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Khor Kalba

On the east coast just south of Fujairah lies Khor Kalba, one of the last large areas of mangrove swamp left in the area. While the fishermen shelter their boats from the open sea close to the entrance, fish move well inland on the incoming tide and can be observed in the clear water. Here, shoals of smaller fish attract predators such as barracuda and mangrove snappers, as well as large ray and even sharks. Turtles come inshore here too, and have been known to lay their eggs on the raised beaches nearby.

The many crabs attract the attention of not only the fish, but birds as well. The collared kingfisher of Kalba is a unique sub-species only found in this restricted area, and the small population depends on the mangroves for their supply of crabs and shelter. The European kingfisher is a colourful winter visitor but does not encroach on their local relatives’ life-style, since they feed exclusively on small fish and leave the fiddler crabs to their collared colleagues.

SCOMBRIDAE Tunas and mackerel

Most species in this family of medium to large size fish form large schools and feed in mid-water where they hunt fish or feed on planktonic forms. They are important commercial fish, generally caught in nets.

Frigate Mackerel Auxis thazard

Dorsum black-blue to metallic green with darker oblique bands. Silvery-grey to white below lateral. Spinous first dorsal deeply concave with 12 spines. Pelagic but also comes close inshore where it hunts in shoals for small fish, shrimp, and cuttlefish. 100 cm.

Eastern Little Tuna, Bonito or Kawkawa Euthynnus affinis

Dorsum black-blue to metallic green with darker oblique bands. Silvery-grey to white below lateral. Spinous first dorsal deeply concave with 12 spines. Common off the UAE’s two coastlines, pelagic but also comes close inshore where it hunts in shoals for small fish, shrimp, cuttlefish. 100 cm.

Narrow-barred Spanish Mackerel Scomberomorus commerson

Dorsum black-blue to metallic green with numerous vertical variegated bands. Silvery-grey to white below lateral. Spinous first dorsal; second dorsal and anal fins pointed. Pelagic but smaller specimens also close inshore, especially in strong tidal flows. Shoal predator, feeding on fish, shrimp and cuttlefish. 235 cm.

Yellowfin tuna Thunnus albacares

Dorsum black-blue to metallic green with golden-yellow laterally. Dorsal and anal fins bright yellow. Larger specimens develop elongate second dorsal and anal fins. Generally small fish in Arabian Gulf to 10 kgs, whilst up to 30 kgs off east coast. Oceanic pelagic shoal predator, feeding on fish, shrimp, and cuttlefish. 195 cm.

SYNODONTIDAE Lizardfish

Elongated body, almost cylindrical. Adipose fin present. Mouth large and terminal, numerous small needle-like teeth. Feeds on small fish and intertebrates. Frequent shallow, sandy areas, particularly adjacent to structures, rocks and reefs.

Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus )

Family Delphinidae

Description: Largest of the dolphins. In the UAE, some have been measured to be a little under 3m in length. Even from a fair distance, one may notice the robust head and relatively short and stubby beak, from which this dolphin gets its name. Close up, it is possible to see the clear crease that separates the beak from the bulbous forehead, or melon. Along with the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, the bottlenose is the only other dolphin likely to be seen regularly from land. It is bulkier and usually a darker colour than the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin. Larger adults often bear white or pinkish scars from aggressive behaviour. Typically in groups of about 5-35 individuals, bottlenose dolphins are fast, powerful swimmers often riding the bow wave of boats, and as their reputation in aquaria attests, they are inquisitive and playful and are capable of some spectacular aerial acrobatics.

Habitat: Feeds over deep water, and over sand, seagrass and reefs in shallow water.

Range: One of the commonest cetaceans in the UAE and the species most likely to be seen close to cities such as Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Fujairah. Those that live close inshore are relatively placid, not displaying the acrobatic energy of their slightly larger counterparts further out to sea.

Comments: The bottlenose dolphin is considered to be one of the most intelligent of cetaceans. In the UAE this is a species that will often find you, before you find it. As well as seeking human company, bottlenose dolphins also frequently swim with other species, ranging from Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins in the Arabian Gulf to sperm whales in the Gulf of Oman.

Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis )

Family Delphinidae

Description: Rarely reaches over 2.5m in length. On surfacing, the long snout is pushed out of the water and the head and body roll over in a gentle arc. Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins are most readily distinguished by the raised, fleshy hump on the back, from which the backward-curving dorsal fin rises. Body colour is uniform lead-grey, although paler and darker individuals may occur. The shape of the head bears some resemblance to that of the bottlenose dolphin, although the snout is usually more elongate and the forehead, or melon, less distinct. The Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin is one of the most frequently observed species of cetacean in the UAE, commonly in groups of between 2 and 20 individuals. They tend to be fairly shy and sedate, not easily approached by boat or underwater.

Habitat: Restricted to warm, shallow waters where it feeds, primarily over sand, but also over reefs.

Range: Throughout UAE Arabian Gulf waters, where the depth does not exceed 30m. It has not been recorded along the UAE east coast shores, which is odd as this species is known from Musandam.

Comments: Schools of over 30 animals have been sighted on more than one occasion. Smaller groups are resident in the natural and man-made channels near the city of Abu Dhabi and off beaches near Dubai. Local fishermen call this dolphin ‘Dukhs’.