In the animal world, its kill or be killed.
Many animals develop weaponry or aggressive behaviour to defend them selves
against predators. But not the leaf fish!
Leaf fish are a diverse group found in Asia
(Nandidae), South America (Polycentridae) and Africa (Polycentropsis abbreviata;
Barlow, 1967; Catarino & Zuanon, 2010).
In this weeks blog post I will focus on the
South American species observed in and around the Amazon basin.
WATCH: Build for The Kill – Leaf Fish
These amazingly deceptive fish camouflage
themselves into streams, lakes and rivers by mimicking leaves. With a laterally
compressed body shape, mottled patterns and colours, leaf fish remain hidden
from predators. Their camouflage efforts even go as far as forming an extended
filament in the lower jaw to resemble a petiole (a must-have for any leaf related costume). Seemingly harmless, the fish
can go completely undetected by prey until they strike with their large protractile
mouths (Barlow, 1967; Catarino & Zuanon, 2010).
References:
Barlow, G.W. 1967, "Social
Behavior of a South American Leaf Fish, Polycentrus schomburgkii, with an
Account of Recurring Pseudofemale Behavior", American Midland Naturalist,
vol. 78, no. 1, pp. 215-234.
Catarino, M.F. & Zuanon, J. 2010,
"Feeding ecology of the leaf fish Monocirrhus polyacanthus (Perciformes:
Polycentridae) in a terra firme stream in the Brazilian Amazon",
Neotropical Ichthyology, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 183-186.
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