Got your freaky right here

by Peter Etnoyer

  

When it comes to freaky, size matters. The red-eyed gaper Chaunax pictus (shown above) didn’t make the grade for freaky fish at the Oceana contest, but she could probably swallow five of the contestants on the list in a single bite. But it wouldn’t, ’cause it hardly leaves the bottom. It’s just mellow. Hence the common name. Here, the Chaunax is ventilating water in a vain attempt to scare the ROV away.

You gotta love the Fanfin Seadevil at the Freaky Fish contest Craig talks about below, but I guess I’ll be voting for the pram bug after all.

4 Replies to “Got your freaky right here”

  1. That is one cool toad fish! I’m not familiar with this one, and couldn’t find a reference point for size in the frame, about how big is it?

    Definitely qualifies as a Big Mouth Fish! Almost makes me give up inverts for exotic Lophiiforme, especially after they sunburned the soles of my feet in Belize!

  2. You mean sods! First you intimidate a much smaller fish than yourselves, then you go & blow sand in its face!!! Good on the little guy holding his/her ground. :-)

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