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Top 10: Weirdest Fish of the ReefThe reef is filled with freaks |
By Stefan Anitei, Science Editor
31st of May 2007, 19:26 GMT
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Coral reefs are limestone accumulations, which represent the skeleton of the corals, being found in the warm waters of the oceans.
The reefs are for the sea like rainforest on the ground: they harbor the highest marine biodiversity, thus the highest number of fish species: thousands of species in the worldwide reefs. This diversity displays some of the weirdest fish species on the planet.
Here are 10, and the list can be changed or completed:
1. The triggerfish (family Balistidae), which can grow up to 1m (3 ft) in length, have evolved an original defense system linked to life in the reef: three spines. Two are dorsal and the first (and the biggest) has a locking mechanism which, in case of danger, is thrust into the reef wall.
The second spine supports the first, while the third is represented by the fused pelvic fins. When they fix into the coral, a predator must break the coral to get to them.
If a triggerfish is swallowed, its big spine will force the predator to spit it back.
2. The surgeonfish (of the family Acanthuridae) are species that can reach 75 cm (2.5 ft). These fish posses sharp caudal spines, real scalpels, on each side of the tail. If attacked, these fish sweep their tail, slashing not only other fishes with their spines, but also the hands of the incautious fishermen.
3. The filefishes (family Monacanthidae) can reach up to 110 cm (3.5 ft) and are related to the triggerfih.
Polynesians have been employing for centuries the skin of these fishes for smoothing the wood, as it is extremely coarse. After being drought, the skin of
these fish can be used as abrasive paper.
4. Lionfish or turkeyfish (also known as firefish or scorpionfish) (Pterois genus) have very beautiful colors, but their bodies present long spines. The dorsal spines and the fan-like spines of the pectoral fins give to the head a look like a lion's mane. The dorsal spines inject into the victims a powerful poison and if a scuba diver gets stung, he/she will feel severe pain. Despite this, the flesh of these fishes is greatly valued.
5. The stonefish (family Synanceiidae) are perhaps the most dangerous fishes of the reef.
Beside the fact that they possess the most powerful venom amongst all fish species, an extremely toxic neurotoxin, which is deadly to humans, the species mimic rocks by color and form. The venom is injected through the dorsal fin spines, and people can step easily over them, being unaware about their presence, due to their camouflage and small size (no more than 40 cm or 1.3 ft).
6. The batfishes (family Ogcocephalidae) look like tadpoles and grow no larger than 40 cm (1.3 ft). What's amazing about these fish is their ability to walk on the bottom of the ocean in a toad like style (but these fishes are not the so-called toadfishes or frogfishes).
Pelvic and anal fins are relatively thick-skinned and stout to support the body off the substrate. Walking on the bottom is done using their large arm-like pectoral and smaller pelvic fins. The fish also makes frog leaps on the bottom of the sea when catching prey.
7. The porcupinefishes (the family Diodontidae) have well-developed sharp spines (up to 10 cm (4 in) long) covering body. The fishes can inflate their body (by swallowing water or air) and when in danger, the body turns into a ball of spines impossible to be attacked. Moreover, some species are toxic, containing tetrodoxin (the Voodoo poison) into their skin and guts. Even if the fish is rapidly swallowed by a predator, before inflating itself, the mechanism will still work inside the stomach of the attacker.
8. The butterflyfishes (of the genus Chaetodon) have a spot imitating an eye at the base of their tail. As the real eyes are masked by a black line, most predators take its tail as its head, while the fish escapes to the opposite direction.
9. The moray eels (Muraenidae family) looks rather like a combination between a snake and a dog, with their scaleless and finless bodies, large mouths and fang-like teeth. Despite its aggressive look, this fish has an undeserved reputation, even if some species will bite if provoked. It is rather dangerous the flesh of some species, as it can be toxic.
10. The boxfishes (cowfishes) (family Ostracionides) have the body enclosed in a bony carapace with a honeycomb model. Some species secrete ostracitoxin, which is poisonous to other fishes. They swim in a rowing manner and very slowly, as only the tail is mobile. A pair of prominent spines projecting from in front of eyes suggests cow horns in some species while a second pair of spines can be located at lower rear corners of cuirass.
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