22 replies to this topic

[Leslie]

Back to Meister's bizarre mirapinnid fish..... Alex, you were dead on with your reference to siphonophores. According to Rick Feeney, one of our fish guys, a number of juvenile fish have long trailing appendages with pigmented or bioluminescent organs that mimic siphonophores. They use them for disguise and/or to attract small crustaceans for food. As the fish grow they drop or re-absorb the appendages. Apparently the mirapinnids keep their appendages if undisturbed but they usually break off during collection.
Leslie

[Leslie]

This is one of the larval fish with bizarre siphonophore-like appendages.....
http://www.mnh.si.ed...al-cavebass.htm
L

[Bushy]

That first fish is awsome, very very interesting amazing the likeness it has with my mother in law :shock: