===============================================================================
___ _ _ ___ __ ___ ___ ___ __ __ ___ __ _ _ ___
( _)( \( )( \( ) ( _)/ __)/ __) / \ / _)( _) ( ) ( \( ) (__ \
) _) ) ( ) ) ))(__ ) _)\__ \\__ \ ( () )( (_ ) _) /__\ ) ( / __/
(___)(_)\_)(___/(____)(___)(___/(___/ \__/ \__)(___)(_)(_)(_)\_) \___)
Endless Ocean: Adventures of the Deep (EU) released 5th February 2010
Endless Ocean: Blue World (NA) released 22nd February 2010
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
M A R I N E E N C Y C L O P E D I A
I N - D E P T H R E F E R E N C E
version 1.0 October 2011 by phisheep
===============================================================================
Introduction
------------
Gotta stop now. Time took over. This is the final version of this FAQ, though
I thoroughly recommend ac_helper's Creature Information Guide at:
http://www.gamefaqs.com/wii/954373-endless-ocean-blue-world/faqs/60912
for finding out where all these creatures can actually be found in the game.
Version history, credits and legal stuff are at the bottom.
Text and Translations
---------------------
All in-game text is taken from the EU (English) version. Everything in double
quotes and the creature names is in-game text.
I've shown common names in French, German, Spanish and Italian - and in North
American English where it differs from EU English.
Where no translation is shown for a creature in a language, the name used was
the full scientific name (which is already in the heading) - it seemed pointless
to repeat it. This affects the Italian translation most.
Changes for this version
------------------------
1.0 Oct 2011 - corrected Black Pyramid/Purple Tang error
===============================================================================
[11] MARINE ENCYCLOPEDIA
===============================================================================
This directory covers all species listed in the game in the order they appear
in the Marine Encyclopedia on the table at Nineball Island.
This is most unlikely to be the order you find them in.
Different forms of creatures
----------------------------
Some creatures appear in different forms, like male/female or adult/young/egg.
Not all these different forms show up in the encyclopedia - usually, it seems,
when they might be found in different locations. So the young of fish are
often shown separately, but young penguins never are.
I have annotated every creature where there are other forms that can be seen.
Some of these 'undocumented' forms do show up in the lists of creatures you
can put in the Aquarium - but if, for example, you try to put a young Emperor
Penguin in the Aquarium, an adult comes along with it to keep it company.
Subsections and Indexing
------------------------
Subsections: There is one subsection for each page of the in-game Encyclopedia.
So, to look at creatures that appear on page 83, just search for
'[11.83]' and you will find them all together.
Indexing: <P83/2> means the second fish on page 83 of the Encyclopedia,
reading the left page first, left-to-right, top-to-bottom same way
you'd read an ordinary book.
That's the unique reference I'll be using to index into this guide
from the main FAQ.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[11.1] Page 1 - Coral Reef Life
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. <P1/1> Oriental butterflyfish - Chaetodon auripes
----------------------------------------------------
(FR) Poisson-papillon doré
(DE) Japanischer Halsband-Falterfisch
(ES) Pez mariposa oriental
(IT) Pesce farfalla orientale
Length: 20 cm / 8 in
Description: "Round, bright and yellow, this is a perfect example of a tropical
fish. There are thought to be around 120 varieties of this
species, and this one is able to live furthest north of them all.
It can withstand temperatures as low as 12C for a short time."
2. <P1/2> Teardrop butterflyfish - Chaetodon unimaculatus
---------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Poisson-papillon à larme
(DE) Tränentropfen-Falterfisch
(ES) Pez mariposa lágrima ámbar
(IT) Pesce farfalla dalla lacrima
Length: 18 cm / 7 in
Description: "This fish has a large circular mark on its side that can look
like a teardrop. It lives around coral reefs and eats coral
polyps using its short hair-like teeth."
3. <P1/3> Pyramid butterflyfish - Hemitaurichthys polylepis
-----------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Poisson-papillon pyramide jaune
(DE) Gelber Pyramiden-Falterfisch
(ES) Pez mariposa pirámide
(IT) Pesce farfalla piramide
Length: 16 cm / 6 in
Description: "These brown, yellow and white fish gather around coral reefs and
feed on floating plankton."
Trivia: "[Separation]
Plankton-eating fish have a comb-like structure in their gills
that lets them filter out only the plankton from the water they
take into their mouth. This lets them feed without even
swallowing too much water."
4. <P1/4> Speckled butterflyfish - Chaetodon citrinellus
--------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Chétodon citron
(DE) Punktierter Falterfisch
(ES) Pez mariposa cítrica
(IT) Pesce farfalla limone
Length: 13 cm / 5 in
Description: "A pale yellow fish with dark spots. There are many similar
varieties of butterflyfish, which makes it hard to tell which
is which, but this species is easy to pick out because of its
unique colour."
5. <P1/5> Purple tang - Zebrasoma xanthurum
---------------------------------------------
(FR) Acanthure à queue jaune
(DE) Gelbschwanz-Segelseebader
(ES) Pez cirujano vela de cola amarilla
(IT) Pesce chirurgo a coda gialla
Length: 22 cm / 9 in
Description: "This fish has simple but striking colouration, deep purple with
yellow pectoral and tail fins. It lives in the Red Sea and around
East Africa, and can be the highlight of a trip for visiting
divers."
6. <P1/6> Bluecheek butterflyfish - Chaetodon semilarvatus
----------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Poisson-papillon demi-masqué
(DE) Masken-Falterfisch
(ES) Pez mariposa enmascarado
(IT) Pesce farfalla mascherato
Length: 25 cm / 10 in
Description: "This fish is yellow with a mask-like pattern around its eyes. It
is only found in the Red Sea and is often found around coral
reefs swimming in pairs."
Notes: Looks very like Yellow Tang, don't get caught out by thinking
you already have it!
7. <P1/7> Yellow longnose butterflyfish - Forcipiger flavissimus
--------------------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Poisson-pincette jaune
(DE) Röhrenmaul-Pinzettfisch
(ES) Pez mariposa de hocico largo
(IT) Pesce pinzetta
Length: 16 cm / 6 in
Description: "This yellow fish uses its distinctive elongated snout to get into
openings in coral and eat small animals hidden inside. It
sometimes rests in caves and crevices, and when in a cave it
floats upside down with its belly pointing upwards."
8. <P1/8> Moorish idol - Zanclus cornutus
-----------------------------------------
(FR) Cocher blanc
(DE) Halfterfisch
(ES) Ídolo moro
(IT) Idolo moresco
Length: 25 cm / 10 in
Description: "This black and white fish is easily recognised by its long,
extended dorsal fin. Its scientific name, zanclus, means
'sickle' and refers to the distinctive shape of its dorsal
fin. It is very popular but also famous for its nervous
disposition."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[11.2] Page 2 - Coral Reef Life
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9. <P2/1> King angelfish - Holacanthus passer
---------------------------------------------
(FR) Demoiselle royale
(DE) Kaiser von Mexiko
(ES) Ángel real
(IT) Pesce angelo re
Length: 25 cm / 10 in
Description: "Adults are dark blue but young fish are bright yellow with pale
stripes. Their name is fitting as they have a crown-like pattern
on their head."
10. <P2/2> Flame angelfish - Centropyge loricula
------------------------------------------------
(FR) Poisson-ange flamme
(DE) Flammen-Zwergkaiserfisch
(ES) Pez ángel flama
(IT) Pesce angelo fiamma
Length: 15 cm / 6 in
Description: "As its name suggests, it is flame red. Many fish living near
coral reefs are brightly coloured but very few are red, which
makes this one special. The depth of colour varies depending on
where it is found."
Notes: Very fast-moving when there is food to be had.
11. <P2/3> Emperor angelfish - Pomacanthus imperator
----------------------------------------------------
(FR) Poisson-ange empereur
(DE) Imperator-Kaiserfisch
(ES) Pez ángel emperador
(IT) Pesce angelo imperatore
Length: 40 cm / 1 ft 4 in
Description: "This fish is a dark blue base colour with many intricate yellow
lines. Young fish are a different colour from adults, with a
distinctive white spiral pattern. As the fish matures their
pattern changes into that of an adult."
Trivia: "[Famous in the maths world?]
Experiments recently confirmed that this fish's markings are a
Turing pattern, an organic pattern that can be expressed
mathematically. This theory was proposed by Alan Turing, who
inspired the Turing Award, an extremely prestigious prize in
computer science."
Found as: Adult and young (see below)
12. <P2/4> Emperor angelfish (young) - Pomacanthus imperator
------------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Poisson-ange empereur (jeune)
(DE) Imperator-Kaiserfisch (JT)
(ES) Pez ángel emperador (cría)
(IT) Pesce angelo imperatore (giovane)
Details as above
13. <P2/5> Yellowbar angelfish - Pomacanthus maculosus
------------------------------------------------------
(NA) Yellowband angelfish
(FR) Poisson-ange à croissant
(DE) Arabischer Kaiserfisch
(ES) Pez ángel ámbar
(IT) Pesce imperatore blu
Length: 30 cm / 1 ft
Description: "This angelfish is blue with a single crescent moon-shaped yellow
vertical bar towards the rear on each side. It can be found in
the tropical waters of the western Indian Ocean, particularly in
the Red Sea."
14. <P2/6> Lined surgeonfish - Acanthurus lineatus
--------------------------------------------------
(FR) Chirurgien à lignes bleues
(DE) Blaustreifen-Doktorfisch
(ES) Pez pijama
(IT) Pesce chirurgo lineato
Length: 30 cm / 1 ft
Description: "This bright yellow fish is covered in characteristic pale blue
lines. It is fiercely territorial and will attack any fish that
enters its domain."
Notes: Harmless to humans though.
15. <P2/7> Powder blue tang - Acanthurus leucosternon
-----------------------------------------------------
(FR) Chirurgien à poitrine blanche
(DE) Weißkehl-Doktorfisch
(ES) Pez cirujano de sombra azul
(IT) Acanthurus leucosternon
Length: 25 cm / 10 in
Description: "This fish is brightly coloured in blue, black, white and yellow.
It has a sting where the tail joins the body, which can cause
injury if touched. Native to the Indian Ocean, they are often
found near coral reefs."
16. <P2/8> Yellowtail surgeonfish - Prionurus punctatus
-------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Chirurgien ponctué
(DE) Punktierter Sägedoktorfisch
(ES) Cochinito
(IT) Pesce chirurgo puntinato
Length: 50 cm / 1 ft 8 in
Description: "This fish is covered with small black spots and has a bright
yellow tail fin. Originally found in the eastern Pacific Ocean,
it seems to have ridden the ocean currents to take up residence
in Gatama Atoll in the South Pacific."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[11.3] Page 3 - Coral Reef Life
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
17. <P3/1> Whitemargin unicornfish - Naso annulatus
---------------------------------------------------
(FR) Nason à bordures blanches
(DE) Langhorn-Nasendoktor
(ES) Pez unicornio blanco
(IT) Pesce unicorno dai bordi bianchi
Length: 60 cm / 2 ft
Description: "Its most distinctive trait is the horn-like protuberance on its
head. Although this horn is not present on young fish, it
develops gradually as the fish grows to adulthood. Another
distinctive feature is the tail fin, which extends in thin
strands from the upper and lower sections."
