Wierd Fishes Part II

This two-spot Goby makes up just one of the more than 2,000 Gobiidae family.

 

Jawfish orally brood their eggs to protect from their offspring from predators.

Scorpion fish, like this leaf scorpion fish, are named for the venomous spines on their fins. In most species, the skin is brightly colored to blend in with the ocean bottom, where they dwell.

A parrotfish is familiar to many divers who can immediately identify it by the characteristic chomping noise it makes as it eats away at the coral.

The stonefish is a drab brown color and has rough, warty skin to help it blend in with the mud flats and coral reefs where it is found. The back is covered by a series of venomous spines, which can cause paralysis.

Like sharks, skates have skeletons of cartilage rather than bone. This big skate is found off the Pacific coast of North America and can reach a length of about 8 feet.

Lionfish or turkeyfish are a venomous species known their long, striped spines.

This warty frogfish stalks its prey - small sharks, squid and turtles - by crawling on its arm-like fins. It also occasionally catches a diving bird that comes too close underwater.

The Atlantic tarpon is a powerful fighter, and often makes tremendous leaps to free itself when hooked. Atlantic tarpons grow up to 8 feet in length and weigh up to 300 pounds.

If the male of a school of the anthias fish disappears, the largest female will undergo hormonal changes in order to become the ruling male.

Groupers are distinguished by their numerous dorsal spines. Most groupers are two to three feet long.

Ths Sloane's viperfish (Chauliodus sloani) is a deep sea fish that has photophores, or light organs, in its mouth and all along its body

Toadfish, like this Three-spined toadfish, have large, broad heads, and bodies that taper to a long, slender tail. Also, some species have spines that release a mild poison.
 

Snappers are usually two to three feet in length and are often brightly colored. They have deep bodies, flattened heads and large mouths with many teeth. They are predatory, feeding on other fish, crabs, squid and shrimp. Swim on over the final fish.

 

 

Butterflyfish and triggerfish are just two of the brightly-colored and incredible saltwater fish that exist.