"He must, so know the starfish and the student biologist who sits at the feet of living things, proliferate in all
directions. Having certain tendencies, he must move along their lines to the limit of their potentialities."

John Steinbeck - Log from the Sea of Cortez

Friday, April 23, 2010

Fish o' the Day - Sargassumfish

Next time you're on the beach and that brown, crunchy "seaweed" with the "berries" is awash in the surf, look closely. That's a brown algae known as Sargassum, the berries are actually gas-filled flotation bladders, and the clusters of algae support a all their own - crabs, shrimp, bryozoans, and one of the most unique fish you'll ever see. Or not.

You have to look closely, because the little frogfish (Family Antennariidae) known to fish guys as Histrio histrio has worked this camoflauge thing out pretty well. Even the name translate as "actor" a tribute to the fact that the sargassumfish is playing a role - in this case he's playing the part of a plant, as he waits for potential prey to come close enough for his strike. They reach lengths of about 8 inches, although half that is more common.

Here you go.

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