found everywhere in the lagoon and in mangroves
The bec de cane (Spangled emperor ) and bossu doré (Pacific yellowtail emperor), are closely related species. New Caledonians like particularly to eat their flesh marinated in salads. The small communards (Longspine emperor, 10-20 cm) live in large groups on sandy and algae bottoms . They often destroy fishermen baits who prefer bigger catches.
Spinefoot (picots) have a length between 20 et 40 cm. They are found in all parts of the lagoon from fresh water to pass. Their name is related to their venomous, but not dangerous, spines on their back. Their flesh is very good, particularly the one of Golden-lined spinefoot (picot rayé) and Streamlined spinefoot (picot gris).
New Caledonian like night drift fishing "à la dérive"
(on a drifting boat with hand held lines) to catch Yellow-banded snappers
(rougets de nuit ). They avoid to catch the Two-spot red snapper
(anglais) a red brown fish, said to always give ciguatera
("gratte").
The Emperor red snapper (pouatte) is
a big pink fish of about 1 metre long. It has an excellent flesh (the flesh
of largest ones could however give Ciguatera in the South of Grande Terre,
but not in the North). The Green jobfish (mekoua) a one metre fish,
lives mostly on the barrier reef external slope or in this reef pass. All
these fish are from the lutjanus genus. Most lutjanus have a red color
for the largest species and a yellow one for the smaller ones.
White fish ( poissons blancs) live mostly in coves, near beaches and in mangroves. They are the mulets, sardines, anchovies, hardyhead silverside (prêtres), sand sillago (baleiniers).
Aiguillettes (Needlefishes) flee spectacularly and very fast with almost all their body above water.
Trevally (Carangues) is a very powerful fish interesting for sportfishing.
Among the trevally species in the lagoon are the
Golden trevally (carangue jaune) and Giant trevally ("carangue
à grosse tête"). Their flesh is good but in larger kinds
may give Ciguatera.
The Sharksucker ("rémora or poisson-pilote") is well known to stick with its head to sharks, rays and turtles. Sometimes near beaches it swims around bathing people causing commotion, but it is not dangerous.
There are many rays in the lagoon. The Bluespotted stingray (Raie à points noirs et bleue) is a stingray with venomous spines. Its wingspan is about 50 cm. It is dangerous for people walking in very shallow waters because it hides pretty well in the sand. Spotted eagle ray ("Raie léopard or diable de mer") is a splendid ray which reaches 2 metres and has a very long tail. It is also a stingray but it stays in open water where it is normally harmless.
On stony bottoms under shallow waters, the Stonefish (poisson-pierre) is a dangerous fish. It is almost invisible with its mossy stone camouflage. Dorsal spines are venomous. The sting is dangerous and extremely painful. It can be treated by heating. In New Caledonia it is strongly advised to wear appropriate shoes to walk on such stony grounds at low tides. Crocodile fish (Poisson-crocodiles) is from a close family but is harmless. Its ugly aspect prevent it to be fished but its flesh is edible.
Ocean fishes entering seasonally in the lagoon
They are all from the scombridae family and enter the lagoon generally during
summer. Spanish
mackerel (Tazard ) is a beautiful elongated (one metre long) silver
fish. The Dogtooth tuna (thon à dents de chien) is a
gray-blue powerful fish which hunts near the reef pass. It can weight 80 kg.
Mackerels (maquereaux) live also near the reef pass and on the barrier
reef external slope. Bonitos( bonites) sometimes hunt
near the shores.
Flyingfishs ( poissons-volants) are usually in the ocean but may sometimes enter the lagoon.
The Giant manta (raie manta) reaches a 5 to 7 m wingspan. It is the largest of all rays. It is an ocean fish but it enters also the lagoon. In New Caledonia there are black mantas which have never been seen elsewhere.
Great barracuda is called "bécune" in New Caledonia. In the South Pacific region this fish is said to never attack people. The flesh of barracudas is usually not eaten in New Caledonia because of the Ciguatera risk. Barracudas are generally found in the barrier reef pass.