Baby Searobin

During the historical collection of larval fishes, scientists have noted abnormally large pectoral fins, the fins on either side of a fish’s body. When these fish are preserved their fins remain flush to the side of the body, but photographs taken during blackwater dives reveal to true nature of these fins—they fan out. Perhaps, just like the long filamentous fins of other species, these fanned fins help the fished look more dangerous than they actually are. 

“This is one of the species of fish larvae that hangs in the water column with the pectoral fins flared (a searobin, Prionotus ophryas). One theory is that they are mimicking jellyfish, which would not taste good to predators. I learned how to count fin rays to differentiate between searobin and lionfish larvae.”-Linda