Sargassum Fish

Sargassum Fish

Histrio histrio

Size: to 6"

Habitat: wherever the current takes them

Notes: Sargassum fishes are found in drifting clumps of Sargassum weed. They are certainly one of the most bizarre fishes you may encounter. Their closest relatives are deep-sea anglerfishes and the local Goosefish. The paired fins are used exactly like arms and legs, and the Sargassum fish is a clumsy and reluctant swimmer. In fact, the pectoral (arm) fins can be folded over below the elbow, giving the fish an opposable grasp much like our own hands!

Sargassum Fish
In aquarium

Burbot

Lota lota

Size
to 15" avg.,
sometimes much larger

The Burbot is the only freshwater representative of the Cod family. Although native to the Great Lakes, and Midwest, they have been widely introduced for fishermen. Adults prefer deep cold water but spawn under ice in the shallows.

Printed from njscuba.net