The Pondicherry shark (Carcharhinus hemiodon) is an extremely rare
species of
requiem shark, in the
family Carcharhinidae. A small and stocky gray shark, it grows not much longer than 1 m (3.3 ft) and has a fairly long, pointed snout. This species can be identified by the shape of its upper teeth, which are strongly serrated near the base and smooth-edged near the tip, and by its first
dorsal fin, which is large with a long free rear tip. Furthermore, this shark has prominent black tips on its
pectoral fins, second dorsal fin, and
caudal fin lower lobe.
The Pondicherry shark is critically endangered. It was once found throughout
Indo-Pacific coastal waters from the
Gulf of Oman to
New Guinea, and is known to enter
fresh water. Fewer than 20 specimens are available for study, and most aspects of its natural history are unknown. It probably feeds on
bony fishes,
cephalopods, and
crustaceans, and
gives birth to live young with the
embryos forming a
placental connection to their mother. While the
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed the Pondicherry shark as
Critically endangered, it had been thought to be extinct since the 1970s. It is probably threatened by intense and escalating fishing pressure throughout its range. The shark is among the 25 "most wanted lost" species that are the focus of Global Wildlife Conservation's "Search for Lost Species" initiative. The Pondicherry has been spotted in rivers in India in the late 2010s. A Pondicherry shark was caught in the Menik Ganga (river) in SE Sri Lanka in 2011. It was photographed and released alive. (Full article...)
Image 2
The blotchy swellshark or Japanese swellshark (Cephaloscyllium umbratile) is a common
species of
catshark, belonging to the
familyScyliorhinidae. The Blotchy swellshark is found at depths of 90–200 m (300–660 ft) in the northwestern
Pacific Ocean, from
Japan to
Taiwan. It is
benthic in nature and favors rocky
reefs. Reaching 1.4 m (4.6 ft) in length, this thick-bodied shark has a broad head, large mouth, and two unequally-sized
dorsal fins positioned far back past the
pelvic fins. It can be identified by its dorsal coloration, consisting of seven brown "saddles" and extensive darker mottling on a light tan background. This species has often been confounded with the
draughtsboard shark (C. isabellum) and the
Sarawak pygmy swellshark (C. sarawakensis) in
scientific literature.
Voracious and opportunistic in feeding habits, the blotchy swellshark is known to consume numerous types of
fishes and
invertebrates, including an unusually high diversity of
cartilaginous fishes. Like other Cephaloscyllium species, it is capable of rapidly inflating its body as a defense against predators. This species is
oviparous, with females laying
encapsulated eggs two at a time. There is no well-defined
breeding season and reproduction occurs year-round. The eggs hatch after approximately one year. The blotchy swellshark is harmless and fares well in captivity. It is caught as
bycatch in
commercialbottom trawls, though its population does not seem to have suffered from fishing activity. (Full article...)
Image 3
Adult rainbow trout
The rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) is a species of
trout native to cold-water
tributaries of the Pacific Ocean in Asia and North America. The steelhead (sometimes called steelhead trout) is an
anadromous (sea-run) form of the coastal rainbow trout(O. m. irideus) or
Columbia River redband trout(O. m. gairdneri) that usually returns to freshwater to
spawn after living two to three years in the ocean. Freshwater forms that have been
introduced into the
Great Lakes and migrate into tributaries to spawn are also called steelhead.
Adult freshwater stream rainbow trout average between 0.5 and 2.5 kilograms (1 and 5 lb), while lake-dwelling and anadromous forms may reach 9 kg (20 lb). Coloration varies widely based on
subspecies, forms, and
habitat. Adult fish are distinguished by a broad reddish stripe along the
lateral line, from
gills to the tail, which is most vivid in breeding males. (Full article...)
