---
title: Sea chub (Kyphosidae)
scientific_name: Kyphosidae
common_name: Sea chub
rank: Family
published: 2024-11-19T18:41:51.573Z
updated: 2026-08-03T21:14:01.111Z
tags: Sea chub, Kyphosidae, Red Sea, Marine Life, Diving
url: https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/sea-chub
---

# Sea chub (*Kyphosidae*)

## Quick facts

- **Rank:** Family
- **Scientific name:** Kyphosidae
- **Body shape:** Oval - Egg-shaped body, deeper than it is thick - damselfishes, surgeonfishes.
- **Species listed here:** 3

## How to recognise this group

- oval to oblong body, compressed
- small head and mouth
- silvery-grey to brownish body colour
- often in active schools
- cruising mid-water or near reef crest

Sea chubs (Kyphosidae) are marine fishes with an oval to oblong, compressed body. They typically have a small head, a small mouth, and small scales. Their colouring ranges from silvery-grey to brownish, sometimes displaying faint horizontal stripes or darker bars. Most species reach lengths of 30 to 50 cm (12 to 20 inches), though some grow larger.

They inhabit shallow waters, from the surface down to 50 metres (165 feet), frequenting rocky reefs, coral drop-offs, and sometimes wrecks. Sea chubs feed primarily on benthic algae and small invertebrates. They are often encountered in active schools, particularly younger fish, cruising in mid-water or near reef crests. Their habit of following ships and floating objects earned them the common name "rudderfish".


## Species (3)

- [Grey Chub (Kyphosus bigibbus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/sea-chub/grey-chub)
- [Lowfin Chub (Kyphosus vaigiensis)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/sea-chub/lowfin-chub)
- [Topsail Chub (Kyphosus cinerascens)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/sea-chub/topsail-chub)

---

*Source: [Red Sea Creatures](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/sea-chub)*
*Updated: August 3, 2026*