How many fish species does Komodo National Park support?

Komodo National Park’s marine ecosystem supports more than 1,000 fish species, about 260 reef-building coral species and 70 sponge species, while a 2020 fisheries study recorded 128 target reef-fish species and 30 indicator-fish species. These figures show why the park’s conservation role extends beyond protecting Komodo dragons.

How many fish and reef species are recorded?

The park’s official information site says its habitats contain more than 1,000 fish species, some 260 species of reef-building coral and 70 species of sponges, according to Komodo National Park’s monitoring information, accessed in 2026.

A peer-reviewed study published through Indonesia’s Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries recorded 128 target reef-fish species and 30 indicator-fish species in Komodo National Park, according to the ministry’s 2020 study. The two counts describe different groups, so they should not be added together.

What does the fish survey measure?

The same 2020 study reported average target-fish density of 182 ± 67 individuals per 350 square metres and average indicator-fish density of 35 ± 15 individuals per 350 square metres, according to the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, 2020.

It also recorded target-fish biomass of 1,174 ± 617 kilograms per hectare, according to the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, 2020. Biomass measures the combined weight of the surveyed target fish, not the number of fish in the entire park.

Why do these numbers matter for management?

Komodo National Park’s stated conservation goals include protecting biodiversity, especially the Komodo dragon, and maintaining breeding stocks of commercial fish that can replenish surrounding fishing grounds, according to the park’s conservation information, accessed in 2026.

The park says fish monitoring focuses on 12 key species from two families, including groupers and Napoleon wrasse, to track economically important populations and assess management measures, according to Komodo National Park’s monitoring information, accessed in 2026.

What do the figures say about threats?

The park’s enforcement information says blast fishing has declined by more than 80% since patrols began in 1995, according to Komodo National Park’s enforcement information, accessed in 2026. The statement describes a change in recorded destructive fishing activity; it is not a measure of total marine recovery.

The park also identifies continuing pressure on demersal stocks such as lobsters, shellfish, groupers and Napoleon wrasse, according to its public information on the park’s marine resources, accessed in 2026.

Sources

• Komodo National Park
• Ministry