Image 4
The short-tail stingray or smooth stingray (Bathytoshia brevicaudata) is a common
species of
stingray in the
familyDasyatidae. It occurs off
southern Africa, typically offshore at a depth of 180–480 m (590–1,570 ft), and off southern
Australia and
New Zealand, from the
intertidal zone to a depth of 156 m (512 ft). It is mostly
bottom-dwelling in nature and can be found across a range of
habitats from
estuaries to
reefs, but also frequently will swim into open water. One of the largest stingrays in the world, this heavy-bodied species can grow upwards of 2.1 m (6.9 ft) across and 350 kg (770 lb) in weight. Its plain-colored, diamond-shaped
pectoral fin disc is characterized by a lack of
dermal denticles even in adults, and white pores beside the head on either side. The body can have colors as well as dark grey or black with rows of white spots along each wing. Its tail is usually shorter than the disc and thick at the base. It is armed with large tubercles and a midline row of large thorns in front of the stinging spine which has the dorsal and ventral fin folds behind.
The diet of the short-tail stingray consists of
invertebrates and
bony fishes, including burrowing and midwater species. It tends to remain within a relatively limited area throughout the year, preferring deeper waters during the winter, and is not known to perform long
migrations. Large aggregations of rays form seasonally at certain locations, such as in the summer at the
Poor Knight Islands off New Zealand. Both birthing and mating have been documented within the aggregations at Poor Knights. This species is
aplacental viviparous, with the developing
embryos sustained by histotroph ("uterine milk") produced by the mother. The litter size is typically 6 –10, but litter sizes of up to fifteen are not unheard of. (Full article...)
Image 5
The copper shark (Carcharhinus brachyurus), bronze whaler, or narrowtooth shark is a
species of
requiem shark found mostly in
temperatelatitudes. It is distributed in a number of separate populations in the northeastern and southwestern
Atlantic, off
southern Africa, in the northwestern and eastern
Pacific, and around
Australia and
New Zealand, with scattered reports from
equatorial regions. The species can be found from
brackish rivers and
estuaries to shallow bays and harbors, to offshore waters 100 m (330 ft) deep or more. Females are found apart from males for most of the year, and conduct seasonal
migrations. A large species reaching 3.3 m (11 ft) long, the copper shark is difficult to distinguish from other large requiem sharks. It is characterized by its narrow, hook-shaped upper teeth, lack of a prominent ridge between the
dorsal fins, and plain bronze coloration.
Feeding mainly on
cephalopods,
bony fishes, and other
cartilaginous fishes, the copper shark is a fast-swimming
predator that has been known to hunt in large groups, using their numbers to their advantage; however for most of the time they remain solitary. Off
South Africa, this species associates closely with the annual
sardine run, involving millions of
southern African pilchard (Sardinops sagax). Like other requiem sharks, it is
viviparous, with the developing
embryos mainly nourished through a
placental connection formed from the depleted
yolk sac. Females bear litters of 7 to 24 pups every other year in coastal nursery areas, after a
gestation period of 12 or perhaps as long as 21 months. It is extremely slow-growing, with males and females not reaching
maturity until 13–19 and 19–20 years of age respectively. (Full article...)
Image 6
The finetooth shark (Carcharhinus isodon) is a
species of
requiem shark, in the
family Carcharhinidae, found in the western
Atlantic Ocean, from
North Carolina to
Brazil. It forms large
schools in shallow, coastal waters, and
migrates seasonally following warm water. A relatively small, slender-bodied shark, the finetooth shark can be identified by its needle-like teeth, dark blue-gray
dorsal coloration, and long
gill slits. It attains a maximum length of 1.9 m (6.2 ft). The diet of this species consists primarily of small
bony fishes, in particular
menhaden. Like other members of its family, it is
viviparous with females giving birth to two to six pups in
estuarine nursery areas every other year.
Valued for its meat, the finetooth shark forms an important component of the
commercialgillnet shark
fishery operating off the southeastern
United States. Population assessments suggest that this fishery does not currently pose a threat to U.S. populations of the species. This shark is not known to pose a danger to humans, though it snaps vigorously when captured and should be handled with caution. (Full article...)
