oceans

WATERY WEDNESDAY # 57

We’re going scuba diving this Watery Wednesday to meet a master of camouflage! We better keep our eyes peeled and look amongst the corals to see if we can find…

MEET THE SARGASSUM FISH!

   Range/Habitat: Tropical-sub-tropical oceans/ worldwide

   Diet: Carnivore: fish

   Length/Weight: up to 7 ½”/ up to 14 oz

   Conservation Status: common

Fun Facts:

• Sargassum fish are members of the frog fish family.
• Sargassum fish have variable patterns and colors to match their surroundings.
• They are covered in spiny like protrusions.
• Sargassum fish use their dorsal fin spine to lure prey.
• They are ambush predators.
• Sargassum fish have leg-like pectoral fins.

These crazy looking fish are so awesome! We think they look a bit like aliens! What do you think? What color would fit in with your habitat?

 WATERY WENESDAY # 52

We’re taking the E & E submarine to the cold waters of the South Pole. Luckily the submarine is heated because you wouldn’t want to be caught in these cold waters unless you are one of these amazing fish! All aboard….

MEET THE ANTARCTIC TOOTHFISH!

   Range/Habitat: Antarctic Circle/ oceans

   Diet: Carnivore: crabs, squid, fish

   Length/Weight: up to 7 ¼ ft/ up to 260 lbs

   Conservation Status: common

Fun Facts:

• Antarctic Toothfish live in very deep waters.
• They are very slow growing.
• Antarctic toothfish have a special protein in their blood that acts as an anti-freeze.
• Antarctic toothfish have high body fat content and light bones.
• They have a cartilaginous skull.

Wow, these fish are really cool and kind of creepy! Yet again we are fascinated by the animals that call the deep ocean their home! Those deep dark waters really are like another planet!

SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY GREATEST HITS

Happy Super Surprise Thursday! We’ve gone back to the ocean today to find an amazing animal friend for you to meet! This large, slow moving fish is pretty special, because you won’t see any fish like them! Let’s meet…

MEET THE OCEAN SUNFISH!

   Range/Habitat: Tropical-Temperate Waters Worldwide

   Diet:  Carnivore: jellies, squid, crustaceans

   Length/Weight: 6 ft-13 ft/ 1-2 tons

   Conservation Status: Common

Fun Facts:

• Ocean Sunfish are the heaviest bony fish in the world.
• They have disk shaped bodies and elongated dorsal (top) and anal (bottom) fins.
• Ocean sunfish have beak like mouths for snipping at jellies.
• Their skeletons are made up of lots of cartilage (the tissue in your ears and nose) as well as bone.
• Ocean sunfish are fairly slow moving and clumsy looking when swimming.
• Ocean sunfish can be seen basking in the sun near the surface of the ocean.
• Ocean sunfish scientific name is Mola Mola. It comes from the Latin that means millstone, because they look like giant round stones!

Mola mola or Ocean Sunfish sure are some crazy looking fish! And isn’t mola mola fun to say? We continue to be fascinated by the different creatures who inhabit our oceans!

WATERY WEDNESDAY GREATEST HITS!

Happy Watery Wednesday everyone!  Today’s fish is long, lean and full of teeth! But don’t worry they don’t think people are tasty! Phew!

MEET THE GREAT BARRACUDA!

   Range/Habitat: tropical-sub-tropical waters worldwide/ reefs,

shallows, mangroves

   Diet: Carnivore: fish

   Length/Weight: up to 6 ½ ft/ up to 110 lbs

    Conservation Status: Common

Fun Facts:

• Great Barracuda are long and lean fish.
• They have powerful jaws full of sharp, knife like teeth.
• Great barracuda are ambush predators. They stay relatively still and swim forward in one fast move to grab their prey.
• They’re usually solitary, but juveniles often school together.
• Great barracudas have few predators, mainly sharks.

Great barracudas are intimidating fish, with their long bodies and mouths full of teeth.  But we think they are pretty awesome! How about you?