2020-04-02_Science_Illustrated

Sometimes the best

defence is to scare one’s

enemies. In order to

scare off hungry

predators, African

pompanos have evolved

tentacles that imitate

those of a poisonous

jellyfish, keeping their

owners safe from

cautious enemies.

It is difficult to hide

in the open sea, so the

best camouflage is

sometimes complete

transparency. The

young surgeonfish uses

this strategy, and its

skin is so thin that that

you can peek directly

into the fish’s brain.

When the diamond

squid is fully grown,

it is about a metre

long and weighs

approximately 30kg.

At a younger age, the

small transparent squid

remains under the

surface, feeding on

small fish and even

smaller squid.

TENTACLES FOOL ENEMIES Flatfish imitate poisonous jellyfish.

CANNIBAL BABY The young diamond squid consumes other smaller squid.

TRANSPARENT CAMOUFLAGE Enemies see through surgeonfish.

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PHOTODOC OCEAN FEAST
78 | SCIENCE ILLUSTRATED