Image 7
The sharptooth houndshark or spotted gully shark (Triakis megalopterus) is a
species of
houndshark in the
family Triakidae found in shallow
inshore waters from southern
Angola to
South Africa. Favoring sandy areas near rocky
reefs and
gullies, it is an active-swimming species that usually stays close to the bottom. This robust shark reaches 1.7 m (5.6 ft) in length and has characteristically large, rounded fins; the
pectoral fins in particular are broad and sickle-shaped in adults. It also has a short, blunt snout and long furrows around its mouth. This species is gray or bronze in color above, with variable amounts of black spotting.
Mainly
active at night, the sharptooth houndshark feeds mostly on
crustaceans,
bony fishes, and
cephalopods. It has been observed gathering in groups in shallow water during summertime, possibly for reproductive purposes. This species is
aplacental viviparous, meaning that the unborn young are sustained mainly by
yolk. Females give birth to 6–12 pups between late May and August, on a 2- or 3-year cycle. The sharptooth houndshark is often hooked by
recreational anglers, and some are also captured on commercial
bottom longlines. Because of its small range and low growth and reproductive rates, it is very vulnerable to
overfishing. The
International Union for Conservation of Nature has listed this species as least concern. (Full article...)
Image 8
The Pacific blue-eye (Pseudomugil signifer) is a species of
fish in the
subfamilyPseudomugilinae native to eastern Australia.
Described by Austrian naturalist
Rudolf Kner in 1866, it comprises two subspecies that have been regarded as separate species in the past and may be once again with further study. It is a common fish of rivers and
estuaries along the eastern seaboard from
Cape York in North
Queensland to southern
New South Wales, the
Burdekin Gap in central-north Queensland dividing the ranges of the two subspecies.
A small silvery fish averaging around 3.25 cm in
total length (1+1⁄8–1+3⁄8 in), the Pacific blue-eye is recognisable by its blue eye-ring and two dorsal fins. It forms loose
schools of tens to thousands of individuals. It eats water-borne insects as well as flying insects that land on the water's surface, foraging for them by sight. The Pacific blue-eye adapts readily to captivity. (Full article...)
Image 9
The smooth toadfish (Tetractenos glaber) is a species of fish in the pufferfish family
Tetraodontidae. It is native to shallow coastal and estuarine waters of southeastern Australia, where it is widespread and abundant. French naturalist
Christophe-Paulin de La Poix de Fréminville described the species in 1813, though early records confused it with its close relative, the
common toadfish (T. hamiltonii). The two are the only members of the genus Tetractenos after going through several
taxonomic changes since discovery.
Up to 16 cm (6+1⁄4 in) long with distinctive leopard-like dark markings on its dorsal side, the smooth toadfish has a rounded front and tapers to a narrow tail at the back. Unlike most of its relatives, it does not have prominent spines on its body. Like other pufferfish, it can inflate itself with water or air. It forages for its preferred foods—
molluscs and
crustaceans—in sand and mud of the bottom
sediment. Often an
unwanted catch by anglers, the smooth toadfish is highly poisonous because of the
tetrodotoxin present in its body, and eating it may result in death. (Full article...)
Image 10
The longfin mako shark (Isurus paucus) is a
species of
mackerel shark in the family
Lamnidae, with a probable worldwide distribution in
temperate and
tropical waters. An uncommon species, it is typically lumped together under the name "
mako" with its better-known relative, the
shortfin mako shark (I. oxyrinchus). The longfin mako is a pelagic species found in moderately deep water, having been reported to a depth of 220 m (720 ft). Growing to a maximum length of 4.3 m (14 ft), the slimmer build and long, broad
pectoral fins of this shark suggest that it is a slower and less active swimmer than the shortfin mako.