Trivia: "[Fluid intake]
In order for saltwater fish to prevent dehydration, they must
take in salt water. They then excrete excess salt using special
cells known as chloride cells. Freshwater fish have few chloride
cells, or none at all, and so cannot survive in salt water."
18. <P3/2> Orange-lined triggerfish - Balistapus undulatus
----------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Baliste ondulé
(DE) Orangestreifen-Drückerfisch
(ES) Pez ballesta ondulado
(IT) Pesce balestra striato
Length: 30 cm / 1 ft
Description: "This fish has a beautiful, distinctive colouration; green with
orange lines. It is very timid and tends to hide in crevices if
approached or exposed to light. It raises its large dorsal fin
and wedges its body inside the crevice, making it hard to get
out. If it does this, there's nothing to do but wait for it to
come out again."
19. <P3/3> Clown triggerfish - Balistoides conspicillum
-------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Baliste-clown
(DE) Leopardendrücker
(ES) Pez ballesta payaso
(IT) Pesce balestra pagliaccio
Length: 35 cm / 1 ft 2 in
Description: "This fish is easily identified by its white polka dot underbelly
and orange puckered-up mouth. Young fish have polka dots over
their entire body and are popular aquarium fish. However, they
need to be handled with care as they have a short temper and a
tendency to bite with their sharp teeth."
Trivia: "[The art of self-defence]
When it feels threatened, it hides in crevices in rocks or
coral, then straightens its dorsal and pectoral fins to wedge
itself in and avoid being dragged out. This makes it hard to
catch, and often results in the predator giving up."
20. <P3/4> Clown triggerfish (young) - Balistoides conspicillum
---------------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Baliste-clown (jeune)
(DE) Leopardendrücker (JT)
(ES) Pez ballesta payaso (cría)
(IT) Pesce balestra pagliaccio (giovane)
Details as above
21. <P3/5> Sailfin tang - Zebrasoma veliferum
---------------------------------------------
(FR) Chirurgien à voile
(DE) Pazifischer Segelflossen-Doktorfisch
(ES) Pez cirujano vela
(IT) Pesce chirurgo tigrato
Length: 30 cm / 1 ft
Description: "This fish is identified by its dark stripes and large, elongated
fins. Sailfin are actually transparent at birth, with their
striped pattern not yet visible. Young fish are yellowish and
already sport the characteristic stripes."
22. <P3/6> Sailfin tang (young) - Zebrasoma veliferum
-----------------------------------------------------
(FR) Chirurgien à voile (jeune)
(DE) Pazifischer Segelflossen-Doktorfisch (JT)
(ES) Pez cirujano vela (cría)
(IT) Pesce chirurgo tigrato (giovane)
Details as above
23. <P3/7> Golden spadefish (young) - Platax boersii
----------------------------------------------------
(FR) Poisson-bêche doré (jeune)
(DE) Goldener Fledermausfisch (JT)
(ES) Pez murciélago de Boers (cría)
(IT) Pesce pipistrello di Boers (giovane)
Length: 30 cm / 1 ft
Description: "The young of this species have very long dorsal and anal fins
and a number of black rings. However, when they reach maturity,
their fins become shorter and the rings disappear, leaving them
as plain silver fish."
Trivia: "[What do they look like?]
The shape and markings of young fish may help them. imic dead
leaves. They sometimes swim alongside dead leaves and wood
floating along the surface to make themselves even harder to
find."
Found as: young only
24. <P3/8> Yellow tang - Zebrasoma flavescens
---------------------------------------------
(FR) Chirurgien jaune
(DE) Zitronenflossen-Doktorfisch
(ES) Pez cirujano amarillo
(IT) Pesce chirurgo giallo
Length: 20 cm / 8 in
Description: "Easily identified by its vibrant yellow colouring, this fish has
a white spine at the base of its tail fin. Another recognisable
trait is the size of its dorsal fin, which is almost as large as
its body especially in younger fish."
Trivia: "[Fish-eye view]
The majority of fish have slightly protruding eyes on either
side of their body. This gives them a field of vision which
exceeds 300 degrees, enabling them to see both predators and
prey easily. In comparison, a human being's field of vision is
about 200 degrees."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[11.4] Page 4 - Coral Reef Life
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25. <P4/1> Blue tang - Paracanthurus hepatus
--------------------------------------------
(FR) Chirurgien bleu
(DE) Paletten-Doktorfisch
(ES) Pez cirujano azul
(IT) Pesce chirurgo blu
Length: 25 cm / 10 in
Description: "A beautiful vibrant blue fish with a yellow tail fin, often seen
in coral reefs. Its thin body allows it to hide in crevices in
the reef when threatened. Although it primarily feeds on algae
it also has a strong liking for lettuce, which it is given in
some aquariums."
26. <P4/2> Orangespine unicornfish - Naso lituratus
---------------------------------------------------
(FR) Nason à éperons orange
(DE) Gelbklingen-Nasendoktor
(ES) Pez unicornio
(IT) Pesce unicorno arancione
Length: 60 cm / 2 ft
Description: "Its dark base colour makes the vibrant orange at the base of its
tail quite eye-catching. Sharp spines around the tail make it
dangerous to handle with bare hands. Although the unicornfish
family often sports a horn-like protuberance, this particular
species does not."
Notes: This was called the Naso tang in Endless Ocean (NA English)
27. <P4/3> Purple queen - Pseudanthias pascalus
-----------------------------------------------
(FR) Anthias mauve
(ES) Reina púrpura
(IT) Anthias purpureo
Length: 15 cm / 6 in
Description: "It is definitely worth trying to see schools of this beautiful
deep purple anthias near coral reefs. If you get to see one up
close, you will see that its mouth is more pointed than other
varieties."
28. <P4/4> Swallowtail sea perch - Anthias anthias
--------------------------------------------------
(FR) Barbier hirondelle
(DE) Rötling
(ES) Tres colas
(IT) Castagnola rossa
Length: 26 cm / 10 in
Description: "These orange and light pink fish have long pectoral fins and a
split tail like a swallow's. One is lovely, but the sight of
large groups gathered around coral or reefs is breathtaking."
29. <P4/5> Common bigeye - Priacanthus hamrur
---------------------------------------------
(NA) Crescent tail bigeye
(FR) Beauclaire lanterne
(DE) Großaugenbarsch
(ES) Catalufa espejuelo
(IT) Pesce occhio grosso
Length: 35 cm / 1 ft 2 in
Description: "These large-eyed red fish are active at night and spend the day
sleeping in caverns or other shadowy places. They are related to
the splendid alfonsino and are equally delicious."
30. <P4/6> Samurai squirrelfish - Sargocentron ittodai
------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Poisson-écureuil samouraï
(ES) Pez ardilla samurái
Length: 20 cm / 8 in
Description: "This bright red fish covered in white lines has rigid scales that
are hard to peel off. Hidden away beneath them is attractive
white meat that tastes as good as it looks."
31. <P4/7> Miniata grouper - Cephalopholis miniata
--------------------------------------------------
(FR) Vieille de corail
(DE) Juwel-Zackenbarsch
(ES) Cherna estrellada
(IT) Cernia dei coralli
Length: 35 cm / 1 ft 2 in
Description: "Adults are red with blue polka dots, but young fish are a vibrant
orange with the polka dot pattern not yet present. Although it
allows its body to be cleaned by small prawns, it is highly
territorial and will even attack others of the same species if
they approach."
32. <P4/8> European parrotfish - Sparisoma cretense
---------------------------------------------------
(FR) Poisson-perroquet de Méditerranée
(DE) Seepapagei
(ES) Loro viejo
(IT) Scaro
Length: 40 cm / 1 ft 4 in
Description: "Females are bright red with a pale grey area around the head. In
striking contrast, males are dull brown."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[11.5] Page 5 - Coral Reef Life
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33. <P5/1> Multicolourfin rainbowfish (male) - Halichoeres poecilopterus
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(NA) Multicolorfin rainbowfish (male)
(FR) Girelle melon (mâle)
(DE) Lippfisch (m)
(ES) Pez doncella (macho)
(IT) Pesce arcobaleno (maschio)
Length: 30 cm / 1 ft
Description: "Males are green while females are pale red. All of the species
begin life as females, but some later change sex to become male,
changing colour in the process. As only the larger females
become males, their green colouring serves to signify that this
change has taken place."
34. <P5/2> Multicolourfin rainbowfish (female) - Halichoeres poecilopterus
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
(NA) Multicolorfin rainbowfish (female)
(FR) Girelle melon (femelle)
(DE) Lippfisch (w)
(ES) Pez doncella (hembra)
(IT) Pesce arcobaleno (femmina)
Details as above
35. <P5/3> Razorfish - Aeoliscus strigatus
------------------------------------------
(FR) Poisson-couteau
(DE) Rasiermesserfisch
(ES) Pez navaja
(IT) Pesce rasoio dei coralli
Length: 15 cm / 6 in
Description: "This fish has a strange habit ofswimming with its nose pointing
downwards. It has a very thin body and positions itself edge-on
when it meets a predator. The predator can only see a long, thin
rod, so this acts as a kind of camouflage. It can also swim
normally, faster than it can nose-down."
36. <P5/4> Cleaner wrasse - Labroides dimidiatus
------------------------------------------------
(FR) Labre nettoyeur
(DE) Putzerlippfisch
(ES) Lábrido limpiador azul
(IT) Pesce dottore
Length: 10 cm / 4 in
Description: "With its metallic blue tail and distinctive black stripe along
its side, it earns its name by clinging to other fish and
cleaning up food debris or parasites. Even quick-tempered fish
such as the moray eel do not attack and instead calmly allow
this fish to clean them."
Trivia: "[Underwater impostor!].
There is another fish, called the false cleanerfish, that not
only looks like the cleaner wrasse but moves just like it as
well. Other fish let their guard down when it approaches,
thinking they will be cleaned, but instead it takes a bite out
of them and rapidly escapes."
Notes: At long last, we get fair recognition for this poor creature
which appeared uncredited in Endless Ocean - the mysterious
215th species in that game.
37. <P5/5> Yellowtail coris - Coris gaimard
-------------------------------------------
(NA) Clown wrasse
(FR) Coris bariolé
(DE) Gabelschwanz-Junker
(ES) Coris africano
(IT) Pesce donzella
Length: 40 cm / 1 ft 4 in
Description: "This beautiful fish goes from orange at the head to dark blue at
its tail and is covered in pale blue specks. Young fish are red
with black-rimmed white stripes. The blue specks on adult fish
become smaller over time, and the pattern eventually disappears.
