WATERY WEDNESDAY # 7

WATERY WEDNESDAY #7

Woohoo, it’s Watery Wednesday and again we’ve found another inhabitant of the coral reef.  Did you know that coral reefs are like the rainforest of the ocean? Coral reefs have such diversity of life, including fish, crustaceans (like crabs), invertebrates and the coral themselves.  Today’s fish has beautiful colors and patterns! So who is it? Let’s find out!

MEET THE LONGNOSE HAWKFISH!

Range/Habitat: Indian-Pacific Oceans/coral reefs

Diet: Carnivore: invertebrates, small fish, zooplankton

Length: up to 5”

Conservation Status: Common

Fun Facts:

• Longnose hawkfish have long snouts that they use to catch prey.
• They are ambush predators.
• Longnose hawkfish have spines on their dorsal fins.
• They squeeze into small crevices to protect themselves from predators.
• The Longnose hawkfish can be solitary or found in small groups with one male and a few females.

Longnose Hawkfish have beautiful patterns of redish stripes and spots! We personally love the pattern they have on their bodies, it’s so colorful! What’s your favorite animal pattern? Do you love leopard spots, zebra stripes or maybe giraffe spots?