Longfin mako sharks are
predators that feed on small
schoolingbony fishes and
cephalopods. Whether this shark is capable of elevating its body temperature above that of the surrounding water like the other members of its family is uncertain, though it possesses the requisite physiological adaptations. Reproduction in this species is
aplacental viviparous, meaning the
embryos hatch from eggs inside the
uterus. In the later stages of development, the unborn young are fed nonviable eggs by the mother (
oophagy). The litter size is typically two, but may be as many as eight. The longfin mako is of limited
commercial value, as its meat and fins are of lower quality than those of other pelagic sharks; however, it is caught unintentionally in low numbers across its range. The
International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed this species as
endangered due to its rarity, low reproductive rate, and continuing
bycatch mortality. In 2019, alongside the shortfin mako, the IUCN listed the longfin mako as "Endangered". (Full article...)
Image 11
The puffadder shyshark (Haploblepharus edwardsii), also known as the Happy Eddie, is a
species of
catshark, belonging to the
familyScyliorhinidae,
endemic to the
temperate waters off the coast of
South Africa. This common shark is found on or near the bottom in sandy or rocky
habitats, from the
intertidal zone to a depth of 130 m (430 ft). Typically reaching 60 cm (24 in) in length, the puffadder shyshark has a slender, flattened body and head. It is strikingly patterned with a series of dark-edged, bright orange "saddles" and numerous small white spots over its back. The
Natal shyshark (H. kistnasamyi), formally described in 2006, was once considered to be an alternate form of the puffadder shyshark.
When threatened, the puffadder shyshark (and other members of its genus) curls into a circle with its tail covering its eyes, giving rise to the local names "shyshark" and "doughnut". It is a
predator that feeds mainly on
crustaceans,
polychaete worms, and small
bony fishes. This shark is
oviparous and females deposit egg capsules singly or in pairs onto underwater structures. Harmless to humans, the puffadder shyshark is usually discarded by
commercial and
recreational fishers alike for its small size. It has been assessed as endangered by the
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), as its entire population is located within a limited area and could be affected by a local increase in fishing pressure or
habitat degradation. (Full article...)
Image 12
Tetronarce californica also known as the Pacific electric ray is a
species of
electric ray in the
familyTorpedinidae,
endemic to the coastal waters of the northeastern
Pacific Ocean from
Baja California to
British Columbia. It generally inhabits sandy flats, rocky
reefs, and
kelp forests from the surface to a depth of 200 m (660 ft), but has also been known to make forays into the
open ocean. Measuring up to 1.4 m (4.6 ft) long, this species has smooth-rimmed
spiracles (paired
respiratory openings behind the eyes) and a dark gray, slate, or brown dorsal coloration, sometimes with dark spots. Its body form is typical of the
genus, with a rounded
pectoral fin disc wider than long and a thick tail bearing two
dorsal fins of unequal size and a well-developed
caudal fin.
Solitary and
nocturnal, the Pacific electric ray can generate up to 45
volts of
electricity for the purposes of subduing prey or self-defense. It feeds mainly on
bony fishes, ambushing them from the
substrate during the day and actively hunting for them at night. Reproduction is
aplacental viviparous, meaning that the
embryos are initially nourished by
yolk, later supplemented by
histotroph ("uterine milk") produced by the mother. Females bear litters of 17–20 pups, probably once every other year. Care should be exercised around the Pacific electric ray, as it has been known to act aggressively if provoked and its
electric shock can potentially incapacitate a diver. It and other electric rays are used as
model organisms for biomedical research. The
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed this species under
Least Concern, as it is not fished in any significant numbers. (Full article...)
Female yellow stingrays are larger than males. Females reach about a maximum length of about 26 inches whereas the male will reach a maximum legth of about 15 inches across. The yellow stingray has a round
pectoral fin disc and a short tail with a well-developed
caudal fin. It has a highly variable but distinctive dorsal color pattern consisting of either light-on-dark or dark-on-light
reticulations forming spots and blotches, and can rapidly change the tonality of this coloration to improve its
camouflage. (Full article...)