38. <P5/6> Yellowtail coris (young) - Coris gaimard
---------------------------------------------------
(NA) Clown wrasse (young)
(FR) Coris bariolé (jeune)
(DE) Gabelschwanz-Junker (JT)
(ES) Coris africano (cría)
(IT) Pesce donzella (giovane)
Details as above
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[11.6] Page 6 - Coral Reef Life
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
39. <P6/1> Porcupinefish - Diodon hystrix
-----------------------------------------
(FR) Poisson armé
(DE) Gepunkteter Igelfisch
(ES) Pez erizo
(IT) Pesce istrice dalle pinne puntinate
Length: 70 cm / 2 ft 4 in
Description: "Its rounded body and large eyes make this fish rather cute. When
threatened, it inflates its body by inhaling water and erects
sharp spines at its sides. But even then it still looks kind of
cute."
40. <P6/2> Blackspotted pufferfish - Arothron nigropunctatus
------------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Poisson-ballon à taches noires
(DE) Schwarzflecken-Kugelfisch
(ES) Pez globo enmascarado
(IT) Pesce palla macchiato
Length: 25 cm / 10 in
Description: "This round fish's face looks a little like a dog's from the front.
It can be grey or yellow but is always covered in black spots.
When startled it draws water into its stomach, inflating itself
and making the countless tiny spines on its body stand up.
Although it usually swims at a leisurely pace, it is capable of
short bursts of speed when it feels threatened."
41. <P6/3> Pineconefish - Monocentris japonica
---------------------------------------------
(FR) Poisson-ananas
(DE) Tannenzapfenfisch
(ES) Pez piña japonés
(IT) Pesce pigna
Length: 15 cm / 6 in
Description: "Its name comes from the large hard scales covering its body,
making it look like a pinecone. It glows at night, but the
light comes from bacteria living inside the fish, not from the
fish itself."
42. <P6/4> Bicolour parrotfish (young) - Bolbometopon bicolor
-------------------------------------------------------------
(NA) Bicolor parrotfish
(FR) Poisson-perroquet bicolore (jeune)
(DE) Masken-Papageifisch (JT)
(ES) Pez loro de manchas rojas (cría)
(IT) Pesce pappagallo bicolore (giovane)
Details as below
43. <P6/5> Bicolour parrotfish - Bolbometopon bicolor
-----------------------------------------------------
(NA) Bicolor parrotfish
(FR) Poisson-perroquet bicolore
(DE) Masken-Papageifisch
(ES) Pez loro de manchas rojas
(IT) Pesce pappagallo bicolore
Length: 90 cm / 3 ft
Description: "This fish's teeth come together in a shape that resembles a
parrot's beak. Though adult fish have very striking faces, it is
the adorable young fish that are most popular with divers."
(the young are half-orange, half-white)
Trivia: "[A surprising connection]
Parrotfish feed on algae which cling to coral, nibbling the
entire coral off using their strong teeth. Then, using the teeth
at the rear of their mouth to grind, they eat only the algae and
excrete the fine white powder that remains after grinding up the
coral. The excreted coral gradually builds up and, over many
years, the area surrounding the coral reef becomes covered with
pure white sand."
Notes: A striking example of the upgraded graphics in this game is that
you can see both colours on this fish in the adult form.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[11.7] Page 7 - Coral Reef Life
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
44. <P7/1> Bower's parrotfish - Scarus bowersi
----------------------------------------------
(FR) Poisson-perroquet de Bower
(DE) Bowers Papageifisch
(ES) Pez papagallo de Bowers
(IT) Pesce pappagallo di Bower
Length: 35 cm / 1 ft 2 in
Description: "Green with an orange pattern spread all over, this fish certainly
gives the impression of coming from the southern seas. It covers
itself in a mucous membrane when sleeping, which is thought to
protect it from predators by concealing its odour."
45. <P7/2> Ornate wrasse - Thalassoma pavo
------------------------------------------
(FR) Girelle paon
(DE) Meerpfau
(ES) Pez verde
(IT) Donzella pavonina
Length: 25 cm / 10 in
Description: "This fascinating fish is a mix of green, blue, orange and other
colours. It is a member of the labridae family, which contains
many brightly coloured fish."
46. <P7/3> Luna lionfish - Pterois lunulata
-------------------------------------------
(FR) Poisson-scorpion
(DE) Japanischer Feuerfisch
(ES) Pez león
(IT) Pesce leone
Length: 25 cm / 10 in
Description: "Large, long dorsal and pectoral fins let this fish move
gracefully through the water. However, these fins are poisonous
and extremely dangerous even if brushed against."
Trivia: "[Highly poisonous]
When the luna lionfish feels threatened, it erects its fins and
moves towards its opponent to intimidate it. Needlessly
frightening this creature can result in being stung by a poisoned
fin, followed by extreme pain and an inflamed wound."
Notes: It is poisonous in the game as well - the only fish that can do
you damage by merely touching it. Take care - it does the
videogame equivalent of hurting a lot.
47. <P7/4> Bigeye trevally - Caranx sexfasciatus
------------------------------------------------
(FR) Carangue vorace
(DE) Großaugen-Stachelmakrele
(ES) Jurel ojón
(IT) Carango occhio grosso
Length: 80 cm / 2 ft 3 in
Description: "Normally shiny silver, males turn black during the mating season
and young fish are gold or silver with six dark lines. It can
live in areas where salt and fresh water mix, and smaller fish
have been known to swim upstream where the river temperature is
similar to that of the sea and there is plenty of food."
48. <P7/5> Blackfin barracuda - Sphyraena qenie
-----------------------------------------------
(FR) Barracuda à nageoires noires
(DE) Dunkelflossen-Barrakuda
(ES) Barracuda de aletas negras
(IT) Barracuda pinna nera
Length: 1 m / 3 ft 3 in
Description: "Pale silver with numerous dark stripes, this fish has a
distinctive high ridge in the middle of its caudal fin. It forms
enormous schools where countless numbers of fish gather together
and form huge circles or spirals depending on the currents."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[11.8] Page 8 - Small Marine Life
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49. <P8/1> False clown anemonefish - Amphiprion ocellaris
---------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Poisson-clown à trois bandes
(DE) Falscher Clown-Anemonenfisch
(ES) Pez payaso
(IT) Pesce pagliaccio occidentale
Length: 8 cm / 3 in
Description: "This jewel of the sea is easily identified by its distinctive
bright orange and white pattern. A special covering on the surface
of its body stops sea anemones attacking it, so if it is
threatened by another fish it hides amongst these anemones for
protection."
Trivia: "[The downside to popularity]
Its beauty and lovable mannerisms have made it especially popular
as an aquarium fish. However, this has caused disastrous
overfishing by aquarium enthusiasts."
50. <P8/2> Yellowtail clownfish - Amphiprion clarkii
----------------------------------------------------
(FR) Poisson-clown de Clark
(DE) Clarks-Anemonenfisch
(ES) Pez payaso cola amarilla
(IT) Pesce pagliaccio di Clark
Length: 14 cm / 6 in
Description: "Easily recognised by the white lines on its orange and brown body.
Clownfish are known for forming symbiotic relationships with sea
anemones, and this species usually chooses anemones which grow on
coral."
Trivia: "[Like parent and child]
An adult fish and many young may form a symbiotic relationship
with the same sea anemone, making it look like a parent with
children, but the fish are often not related at all. Young fish
float near the surface for a short time after hatching and are
swept away by currents, so by the time they are living with an
anemone they are usually far away from their parents."
51. <P8/3> Tomato clownfish - Amphiprion frenatus
-------------------------------------------------
(FR) Poisson-clown rouge
(DE) Weißbinden-Glühkohlen-Anemonenfisch
(ES) Pez payaso rojo
(IT) Pesce pagliaccio a una striscia
Length: 14 cm / 6 in
Description: "Adult males are orange with a pale blue line on the head, females
are darker in colour and young fish are marked with two or three
white lines. It forms a symbiotic relationship with purple sea
anemones and is fiercely territorial. It will even attack divers
if they approach, but stops as soon as they move away from the
anemone."
Trivia: "[Cooperation?]
The clownfish benefits from its symbiotic relationship with the
sea anemone through gaining protection from predators. However,
it's unclear if there is any advantage for the sea anemone as the
role the clownfish plays for it is unknown. So this may be a truly
symbiotic relationship, favourable for both sides, or simply a
one-sided one."
52. <P8/4> Orange skunk clownfish - Amphiprion sandaracinos
-----------------------------------------------------------
(NA) Yellow clownfish
(FR) Poisson-clown à bande dorsale
(DE) Weißrücken-Anemonenfisch
(ES) Pez payaso naranja
(IT) Pesce pagliaccio arancione
Length: 14 cm / 6 in
Description: "This orange fish has a white line running from its mouth down to
its caudal fin, and a row of distinctive long spines behind each
set of gills. Its scientific name is amphiprion, which means 'a
saw on both sides'. When it first comes into contact with a new
sea anemone, it lets the tentacles touch its head and fins and
adapts its body little by little."
Trivia: "[House-hunting]
This fish prefers to live with a particular species of sea
anemone, but how can it tell that one kind apart from all the
other anemones in the sea? This fish can 'smell' anemones and
uses the chemicals they give off to find the anemone it wants."
53. <P8/5> Sapphire devil - Chrysiptera cyanea
----------------------------------------------
(FR) Demoiselle bleue
(DE) Saphir-Demoiselle
(ES) Damisela azul
(IT) Damigella azzurra
Length: 8.5cm / 3.3 in
Description: "As the name suggests, it has a brilliant blue body. The male has
a blue tail fin with a black outline, while the tail fin of the
female and young fish is transparent. It spawns on rocks and
coral, and the young are usually raised by the male."
Trivia: "[Unique cells]
The sapphire devil isn't actually blue; it appears blue because
rainbow cells on the body's surface reflect blue light. The
colour can change from a deep blue to a bright blue depending
on the activity of these cells. It is thought that it uses this
trait to communicate its intentions to other sapphire devils.
When it dies, its body colour darkens."
54. <P8/6> Starck's demoiselle - Chrysiptera starcki
----------------------------------------------------
(FR) Demoiselle de Starck
(DE) Starcks Riffbarsch
(ES) Damisela de Starck
(IT) Pesce donzella giallo e blu
Length: 7 cm / 3 in
Description: "Easily recognised by its beautiful dark blue colouring with a
yellow stripe running from the tip of its mouth all the way along
its back. Unlike other damselfish, it tends to dwell in deepwater
reefs and coral reefs. It is very wary and will conceal itself
amidst the rocks when it feels threatened."
Trivia: "[Unruly mob]
Large numbers of damselfish often gather in one place, giving the
impression that they are coming together in a school. However,
their movements are not coordinated so it's more likely to be
nothing more than a large number of fish."
55. <P8/7> Goldtail demoiselle - Chrysiptera parasema
-----------------------------------------------------
(FR) Demoiselle bleue à queue jaune
(DE) Gelbschwanzdemoiselle
(ES) Damisela cola amarilla
(IT) Damigella azzurra coda gialla
Length: 6 cm / 2.5 in
Description: "As its name suggests, this fish's blue body is adorned with a
yellow tail area. It spawns adhesive eggs on rocks and coral. The
male will protect and care for the eggs until they hatch, using
its tail to fan oxygen to them. Despite its small body, it will
risk its life to protect the eggs when an enemy approaches."
