Pineapple fish

Pineapple fish
Cleidopus gloriamaris
Max. size: 23 cm

 

Geographical distribution:
East, west and southern coasts of Australia.

 

Biology:
This fish owes its name to its shape and its large black-edged scales.  Protected by bony armour and spines on its dorsal and pelvic fins, this strange creature lives in the depths of  the twilight zone (dark waters).
On each side of its mouth it has a luminous organ containing luminescent bacteria, and these produce an orange colour in the daytime and a weak bluish-green light at night. At night it hunts in caves for small fish and crustaceans that are drawn to the light of its “lamps”.
The ocean depths are full of creatures that have to adapt to extreme conditions such as the lack of light and this phenomenon of bio-luminescence is therefore extremely useful as a way of recognising animals of the same species as well as for nuptial parades and capturing prey.
During reproduction, the male fertilises the eggs that the female has laid in a place protected from predators.  

 

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