Image 15
The banded archerfish (Toxotes jaculatrix) is a
brackish waterperciform fish of the archerfish genus Toxotes. It is silvery in colour and has a
dorsal fin towards the posterior end. It has distinctive, semi-triangular markings along its sides. It is best known for its ability to spit a jet of water to "shoot down" prey. Larger specimens may be able to hit prey 2 to 3 metres (6 ft 7 in to 9 ft 10 in) away. The banded archerfish may reach the displaced prey within 50
milliseconds of its hitting the water.
The name (binomial as well as common) refers to
Sagittarius the archer, because of the unusual method banded archerfish use to capture prey. Banded archerfish are found in
Indo-Pacific and
Oceanian waters, generally in
river mouths and
mangroveestuaries. They move between fresh, salt, and brackish water over the course of their lifetime, though not to breed. Because of their markings and silvery colour, banded archerfish are sometimes kept as
aquarium fish, though they are difficult to care for and not recommended for most home aquaria. (Full article...)
Image 3The
stoplight loosejaw has a
lower jaw one-quarter as long as its body. The jaw has no floor and is attached only by a hinge and a modified tongue bone. Large fang-like teeth in the front are followed by many small barbed teeth. (from Deep-sea fish)
Image 5Long-snouted lancetfish. Lancetfish are ambush predators which spend all their time in the mesopelagic zone. They are among the largest mesopelagic fishes (up to 2 m). (from Deep-sea fish)
Image 8Coral reefs support flourishing ecosystems,
paradoxically in clear, low nutrient waters, along tropical continental coasts and around volcanic islands.
Coral reef fish are numerous and diverse. (from Coastal fish)
Image 11The
humpback anglerfish is a bathypelagic ambush predator, which attracts prey with a bioluminescent lure. It can ingest prey larger than itself, which it swallows with an inrush of water when it opens its mouth. (from Pelagic fish)
Image 12The usually placid
yellow tang can erect spines in its tail and slash at its opponent with rapid sideways movements (from Coral reef fish)
Image 14Red snapper, are generalized reef feeders with standard jaw and mouth structures that allow them to eat almost anything, though they prefer small fish and
crustaceans. (from Coral reef fish)
Image 30Cod-like fishes, like this
morid cod have a
barbel (fleshy filament) on their lower jaw which they use to detect prey buried in the sand or mud. (from Coastal fish)
Image 33Lanternfish are partial residents of the ocean epipelagic zone During the day they hide in deep waters, but at night they migrate up to surface waters to feed. (from Pelagic fish)
Image 35Demersal fish output in 2005 (from Demersal fish)
Image 36Areas of upwelling in red (from Pelagic fish)
Image 37The
stargazer is an
ambush predator which can deliver both venom and electric shocks. It has been called "the meanest thing in creation". (from Coastal fish)
Image 38Pacific decadal anomalies – April 2008 (from Pelagic fish)
Image 40The giant
whale shark, another resident of the ocean epipelagic zone, filter feeds on
plankton, and periodically dives deep into the mesopelagic zone. (from Pelagic fish)
Image 41Young, red
flabby whalefish make nightly vertical migrations into the lower mesopelagic zone to feed on
copepods. When males mature into adults, they develop a massive liver and then their jaws fuse shut. They no longer eat, but continue to metabolise the energy stored in their liver. (from Pelagic fish)
Image 43In the foreground is an
orange-lined triggerfish displaying spines.
