Rendahl's messmate facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rendahl's messmate |
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| Drawing by Dr Tony Ayling | |
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Carapus rendahli Whitley, 1941 |
The Rendahl's messmate (Echiodon rendahli) is a special type of pearlfish. These fish are known for living inside other sea creatures! Rendahl's messmates are found in the southwest Pacific Ocean, near Australia and New Zealand. They live in waters up to 60 meters (about 200 feet) deep.
These interesting fish are usually between 10 and 12 centimeters (about 4 to 5 inches) long. They are part of a fish family called Carapidae.
Contents
What is a Pearlfish?
Pearlfish are a group of fish that often live inside other animals. They are sometimes called "commensal" fish. This means they share a home with another animal without harming it. They might live inside sea cucumbers, clams, or even sponges.
Living Inside Sponges
Rendahl's messmates are known for living inside sponges. Sponges are simple sea animals that stay in one place. Living inside a sponge gives the fish a safe place to hide from predators. It's like having a built-in home that protects them!
Life Cycle of the Rendahl's Messmate
The life of a Rendahl's messmate starts in a very unique way.
Baby Fish with a Special Feature
When they are very young, called larvae, Rendahl's messmates look quite different from the adults. They have a long, thin string or "filament" on their head. This filament can make them look a bit like a siphonophore. Siphonophores are amazing sea creatures that are made up of many small parts working together.
As the young fish grow, they lose this filament. They then start to look more like the adult fish we see.
Where Did the Name Come From?
The scientific name for this fish, Echiodon rendahli, has a special meaning.
Honoring a Naturalist
The "rendahli" part of the name honors a Swedish naturalist and artist named Hialmar Rendahl. He was the one who collected the first samples of this fish. He found them in the Tasman Sea, which is between Australia and New Zealand.
Later, another scientist named Gilbert Percy Whitley used these samples to officially describe and name the species in 1941.
Images for kids
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Juvenile Echiodon rendahli
Drawing by Dr Tony Ayling
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