Quantcast
ZME Science
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Features
    Menu
    Natural Sciences
    Health
    History & Humanities
    Space & Astronomy
    Technology
    Culture
    Resources
    Natural Sciences

    Physics

    • Matter and Energy
    • Quantum Mechanics
    • Thermodynamics

    Chemistry

    • Periodic Table
    • Applied Chemistry
    • Materials
    • Physical Chemistry

    Biology

    • Anatomy
    • Biochemistry
    • Ecology
    • Genetics
    • Microbiology
    • Plants and Fungi

    Geology and Paleontology

    • Planet Earth
    • Earth Dynamics
    • Rocks and Minerals
    • Volcanoes
    • Dinosaurs
    • Fossils

    Animals

    • Mammals
    • Birds
    • Fish
    • Reptiles
    • Amphibians
    • Invertebrates
    • Pets
    • Conservation
    • Animals Facts

    Climate and Weather

    • Climate Change
    • Weather and Atmosphere

    Geography

    Mathematics

    Health
    • Drugs
    • Diseases and Conditions
    • Human Body
    • Mind and Brain
    • Food and Nutrition
    • Wellness
    History & Humanities
    • Anthropology
    • Archaeology
    • Economics
    • History
    • People
    • Sociology
    Space & Astronomy
    • The Solar System
    • The Sun
    • The Moon
    • Planets
    • Asteroids, Meteors and Comets
    • Astronomy
    • Astrophysics
    • Cosmology
    • Exoplanets and Alien Life
    • Spaceflight and Exploration
    Technology
    • Computer Science & IT
    • Engineering
    • Inventions
    • Sustainability
    • Renewable Energy
    • Green Living
    Culture
    • Culture and Society
    • Bizarre Stories
    • Lifestyle
    • Art and Music
    • Gaming
    • Books
    • Movies and Shows
    Resources
    • How To
    • Science Careers
    • Metascience
    • Fringe Science
    • Science Experiments
    • School and Study
    • Natural Sciences
    • Health
    • History and Humanities
    • Space & Astronomy
    • Culture
    • Technology
    • Resources
  • Reviews
  • More
    • Agriculture
    • Anthropology
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Electronics
    • Geology
    • History
    • Mathematics
    • Nanotechnology
    • Economics
    • Paleontology
    • Physics
    • Psychology
    • Robotics
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Environment → Animals

The fish that mimics the mimicking octopus

Tibi Puiu by Tibi Puiu
January 6, 2012
in Animals, Research

Mimic octopus impersonating a flatfish. (c) Rich Ross.
Mimic octopus impersonating a flatfish. (c) Rich Ross.

Off the coast of Sulawesi in Indonesia, dwells the Thaumoctopus mimicus commonly refered to as the mimic octopus, a remarkable animal capable of changing its shape and size to take the form of a jellyfish, a lion fish or even a crab or shrimp, among many other, for both protection against predators and as a shrewd disguise for hunting pray easier. A group of researchers, have now observed in the same waters, however, a peculiar jawfish that mimics the mimicking octopus – the master has finally been deluded, himself.

Godehard Kopp was diving and filming in waters preferred by the mimic octopus, when suddenly he observed a jawfish swimming in a perfect synchronized timing with the octopus, posing as an extra tentacle.  The German researcher immediately sent the footage to scientists at California Academy of Sciences for an expertize. It was unanimously agreed that this kind of behavior has never been observed before.

“It’s a pretty unique observation of mimicry — most of the time, a mimicking animal doesn’t actually follow the model it is mimicking,” Luiz Rocha of California Academy of Sciences told LiveScience. “But the mimicry wouldn’t work otherwise for this jawfish.”

With brown-and-white markings similar to ones on the octopus it was following, the black-marble jawfish is believed to have first evolved its coloration, before realizing it can be used as an excellent cover when coupled with a mimic octopus. Check out this incredible jawfish in action as it swims in perfect tandem with the octopus in the video right below.

“Those jawfish that did gain this advantage survived more often and got more offspring, so this behavior spread throughout the population,” Rocha explained.

“Unfortunately, reefs in the Coral Triangle area of southeast Asia are rapidly declining mostly due to harmful human activities. We may lose species involved in unique interactions like this even before we get to know them.”

 

Was this helpful?


Thanks for your feedback!

Related posts:
  1. Artificial camouflage skin mimics the octopus’ unparalleled morphing
  2. The iconic ‘Dumbo’ octopus stars in the deepest-ever octopus sighting
  3. “I wanted to take a picture of an octopus… but the octopus took pictures of me”
  4. Chimps and Bonobos use sounds and gestures back-and-forth, mimicking human conversation
  5. Twig-mimicking caterpillars perceive color through their skin to match their background
Tags: mimic octopusoctopus

ADVERTISEMENT
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Features
  • Reviews
  • More
  • About Us

© 2007-2021 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Health
    • History and Humanities
    • Space & Astronomy
    • Culture
    • Technology
    • Resources
  • Reviews
  • More
    • Agriculture
    • Anthropology
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Electronics
    • Geology
    • History
    • Mathematics
    • Nanotechnology
    • Economics
    • Paleontology
    • Physics
    • Psychology
    • Robotics
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2021 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

Don’t you want to get smarter every day?

YES, sign me up!

Over 35,000 subscribers can’t be wrong. Don’t worry, we never spam. By signing up you agree to our privacy policy.

✕
ZME Science News

FREE
VIEW