Philippines
Checklist of Endemic Marine Fish Species
This list of marine fish species found exclusively in the Philippines is 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
See also "Red List Status of Marine Endemic Teleosts (bony Fishes) of the Philippines" 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
Acanthurus albimento
(Acanthuriformes Acanthuridae) Whitechin
Surgeonfish
Acanthurus mindorensis
(Acanthuriformes Acanthuridae)
Grammatonotus brianne
(Acanthuriformes Callanthiidae) Batangas Groppo
Owstonia macrophthalma
(Acanthuriformes Cepolidae)
Owstonia nigromarginata
(Acanthuriformes Cepolidae)
Roa rumsfeldi (Acanthuriformes Chaetodontidae)
Deepblackfin Butterflyfish
Emmelichthys papillatus + (Acanthuriformes Emmelichthyidae) Papillated Redbait
Branchiostegus ilocanus
(Acanthuriformes Latilidae)
Branchiostegus saitoi
(Acanthuriformes Latilidae)
Branchiostegus vittatus
(Acanthuriformes Latilidae)
Hapalogenys filamentosus
(Acanthuriformes Lobotidae) Philippines Dark
Velvetchin
Chaetodontoplus
caeruleopunctatus (Acanthuriformes
Pomacanthidae) Bluespotted Angelfish
Johnius philippinus
(Acanthuriformes Sciaenidae)
Sillago argentifasciata
(Acanthuriformes Sillaginidae) Silverbanded
Sillago
Acropoma boholense
(Acropomatiformes Acropomatidae)
Pteropsaron dabfar
(Acropomatiformes Hemerocoetidae)
Ariosoma obud (Anguilliformes Congridae)
Ariosoma sazonovi
(Anguilliformes Congridae)
Chiloconger philippinensis
(Anguilliformes Congridae)
Heteroconger chapmani
(Anguilliformes Congridae)
Uropterygius mactanensis + (Anguilliformes Muraenidae)
Bascanichthys myersi
(Anguilliformes Ophichthidae)
Cirrhimuraena oliveri
(Anguilliformes Ophichthidae)
Muraenichthys
philippinensis (Anguilliformes
Ophichthidae) Philippine Worm Eel
Myrichthys paleracio
(Anguilliformes Ophichthidae) Whitenose Snake Eel
Ophichthus manilensis
(Anguilliformes Ophichthidae)
Pisodonophis copelandi
(Anguilliformes Ophichthidae)
Yirrkala philippinensis
(Anguilliformes Ophichthidae)
Atherinomorus crenolepis
(Atheriniformes Atherinidae) Crenulated
Silverside
Doboatherina balabacensis
(Atheriniformes Atherinidae) Balabac Silverside
Gulaphallus panayensis
(Atheriniformes Phallostethidae)
Neostethus palawanensis
(Atheriniformes Phallostethidae)
Neostethus zamboangae
(Atheriniformes Phallostethidae)
Cirripectes viriosus
(Blenniiformes Blenniidae) Robust Blenny
Ecsenius kurti
(Blenniiformes Blenniidae) Kurt's Coralblenny
Istiblennius colei
(Blenniiformes Blenniidae) Cole's Rockskipper
Plagiotremus iosodon
(Blenniiformes Blenniidae) Arrowtooth Fangblenny
Arnoglossus brunneus
(Carangiformes Bothidae) Brown Lefteye Flounder
Engyprosopon
obliquioculatum (Carangiformes
Bothidae)
Symphurus leptosomus
(Carangiformes Cynoglossidae) Slender Tonguefish
Samariscus macrognathus
(Carangiformes Samaridae) Largemouth Righteye
Flounder
Aseraggodes winterbottomi
(Carangiformes Soleidae) Negros Sole
Opistognathus challenger + (Cichliformes Opistognathidae)
Beliops batanensis
(Cichliformes Plesiopidae) Batan Longfin
Altrichthys alelia
(Cichliformes Pomacentridae) Alelia's
Damselfish
Altrichthys azurelineatus
(Cichliformes Pomacentridae) Azure Damselfish
Altrichthys curatus
(Cichliformes Pomacentridae) Guardian
Damselfish
Amphiprion thiellei
(Cichliformes Pomacentridae) Thielle's
Anemonefish
Chromis gunting
(Cichliformes Pomacentridae) Scissors Chromis
Chromis hangganan
(Cichliformes Pomacentridae) Darkmargin Chromis
Congrogadus hierichthys
(Cichliformes Pseudochromidae) Sulu Eel Blenny
Labracinus atrofasciatus
(Cichliformes Pseudochromidae) Blackbarred
Dottyback
Manonichthys scintilla
(Cichliformes Pseudochromidae) Sparkfin
Dottyback
Manonichthys winterbottomi
(Cichliformes Pseudochromidae) False Midnight
Dottyback
Pseudochromis colei
(Cichliformes Pseudochromidae) False Bandit
Dottyback
Pseudochromis eichleri
(Cichliformes Pseudochromidae) Eichler's
Dottyback
Pseudochromis fuligifinis
(Cichliformes Pseudochromidae) Soottail
Dottyback
Pseudochromis moorei
(Cichliformes Pseudochromidae) Jaguar Dottyback
Sardinella goni
(Clupeiformes Dorosomatidae) Gon's Sardinella
Sardinella pacifica
(Clupeiformes Dorosomatidae)
Stolephorus babarani
(Clupeiformes Engraulidae) Panay Anchovy
Stolephorus celsior
(Clupeiformes Engraulidae) Rosario Anchovy
Stolephorus ronquilloi
(Clupeiformes Engraulidae) Ronquillo's Anchovy
Propherallodus longipterus
(Gobiesociformes Gobiesocidae)
Amblygobius calvatus
(Gobiiformes Gobiidae) Baldhead Siltgoby
Awaous litturatus
(Gobiiformes Gobiidae)
Bathygobius panayensis
(Gobiiformes Gobiidae)
Callogobius illotus
(Gobiiformes Gobiidae)
Callogobius kuderi
(Gobiiformes Gobiidae)
Callogobius vanclevei
(Gobiiformes Gobiidae)
Eugnathogobius umbra
(Gobiiformes Gobiidae)
Eviota minuta (Gobiiformes Gobiidae)
Minute Dwarfgoby
Grallenia rubrilineata
(Gobiiformes Gobiidae) Redstripe Goby
Silhouettea nuchipunctata
(Gobiiformes Gobiidae)
Sovvityazius acer
(Gobiiformes Gobiidae)
Ptereleotris kallista
(Gobiiformes Microdesmidae) Beautiful Dartfish
Amioides grossidens
(Kurtiformes Apogonidae)
Apogonichthyoides
uninotatus (Kurtiformes Apogonidae) Centerspot
Cardinalfish
Gymnapogon janus
(Kurtiformes Apogonidae)
Jaydia erythrophthalma
(Kurtiformes Apogonidae) Orangeeye
Cardinalfish
Jaydia heraldi
(Kurtiformes Apogonidae)
Ostorhinchus radcliffei
(Kurtiformes Apogonidae)
Ostorhinchus wilsoni
(Kurtiformes Apogonidae)
Chaunax albatrossae
(Lophiiformes Chaunacidae) Albatross Frogmouth
Alionematichthys suluensis
(Ophidiiformes Dinematichthyidae) Sulu
Viviparous Brotula
Paradiancistrus cuyoensis
(Ophidiiformes Dinematichthyidae) Cuyo
Coralbrotula
Ungusurculus philippinensis
(Ophidiiformes Dinematichthyidae) Philippines
Viviparous Brotula
Ungusurculus williamsi
(Ophidiiformes Dinematichthyidae) William's
