fish

WATERY WEDNESDAY # 70

 We’re taking the E & E sub out today to meet one cool and amazing fish! These fish can fly, but beware of that mouth full of teeth! We’re starting the engines and getting ready to dive down and head out on today’s adventure!

MEET THE GIANT NEEDLEFISH!

   Range/Habitat: Tropical-temperate oceans worldwide

   Diet: Carnivore: fish, squid

   Length/Weight:  3-5ft/ up to 7 lbs

   Conservation Status: common

Fun Facts:

•          Giant needlefish are the largest species member of the needle fish family.
•          They have long slender bodies.
•          Giant needlefish have a mouth full of sharp teeth.
•          Giant needlefish can leap out of water.

Needlefish are crazy looking with their long snouts and large pointy teeth. They can harm people when they leap out of the water to escape predators and land in boats. So watch for flying fish!

WATERY WEDNESDAY # 66

 We’re going to the coasts of Southern California to meet a small fish with a big reputation! Grab your beach towel and let’s head off on today’s adventure!

MEET THE CALIFORNIA GRUNION!

   Range/Habitat: Eastern North Pacific/ oceans, coasts

   Diet: Carnivore: plankton

   Length/Weight: up to 7 ½”/ up to 3 5/8 oz

   Conservation Status: common

Fun Facts:

• California grunions are members of the silverside family.
• California grunions live close to the shore.
• They swim in large schools.
• California grunions strand themselves on beaches at night during mating season.
• They have a blue-silver stripe down each side.

These little fish cause quiet the splash during their mating season! People come from all over to see this spectacular feat of nature! Would you make the trip to see them?

WATERY WENESDAY # 64

 We’re taking the E & E sub out to the coral reefs of Indonesia today! Anyone notice a theme this week? Apparently our travel budget is getting smaller and we have to stay in one area! J We’re on the lookout for a small, funny looking fish on this adventure so keep your eyes peeled!

MEET THE BOXFISH!

   Range/Habitat: Pacific-Indian Oceans/ coral reefs

   Diet: Carnivore: invertebrates

   Length/Weight: up to 18”

   Conservation Status: common

Fun Facts:

• Boxfish have rigid outer skeletons.
• Boxfish are squared in shape.
• They are also called the long-horned cowfish.
• They have two hornlike projections on top of their head.
• Boxfish swim very awkwardly because of small fins.
• Boxfish have large eyes on top of their eyes.

Ooooooo… Boxfish sure are funny looking. We wish they had only one horn so we could rename them the unicorn fish. Hahahahaha!

WATERY WEDNESDAY # 59

We’re getting our snorkeling gear out and heading the coral reefs of the Pacific Ocean today! We’re off to find a fish who lives with another animal who stings! Are you ready? Let’s do this!

MEET THE PINK SKUNK CLOWNFISH!

   Range/Habitat: Pacific Ocean/ coral reefs

   Diet: Omnivore: plankton, algae

   Length: 4”

  Conservation Status: common

Fun Facts:

• Pink Skunk Clownfish are also known as the pink skunk anemonefish.
• They have a symbiotic relationship with anemone and live among their tentacles.
• Pink skunk clownfish have a long white stripe down their backs.
• Pink skunk clownfish have a mucus coating that protects them to the toxins of the anemone.
• They lay their eggs near their anemone hosts.

We bet you didn’t know there other species of clownfish out there! They aren’t all just orange and white! Animals that have mutual symbiotic relationships are so neat! Can you think of any other kinds of symbiotic relationships in the animal world?