Man-of-war fish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Man-of-war fish |
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| Conservation status | |
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| Genus: |
Nomeus
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| Species: |
gronovii
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| Synonyms | |
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The man-of-war fish or bluebottle fish (Nomeus gronovii) is a special type of fish. It belongs to the Nomeidae family, also known as driftfish. This fish has a long body, big eyes, and cool black-blue stripes. It can grow up to 39 centimeters (about 15 inches) long.
These fish live in warm, deep parts of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. They are usually found between 200 and 1,000 meters (660 to 3,280 feet) deep in the open ocean. What makes them super interesting is that they live right inside the dangerous tentacles of the Portuguese man o' war! They even eat parts of its tentacles and other bits.
Even though the man o' war has a strong sting, this fish is quite resistant to its poison. But it still tries to avoid the biggest tentacles. As they get older, these fish change their lifestyle. They move from swimming in open water to living closer to the ocean floor. This fish is the only known species in its group.
Contents
What the Man-of-War Fish Looks Like
The man-of-war fish has a long body and large eyes. It has clear dorsal fins (fins on its back) and black-blue stripes or spots all over its body. Its tail fin is very forked, like a V-shape. This fish can grow to be about 39 centimeters (15 inches) long.
These fish often swim in large groups instead of being alone. They can live for up to five years. You can find them in the warm, deep parts of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. They prefer open ocean areas between 200 and 1,000 meters (660 and 3,280 feet) deep. They are more common in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
The man-of-war fish is a carnivore (meat-eater) and a planktivore (eats tiny ocean creatures). It is famous for living safely among the deadly tentacles of the Portuguese man o' war. It eats the tentacles and other parts of the man o' war.
How It Avoids Stings
The man-of-war fish is known for living safely inside the dangerous tentacles of the Portuguese man o' war. Other fish, like clownfish that live in sea anemones, use a special slime to stop stings. But the man-of-war fish seems to use its amazing swimming skills to simply avoid the stinging parts.
This fish has many vertebrae (backbones), about 41 of them. This might help it be super agile and quick. It mostly uses its pectoral fins (side fins) for swimming. This is common for fish that need to move in tight spaces.
The fish also has special skin and at least one way to fight the man o' war's poison. It is about ten times more resistant to the toxin than other fish. However, the largest stinging tentacles (called dactylozooids) can still sting it. So, the fish actively avoids these big tentacles. The smaller tentacles (gonozooids) do not seem to sting the fish. The fish is often seen "nibbling" on these smaller tentacles.
Why It's Called That
The scientific name for this fish, gronovii, honors a Dutch zoologist named Laurentius Theodorus Gronovius. He lived from 1730 to 1777.
The common name "man-of-war fish" comes from its younger days. When they are young, these fish tend to swim in the open ocean right next to the Portuguese man o' war. As they grow older, they change their lifestyle. They become "demersal," which means they live closer to the ocean floor.
Reproduction
Man-of-war fish reproduce by the female releasing eggs, which are then fertilized. These eggs and the young fish (larvae) are designed to live well in the open ocean. A female fish can produce anywhere from 100 to 1,000 offspring. The fertilized eggs usually hatch within 4 to 5 days.
Images for kids
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A man-of-war fish swimming near a Portuguese man o' war.
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A man-of-war fish with its distinct stripes.
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An animated image of a man-of-war fish.
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