Viviparous Brotula
Plectranthias knappi
(Perciformes Anthiadidae) Knapp's Anthias
Cirrhilabrus briangreenei
(Perciformes Labridae) Latigo Fairy Wrasse
Cirrhilabrus shutmani
(Perciformes Labridae) Magma Fairy Wrasse
Paracheilinus
lineopunctatus (Perciformes Labridae) Spotlined
Flasher Wrasse
Parapercis flavipinna
(Perciformes Pinguipedidae) Yellowfin
Sandperch
Parapercis soliorta
(Perciformes Pinguipedidae) Sunrise Sandperch
Pseudovespicula cypho
(Perciformes Synanceiidae) Hunchback Waspfish
Xenaploactis anopta
(Perciformes Synanceiidae)
Lepidotrigla argyrosoma
(Perciformes Triglidae)
Lepidotrigla deasoni
(Perciformes Triglidae) Deason's Sea Robin
Lepidotrigla eydouxii
(Perciformes Triglidae) Eydoux's Sea Robin
Lepidotrigla macrobrachium
(Perciformes Triglidae) Long Arm Sea Robin
Lepidotrigla venusta
(Perciformes Triglidae)
Pterygotrigla urashimai
(Perciformes Triglidae)
Satyrichthys longiceps
(Perciformes Triglidae)
Netuma patriciae
(Siluriformes Ariidae) Whipfin Sea Catfish
Callionymus acutirostris
(Syngnathiformes Callionymidae) Pointed Dragonet
Callionymus guentheri
(Syngnathiformes Callionymidae) Gunther's
Deepwater Dragonet
Callionymus hildae
(Syngnathiformes Callionymidae) Hilde's Darter
Dragonet
Callionymus platycephalus
(Syngnathiformes Callionymidae) Flathead Dragonet
Callionymus umbrithorax
(Syngnathiformes Callionymidae) Philippine
Darkthroat Dragonet
Synchiropus sycorax
(Syngnathiformes Callionymidae) Ruby Dragonet
Synchiropus zamboangana
(Syngnathiformes Callionymidae) Zamboanga Dragonet
Upeneus aurorae + (Syngnathiformes Mullidae)
Upeneus nigromarginatus
(Syngnathiformes Mullidae) Blackmargined Goatfish
Cantherhines cerinus
(Tetraodontiformes Monacanthidae) Waxy Filefish
Galeus schultzi
(Carcharhiniformes Pentanchidae) Dwarf Sawtail Catshark
Scyliorhinus garmani
(Carcharhiniformes Scyliorhinidae) Brownspotted Catshark
Hemitriakis leucoperiptera
(Carcharhiniformes Triakidae) Whitefin
Topeshark
Dipturus amphispinus
(Rajiformes Rajidae) Ridgeback Skate
Okamejei panayensis
(Rajiformes Rajidae) Philippine Skate
Rhinobatos whitei (Rhinopristiformes Rhinobatidae) Philippine Guitarfish
Additional deep-sea species (below 200 m) recorded only from the Philippines:Owstonia aurora
(Acanthuriformes Cepolidae)
Owstonia contodon
(Acanthuriformes Cepolidae)
Owstonia dorypterus
(Acanthuriformes Cepolidae)
Owstonia melanoptera
(Acanthuriformes Cepolidae)
Epigonus megalops
(Acropomatiformes Epigonidae)
Malakichthys similis
(Acropomatiformes Malakichthyidae)
Alepocephalus andersoni
(Alepocephaliformes Alepocephalidae)
Rouleina euryops
(Alepocephaliformes Alepocephalidae)
Matsuichthys aequipinnis
(Alepocephaliformes Platytroctidae)
Parabathymyrus
philippinensis (Anguilliformes
Congridae)
Rostroconger macrouriceps
(Anguilliformes Congridae)
Pylorobranchus hearstorum
(Anguilliformes Ophichthidae)
Scolecenchelys
