7. The Armored Sea Robin: A Crawling Marvel of the Deep
The Armored Sea Robin, from the Peristediidae family, is a captivating deep-sea fish thriving at depths of 100 to 500 meters. Its body is encased in bony plates, shielding it from predators and the intense pressure of the deep sea. This armor lends it a prehistoric look, evoking images of ancient armored creatures.
A standout trait of the Armored Sea Robin is its ability to "walk" on the seafloor using finger-like extensions of its pectoral fins. This unique feature helps it hunt with precision, sifting through sediment for small invertebrates like worms, mollusks, and crustaceans. Sensitive barbels further aid in detecting hidden prey on the ocean floor.
The Armored Sea Robin's flattened body keeps it near the seafloor, minimizing visibility to predators and enhancing stability in currents. Its odd crawling motion and armored exterior make it a remarkable deep-sea species, shedding light on the evolutionary marvels required to endure such harsh conditions.
