Sunday 16 March 2014

A fish called Pineapple!

Here's just one reason to save the Great Barrier Reef. The Pineapple Fish!
 
There are many more reasons of course, which will appear in the doco on Channel Ten 6pm this Saturday to celebrate Australia's Earth Hour.
 
 
Marine scientist, David Harasti, says that the Pineapple fish (Cleidopus gloriamaris) which can be found off New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia “is a very popular species with scuba divers and it can be tricky to photograph as they generally hide in the darkness at the back of a cave or ledge away from the prying lens of a camera!”

 
“The scales are very tough and act as armour whilst there is a small light organ that can be found on either side of the lower jaw that produces a greenish glow. It is believed that the colour of the light organ changes from green to red as the fish matures. This light organ is best seen at night as it is luminescent and the Pineapple fish uses it to attract small microscopic prey to its mouth to feed on.“
David also says that “even though this fish resembles a Pineapple it is reported that it is not very good eating!”

Thanks very much for allowing us to use your photograph David.

For more information on this remarkable creature check out his website:

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