Leaf fish and camouflage

[CACAdmin]

I have found my leaf fish quite fascinating to watch. They change color at will mostly in various brown tones from dark chocolate to almost white. They can even make the patterns on their bodies almost disappear. They do this as camouflage often matching the color of the underside of leaves or wood above them. They hover in the tank awaiting their prey, their almost invisible fins moving rapidly. They are capable of sudden swift movement but seem to prefer to wait patiently until their prey wanders within range.

Camouflage is such a necessary part of survival (for both predators and non-predatory fish). I take note of the light colored bellies of many of my fish which I guess makes them rather hard to see when looking at them from below and thus would be safe from many predators in the wild. I wonder how many fish actually have the ability to change color as a form of camouflage.

[Melody]

That would make for an interesting series of pictures if one could catch it properly with a digital. :yes:

[CACAdmin]

I will attempt to get some pics this weekend but no guarantees what I'll accomplish... Im far from adept at taking pictures. Thankfully with digital, I can take 1000 to get one. :laugh:

[CACAdmin]

Well, I must say I have more success with getting pics of my leaf fish than I do with my livebearers. Why? Becuase leaf fish actually stay relatively still. So I did not a a few pics of color variations:

Normal coloration (not camouflaged)
http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/jb_images/leaf-1.jpg


Blending in with a piece of driftwood
http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/jb_images/leaf-2.jpg


Blending in with the underside of some leaves
http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/jb_images/leaf-3.jpg

[Jeradatar]

Nice Pics Jay!

[Melody]

Awesome pic's and wow, you weren't kidding on the range of camouflage! You should add these to a profile.

[CACAdmin]

Thanks! And, thanks for reminding me to put together a profile. I wanted to wait until I had some pics and some experience with them first. I will get to writing it up when I have a chance.

[Soggybottom]

:yes:Nice fish Jay! and impressive pics

Jealous-o-meter in the red! Reminds me of the wasp fish I've always wanted for my brackish tank, but instead of being able to change color, they just sting you ::D:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v380/VINCENT3161/waspfish.jpg
Img credit (http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50506)

Just had a thought regarding the white bellies on fish. My puffers have very white bellies but they say that a sick puffer will have a dark belly. They also tend to hang out on the bottom when unhappy, so a white belly wouldn't be of any use any more, coincidence?:idea:

[CACAdmin]

Interesting about the puffers. Maybe if they have dark bellies because they are sick they feel the need to hang out at the bottom where they wouldn't stand out so much against the light.

These leaf fish (Monocirrhus polyacanthus) don't sting and haven't tried to bite me (despite having rather huge mouths). I think it's because they only hunt that which is smaller than they are... and my hand is much bigger. :twitcy:

[Pamelajo]

I can't believe how much the colour can change! Awesome fish.

[CACAdmin]

Another neat thing about them is that you can always tell when they're hunting. The position themselves with the tip of their mouth pointing downwards (as in the first pic) and wait.