Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Best of Mike #128

I found this particular parrotfish, asleep on the bottom during a night dive.

A number of parrotfish species secrete a mucus cocoon, that envelopes the fish and protects them while they sleep.

Presumably the cocoon hides their scent from predators.

It is also thought that the mucous envelope may act as an early warning system.... allowing the parrotfish to flee when it detects predators such as moray eels disturbing the membrane.

This fish's skin itself is covered with another mucous substance that may have antioxidant properties.... that serve to repair body damage, repel parasites and protect them from UV light.



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