brevicaudata (Anguilliformes Ophichthidae) Shorttailed Worm Eel
Ilyophis robinsae
(Anguilliformes Synaphobranchidae)
Symphurus luzonensis
(Carangiformes Cynoglossidae) Luzon Tonguefish
Symphurus schultzi
(Carangiformes Cynoglossidae)
Bathygadus sulcatus
(Gadiformes Bathygadidae)
Coelorinchus carinifer
(Gadiformes Macrouridae)
Coelorinchus dorsalis
(Gadiformes Macrouridae)
Coelorinchus macrolepis
(Gadiformes Macrouridae)
Coelorinchus notatus
(Gadiformes Macrouridae)
Coelorinchus quincunciatus
(Gadiformes Macrouridae)
Coelorinchus sexradiatus
(Gadiformes Macrouridae)
Coelorinchus thompsoni
(Gadiformes Macrouridae)
Coelorinchus triocellatus
(Gadiformes Macrouridae)
Coelorinchus velifer
(Gadiformes Macrouridae)
Coelorinchus weberi
(Gadiformes Macrouridae)
Coryphaenoides camurus
(Gadiformes Macrouridae)
Coryphaenoides dubius
(Gadiformes Macrouridae)
Coryphaenoides semiscaber
(Gadiformes Macrouridae)
Hymenocephalus barbatulus
(Gadiformes Macrouridae)
Hymenocephalus torvus
(Gadiformes Macrouridae)
Kuronezumia macronema
(Gadiformes Macrouridae)
Malacocephalus luzonensis
(Gadiformes Macrouridae)
Trachonurus robinsi
(Gadiformes Macrouridae)
Malthopsis arrietty
(Lophiiformes Ogcocephalidae) Shorthorn
Triangular Batfish
Diaphus burtoni
(Myctophiformes Myctophidae)
Diaphus dehaveni
(Myctophiformes Myctophidae)
Diaphus ehrhorni
(Myctophiformes Myctophidae)
Diaphus faustinoi
(Myctophiformes Myctophidae)
Diaphus handi (Myctophiformes Myctophidae)
Solivomer arenidens
(Myctophiformes Neoscopelidae)
Halosaurus ridgwayi
(Notacanthiformes Halosauridae)
Bellottia armiger
(Ophidiiformes Bythitidae)
Diplacanthopoma brunneum
(Ophidiiformes Bythitidae)
Brachybembras aschemeieri
(Perciformes Bembridae)
Hoplichthys pectoralis
(Perciformes Hoplichthyidae) Long Pectoral
Ghost Flathead
Hoplichthys prosemion
(Perciformes Hoplichthyidae)
Pseudoscopelus cephalus
(Scombriformes Chiasmodontidae)
Araiophos eastropas
(Stomiiformes Sternoptychidae)
Polyipnus ovatus
(Stomiiformes Sternoptychidae) Oval Hatchetfish
Thorophos euryops
(Stomiiformes Sternoptychidae)
Thorophos nexilis
(Stomiiformes Sternoptychidae)
Eustomias pinnatus
(Stomiiformes Stomiidae) Feathered Dragonfish
Eustomias suluensis
(Stomiiformes Stomiidae) Sulu Dragonfish
Photonectes xenopogon
(Stomiiformes Stomiidae)
Hoplostethus metallicus
(Trachyichthyiformes Trachichthyidae)
Galeus friedrichi
(Carcharhiniformes Pentanchidae)
Pentanchus profundicolus
(Carcharhiniformes Pentanchidae) Onefin Catshark
Gollum suluensis
(Carcharhiniformes Pseudotriakidae) Sulu Gollum Shark
Pristiophorus lanae
(Pristiophoriformes Pristiophoridae) Lana's Sawshark
Etmopterus marshae
(Squaliformes Etmopteridae) Marsha's
Lanternshark
Squatina caillieti
(Squatiniformes Squatinidae) Cailliet's Angelshark
Hydrolagus deani
(Chimaeriformes Chimaeridae) Philippine Chimaera
Eptatretus luzonicus
(Myxiniformes Myxinidae) Luzon Hagfish