Would you rather be a fish? Dive in and treat yourself to a fun and fishy five-minute challenge!
If getting to know marine life is a hobby of yours, then five minutes is plenty of time to name all the fish we picked out for you. Jump right in — the quiz is fine!
1.The markings of this fish are meant to confuse its predators while it makes a hasty retreat. Which of these is it?
* Barberfish
* Needlefish
* Foureye Butterflyfish
* Moray eel
2.This fish may have a dainty name but can become quite aggressive if its territory is invaded. Can you name it?
*Damselfish
* Surgeonfish
*Painted comber
* Striped goatfish
3.Think of which two animals this fish resembles. Can you come up with its name?
*Butterfly kingfish
*Foxface rabbitfish
*Pufferfish
* Dusky farmerfish
4. This distinctive-looking predator does everything on a grander scale than its relatives. Can you name it?
*Variegated lizardfish
* Great hammerhead shark
*Pikeblenny
* Island mackerel
Stamps its dominance on the group by preying on other hammerhead, even its own pups.
5.This small fish is named for its “horns” and is described as “naked” due to its lack of scales. Can you identify it?
* Sabertooth fish
*Longspined bullhead
* Striped bonito
* Spotted soapfish
6. Can you identify this saltwater fish which gets its shape from a protective shell-like covering?
* Boxfish
* Seahorse
* Whitemargin Stargazer
* Island mackerel
7. About 200 species make up this family of popular aquarium fish. Do you recognise it?
*Cardinalfish
*Royal Gramma
*Shorthead Sculpin
* Smalltooth Sawfish
8.The fish shown here may only get to three and a half inches long, but its fiery coloring is hard to miss. Which of these is it?
* Sand stargazer
* Humpback Anglerfish
* Dash-and-dot Goatfish
* Flame Hawkfish
Answers
1. Foureye Butterflyfish
Predators looking to prey on the Foureye butterflyfish can't be sure which end is which as the foureye has eye-like markings on its tail end. If the foureye is somehow caught, the predator is in for a nasty surprise as the spines of the foureye are sure to make a very uncomfortable meal indeed!
2. Damsel fish are noted for being particularly territorial. They are always quick to defend their space from other damselfish to the point where some of them end up with no territory at all. Damselfish are both fast and active and are a popular choice for marine aquaria.
3. Foxface rabbitfish
Its distinctively striped face and timid manner make the Foxface rabbitfish one of the most common fish in marine aquaria. Keepers of foxface rabbitfish should be aware that these fish tend to change to a mottled brown when stressed.
4. Great hammerhead
The smallest hammerhead sharks grow to three feet but the Great hammerhead shark reaches over 20 feet long! While most hammerheads have litters of up to 12 pups, the great hammerhead's litter can get up to 40.
5. Longspined bullhead
This thick-bodied coastal fish is well camouflaged as it lies in-waiting on rocks to ambush passing prey. The Longspined bullhead is aggressive and although it will mostly eat small fish, prawns and mollusks, it is not afraid to take on larger prey — even some bigger than it!
6. Boxfish
The names Boxfish and trunkfish refer to this fish's shape. Some varieties have projections which resemble horns and so the name cowfish is also used. Its heavy, bony armour slows down the boxfish but it has a defense mechanism for warding off predators — it secretes toxins from its skin!
7. Cardinalfish
Cardinalfish are brightly colored, small and peaceful — traits which make them highly sought after in the aquarium trade. In fact, some species of cardinalfish are taken from their natural habitats in such large numbers that conservationists have raised concerns of the effect on their populations
Flame Hawkfish
Like other hawkfish, the Flame Hawkfish is native to the warmer regions of the Pacific Ocean. It exhibits the interesting, perchlike habit of resting on a rock or coral and pouncing on prey as they pass by. This hardy little fish is popular among keepers of marine aquaria.