Triggerfish have mouths that crush shells. Orange-lined triggerfish are particularly aggressive. The black and white fish are
three-stripe damselfish and the unstriped fish are
blue-green chromis damselfish. If the triggerfish attacks, the damselfish will hide in the nearby
cauliflower coral. If the triggerfish wants to hide, it will squeeze into a coral crevice and lock itself in place with its spines. (from Coral reef fish)
Image 44Most mesopelagic fishes are small filter feeders that ascend at night to feed in the nutrient rich waters of the epipelagic zone. During the day, they return to the dark, cold, oxygen-deficient waters of the mesopelagic where they are relatively safe from predators.
Lanternfish account for as much as 65% of all deep sea fish
biomass and are largely responsible for the
deep scattering layer of the world's oceans. (from Pelagic fish)
Image 51Areas of upwelling in red (from Coastal fish)
Image 52Many
bristlemouth species, such as the "spark anglemouth" above, are also bathypelagic ambush predators that can swallow prey larger than themselves. They are among the most abundant of all vertebrate families. (from Pelagic fish)
Image 53The huge
ocean sunfish, a true resident of the ocean epipelagic zone, sometimes drifts with the current, eating
jellyfish. (from Pelagic fish)
Image 54World distribution of plankton (from Coastal fish)
Image 57Surgeonfish are among the most common of coral reef
herbivores, often feeding in
shoals. This may be a mechanism for overwhelming the highly aggressive defence responses of small territorial
damselfishes that vigorously guard small patches of algae on coral reefs. (from Coral reef fish)
Image 70The rattail Coryphaenoides armatus (abyssal grenadier) on the Davidson Seamount at a depth of 2,253 metres (7,392 ft). (from Deep-sea fish)
Image 71Humans seldom encounter
frilled sharks alive, so they pose little danger (though scientists have accidentally cut themselves examining their teeth). (from Deep-sea fish)
Image 72Shortfin mako shark make long seasonal migrations. They appear to follow temperature gradients, and have been recorded travelling more than 4,500 km in one year. (from Pelagic fish)
Image 73Some flatfish can camouflage themselves on the ocean floor (from Demersal fish)
Image 74Profile illustrating the shelf, slope and rise (from Demersal fish)
Image 75An annotated diagram of the basic external features of an
abyssal grenadier and standard length measurements. (from Deep-sea fish)
Image 76
The global continental shelf, highlighted in light blue
Image 79Most of the rest of the mesopelagic fishes are ambush predators, such as this
sabertooth fish. The sabertooth uses its telescopic, upward-pointing eyes to pick out prey silhouetted against the gloom above. Their recurved teeth prevent a captured fish from backing out. (from Pelagic fish)
Image 80The
stoplight loosejaw is also one of the few fishes that produce red
bioluminescence. As most of their prey cannot perceive red light, this allows it to hunt with an essentially invisible beam of light. (from Deep-sea fish)
The Atlantic spadefish is a species of marine fish
endemic to the shallow waters off the coast of the southeastern United States and in the
Caribbean Sea. They are similar in appearance to
fresh waterangelfish, but much larger, reaching up to three feet (0.9 m) in length. Due to their reputation as strong fighters, they are popular
game fish, especially during the summer months when they are most active.
An Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)
egg hatching. The
Alevin (larva) has grown around the remains of the
yolk sac - visible are the
arteries spinning around the
yolk and little oildrops, also the
gut, the
spine, the main
caudalblood vessel, the
bladder and the arcs of the
gills. In about 24 hours it will be a fry without yolk sac.
A plate with
fossils of Pseudostacus sp. (lobster, left) and Diplomystus birdii (fish, right), from the
Hakel paleontological formation in Lebanon. The paleontological sites of Lebanon contain deposits of some of the best-preserved fossils in the world, and include some species found nowhere else. The most famous of these is the Lebanese
lagerstätten of the Late
Cretaceous age.
Bryaninops yongei is a
benthic species of
goby widely distributed throughout the tropical and subtropical waters of the
Indian Ocean; it is commonly found living in and around coral. Although this species was discovered in 1906, its ability to propel itself quickly to escape predators makes it difficult to study.
