SPOTTED & SMOOTH TRUNKFISH: BAHAMAS REEF FISH (16)
THE SPOTTED TRUNKFISH is a reef fish distinctive for its dark spots on a silvery-white background. It’s very wrong of me to comment, I know, but arguably its appearance is amusing. It probably feels the same about divers with all their gear…
However the trunkfish deserves to be treated with due respect. When touched, they secrete a colourless toxin from glands on their skin. The toxin is only dangerous when ingested, so divers are unlikely to be harmed by the it. Predators however are at risk, and creatures as large as nurse sharks are known to have died as a result of eating a trunkfish.
THE SMOOTH TRUNKFISH is almost a negative of the spotted trunkfish, with white spots on a dark background rather than vice versa. Adults develop hexagonal patterning on their sides. They also secrete toxins and are best left untouched. Their ability to pucker up is impressive…
“Coming at you…” Here is the extraordinary pouting triangular creature you will seePhoto Credits: Melinda Riger @ Grand Bahama Scuba; additional props to Wiki
ROLLING HARBOUR ABACO 
top shot is the bees knees
LikeLike
I love the extraordinary-looking reef fish like these ones – I have some more strange species up my sleeve (so to speak). RH
LikeLike
Oh my, they’re fabulous! The first photo puts me in mind of a sheep.
LikeLike
Cool fish indeed – but how on earth did they evolve into that shape? And why?! RH
LikeLike