Sea Creature of the Week

"The Sea Creature of the Week" 

The Ocean Sunfish or "Mola"

Mola mola 

Chatting with my co-worker today, she told me about a scuba diving trip she went on and all of the incredible marine life she saw! One animal in particular, was the Ocean Sunfish or most commonly called Mola. This unique creature is found in tropical and temperate waters (meaning the water is very mild or medium temperature) all over the world. Science researchers say the Ocean Sunfish are the heaviest bony fish in the WORLD! Yep, this fish, has bones and it's the only fish with bones, that weighs the most....IN THE WORLD!! Now you may think, wait, "what about whales...they have bones!?" But remember, whales are mammals-not fish! Then you might think..."wait....what about Sharks???" Remember....sharks are cartilaginous, they do not have bones, they have cartilage!  So let's not get confused! :-) 

Ocean Sunfish eat on lots and lots of jellyfish for nutrients, but are also hunted by sharks, sea lions and HUMANS!!! These creatures are considered a delicacy in some parts of the world!! With their long, oval body, tall dorsal and anal fins, and small-round tail fin, this creature is a sight to see! Check it out! (And remember, Avery Adventures post new "Sea Creatures of the Week" every Tuesday!!) 

Sea Creature of the Week

"The Sea Creature of the Week" 

The Barreleye Fish

Macropinna microstoma

My husband came to me one day and asked, "Is this fish real?" Knowing nothing about it, I immediately thought "I must get information on what this creature is and WHY does it look like that!" :-) 

It is said, the Barreleye fish was discovered in 1939. When scientist found this fish in deep, deep waters, they were confused. "Are those eyes," they wondered. Marine biologist were finally able to see how this animal "lives" and how its body functions. A camera was sent deep down in ocean waters to study the animal off the coast of California. What was observed, was the green tube-like objects are the eyes!!! They are pointed in an upward position to see objects/food/predators floating above, since it's a deep, deep ocean fish! But that's not all....the eyes can also move to focus in front (like normal). Isn't that cool?!?! :-) The big "dome" that covers it's head is a transparent shield that protects the eyes. Now, the Barrelfish has markings on the front of its face that confuses other creatures in believing the eyes sit in the front its head. So don't be fooled!!! Well, it wouldn't fool you, maybe the smaller fish or squid it slurps up, from having no teeth in its mouth!!! Poor guy! Look at the pics below to see how unique this creature is!!! 

Sea Creature of the Week

"The Sea Creature of the Week" 

Tasseled Wobbegong

Eucrossorhinus dasypogon

Having a name like "Wobbegong," you may be able to guess where this creature lives. The Tasseled Wobbegong is found in shallow waters and reefs in the western Pacific Ocean around Australia, eastern Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. The name has an Australian background and is said to translate into "well fringed nose with shaggy beard." :-) 

 It's unique look helps it blend in, or "camouflage", from predators or to attack it's prey. My husband likes to think of it as a carpet, which is correct! Wobbegong's are a type of "carpet-shark," known to lay on the bottom of reefs and in caves. These creatures are nocturnal, which means they are active at night. They are known as "ambush predators," sucking bottom-dwelling fishes into its mouth when they swim by. The needle-like teeth of the Wobbegong traps the fish inside its mouth, making it hard for the fish to escape.   

This unusual creature, sadly, is listed "Near Threatened" by the World Conservation Union (IUCN). This is because their population is decreasing and is predicted to continue to decline in future years. A positive thing, is the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park in Australia, protects some of the Wobbegong's habitat, allowing these animals safe places to live and populate. If you are ever in Atlanta, my hometown, you can see one of these creatures cruising by at the Georgia Aquarium. Take a peak and see if you can spot the Wobbegong in the pictures below:

Sea Creature of the Week

"The Sea Creature of the Week" 

Stonefish 

Synaceia verrucosa 

This is a creature that could be deadly to both ME and YOU! As a matter of fact, it is said to be the most deadly fish in the world!!!! Stonefish are unique fish that contain venom so powerful, researchers say, that if it strikes a human.....the human can die in two hours! The venomous spines are found on its back, which makes stepping on this fish very painful and deadly! It is important when visiting the ocean to be aware where you step! Frightening, huh? 