Rhinogobius flumineus, also known as the lizard goby, is a species of
goby in the family
Oxudercidaeendemic to Japan, seen here in
Hamamatsu,
Shizuoka Prefecture. A small freshwater fish found in fast-flowing streams, it maintains its position against the current by gripping a rock with a sucker formed from two of its fins. The fish's mouth is slightly asymmetric; dextral (right-sided) fish tend to curve their bodies to the right as they rest, while sinistral (left-sided) fish tend to adopt a left-curving posture. The fish are omnivorous, picking edible items off the stream bed with the side of the mouth, but dextral and sinistral fish show no preference for which side of the mouth they use for this purpose.
Brachysomophis cirrocheilos, the stargazer snake eel, is a marine fish belonging to the family
Ophichthidae. It is native to shallow tropical and subtropical waters in the western Indo-Pacific region. It hunts at night for
crustaceans and small fish, after which it submerges itself into the sediment tail first and remains there all day, with just its eyes and the top of its head projecting, as seen here in
Batangas Bay in the Philippines.
The Oscar (Astronotus ocellatus) is a species of
fish from the
cichlidfamily. In
South America, where the species occurs, they are often found for sale as a food fish in the local markets. The species is also a popular
aquarium fish. They have been reported to grow to a length of 45 cm (ca. 18 in) and a mass of 1.6 kg (3.5 lb).
The giant grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus), shown here with a school of
golden trevally, is the largest
bony fish found in
coral reefs, and the aquatic emblem of
Queensland, Australia. The species can grow as large as 2.7 meters (9 ft) long, weighing up to 400 kg (880 lb). They are fairly common in shallow waters and feed on a variety of marine life, including small
sharks and juvenile
sea turtles.
The Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens), or fighting betta is a
freshwaterfish related to the
paradise fish. The fighting fish is a species in the
Gourami family which is popular as an
aquarium fish. They are called pla-kad (biting fish) in
Thai or trey krem in
Khmer. They are a very territorial fish and it is unwise to house two males together. Even the females may become territorial towards each other if not housed in a large enough tank.
A sketch of a longnose sawshark (Pristiophorus cirratus), a species of
sawshark found in the eastern Indian Ocean around southern Australia on the
continental shelf at depths of between 40 and 310 m (130 and 1,020 ft). It is a medium-sized shark with a saw-like flattened snout which measures up to thirty percent of its body size.
The mandarinfish (Synchiropus splendidus, not to be confused with the similarly named
mandarin fish) is a small (~6 cm or 2.4 in), brightly-colored member of the
dragonet family, popular in the saltwater
aquarium trade. The mandarinfish is native to the Western
Pacific, ranging approximately from the
Ryukyu Islands south to
Australia.
A discus (Symphysodon discus) is guarding its eggs. As for most
cichlids, brood care is highly developed with both the parents caring for the young. Additionally, adult discus produce a
secretion through their skin, off which the
larvae live during their first few days.
The round ribbontail ray (Taeniura meyeni) is a species of stingray in the family
Dasyatidae, found throughout the nearshore waters of the tropical
Indo-Pacific region. Reaching 1.8 m (6 ft) across, this large ray is characterized by a thick, rounded pectoral fin disc covered by small
tubercles on top, and a relatively short tail bearing a single venomous spine. The ray is well-camouflaged when lying on the seabed; it is largely nocturnal, and preys on
molluscs,
crustaceans and
bony fish. Mature females bear litters of up to seven pups, which are fed during gestation on "uterine milk", a product secreted by the walls of the
oviduct. This round ribbontail ray was photographed in
Lakshadweep, India.
The leopard shark (Triakis semifasciata) is a species of
hound shark found along the
Pacific coast of
North America from the U.S. state of
Oregon to
Mazatlán in Mexico. Typically measuring 1.2–1.5 m (3.9–4.9 ft) long, this slender-bodied shark is characterized by black saddle-like markings and large spots over its back.
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