Daishi Naruse, Japan
Info
Liopropoma maculatum is a deep-water perch that even divers with compressed air tanks rarely get to see, as the depth distribution of the species reaches up to 400 meters.
Juveniles, on the other hand, can be found in shallower water zones, see the two photos of Daishi Naruse from Japan.
In fish larvae, the second and third dorsal spines of the dorsal fin are very long and thin, with three or four pigmented protrusions in the middle of the extension of the second spine, from which branching filamentous bodies similar to those of the third spine are derived. 7
There are various theories about the meaning of the long dorsal spine threads:
- The protrusions of the elongated dorsal spine filaments serve as a floating body that catches the movement of the current and stabilizes the larva in the water and prevents it from sinking
- with the long filaments, the fish resemble a type of colonial jellyfish (siphonophores) to deter certain potential predators
- the elongated filaments could play a role in energy storage by providing space for the assimilation of excess food
The question with these theories / hypotheses is whether the limited and conspicuous mobility of the fish larvae and the pigmented protrusions do not attract predatory fish more strongly and the larvae are then eaten very quickly?
The conspicuous movements of a Liopropoma larva can be seen here:
https://www.instagram.com/ryominemizu/reel/CwxSSJTPntY/
With increasing age, the filaments become shorter and then disappear completely.
Synonym: Pikea maculata Döderlein, 1883 · unaccepted (synonym)
Juveniles, on the other hand, can be found in shallower water zones, see the two photos of Daishi Naruse from Japan.
In fish larvae, the second and third dorsal spines of the dorsal fin are very long and thin, with three or four pigmented protrusions in the middle of the extension of the second spine, from which branching filamentous bodies similar to those of the third spine are derived. 7
There are various theories about the meaning of the long dorsal spine threads:
- The protrusions of the elongated dorsal spine filaments serve as a floating body that catches the movement of the current and stabilizes the larva in the water and prevents it from sinking
- with the long filaments, the fish resemble a type of colonial jellyfish (siphonophores) to deter certain potential predators
- the elongated filaments could play a role in energy storage by providing space for the assimilation of excess food
The question with these theories / hypotheses is whether the limited and conspicuous mobility of the fish larvae and the pigmented protrusions do not attract predatory fish more strongly and the larvae are then eaten very quickly?
The conspicuous movements of a Liopropoma larva can be seen here:
https://www.instagram.com/ryominemizu/reel/CwxSSJTPntY/
With increasing age, the filaments become shorter and then disappear completely.
Synonym: Pikea maculata Döderlein, 1883 · unaccepted (synonym)
