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Scorpionfish

Spotted Scorpionfish:
Scorpaena plumieri

An ambush predator and a master of camouflage: a venomous scorpionfish lies buried in the sand, its body blending in perfectly with the surroundings. 

Sea Facts:

Scorpionfish are so successfully adapted to hiding on the seafloor bottom that their swim bladders have atrophied. They can barely swim.  Instead, they lie in the sand, partially buried, camouflaged from passing fish. When an unwary victim swims by, the scorpionfish lunges out and sucks in its prey with an explosive gulp.

The ability to blend into the surroundings is an adaptation called crypsis.  However the scorpionfish can also announce its presence by flashing red as a warning.

See  comparison:  lionfish

Life in the Seas: All images, underwater photography, and content copyrighted by George Perina.  This domain available.