Pisces Gallery

Twoband anemonefish

Twoband anemonefish (Amphiprion bicinctus) in sea anemone on a coral reef. Anemonefish, also called clownfish, live in association with anemones. Both partners benefit in a mutualistic association. Slime on the fish's skin prevents the anemone's stinging cells from damaging it. The fish sleeps, evades danger, eats, and lays its eggs between the poisonous tentacles. The anemonefish cleans the anemone and also ensures a supply of food detritus for the anemone to feed on. This fish can reach a length of 14 centimetres. It is found in the western Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. Photographed in the Red Sea

© LOUISE MURRAY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Striped eel catfish

Striped eel catfish (Plotosus lineatus). School of juvenile striped eel catfish. These catfish have highly venomous spines and can reach up to 32 centimetres in length. Juveniles travel in large schools, whereas adults are either solitary or occur in smaller groups. Adults feed on crustaceans, molluscs, worms, and smaller fish. Photographed off New Guinea, Indo-Pacific

© GEORGETTE DOUWMA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Pelican eel

Pelican eel (Eurypharynx pelecanoides), computer artwork. This is a deep sea fish, living in the lightless (aphotic) zone below around 500 metres. It has been recorded in the very deep sea, up to eight kilometres below the surface. It can reach a length of around a metre, but its widely hinged jaw and expandable stomach means that it can swallow prey much larger than itself. This typically includes other fish, cephalopods and shrimp. It is found in temperate and tropical seas worldwide

© CHRISTIAN DARKIN/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY