Real or fake?

[ATJ]

Here are two images that show the wonders of mimicry in nature. The first photograph is of a pufferfish, Canthigaster valentini. As with other members of its family (Tetraodontidae), this fish is toxic due to the tetraodontoxin in its tissues. This is the same toxin in fugu.



The second photograph is of a filefish (basically a leatherjacket) that mimics the puffer. It is not toxic at all. They are almost identical in appearance, other than their fins.



Interestingly, I took these photographs in sequence only minutes apart - well near enough: there was one photograph between them of the mimic which wasn't as good as this one.

[gstark]

That's amazing .... nature never ceases to impress me, and your images only help to keep me intrigued.

[sirhc55]

Great pics and very informative

[Old Bob]

You are an encyclopaedia of the underworld, Andrew. I am always intrigued by your images, and your knowledge of the subject.

Bob

[Yi-P]

Your underwater shots never stop impressing me

Thanks for the great infos that I never knew.

[Glen]

I am buggered how you tell the difference! Great images and story, always interesting your posts

[BT*ist]

A great duo of photos - easy to see why a predatory fish would probably move on and grab themselves a less risky meal than attempt to try to tell the difference!

[ATJ]

Thanks for the comments. I have been passionate about all things marine since I was in my teens and completed a marine biology degree in 1981. I don't work in the field but sometimes wish that I did. I then remember if I did, I wouldn't be able to afford my toys.


The easiest way to tell them apart is looking at the size and shape of the indicated fins. On the real one it is small and with a narrow base:



On the fake, the fin is long with a base extending most of the way along the back:

[Glen]

Andrew, looks easy now you have shown me the difference, but I am sure you would beat me in a 'spot the difference comp'

[Oneputt]

I thought I knew a lot about fish, but I have never seen that before. Thank you Andrew. Live and learn.

[Killakoala]

Amazing thing nature is. Thanks for sharing that with us. It's certainly fascinating to see your images. Those tiny seahorses still intrigue me.

[ozimax]

Wonderful, spectacular, colourful

[big pix]

A very good lesson, what you see might not be what it is......

Great Capture

[Willy wombat]

Always enjoy your shots ATJ

[rookie2]

I am as good an angler as I am a photographer

.... consequently I have managed to catch both of these on many occasions and never noticed the difference

R2

[PiroStitch]

love the educational posts ATJ! Either way I try to stay away from any fish

[crackatoea]

Nice shots and very interesting. What really scares me is what if I caught the first fish and went to eat it thinking it was a leatherjacket, then again the chances of me catching a fish are nonexistant. I'm never eating fish again.

[ATJ]

What really scares me is what if I caught the first fish and went to eat it thinking it was a leatherjacket, then again the chances of me catching a fish are nonexistant. I'm never eating fish again.

Maximum size of both the pufferfish and the filefish (leatherjacket) is only 10 centimetres. I hope you don't to all the trouble of eating something so small.