It’s easy to forget that human actions affect animals who live on the other side of the world. Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), an insecticide that was extremely popular up until it was banned in the 70’s based on its health risks for the environment and humans, has been found in the bodies of penguins and seals in Antarctica. This is just one of hundreds of examples of how toxins move through the food chain and can affect animals that would never normally come into contact with them.

(Photo source)

Photo by Smodger

Photo by Tintinian

Photo by John Carleton

Photo by Victor Amor

oceansoftheworld:

(Photo by Neil Liddle)

Pfeffer’s flamboyant cuttlefish, (Metasepia pfefferi) displays stunning changing colors and patterns and actually “walks” along the bottom of the sea (the only one known to do so). M. pfefferi has a maximum mantle length of 6-8 cm with 3 pairs of flap-like fleshy papillae (fleshy nipple-like protuberances) and a V-shaped ventral (underside) fleshy ridge. This cuttlefish also has large violet oblique V-shaped patches on both sides of the dorsal mantle. Papillae are also present over the eyes. The papillae are used for camouflage to break up the outline of the cuttlefish. Pfeffer’s flamboyant cuttlefish undergoes incredible color changes possible due to three types of structures contained within its skin, called chromatophores, leucophores and iridophores, which are small structures filled with colored ink which can be rapidly expanded and contracted to communicate or are used as camouflage within its habitat. These structures allow the cuttlefish to rapidly reflect a myriad of colors and change the textures of their skin.

(Source)

ATLANTIC WOLFFISH
Anarhichas lupus
©Espen Rekdal

The Atlantic wolffish’s distinguishing feature, from which it gets its common name, is its extensive teeth structure. Its dentition (teeth) distinguishes the Atlanitic wolffish from all the other members of the Anarhichadidae family. Both the lower and upper jaw are armed with four to six fang-like, strong conical teeth. Behind the conical teeth in the upper jaw, there are three rows of crushing teeth. The central row has four pairs of molars and the outer rows house blunted conical teeth. The lower jaw has two rows of molars behind the primary conical teeth. The wolffish’s throat is also scattered with serrated teeth.

The Atlantic wolffish are primarily stationary fish, rarely moving from their rocky home. They are benthic dwellers, living on the hard ocean floor, frequently seen in nooks and small caves. They like cold water, at depths of 76 to 120 meters (250 to 400 ft). They are usually found in waters of 34-37°F (1-2°C) and sometimes as low as 30°F (-1°C). Since they live in nearly freezing waters, in order to keep their blood moving smoothly, their blood contains a natural antifreeze.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seawolf_%28fish%29

explosionsoflife:

What’s a seawolf? I’m a seawolf..!? (That’s my college’s chant.)

(via und3rthesea-deactivated20111030)

animalworld:

Pair of MANDARINFISH  or MANDARIN DRAGONET
Synchiropus splendidus
© Jim Christensen

The Mandarinfish or Mandarin dragonet, is a small, brightly-colored member of the dragonet family. The common name of the Mandarinfish comes from its extremely vivid colouration, evoking the robes of an Imperial Chinese mandarin.  The mandarinfish is native to the Pacific, ranging approximately from the Ryukyu Islands south to Australia.

To date, S. picturatus is one of only two animal species known to have blue colouring because of cellular pigment, the other is the closely related LSD or Psychedelic Dragonet. The name “cyanophore” was proposed for the blue chromatophores, or pigment-containing and light-reflecting cells. In all other known cases, the colour blue comes from thin-film interference from piles of flat, thin and reflecting purine crystals.

Fact Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandarinfish

Other posts:

Titan Triggerfish

Siamese Fighting Fish or Betta

Desjardins Sailfin Tang