The body of a stonefish is very well camouflaged. They are usually brown or gray and sit very still, resembling a stone (rock)....this is where their name comes from. Some may have red, orange, and yellow body colors, blending in with the reef it lives in. They usually live in the Pacific, the Great Barrier Reef, or shallow reef waters from the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean. They are carnivores, eating on small fish and shrimp. 

Many aquariums have stonefish in their tanks, so hopefully that's the only run in you have with one! :-) Check out pictures of this scary, but cool creature:  

Sea Creature of the Week!!!!!

"The Sea Creature of the Week" 

The Bottlenose Dolphin

Tursiops truncatus 

 "Look! It's a dolphin!!!!" For anyone who has had an opportunity to visit any aquarium or water-related theme park, you have probably come across one of these cute creatures! The Bottlenose Dolphin is a very smart and social mammal, that loves to hang out in groups called "pods," with other dolphins. They have very smooth and sleek bodies, allowing them to swim up to 18 miles per hour!!! Being a mammal, like humans, they must breathe oxygen in order to live. How, you ask? They have a blowhole at the top of their heads, where air goes out (exhaled) and comes in (inhaled).

Pretty cool body part, huh?
Another cool fact about these creatures is that they communicate in a cool way....it's called Echolcation!  Dolphins make sounds underwater and wait until the sound echos back. We all have made an echo before! Well the cool thing about dolphins.....they are experts in echolocation! When the sound travels back they are able to tell where the sound came from and what the sound bounced off of. For example, if a dolphin clicks or makes a sound underwater, the clicking sound is sent off in one direction until it hits something. When it hits an object it bounces back to the dolphin. Dolphins then are able to tell where the sound came from and what it bounced off of! They are able to hunt for other fish this way! It also helps them find other dolphin friends/mates and even discover something cool in the ocean!!! I find dolphins to be one of the most adorable marine mammals! So much, I had to them in my wedding!!! :-) Check out some pictures of me and my husband and our dolphin friend!

Sea Creature of the Week!!!!!

"The Sea Creature of the Week" 

In regards to the start of a new school year.....

Schools of Fish

(Just to name a few...)

Sardines

Sardinops

Blue-lined Snappers

Lutjanus kasmira

Mackerel 

Scomber scombrus 

In honor of several students and teachers returning to schools, classes, colleges or any educational place I failed to mention....let's discuss "schools of fish!" 

Well....what is a school of fish? It's when several fish of the same kind, size, and age, group up and swim together!!! A big group of fish swimming in the same direction at the same time! Why, you may ask? Well, science researchers have found that schooling fish have several benefits! With more fish together, predators like sharks and bigger fish, are less likely to attack. It appears that its a larger fish rather than several smaller fish. Swimming in a group also helps fish swim better. It allows  them to use less oxygen and helps them swim longer because they are able to use less energy. So even if it's math, reading, science, or synchronized swimming....enjoy school...it has its benefits!!!! 

Blue-lined snapper

Mackerel 

Sardines 

Sea Creature of the Week....the past 2 Weeks!!! :-)

"The Sea Creature of the Week" 

Skipping a week for an awesome cross country tour...I had to bring you an awesome sea creature to make up for it! ;-) 

Giant Pacific Octopus

Enteroctopus dofleini

Just the name of this creature sounds big, doesn't it? GIANT!!!! Well I got the chance to see one of these creatures up close and it was AWESOME!!!!!!! Visiting the wonderful city of Seattle, Wa, I had an opportunity to tour the Seattle Aquarium! Great aquarium, showing all the diversity of the Pacific Ocean, in addition to an exhibit dedicated to the Giant Pacific Octopus!!! This creature gets its name from being bigger and living longer than any other of the octopus species. The average size is about 16 feet across and 110 pounds. However according to National Geographic, the record specimen was 30 feet across and weighed more than 600 pounds!!!!! Woooow!!!!! They are also known for their huge bubble-shaped heads which are usually a red-brown color. GPO's have a short life span, being only 4 years, both males and females. Like their octopus family, they have unique skin cells that allow them to change color to whatever color surrounds them. They are also very smart creatures! Lab studies have shown them opening jars and solving mazes! Aren't they intelligent?! :-) GPO's live from Alaska all the way down to southern California and even out in Japan. These are amazing creatures with GIANT brains! Check 'em out!