A pair of mandarinfish swim close together prior to spawning. Mandarinfish are reef-dwellers native to the Pacific Ocean. Fish can be masters of animal camouflage. See an example of this next.
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This harlequin ghost pipefish has evolved to look like the coral that it lives around. Check out two eerie snake-like fish in the next picture.
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These white-eyed moray eels can grow to 4 or 5 feet long. These eels have sharp teeth in their powerful jaws. There are about 700 kinds of eels. You wouldn't want to be in class with this next fearsome fish.
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A barracuda is scary because it has large jaws and very sharp teeth. It eats lots of other fish in the sea. If a barracuda feels threatened, it will even attack a person. See a particularly unusual fish next.
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Batfish use their strong pectoral fins, shaped like the hind legs of a frog, to "walk" across the sea floor in search of prey. Discover a small saltwater fish that resides near the Banggai Islands of Indonesia next.
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There are over 331 known species of cardinalfish, including this Banggai cardinalfish. This next fish could make a meal of you.
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There are around 360 species of shark, including this great white. Between 75 and 100 shark attacks are reported each year, but less than 20 result in human death. If you have young kids, you'll definitely know this next fish.
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Clownfish, damselfish, or the "Nemo" fish, live among sea anemones, which the fish use as a place to hide from predators. See a fish with its own light source next.
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Deep-sea anglerfish, which are usually three to four inches in length, sometimes eat fish twice their own size. Only the female of the deep-sea anglerfish has the characteristic "fishing pole." Despite its name, this next fish has no relation to cattle.
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Trunkfish, also known as boxfish or cowfish, are so named because the head and most of the body of the adult are enclosed in a boxlike structure of bone. This next fish has both eyes on one side of its head.
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Flouders, like this leopard flounder, live at the bottom of the sea. Lying flat on its side, a flounder can change its color and pattern to match the sea floor. This next fish also has camouflage down pat.
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The leafy sea dragons name comes from its leaf-like body, which can resemble seaweed. Sea dragons are closely related to sea horses. The next fish is somewhat controversial because some believe it is not actually a fish.
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The pacific hagfish is jawless, but has plates on its mouth and tongue that rasp into the body of its prey. When threatened, it secretes defensive slime. World-famous "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin met his demise thanks to this next fish.
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Stingrays, like this blue-spotted species, are considered by most experts to be docile creatures, only attacking in self-defense. A stingray's venom is not necessarily fatal, but it hurts a lot. The next fish is a delicacy in Japan.
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When a globefish, or pufferfish, is disturbed, it engulfs air or water into a special, inflatable part of the stomach. The balloon shape of a swollen fish apparently discourages attackers. See a fish that belongs to one of the largest fish familes next.
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This two-spot Goby makes up just one of the more than 2,000 Gobiidae family. The next kind of fish has a peculiar way of caring for its young.
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Jawfish orally brood their eggs to protect from their offspring from predators. See one of the most venomous fish species next.
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Scorpion fish, like this leaf scorpion fish, are named for the venomous spines on their fins. In most species, the skin is brightly colored to blend in with the ocean bottom, where they dwell. Check out one of corals' most colorful fish enemies next.
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A parrotfish is familiar to many divers who can immediately identify it by the characteristic chomping noise it makes as it eats away at the coral. Watch out while diving for this next saltwater fish.
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The stonefish is a drab brown color and has rough, warty skin to help it blend in with the mud flats and coral reefs where it is found. The back is covered by a series of venomous spines, which can cause paralysis. Find a relative of the shark next.
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Like sharks, skates have skeletons of cartilage rather than bone. This big skate is found off the Pacific coast of North America and can reach a length of about 8 feet. Find a fish related to the scorpion fish next.
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Lionfish or turkeyfish are a venomous species known their long, striped spines. Be sure not give this next fish a kiss.
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This warty frogfish stalks its prey - small sharks, squid and turtles - by crawling on its arm-like fins. It also occasionally catches a diving bird that comes too close underwater. See a popular game fish next.
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The Atlantic tarpon is a powerful fighter, and often makes tremendous leaps to free itself when hooked. Atlantic tarpons grow up to 8 feet in length and weigh up to 300 pounds. This next fish can change genders when neccessary.
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If the male of a school of the anthias fish disappears, the largest female will undergo hormonal changes in order to become the ruling male. Discover a warm-water food fish of the sea bass family next.
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Groupers are distinguished by their numerous dorsal spines. Most groupers are two to three feet long. Not all fish are particularly pleasant to look at. See an example next.
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Ths Sloane's viperfish (Chauliodus sloani) is a deep sea fish that has photophores, or light organs, in its mouth and all along its body. The next fish is so named because of its toad-like appearance.
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Toadfish, like this Three-spined toadfish, have large, broad heads, and bodies that taper to a long, slender tail. Also, some species have spines that release a mild poison. There are nearly 250 species of this next fish.
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Snappers are usually two to three feet in length and are often brightly colored. They have deep bodies, flattened heads and large mouths with many teeth. They are predatory, feeding on other fish, crabs, squid and shrimp. Swim on over the final fish.
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Butterflyfish and triggerfish are just two of the brightly-colored and incredible saltwater fish that exist.
Do you want to see more images capturing life under the sea? Check out our marine life pictures!
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