How do Pacific coral reefs compare with Caribbean coral reefs in fish diversity?

The Pacific Ocean contains the most extensive and richest coral reefs in the world, particularly within its western tropical regions.1

In terms of biodiversity, these Pacific reefs are significantly more diverse than those found in the Caribbean Sea. Specifically, the coral reefs of the western Pacific support approximately six times more species of fish than the coral reefs of the Caribbean. This disparity is largely attributed to the unique evolutionary history and environmental conditions of the Indo-Pacific marine region, which has promoted the development of a vast array of specialized marine life.1