56. <P8/8> Blue-green chromis - Chromis viridis
-----------------------------------------------
(DE) Grünes Schwalbenschwänzchen
(ES) Damisela verde
(IT) Castagnola verde
Length: 8 cm / 3 in
Description: "This fish is blue-green on top, gradually changing to white on
its belly. Depending on the angle of the light that hits it, it
appears to change from blue to green. Though difficult to tell
due to its small size, the teeth of its lower jaw protrude from
its mouth. Schools of these fish tend to congregate above coral
reefs and move in unison into crevices in the coral for safety
when threatened."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[11.9] Page 9 - Small Marine Life
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
57. <P9/1> Three-spot dascyllus - Dascyllus trimaculatus
--------------------------------------------------------
(NA) Threespot dascyllus
(FR) Demoiselle à trois taches
(DE) Dreipunkt-Preußenfisch
(ES) Damisela de tres manchas
(IT) Damigella domino
Length: 15 cm / 6 in
Description: "This is a small, dark blue fish whose young have a distinctive
pattern of three white spots which fades away as they reach
adulthood. Adult fish school near coral reefs, while young fish
form a symbiotic relationship with sea anemones. They have also
been known to live around soft coral and so are not as dependent
on sea anemones as the clownfish."
58. <P9/2> Three-spot dascyllus (young) - Dascyllus trimaculatus
----------------------------------------------------------------
(NA) Threespot dascyllus (young)
(FR) Demoiselle à trois taches (jeune)
(DE) Dreipunkt-Preußenfisch (JT)
(ES) Damisela de tres manchas (cría)
(IT) Damigella domino (giovane)
Details as above
59. <P9/3> John dory - Zeus faber
---------------------------------
(FR) Saint-Pierre
(DE) Heringskönig
(ES) Pez de San Pedro
(IT) Pesce San Pietro
Length: 30 cm / 1 ft
Description: "This fish has a distinctive long face and a target-like pattern
of concentric circles on its side. This kind of pattern is
normally found away from the centre of the body, so that the
fish will not be fatally wounded if it is attacked. However, the
john dory's pattern is in the centre of its body; it may be used
to scare off predators by imitating the eye of a much larger
fish."
60. <P9/4> Singular bannerfish - Heniochus singularius
------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Poisson-cocher malais
(DE) Malayen-Wimpelfisch
(ES) Portaestandarte singular
(IT) Pesce bandiera singolare
Length: 24 cm / 9 in
Description: "This fish can easily be identified by its alternating white and
black pattern and elongated dorsal fin. It also has a small
protrusion above its eyes. The length of a young bannerfish's
dorsal fin is about the same as the height of its body,
distinguishing it from other fish."
Trivia: "[Aquatic garden]
When people picture the southern oceans, they often imagine an
inhospitable environment with few nutrients or plankton. Coral
reefs are an exception to this. Plankton flourish in these areas,
eating the nutrients released by the coral. A food cycle is
established based on other creatures eating this plankton, and an
aquatic garden packed with life develops."
61. <P9/5> Bicolour angelfish - Centropyge bicolor
--------------------------------------------------
(NA) Bicolor angelfish
(FR) Poisson-ange nain à deux bandes
(DE) Blaugelber Zwergkaiserfisch
(ES) Pez ángel bicolor
(IT) Pesce angelo bicolore
Length: 14 cm / 6 in
Description: "This yellow and deep blue fish makes its home in rocks and coral
reefs. One male will create a harem of several females in order
to breed. When a male leaves a harem, the largest female will
become the male. Small females cannot participate in the harem
if they become males, so they continue to breed as females until
they grow larger."
62. <P9/6> Royal angelfish - Pygoplites diacanthus
--------------------------------------------------
(FR) Poisson-ange duc
(DE) Pfauenkaiserfisch
(ES) Pez ángel real
(IT) Pesce angelo arcobaleno
Length: 25 cm / 10 in
Description: "This fish has black and pale blue stripes down its striking
yellow body. Young fish have a circular pattern resembling an
eye on their dorsal fins. It lives amongst rocks or coral reefs,
forming harems."
63. <P9/7> Threadfin butterflyfish - Chaetodon auriga
-----------------------------------------------------
(FR) Poisson-papillon jaune
(DE) Fähnchen-Falterfisch
(ES) Pez mariposa aleta ribeteada
(IT) Pesce farfalla auriga
Length: 20 cm / 8 in
Description: "It has a black circular pattern at the rear of its dorsal fin,
from which a distinctive filament trails. It inhabits coral
reefs, and feeds on coral polyps and sea anemones with its mouth
of small hair-like teeth."
64. <P9/8> Bluelashed butterflyfish - Chaetodon bennetti</pre><pre id="faqspan-2">
--------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Poisson-papillon de Benett
(DE) Bennetts Falterfisch
(ES) Pez mariposa de Bennett
(IT) Pesce farfalla eclisse
Length: 16 cm / 6 in
Description: "Its yellow body is adorned with a white-rimmed black circle,
designed to look like an eye. A strike in the eyes is fatal to a
fish, so predators tend to aim for the eyes of their prey.
However, if the pattern were to be mistaken for an eye and
attacked, it would not cause a fatal wound."
Trivia: "[An eye for expansion]
The young of fish who normally inhabit warm waters can sometimes
be carried to cool waters by sea currents. When winter comes and
the temperature drops, these young fish don't usually survive.
Some do, however, and these fish become very significant. If the
surviving fish breed in these waters, the area of habitation for
their species will be expanded."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[11.10] Page 10 - Small Marine Life
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
65. <P10/1> Black pyramid butterflyfish - Hemitaurichthys zoster
--------------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Poisson-papillon pyramide noir
(DE) Schwarzer Pyramiden-Falterfisch
(ES) Pez mariposa blanquimarrón
(IT) Pesce farfalla piramide nero
Length: 18 cm / 7 in
Description: "It is black with a conspicuous white pyramid-shaped stripe. Its
closest relative within the butterflyfish family is the pyramid
butterflyfish, not only in terms of similar body shape, but also
given its tendency to form schools."
66. <P10/2> Banded angelfish - Apolemichthys arcuatus
-----------------------------------------------------
(FR) Poisson-ange bandit
(DE) Schwarzbinden-Rauchkaiserfisch
(ES) Pez ángel de banda negra
(IT) Pesce angelo bandito
Length: 20 cm / 8 in
Description: "It is primarily white with a black line running from above the
eyes to the back of the tail fin. On closer examination, a clear
white border can be seen around this line and the black areas on
its anal and tail fins."
Trivia: "[Finely-tuned senses]
A fish senses sounds using two systems: the inner ear, located
inside the ear, and the lateral line, a sensory organ running
down its body. The lateral line is also able to sense changes in
water currents and pressure. When swimming in a group, the fish
can detect minute changes in the currents, allowing it to swim
without colliding with other fish."
67. <P10/3> Humpback grouper (young) - Cromileptes altivelis
------------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Mérou bossu (jeune)
(DE) Paddelbarsch (JT)
(ES) Pez pantera (cría)
(IT) Cernia pagliaccio (giovane)
Length: 5 cm / 2 in
Description: "Easily recognised for its white body with black polka dots, it
becomes taller as it grows and its head becomes smaller and
narrower. Its spots also shrink in size, but increase in number.
It lives in rocky and coral reefs and eats any fish that will fit
in its mouth."
Found as: young only
68. <P10/4> Dusky batfish (young) - Platax pinnatus
---------------------------------------------------
(FR) Poisson-chauve-souris (jeune)
(DE) Spitzkopf-Fledermausfisch (JT)
(ES) Pez murciélago de aleta grande (cría)
(IT) Pesce pipistrello pinnato (giovane)
Length: 35 cm / 1 ft 2 in
Description: "Young fish are around 4cm, black with a bright orange tinge
around the edges. Their large fins flex gracefully as they swim
through the water. The features of young fish gradually disappear
in mature fish as they become plain silver and their fins become
smaller."
Found as: young only
69. <P10/5> Mandarinfish - Pterosynchiropus splendidus
------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Poisson mandarin
(DE) Mandarinfisch
(ES) Pez mandarín
(IT) Pesce mandarino
Length: 7 cm / 3 in
Description: "This fish is a vibrant yellow-green with blue flowing lines all
over its body. It lives in the crevices of branch coral and males
compete violently for territory and females, biting each other
when fighting."
Trivia: "[New face in a familiar family]
In 2005 a new genus in the mandarinfish's family, callionymidae,
was discovered in a lake in Cambodia. Although many fish are
discovered every year, it is extremely rare to find a new genus.
It was first seen outside of the lake being sold in a nearby
market place, which makes the discovery even more astonishing."
70. <P10/6> Goldeye rockfish - Sebastes thompsoni
-------------------------------------------------
(FR) Sébaste de Thompson
(DE) Sebastes thompsoni
(ES) Pez roca de ojo dorado
Length: 35 cm / 1 ft 2 in
Description: "This fish is easily identified by its pale red body and large
eyes. It hatches its eggs inside its body and its young are
released only when they have grown to about 5mm. They spend their
first 120 days floating amongst drifting seaweed, after which
they are able to live near the seabed. They move further into the
depths as they mature."
71. <P10/7> Marine betta - Calloplesiops altivelis
--------------------------------------------------
(FR) Poisson-comète
(DE) Echter Mirakelbarsch
(ES) Cometa
(IT) Calloplesiops altivelis
Length: 15 cm / 6 in
Description: "Covered with pale blue dots, this fish looks like a field of
shooting stars. It tends to hide amongst rocks with its tail fin
hanging out, which makes the eye-like pattern on its back look
like a moray eel poking its head out of its nesting hole."
72. <P10/8> Harlequin sweetlips (young) - Plectorhinchus chaetodontoides
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Gaterin arlequin
(DE) Harlekin-Süßlippe (JT)
(ES) Labios dulces (cría)
(IT) Gaterino arlecchino (giovane)
Length: 5 cm / 2 in
Description: "Young fish are dark with seven large, black-rimmed white spots.
As they grow, spots the same colour as the main body start to
appear inside the white ones as they expand, and eventually they
become pale fish with many dark spots."
Trivia: "[Mimicking mimicry]
The young fish's undulating swimming is thought to be an attempt
to mimic the flatworm. Flatworms are believed to imitate the
movement of sea slugs, but it's not clear if either of these
theories are true."
Found as: young only
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[11.11] Page 11 - Small Marine Life
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
73. <P11/1> Marbled flounder (young) - Pleuronectes yokohamae
-------------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Pseudopleuronecte du Japon (jeune)
(DE) Japanische Flunder (JT)
(ES) Lenguado japonés (cría)
Length: 15 cm / 6 in
Description: "Both eyes are on the right side of this fish's flat, elliptical
body. It changes its colour like a chameleon to blend in with the
seabed where it lives. Very rarely, white-bodied marbled
flounders are born. These fish lack the ability to change their
colour and are easily seen by predators. As such, they have a
lower life expectancy."
Found as: Young only
74. <P11/2> Isoginpo - Parablennius yatabei
------------------------------------------
(NA) Yatabei blenny
(FR) Blennie de Yatabe
(ES) Blenio de roca
Length: 9 cm / 3.5 in
Description: "This fish has protruding eyes with a long, thin protuberance
above each one and a pair of sharp teeth in each jaw; it may be
small but it packs a painful bite. It lives hidden in crevices in
rocky or coral reefs."
75. <P11/3> Rippled rockskipper - Istiblennius enosimae
-------------------------------------------------------
(ES) Blénido de coral
Length: 15 cm / 6 in
Description: "This fish's bulging eyes give it a certain charm when viewed
head-on. As it inhabits rocky shores, it can get stranded in tide
pools at low tide. If it is threatened it jumps out of the water,
skipping over rocks as it escapes to another tide."
76. <P11/4> Red-spotted blenny - Blenniella chrysospilos
--------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Blennie à taches rouges
(DE) Rotpunkt-Schleimfisch
(ES) Blenio de manchas rojas
(IT) Blenniella chrysospilos
Length: 10 cm / 4 in
Description: "This fish has a charming face with protruding eyes and countless
red spots across its body. It lives in cracks in rock or coral
and sticks its head out from its nest to survey its surroundings,
moving its neck as if nodding agreeably. Its face and mannerisms
make it popular with divers."
77. <P11/5> Bicolour blenny - Ecsenius bicolor
----------------------------------------------
(NA) Bicolor blenny
(FR) Blennie bicolore
(DE) Zweifarbiger Schleimfisch
(ES) Blenio bicolor
(IT) Pesce bicolore
Length: 8 cm / 3 in
Description: "The front and rear of this fish are different colours, which
gives it its scientific name, meaning 'two colours'. Some fish
have different colours on their back and stomachs instead of on
their front and rear."
Trivia: "[Male tactics]
When wooing a partner, the male will approach a female with all
his fins spread out and repeatedly swim upwards in a zigzag
fashion and then back to his nest. An interested female will
gradually follow the male, and before she knows it she will be
inside his nest where they breed and she lays eggs. The male then
takes care of the eggs until they hatch."
78. <P11/6> Fire goby - Nemateleotris magnifica
-----------------------------------------------
(FR) Eleotris magnifique
(DE) Feuer-Schwertgrundel
(ES) Gobio de fuego
(IT) Ghiozzo di fuoco
Length: 7 cm / 3 in
Description: "This fish displays a beautiful gradient of colour from its pale
yellow head through its milky white body to its brown tail. It is
often found in pairs close to breeding holes in coral reefs or on
the sea floor. The bond between the pair is strong, and when they
feel threatened the female hides in the breeding hole quickly
followed by the male."
79. <P11/7> Elegant firefish - Nemateleotris decora
---------------------------------------------------
(FR) Eleotris décoré
(DE) Bunte Schwertgrundel
(ES) Pez dardo decorado
(IT) Pesce di fuoco
Length: 7 cm / 3 in
Description: "A colour graduation runs from this fish's head to tail fin,
moving from purple to milky white to dark purple. It lives on the
sea bed around coral reefs and often swims into the direction of
the outgoing tide. It is believed to do this in order to feed on
plankton being swept out to sea."
80. <P11/8> Monster shrimp goby - Tomiyamichthys oni
----------------------------------------------------
(FR) Gobie-ogre
(DE) Monster-Wächtergrundel
(ES) Gobio japonés
Length: 10 cm / 4 in
Description: "This fish has slightly protruding eyes and large brown patches on
its sides. It has sensory organs called pit organs and sensory
pipes in its head which help it to detect the movements of prey
and predators. These organs are extremely small, almost impossible
to see with the naked eye. Nesting in the sand, it forms a
symbiotic relationship with Randall's pistol shrimp."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[11.12] Page 12 - Small Marine Life
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
81. <P12/1> Watchman goby - Cryptocentrus cinctus
-------------------------------------------------
(FR) Gobie soufre
(DE) Zitronen-Wächtergrundel
(ES) Gobio guarda
Length: 6.5cm / 2.5in
Description: "This fish can be grey with dark patches or completely yellow.
Both types have small cobalt dots scattered across their head and
dorsal fin. This goby forms a symbiotic relationship with
Randall's pistol shrimp on the sea bed near to rocky or coral
reefs."
Trivia: "[Same fish, different colour]
The two colour varieties of this fish were once thought to be
different species, but as they both live in the same nests and
there are no physical differences between them, it was decided
that they are actually the same."
Notes: Both colour varieties appear in the game. The yellow version
is suffixed with '(yellow)', but if you find either one it
completes this entry in the Encyclopedi
82. <P12/2> Singapore prawn goby - Cryptocentrus singapurensis
--------------------------------------------------------------
(NA) Singapore prawn-goby
(FR) Gobie de Singapour
(DE) Partnergrundel
(ES) Gobio guarda tropical
(IT) Cryptocentrus singapurensis
Length: 15 cm / 6 in
Description: "Fish in the genus cryptocentrus are often plain, but this member
is distinctively showy with red lines, circular patterns and a
scattering of small blue spots. In the mating season, the rear
half of the male's body and his tail fin turn dark, and he courts
females by hovering above his nest with every fin spread wide.
This goby forms a symbiotic relationship with goby shrimp on the
sea bed near to rocky or coral reefs."
83. <P12/3> Bluespotted jawfish - Opistognathus rosenblatti
-----------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Opistognathe à points bleus
(DE) Blaupunkt-Brunnenbauer
(ES) Bocón manchas azules
Length: 10 cm / 4 in
Description: "As its name suggests, this fish is covered in attractive blue
spots. It digs a hole in the seabed for its nest, where males
incubate the young in their mouths."
84. <P12/4> Peacock blenny - Salaria pavo
-----------------------------------------
(FR) Blennie paon
(DE) Pfauenschleimfisch
(ES) Gallerbo
(IT) Bavosa pavone
Length: 13 cm / 5 in
Description: "This fish is often seen hiding in cracks in rocks with just its
unusual protruding head peeking out. It's attractive enough if
you just look at its green and white colouring."
85. <P12/5> Oblong goby - Gobiodon sp
-------------------------------------
(FR) Gobie oblong
(DE) Korallengrundel
(ES) Gobio rectangular
Length: 4 cm / 1.5 in
Description: "This small fish is brown with a green tinge and four thin, pale
blue lines on its head which continue to the base of its dorsal
and anal fins. It lives in the branches of acropora corals,
feeding on the mucus they expel and on small crustaceans."
Trivia: "[Waiting its turn]
This species still has no official scientific name and is
awaiting.classification. There are over 250 species of goby and
more than 2,000 variants, with more being discovered each year.
As research is needed to determine the correct classification,
there are many other species also waiting for a scientific name."
86. <P12/6> Yellow clown goby - Gobiodon okinawae
-------------------------------------------------
(FR) Gobiodon jaune
(DE) Gelbe Korallengrundel
(ES) Gobio amarillo
Length: 3.5 cm / 1.5 in
Description: "This small yellow fish has no scales and its pelvic fins have
evolved into suction pads. It lives in the branches of acropora
corals in groups of up to several dozen."
Trivia: "[It's all relative]
This little fish is big compared to other members of the genus
gobiodon. There is a genus of even smaller fish within the
gobies, pandaka, some of which measure only 1 - 1.5cm long.
There are even smaller fish in the world; the smallest is a
relative of the carp that measures only 7.9 - 10mm."
87. <P12/7> Red-spotted goby - Gobiodon sp
------------------------------------------
(FR) Gobie à points rouges
(DE) Rotpunkt-Grundel
(ES) Gobio de manchas rojas
(IT) Ghiozzo a macchie rosse
Length: 4 cm / 1.5 in
Description: "This bright yellow-green fish with a scattering of red spots
lives between the branches of acropora corals. After spawning,
both parents protect the eggs until they hatch. Their young drift
away on the ocean currents, and after floating for a short time
they establish themselves on a different coral."
Trivia: "[Nameless]
This species was given the name rivulatus pending further
classification to determine its correct scientific name. As a
result, the current name only signifies that it belongs to the
genus gobiodon and is not its true scientific name."
Notes: I guess that trivia note means the scientific name should have
been listed as 'gobiodon rivulatus' - so here it is on the off
chance that somebody searches for it.
88. <P12/8> Five-lined coral goby - Gobiodon quinquestrigatus
-------------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Gobie corail aux cinq lignes
(DE) Fünf-Streifen-Korallengrundel
(ES) Gobio de cinco rayas
Length: 4 cm / 1.5 in
Description: "This fish is a striking red in colour, especially around its
head. Its body colour can vary and there are also some completely
brown or grey fish. When it feels threatened, it defends itself
by exuding a toxic mucus from the surface of its body."
Trivia: "[Poison for self-defence]
Many gobies are not poisonous, but some species such as this one
are. Some poisonous gobies have the same poison as the blowfish,
tetrodotoxin, in their skin and muscles. This fish's poison is
fatal to other fish if it enters their body, but is believed to
be harmless to humans."
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[11.13] Page 13 - Small Marine Life
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89. <P13/1> Long-spine porcupinefish - Diodon holocanthus
---------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Poisson-porc-épic tacheté
(DE) Braunflecken-Igelfisch
(ES) Pez erizo balón
(IT) Pesce istrice
Length: 25 cm / 10 in
Description: "Round and covered with countless long spines, this fish has an
endearing face with a small mouth and big eyes. Its distinctive
long spines evolved from scales."
Trivia: "[Countless needles]
Although it is not poisonous like other blowfish, it has a
distinctive means of self-defence. It swallows a large quantity
of water, swelling its body and causing the spines that normally
lie flat on its body to stick up. Once it has gone into this
defensive posture, a predator cannot attack without being pierced
by the spines. It has 400 - 600 spines, so it's probably a waste
of time trying to count them.
Notes: In other words, if you touch it, it will blow up!
90. <P13/2> Yellow boxfish (young) - Ostracion cubicus
------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Poisson-coffre jaune (jeune)
(DE) Gewöhnlicher Kofferfisch (JT)
(ES) Pez cofre (cría)
(IT) Pesce scatola (giovane)
Length: 3 cm / 1 in
Description: "As its name suggests, this fish is shaped like a box. Young fish
are bright yellow with black spots, but their colour fades as
they grow and adults are a subdued brown. It has powerful teeth
which allow it to eat shellfish and other hard-shelled prey, but
it can also bite and injure if carelessly provoked."
Found as: young only
91. <P13/3> Whitespotted boxfish (young) - Ostracion meleagris meleagris
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Coffre pintade (jeune)
(DE) Weißtüpfel-Kofferfisch (JT)
(ES) Pez cofre manchado (cría)
(IT) Pesce scatola a puntini (giovane)
Length: 3 cm / 1 in
Description: "Square and covered in hard, angular scales, this fry is black
with countless pale yellow spots. Its colour changes as it grows,
and adult males and females are different colours. Females have
white spots on a dark brown body, and males have many white spots
across their dark brown back and countless yellow spots on their
blue sides."
