Taenianotus triacanthus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Taenianotus triacanthus |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | |
| Family: | |
| Subfamily: |
Scorpaeninae
|
| Genus: |
Taenianotus
Lacepède, 1802
|
| Species: |
T. triacanthus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Taenianotus triacanthus Lacepède, 1802
|
|
The leaf scorpionfish (Taenianotus triacanthus), also known as the paperfish, is a special type of ocean fish. It is the only species in its group, which makes it quite unique!
Contents
About the Leaf Scorpionfish
The leaf scorpionfish grows to about 10 centimeters (4 inches) long when it is fully grown. Its color can be green, red, pink, brown, yellow, or even a ghostly white.
This fish is almost as flat as a leaf. It looks like a leaf in many ways, helping it to blend in. It has a large head and mouth. A dark line goes across its eyes.
The big fin on its back starts right behind its eyes. This fin has 12 spines and 8 to 11 soft parts. The fin on its belly has 3 spines and 5 or 6 soft parts.
The leaf scorpionfish has venom, but it is much weaker than the venom of fish like the lionfish or stonefish. Its skin often has blotches that help it hide. Sometimes, real algae and tiny hydroids even grow on its skin.
This fish sheds its skin every 10 to 14 days. After it sheds its skin, it can even change its colors!
How the Leaf Scorpionfish Behaves
The leaf scorpionfish looks like a dead leaf floating in the water. To make its camouflage even better, it gently sways its lower body. This makes it seem like a piece of plant drifting without life.
It is an ambush predator. This means it waits quietly until a small fish or shrimp comes close. Then, it slowly moves its side fins closer to its prey. When it is near enough, the leaf scorpionfish suddenly opens its mouth. It sucks the prey in very quickly! It eats small crustaceans, other fish, and tiny larvae.
Where the Leaf Scorpionfish Lives
The leaf scorpionfish is found in many places around the world. It lives from the east coast of Africa and the Red Sea all the way to the tropical Indo-Pacific. You can find it north near the Galápagos Islands, the Ryūkyū Islands, Hawaii, and the coast of New South Wales.
This fish likes warm, tropical waters. It lives on coral reefs, from shallow areas to depths of 130 meters (about 426 feet).
Images for kids
.jpg)
