More fascinating fish

Following my post a few days ago about a transparent-headed fish, I've been pleasantly surprised and interested to find a number of other fishy stories out there that have caught my fancy. Nature never ceases to astonish me with her variety and ingenuity.

First, there's the chameleon fish.

Nature has given us scores of chameleon lizards that can change colour to hunt for prey or hide from predators - now meet the marvellous, one and only, chameleon fish.




With its coat of many colours, depending on whether it is hunting or hiding, the blue-striped fangblenny is the first fish found to be able to mimic others as it swims in the western Pacific off the Queensland coast and in the coral reefs off Indonesia.




Although there is an octopus that can change its coat, the fangblenny, which grows to about four and a half inches, is unique because it is the only true fish in the world - as far as is known - that can claim to be a master of disguise.




Orange, black, electric blue, olive...no colour is a challenge to it, enabling it to hide among seaweed and even in shoals of fish, taking on their colour so it can hide in the crowd from a predator or get in close to grab a bite to eat from a smaller prey.

More information and pictures at the link.

The second fishy story - although not involving what you'd normally consider fish! - is a lake on the Pacific island of Palau, one of the group of islands now forming a nation under that name. (Another of the Palau Islands, Peleliu, was the scene of a major World War II battle.) Aeons ago, some jellyfish were stranded in the lake as its level sank, and became cut off from the sea. They've evolved and prospered there.

If jellyfish make you feel wobbly then look away now. Astonishing photos have revealed a lake where 10 million of the creatures live because they are at no risk from predators.

Hundreds of years ago the lake had an outlet to the ocean but when the sea level dropped the jellyfish population were isolated in the algae-rich lake and began to thrive.




With no risk of being eaten, the jellies multiplied in the lake on the Pacific island of Palau. Over time their stings weakened and visitors can now swim alongside them with no fear of being stung.

. . .

Jellyfish Lake, known to Palau's natives as Ongeim'l Tketau, is one of over 70 similar saltwater lakes in the islands and contains over ten million jellyfish descended from a common ancestor, the spotted jellyfish.

Again, more information and pictures at the link.

Finally, there's the amazing oarfish, probably the origin of early maritime legends about sea serpents and other strange beasts. This video of an oarfish was recently posted on Snotr, and I thought you might find it as interesting as I did.

Weird-looking creature, isn't it?

I enjoy Nature's endless wonders. There's always something new to learn!

Peter