The Knifetooth Sawfish (Anoxypristis cuspidata) is a species of sawfish native to the Indo-Pacific ocean. Its bony snout, which contains 18-25 teeth, is used to incapacitate fish and to stir up sediment to uncover prey.
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- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Echinodermata
- Class: Asteroidea
Sea stars are slow-moving marine animals that have a five-part pentaradial symmetry. They have spiny protective skin, a water vascular system, and a skeleton composed of calcite plates. Sea stars are well known for their regenerative ability and are able to regrow lost or broken arms. Tube feet are extensions of the water vascular system and are used for locomotion and feeding by the sea stars. They use the suction grip of their tube feet to pry open bivalves for food.
The Blue-ringed Octopus is recognized as one of the most dangerous marine animals and is found in the Pacific and Indian oceans, from Australia to Japan. It’s venom contains a neurotoxin called tetrodotoxin, or TTX. This toxin blocks sodium channels, which causes motor paralysis and respiratory arrest within just a few minutes. If help (artificial respiration) is not received within a short amount of time, this will ultimately lead to cardiac arrest and death. TTX can also leave it’s victims fully awake and aware of their surroundings but unable to breathe or communicate their distress.
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Actinoptergyii
This is the Galapagos batfish, fondly called the red-lipped batfish. They have highly adapted pectoral fins that they use to walk along the ocean floor since they are rather bad at swimming. Once it reaches maturity, its dorsal fin become a single spine-like projection which is thought to be used for prey attraction.
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Actinopterygii
The Blue Parrotfish is found in the shallow waters of the western Atlantic ocean and Caribbean sea. They are the only species of parrotfish that are this uniformly blue and only exhibit one yellow spot on their heads which fade as they age. The parrotfish exhibit a beak-like structure similar to other parrotfish. They use this to scrape off algae and other small organisms from rocks.
Scientists from the National Institute for Basic Biology in Okazaki, Japan have created sperm-producing female fish just by turning off a single gene. When the foxl3 gene was suppressed or knocked out completely, the females began producing healthy and functional sperm cells. Unlike previous experiments, these fish didn’t develop testes but rather produced the healthy sperm from their ovaries.
In May of 2015, the first warm blooded fish was discovered. Lampris guttatus (otherwise known as Opah or Moonfish) is a deep-sea dwelling endotherm, meaning it internally regulates its body temperature. This is very unique because all other fish are ectotherms and rely on the environment as their heat source. The Opah’s endothermic nature means that it can swim faster, see better, and respond to its environment quicker.
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Crustacea
This is the Cymothoa Exigua, more commonly known as the tongue-eating louse. It is a parasitic crustacean and will crawl into the fish through it’s gills. The female will then attach itself to the fish’s tongue and extract blood from it for food until the tongue atrophies away. The C. exigua appears to not cause any other bodily harm to the fish and it is able to be utilized by the fish as a normal tongue.
- Phylum: Chordata
- Family: Antennariidae
The Frog Fish is a type of anglerfish that is found in almost all tropical and subtropical oceans around the world. It uses spinules and other appendages to change its texture and color, which allows for its amazing camouflage abilities. It is classified as an anglerfish because of the fleshy “fishing rod” protruding from its head that helps attract potential prey.
The power of camouflage!
The Graham’s fishhook cactus (Mammillaria grahamii) is the most common fishhook cactus in Arizona. The red fruits shown follow bright pink flowers.