ADW: Leaf_fish.jpg

Identification

Taenianotus triacanthus (Leaf fish)

Permissions for Use

medium - large

Location

Luzon Island, Philippines

Caption

Though they look menacing, leaf fish (Taenianotus triacanthus) are very docile animals. This specimen is typical in length, about 3 or 4 inches. It parks itself on the reef for long periods, and its body acts as a sail, swaying with the slightest current. The reflective, almost glowing eyes seem to add to the mysterious nature of this fish. Their dorsal spines are sharp and venomonous.

Contributors

Jeffrey N. Jeffords (photographer; copyright holder; identification)

To cite this page: Myers, P., R. Espinosa, C. S. Parr, T. Jones, G. S. Hammond, and T. A. Dewey. 2012. The Animal Diversity Web (online). Accessed at http://animaldiversity.org.

Disclaimer: The Animal Diversity Web is an educational resource written largely by and for college students. ADW doesn't cover all species in the world, nor does it include all the latest scientific information about organisms we describe. Though we edit our accounts for accuracy, we cannot guarantee all information in those accounts. While ADW staff and contributors provide references to books and websites that we believe are reputable, we cannot necessarily endorse the contents of references beyond our control.

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This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grants DUE-0633095 and DRL-0628151.
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