Animal
Razorfish
Aeoliscus strigatus. A slender fish that swims head down.
Langue du contenu
Razorfish swim head down, often in a small, synchronised group. Their backs face the direction of travel, and their narrow bodies can resemble vertical blades. Thin bony plates form an outer covering. This unusual shape helps identify a fish that grows to about 15 centimetres in length.
The species inhabits coastal Indo-Pacific waters from eastern Africa to Australia. It occurs among seagrasses, corals and sea urchins of the genus Diadema. Long sea urchin spines provide shelter. The slender fish fit between them and can watch for tiny food items drifting nearby from this protected position.
Their long, tubular snouts have no teeth. Razorfish use them to take in small invertebrates living near the bottom or suspended in the water. Prey includes tiny crustaceans such as copepods and amphipods. Body position, a narrow protective covering and feeding behaviour together suit a life among dense natural shelters.
Pour les enfants
This fish really does swim head down. Razorfish often form small groups and move together, with their backs facing the direction of travel. Their bodies are very narrow and covered with thin bony plates. An adult can be about 15 centimetres long.
Razorfish live in coastal waters from eastern Africa to Australia. They shelter among seagrasses and corals. They also use an unusual hiding place: the gaps between a sea urchin's spines. A narrow body fits where a larger attacker would have trouble following.
Their long snouts are like tubes and have no teeth. The fish use them to take in tiny animals living near the bottom or drifting in the water, including small crustaceans. A razorfish can watch for these from its hiding place, then reach for a meal with its tubular snout.
Question 1 sur 2
Which position does a swimming razorfish often adopt?
- Emplacement
- Coral Reef, first floor, tank 602 · Gdynia Aquarium