You are here: Home › Stressors › Land & Resource Use › Puerto Rico & Vieques 2008 › Day Seven
Puerto Rico & Vieques 2008 Cruise, day seven: April 01, 2008
(credit: Brian
Degan)
Click to enlarge
hovering above a
great barracuda
(credit: Amy V.
Uhrin)
Click to enlarge
squirrelfish
(credit: John
Burke)
Click to enlarge
(credit: Jack Javech)
Click to enlarge)
"Eat or be eaten" is a common saying when referring to how we view predator and prey relationships among fish. It’s an overly simplified way of viewing things, but it is true that most fish have to pursue their food, or evade other fish that are pursuing them as food. Some fish have responded by evolving more efficient forms of swimming by streamlining their bodies like the cero (Scomberomorus regalis) and the great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda). Many smaller fish, like scad (Decapterus sp.), school and hover near a larger predator as a mechanism of protection or feed on scraps left behind by the larger fish.
Fish have also developed deterrents such as elongated spines like the longspine squirrelfish (Holocentrus rufus).
Many species have become adept at blending with their surrounding environment via camouflage. Camouflage is used as frequently by predators as by prey. Benthic predators such as the sand diver (Synodus intermedius) use camouflage to mimic the substrate and enable them to approach closer to prey.
All wrasses have multiple stages during their lives. The larval and juvenile stages of the blackear wrasse (Halichoeres poeyi) exhibit shades of green to chartreuse to blend in with the seagrass beds they inhabit.
Similarly, the juvenile stage of the slender filefish (Monacanthus tuckeri) often drifts among branches of gorgonians.
Brian Degan Click to enlarge |
The hogfish (Lachnolaimus maximus) is a popular fish to harvest via spear fishing and will use special cells known as chromatophores to change color. The hogfish can change color and blend in with its environment very quickly if it feels endangered by a predator, and then just as quickly change back once the danger has passed.
Today’s web page content was contributed by CCFHR Scientist Brian Degan (right). Brian is the Field Party Chief on our cruise, which means that he is responsible for assisting the Chief Scientist in whatever fashion is necessary, most notably selecting the random sample sites and generating the plan of the day. Hats off to Brian for taking the time out of his hectic day to contribute this page!
Blackear wrasse panel (credit: Brian Degan) Click to view |
Slender filefish panel (credit: Brian Degan) Click to view |
Hogfish panel (credit: Brian Degan) Click to view |