Trivia: "[Mostly harmless]
This fish has a poisonous mucus on its skin known as
ostracitoxin. It releases this poison when threatened, and it is
powerful enough to kill all fish in a small aquarium tank. It is
unlikely to be effective in its natural habitat, as it disperses
in the water. It is harmless to humans, and not related to the
poison found in blowfish."
92. <P13/4> Tiger puffer (young) - Takifugu rubripes
----------------------------------------------------
(FR) Fugu (jeune)
(DE) Takifugu rubripes (JT)
(ES) Pez globo tigre (cría)
(IT) Pesce palla giapponese (giovane)
Length: 10 cm / 4 in
Description: "Round and covered in numerous small spines, this fish's internal
organs contain a powerful poison. Young fish live on the seabed
but adults migrate for great distances, returning to their
birthplace for mating season."
Trivia: "[Warning: deadly poison]
Blowfish poison is expressed in mouse units (MU). A poison that
can kill a 20g mouse in 15 minutes is a 1MU poison. The lethal
dose for a human is 10,000MU, and a tiger puffer is said to have
enough poison in one organ to kill 10 people. The tiger puffer is
not poisonous at birth, but instead accumulates poison from its
food."
93. <P13/5> Striated frogfish - Antennarius striatus
---------------------------------------------------
(FR) Poisson-grenouille strié
(DE) Gestreifter Anglerfisch
(ES) Ranisapo estriado
(IT) Pesce rana striato
Length: 25 cm / 9.8 in
Description: "This rounded fish is covered in small protuberances and has
pectoral fins which have changed into leg-like appendages and a
fishing rod-like protuberance above its mouth. As there are many
variations in body colour, it is difficult to tell species apart
by colour alone."
Trivia: "[Eggs shrouded in mystery]
This species lays its eggs in what is known as an epipelagic egg
raft, where a large number of eggs are wrapped in a long
gelatinous belt. The advantages of this method of egg-laying are
unclear."
Notes: A big warm welcome for one of the most-encountered fish from
Endless Ocean. You won't find it quite so easily this time,
though.
94. <P13/6> Painted frogfish - Antennarius pictus
-------------------------------------------------
(FR) Antennaire peint
(DE) Rundflecken-Anglerfisch
(ES) Pez rana pintado
(IT) Pesce rana dipinto
Length: 30 cm / 11.8 in
Description: "This rounded fish has a large mouth, pectoral fins which have
evolved into leg-like appendages and a fishing rod-like
protuberance above its mouth. It moves as if walking by using its
pectoral and pelvic fins like limbs. Another of its varied means
of movement is to spurt sea water from small holes located under
its pectoral fins."
95. <P13/7> Warty frogfish - Antennarius maculatus
--------------------------------------------------
(FR) Antennaire verruqueux
(DE) Warzen-Anglerfisch
(ES) Pejesapo verrugoso
(IT) Pesce rana maculato
Length: 15 cm / 6 in
Description: "Normally white with coloured blotches spreading back from its
eyes, a rare few are black with yellow spots. It has a fishing
rod-like protuberance above its mouth with a lure on the end
which it uses to entice its prey, swallowing them whole as soon
as they are close enough. The form of the lure changes as the
fish grows; it looks like a small crustacean in young fish but
more like a small fish in adults."
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[11.14] Page 14 - Small Marine Life
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96. <P14/1> Red gurnard - Chelidonichthys spinosus
--------------------------------------------------
(NA) Sea robin
(FR) Grondin
(DE) Knurrhahn
(ES) Arete
(IT) Gallinella orientale
Length: 40 cm / 1 ft 4 in
Description: "Easily recognised by its angular head and striking green pectoral
fins spotted with small blue flecks. It can make a croaking noise
by vibrating its swim bladder."
Triva: "[Useful spines]
It has three finger-like spines, evolved from other fins,
underneath each pectoral fin. They can be used like legs to walk
on the sea floor, and also to find the crustaceans and worms it
feeds on; they contain special sensory organs that can find prey
hidden in the sandy sea bed."
97. <P14/2> Southern orange-lined cardinalfish - Apogon properuptus
-------------------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Poisson-cardinal rayé or
(DE) Vierstreifen-Kardinalbarsch
(ES) Pez cardenal rayado
(IT) Pesce cardinale
Length: 6 cm / 2.5 in
Description: "Six golden lines run the length of its body, including over their
eyes to make them hard to find for attackers. They pair up during
mating season and the male protects the mass of spawned eggs in
his mouth until they hatch. He devotes himself to this task for
around eight days, unable to feed until hatching is complete."
98. <P14/3> Cardinal fish - Apogon imberbis
-------------------------------------------
(FR) Poisson-cardinal
(DE) Meerbarbenkönig
(ES) Salmonete real
(IT) Re di triglie
Length: 15 cm / 6 in
Description: "Named for its bright red body, this fish is a member of the
cardinal family, known for its males incubating the young in
their mouths."
99. <P14/4> Sea goldie - Pseudanthias squamipinnis
--------------------------------------------------
(FR) Barbier rouge
(DE) Juwelen-Fahnenbarsch
(ES) Antias cola de lira
(IT) Castagnola tropicale
Length: 12 cm / 4.5 in
Description: "This vivid orange fish often gathers in large schools near coral
reefs, and females far outnumber males in the group; this species
has more females than males overall. Males have distinctive
characteristics such as a red-violet pattern on their pectoral
fins and elongated thread-like tips on their fins. Try finding
the males in a school if you see them near sea anemones."
Trivia: "[Yesterday's mum, today's dad]
Young sea goldies are all born female and become male when they
are fully grown. Not all females become males; only large females
change sex .10 - 30% of fish in a large school are male while
small schools may only have a single male."
100. <P14/5> Stocky anthias - Pseudanthias hypselosoma
-----------------------------------------------------
(FR) Anthias trapu
(DE) Fransen-Fahnenbarsch
(ES) Antias japonés
Length: 10 cm / 4 in
Description: "Normally pale pink with a red mark on the dorsal fin, the male
becomes more brightly coloured during mating season. It lives
around coral reefs and gathers in shoals where plankton get
caught in the ocean currents and driven upwards."
Trivia: "[Secret gatherings]
Groups of male anthias sometimes swim together in a behaviour
known as clustering. It is thought to be significant in
assessing the state of the school and deciding the rank of the
various males."
101. <P14/6> Sakuradai - Sacura margaritacea
--------------------------------------------
(NA) Cherry grouper
(FR) Serran cerisier blanc
(DE) Fahnenbarsch
(ES) Tres colas japonés
(IT) Pesce lancere ocellato
Length: 15 cm / 6 in
Description: "Red with a white pattern that looks like cherry blossom petals,
its scientific name is made up of sacura, meaning 'cherry
blossom' and margaritacea, meaning 'pearly'. Females are yellow
with a black pattern on their dorsal fins."
102. <P14/7> Sunset anthias - Pseudanthias parvirostris
-------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Anthias soleil
(DE) Diadem-Fahnenbarsch
(ES) Antias puesta de sol
Length: 8 cm / 3 in
Description: "This fish is red with a yellow tinge and a violet, halo-like
pattern on its head. As it lives near deep-sea coral reefs it is
seldom seen."
Trivia: "[Which came first?]
There are many fish which change gender from female to male. The
basic reason why so few fish change from male to female is
because the fish's ovaries develop before its testes. When the
ovaries are developed, allowing it to function as a female, the
testes have not yet matured. So it cannot function as a male at
birth."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[11.15] Page 15 - Small Marine Life
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103. <P15/1> Flying fish - Cypselurus agoo agoo
-----------------------------------------------
(FR) Poisson volant du Japon
(DE) Japanischer Fliegender Fisch
(ES) Pez volador japonés
Length: 35 cm / 1 ft 2 in
Description: "Easily recognised by its long, wing-like pectoral fins which it
uses to escape large predators, making its getaway above the
waves instead of underwater. It bursts out of the sea and spreads
its wings, gliding over the surface of the water as if flying."
Trivia: "[Hidden ingenuity]
Its bones are full of holes, which makes it lighter than other
fish. It also has no stomach or short intestine in order to shed
the weight of undigested food. As a result, it is able to fly for
10 - 20 seconds and has a range of 100 - 200m, but can fly even
further if it catches the wind."
104. <P15/2> Chub mackerel - Scomber japonicus
----------------------------------------------
(FR) Maquereau espagnol
(DE) Mittelmeermakrele
(ES) Estornino
(IT) Lanzardo
Length: 40 cm / 1 ft 4 in
Description: "This fish can be identified by its blue back and ripple pattern.
It inhabits temperate and sub-tropical climates and migrates
seasonally in large groups. It preys on small animals and fish
and is in turn preyed upon by larger ones."
Trivia: "[Eat with caution!]
The chub mackerel can contain the parasite anisakis. If eaten
uncooked, it can cause stomach aches and nausea. However, it
can be eaten after being suitably frozen or heated to ensure
the parasite has been destroyed. The parasite that infects fish
is a larva whose adult form infects whales and dolphins."
105. <P15/3> Japanese jack mackerel - Trachurus japonicus
---------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Chinchard du Japon
(DE) Japanische Bastardmakrele
(ES) Jurel japonés
(IT) Suro giapponese
Length: 30 cm / 1 ft
Description: "This fish has spiny scales running from the rear half of its
body to the base of its tail fin. Although these are an inherent
characteristic of horse mackerel, their function remains unclear.
To escape the attention of predators such as tuna, it uses
protective colouration; seen from above it blends in with the
water, seen from below it blends in with the water's surface."
106. <P15/4> Japanese sardine - Sardinops melanostictus
-------------------------------------------------------
(NA) Pacific sardine (maybe?)
(FR) Pilchard du Japon
(DE) Japanische Sardine
(ES) Sardina japonesa
(IT) Sardina del Pacifico
Length: 20 cm / 8 in
Description: "This long, slender fish has a silver underside and blue back with
lines of black specks running along its body. It migrates in huge
schools, ranging from tens of thousands to around one hundred
million fish."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[11.16] Page 16 - Small Marine Life
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107. <P16/1> Antarctic silverfish - Pleuragramma antarcticum
------------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Calandre antarctique
(DE) Antarktischer Silberfisch
(ES) Diablillo antártico
Length: 25 cm / 10 in
Description: "This small fish is an indispensable food source for seals,
penguins and other animals in the Antarctic."
108. <P16/2> Capelin - Mallotus villosus
----------------------------------------
(FR) Capelan
(DE) Lodde
(ES) Capelán
(IT) Capelin
Length: 18 cm / 7 in
Description: "This fish is covered in countless small scales. It forms large
schools during breeding season and spawns along the coast. Many
young die after hatching and large numbers are washed up on
shore. It is often caught for food, and many are exported to
Japan."
109. <P16/3> Dusky rockcod - Trematomus newnesi
-----------------------------------------------
(FR) Bocasson terne
(ES) Austrobacalao oscuro
Length: 20 cm / 8 in
Description: "Other than a slight resemblance to the yellowfin goby, this fish
doesn't look particularly remarkable. Usually found hiding
amongst seaweed or rocks, it eats micro-organisms and in turn
becomes an important food supply for other members of the
Antarctic food chain."
110. <P16/4> Bald notothen - Pagothenia borchgrevinki
-----------------------------------------------------
(FR) Bocasson chauve
(ES) Notothen pelado
Length: 20 cm / 8 in
Description: "This fish lives in water as cold as -2°C or -3°C in the
Antarctic. Normally a fish would freeze in these temperatures,
but this species has a special antifreeze protein that protects
it."
111. <P16/5> Slender bristlemouth - Cyclothone pseudopallida
------------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Cyclothone mince
(ES) Luciérnaga pálida
Length: 7 cm / 3 in
Description: "This fish has a large, wide mouth in relation to its body. It is
normally found in the ocean depths but sometimes swims up to the
surface."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[11.17] Page 17 - Large Marine Life
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112. <P17/1> Red sea bream - Pagrus major
------------------------------------------
(FR) Dorade japonaise
(DE) Seebrasse
(ES) Pargo japonés
(IT) Pagro del Giappone
Length: 60 cm / 2 ft
Description: "Pale red with light blue flecks, its colouration is thought to be
connected to its environment in some way; wild sea bream are
normally more brightly coloured than cultivated fish. It lives
in deep water areas and feeds on prey such as prawns and crabs."
113. <P17/2> Asian sheepshead wrasse - Semicossyphus reticulatus
----------------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Girelle réticulée
(ES) Pez cráneo de oveja
Length: 1 m / 3 ft 3in
Description: "This fish has a distinctive face formed by a large lump on its
head and a large, thick chin, both of which are smaller in
females. Young fish are orange and look nothing like adults.
This fish is fiercely territorial, which leads to violent
confrontations between males."
114. <P17/3> Golden trevally - Gnathanodon speciosus
----------------------------------------------------
(FR) Carangue royale jaune
(DE) Königsmakrele
(ES) Jurel dorado
(IT) Carango mormora
Length: 1.2 m / 3 ft 11 in
Description: "Easily recognised by its dazzling gold colouring, adults are over
1m in length but their tiny young are easy prey for other fish.
The young protect themselves by staying close to larger
creatures, such as sharks, who find them too small to eat. They
do sometimes get eaten by the larger fish, so they're never
completely safe."
115. <P17/4> Giant trevally - Caranx ignobilis
----------------------------------------------
(FR) Carangue géante
(DE) Stachelmakrele
(ES) Jurel gigante
(IT) Carango gigante indopacifico
Length: 1.7 m / 5 ft 7 in
Description: "This large, silvery fish swims in groups when young, but can
live alone once mature. It has great strength and is popular
with fishermen."
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[11.18] Page 18 - Large Marine Life
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116. <P18/1> Largehead hairtail - Trichiurus lepturus
-----------------------------------------------------
(FR) Poisson-sabre commun
(DE) Haarschwanz
(ES) Pez sable
(IT) Pesce coltello
Length: 1.5 m / 4 ft 11 in
Description: "Its long, sleek, silver body resembles a sword. It has no scales
and is covered in a silvery substance called guanine. Guanine is
used in nail polish and imitation pearls."
Trivia: "[Strange way of swimming]
The largehead hairtail lives in schools on the deep ocean floor.
It swims with its head raised and body angled vertically, waiting
for prey to pass overhead. At full speed it swims with its body
at a horizontal angle, and young fish swim with their heads
lowered.and bodies angled downwards."
117. <P18/2> Pilotfish - Naucrates ductor
-----------------------------------------
(FR) Poisson-pilote
(DE) Lotsenfisch
(ES) Pez piloto
(IT) Pesce pilota
Length: 50 cm / 1 ft 8 in
Description: "Recognisable by its dark stripes, it swims with large fish such
as whale sharks as if guiding them. It lives by eating their
leftover food and feeding off their parasites."
118. <P18/3> Mahi-mahi - Coryphaena hippurus
--------------------------------------------
(FR) Dorade coryphène commune
(DE) Goldmakrele
(ES) Lampuga
(IT) Corifena cavallina
Length: 2 m / 6 ft 7 in
Description: "This fish has a dark green back and a shiny silver and gold
underside. As males mature, their foreheads protrude out to form
their characteristic face. When they die, their body turns pale
and loses its shine. They live near the surface and are often
found under flotsam."
Trivia: "[Persistent]
Mahi-mahi can reach speeds of up to 60km/h when chasing prey such
as flying fish. Even when flying fish try to escape by jumping
out of the water and gliding, mahi-mahi have been known to jump
as high as six metres to catch them."
119. <P18/4> Antarctic cod - Dissostichus mawsoni
-------------------------------------------------
(NA) Antarctic toothfish
(FR) Légine antarctique
(DE) Riesen-Antarktisdorsch
(ES) Bacalao antártico
Length: 1.3 m / 4 ft 4 in
Description: "Living at depths of a few dozen metres to over 1000m, this fish
is commercially fished by trawlers. Many people probably eat it
without even knowing what it is. It can be caught so far south
that it provides food for staff at Antarctic research stations."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[11.19] Page 19 - Large Marine Life
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120. <P19/1> Longtooth grouper - Epinephelus bruneus
----------------------------------------------------
(FR) Mérou longues dents
(DE) Zackenbarsch
(ES) Mero dentón
Length: 1.3 m / 4 ft 4 in
Description: "This huge fish is over 1m in length, brown with numerous dark
bands. It inhabits reefs at depths of up to 200m in the open sea.
Living independently, it hides among rocks during the day and
emerges when night falls to hunt for its prey. However, it rarely
strays far from its territory, typically hunting nearby. There
are many who consider this a delicacy amongst fish for its
flavoursome taste."
121. <P19/2> White grouper - Epinephelus aeneus
-----------------------------------------------
(FR) Mérou blanc
(DE) Weißer Zackenbarsch
(ES) Cherna de ley
(IT) Cernia bianca
Length: 1 m / 3 ft 3 in
Description: "Easily recognised by its pale bands, this variety of grouper
weighs around 20 - 30kg."
122. <P19/3> Humphead wrasse - Cheilinus undulatus
--------------------------------------------------
(FR) Poisson Napoléon
(DE) Napoleon-Lippfisch
(ES) Pez napoleón
(IT) Pesce Napoleone
Length: 2 m / 6 ft 7 in
Description: "Weighing up to 200kg, this is the largest of all wrasse. It has
a distinctly shaped hump on its head and a pale, complex colour
pattern. Females are whitish and have a smaller hump, and young
fish have black lines behind their eyes. It normally lives
independently around coral reefs, but many gather together during
the breeding season."
Trivia: "[Decreasing numbers]
The humphead wrasse is extremely popular as an aquarium fish and
also in demand from shops and restaurants. But they are
overfished because of their popularity, leading to a drop in
numbers and international conservation efforts."
123. <P19/4> Giant grouper - Epinephelus lanceolatus
----------------------------------------------------
(FR) Mérou géant
(DE) Riesenzackenbarsch
(ES) Mero lanceolado
(IT) Cernia gigante
Length: 3 m / 10 ft
Description: "With its short, stout body and large mouth, it is the largest of
the groupers. A carnivore which can weigh in at around 400kg, it
has been known to eat young sea turtles."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[11.20] Page 20 - Large Marine Life
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124. <P20/1> Great barracuda - Sphyraena barracuda
--------------------------------------------------
(FR) Barracuda
(DE) Großer Barrakuda
(ES) Barracuda
(IT) Grande barracuda
Length: 2 m / 6 ft 7 in
Description: "This gleaming silver fish has a large mouth lined with sharp
teeth. Barracudas can be told apart by the shape of their tail
fins, and the upper and lower points of the great barracuda's
tail fin are tapered with an incision in the centre."
Trivia: "[Nature's torpedo]
It is attracted to shiny objects, so if something shiny is
dropped into the sea it is likely to charge it. This wouldn't
be a problem if it was a small fish, but as it is large with
sharp teeth, caution is necessary."
125. <P20/2> Shadefish - Argyrosomus regius
-------------------------------------------
(NA) Meagre
(FR) Maigre commun
(DE) Adlerfisch
(ES) Corvina blanca</pre><pre id="faqspan-3">
(IT) Bocca d'oro
Length: 2 m / 6 ft 7 in
Description: "This large, dull silver fish can make drumming noises by beating
an air chamber inside its body, and also croaks like a frog.
Large numbers of them gather in the shallows in their breeding
season."
126. <P20/3> Bartail flathead - Platycephalus sp
------------------------------------------------
(FR) Platycéphale indien
(DE) Dunkler Plattkopf
(ES) Pez plano
Length: 1 m / 3 ft 3 in
Description: "This fish with a distinctive thin, flat head lives on the seabed
where its sandy colour makes it difficult for predators or prey
to spot it. It buries itself in the sand and generally lies still
during the day. The female is usually the larger of the two
sexes; this is because males turn into females as they mature so
by the time they have grown to a reasonable size they have
usually turned into females."
127. <P20/4> Atlantic tarpon - Megalops atlanticus
--------------------------------------------------
(FR) Tarpon
(DE) Tarpun
(ES) Sábalo
(IT) Tarpone
Length: 2.5 m / 8 ft 2 in
Description: "Covered in large, gleaming silver scales, this ancient fish
displays primitive characteristics such as the shape of its jaw.
Its young spend time in a leptocephalus stage, which is a
developmental phase for eels. Little is known about this stage
and the connection to eels is puzzling. Sometimes called the
'silver king', this fish is highly sought by amateur anglers."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[11.21] Page 21 - Large Marine Life
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128. <P21/1> Atlantic bluefin tuna - Thunnus thynnus
----------------------------------------------------
(FR) Thon rouge du Nord
(DE) Roter Thun
(ES) Atún rojo
(IT) Tonno rosso
Length: 3 m / 7 ft
Description: "This large, shiny fish with small pectoral fins and a black head
is in demand as an expensive classic sushi topping. If it is
deprived of oxygen when captured its body temperature will rise,
which causes its sinews to change colour and makes its flesh less
valuable."
Trivia: "[Keep on moving]
A tuna swims with its mouth open and takes oxygen from the water
that passes through its gills. If it stops moving, it will
suffocate; this is why it lowers its metabolism and speed at
night but never stops swimming."
129. <P21/2> Chinook salmon - Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Saumon royal
(DE) Königslachs
(ES) Salmón real
(IT) Salmone reale
Length: 1.5 m / 4 ft 11 in
Description: "The largest member of the salmon family, it hatches in rivers
then swims down to the sea where it lives for several years. On
reaching maturity, it returns to the river it was born in to
spawn."
130. <P21/3> Striped marlin - Tetrapturus audax
-----------------------------------------------
(FR) Marlin rayé
(DE) Gestreifter Marlin
(ES) Marlín rayado
(IT) Marlin striato
Length: 3.5 m / 11 ft 6 in
Description: "Easily recognised by its long, spear-like upper jaw, the front of
its first dorsal fin is high then gradually dips towards the
back. Its ventral fins are particularly long and narrow,and
there are protuberances at the base of its tail fin; these give
the marlin dynamic lift when swimming."
Trivia: "[It looks like a spear, but...]
With the ability to charg opponents at high speed, the striped
marlin can deal a fatal blow even to a shark. Normally, it
doesn't use its upper jaw to stab but instead swings it
violently and then captures its weakened prey. This means it is
very rare to see it stab its prey."
131. <P21/4> Indo-Pacific sailfish - Istiophorus platypterus
------------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Voilier indo-pacifique
(DE) Indopazifischer F.cherfisch
(ES) Pez vela
(IT) Pesce vela
Length: 3.5 m / 11 ft 6 in
Description: "This fish has a large, sail-like dorsal fin and a long snout.
It suddenly unfurls its giant dorsal fin right in front of its
prey, confusing them and leaving them unable to swim normally.
It uses this opportunity to strike the fish with its long snout,
and then it eats the weakened prey."
Trivia: "[Speed king]
This fish's body is developed to make it swim faster. It has
indentations on its dorsal and pelvic fins to decrease water
resistance and ridges to stabilise its swimming trajectory. It
can reach speeds of over 100km/h and holds the title of world's
fastest fish."
Notes: It will raise its fin if you touch it
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[11.22] Page 22 - Large Marine Life
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132. <P22/1> Olive flounder - Paralichthys olivaceus
----------------------------------------------------
(FR) Cardeau hirame
(DE) Hirame
(ES) Falso halibut de Japón
(IT) Falso halibut
Length: 80 cm / 2 ft 3 in
Description: "This flat fish has both eyes on its left side and a large mouth
full of sharp teeth. Its top side is normally brown and its
otherside is white, although its colour can change depending on
its.surroundings. One way to tell it apart from the similar
righteye.flounder is to check the direction they face when laid
flat; olive flounder face left and righteye flounder face right."
Trivia: "[Moving a single body part]
When young olive flounder are floating freely after hatching,
they have one eye on either side like any other fish. When they
grow to around 1mm their right eye starts to move towards the
left, and by the time they are 12mm it has moved over completely
to the left hand side. This provides the flounder with an
improved field of view as it lies on the sea floor."
133. <P22/2> Olive flounder (young) - Paralichthys olivaceus
------------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Cardeau hirame (jeune)
(DE) Hirame (JT)
(ES) Falso halibut de Japón (cría)
(IT) Falso halibut (giovane)
Details as above
134. <P22/3> Coelacanth - Latimeria chalumnae
---------------------------------------------
(FR) Coelacanthe
(DE) Quastenflosser
(ES) Celacanto
(IT) Celacanto
Length: 1.8 m / 5 ft 11 in
Description: "Thought to have existed for more than four hundred million years,
this is a truly ancient fish. It has more fins than a normal
fish, four pairs of which are uniquely shaped, muscular and
covered in scales. Its flesh issupposed to be oily, watery and
almost inedible."
Trivia: "[Ancestor to man]
The coelacanth is classed as one of the sarcopterygii, or
fleshy-finned fish, which are thought to be ancestors to many
animals including humans. These fish have fleshy fins which
became arms and legs as they evolved into land animals."
135. <P22/4> Red cornetfish - Fistularia petimba
------------------------------------------------
(FR) Cornette rouge
(DE) Rauer Flötenfisch
(ES) Corneta colorada
(IT) Pesce flauto
Length: 2 m / 6 ft 7 in
Description: "This creature is often called names like 'flutemouth' due to its
physical resemblance to the wind instrument. The suction power
of its slender snout increases when sucking in and eating small
creatures. When dried out, the snout is used in Chinese
medicine."
136. <P22/5> Conger eel - Conger conger
---------------------------------------
(NA) European conger eel
(FR) Congre
(DE) Meeraal
(ES) Congrio
(IT) Grongo europeo
Length: 3 m / 10 ft
Description: "This long, thin giant black eel can weigh over 100kg. It is not
rare and is used as an ingredient in normal family cooking. One
eel can feed a large number of people."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[11.23] Page 23 - Large Marine Life
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137. <P23/1> Great white shark - Carcharodon carcharias
-------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Grand requin blanc
(DE) Weißer Hai
(ES) Gran tiburón blanco
(IT) Grande squalo bianco
Length: 7 m / 23 ft
Description: "It feeds on large fish and marine mammals, and its sharp teeth
with serrated edges can easily bite through the flesh of its
prey. This is a dangerous animal that sometimes attacks humans,
but it does not target them specifically; any attacks are likely
to be a case of mistaken identity."
Trivia: "[Strongest shark in history]
Said to be an ancestor of the great white shark, the megalodon
lived approximately 20 million years ago. It was up to 15m long
and occupied the top spot in the ocean food chain as the
strongest predator. However, as the seas gradually cooled the
whales it hunted migrated to colder waters and the megalodon,
unable to adapt to the colder seas, became extinct."
Notes: No matter how much they may need provocatiopn or mistaken
identity in real life, in the game these creatures are
universally agressive, so keep your pulsar handy.
138. <P23/2> Hammerhead shark - Sphyrna lewini
----------------------------------------------
(NA) Scalloped hammerhead
(FR) Requin-marteau halicorne
(DE) Bogenstirn-Hammerhai
(ES) Tiburón martillo
(IT) Squalo martello
Length: 4 m / 13 ft
Description: "Named for its distinctive head, which protrudes to the left and
right. Its eyes and nostrils are at the very end of each side and
it is said to have heightened senses of smell and sight. Its
unique shape also acts like a rudder, giving it the ability to
turn sharply. It dislikes the noise of divers' exhaled bubbles
and generally will not approach them, but this does not mean
there is no risk of attack and caution is necessary."
Notes: It is a memorable game experience to feed these by hand
139. <P23/3> Grey nurse shark - Carcharias taurus
-------------------------------------------------
(NA) Sand tiger
(FR) Requin-taureau
(DE) Sandtigerhai
(ES) Tiburón toro
(IT) Squalo toro
Length: 3 m / 10 ft
Description: "This shark has a fearsome face but is actually relatively
mild-mannered. However, the International Shark Attack File,
which collects information on shark attacks, does list it as
dangerous. If you meet one, it's best not to provoke it."
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[11.24] Page 24 - Large Marine Life
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140. <P24/1> Greenland shark - Somniosus microcephalus
------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Laimargue du Groenland
(DE) Grünlandhai
(ES) Tollo boreal
(IT) Squalo della Groenlandia
Length: 6 m / 20 ft
Description: "This large shark inhabits the depths of the Arctic Ocean. As it
can live deeper than 1000m, sightings are rare. It has a poison
in its flesh that causes a condition similar to intoxication when
eaten, even making it impossible to stand."
141. <P24/2> Tiger shark - Galeocerdo cuvier
--------------------------------------------
(FR) Requin-tigre
(DE) Tigerhai
(ES) Tiburón tigre
(IT) Squalo tigre
Length: 6 m / 20 ft
Description: "This man-eating predator is named for the stripes running down
its side. It eats anything; water birds, sea turtles and even
cans have been found in its stomach. In Asia, its fins are prized
as a cooking ingredient, so if caught it will probably end up
being eaten."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[11.25] Page 25 - Large Marine Life
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142. <P25/1> Whale shark - Rhincodon typus
------------------------------------------
(FR) Requin-baleine
(DE) Walhai
(ES) Tiburón ballena
(IT) Squalo balena
Length: 12 m / 39 ft
Description: "This is the largest fish in the world, identified by the many
white specks scattered across its blue back. Its mouth is
especially large and filled with a huge number of small teeth.
It feeds exclusively on small fish and plankton in the seawater
it inhales. It has no air bladder, but obtains buoyancy by
storing oil in its liver."
Trivia: "[How are they born?]
It was once thought that the whale shark was oviparous, meaning
that it laid eggs. But 300 individual eggshells and embryos were
found in the womb of a captured whale shark, and it is now
believed that they are ovoviviparous, meaning that eggs are
incubated inside the parent. The captured female was 10m long,
so it is possible that bigger females may produce even more
offspring."
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[11.26] Page 26 - Large Marine Life
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143. <P26/1> Basking shark - Cetorhinus maximus
-----------------------------------------------
(FR) Requin-pèlerin
(DE) Riesenhai
(ES) Tiburón peregrino
(IT) Squalo elefante
Length: 9 m / 43 ft
I think this is a typographic error in the NA translation, it
should be about 30 ft
Description: "This is the second largest fish in the world. It lives almost
entirely on a diet of plankton taken in through its very large
mouth. Although it is no danger to man, it has become an
endangered species due to indiscriminate hunting."
Trivia: "[Mysterious Remains]
Every now and again there are news reports of the remains of
unidentified creatures washing up on shore or being caught in
fishing nets. One such incident involved the rotting remains of
a completely unknown animal, which was thought to be some kind
of plesiosaur. Subsequent inspection established that it was
most probably the remains of a basking shark. However, the
possibility that it is an Unidentified Marine Animal has not
been ruled out."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[11.27] Page 27 - Large Marine Life
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144. <P27/1> Pelagic thresher shark - Alopias pelagicus
-------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Requin-renard pélagique
(DE) Pazifischer Fuchshai
(ES) Tiburón zorro
(IT) Squalo volpe pelagico
Length: 3.5 m / 11 ft 6 in
Description: "The upper half of its caudal fin is very long, almost the same
length as its body. It uses it to swim and also to hunt; it herds
fish or squid into one place and beats them by swinging its tail
furiously before eating the weakened prey. It is said to be
docile and is unlikely to attack a human unless provoked."
145. <P27/2> Great sturgeon - Huso huso
---------------------------------------
(FR) Esturgeon béluga
(DE) Beluga-Stör
(ES) Esturión beluga
(IT) Storione beluga
Length: 3 m / 10 ft
Description: "This species is the largest of the sturgeon family, with one fish
reported to be 8m long and one tonne in weight. The report is old
and the accuracy of the measurements is questionable, which makes
it hard to say if this record is true or false."
146. <P27/3> Bowmouth guitarfish - Rhina ancylostoma
----------------------------------------------------
(FR) Angelot
(DE) Rundkopf-Geigenrochen
(ES) Pez guitarra
(IT) Squalo chitarra
Length: 3 m / 10 ft
Description: "The front half of its body resembles a ray, while the rear half
resembles that of a shark. Its whole body is covered in fine
scales, and there are a number of spines on its back. It can
crush and eat solid food such as shellfish and crustaceans using
its unusual ridge-covered teeth."
Trivia: "[Shark or ray?]
Although this species resembles both a shark and a ray, it is
classified as a ray. Sharks and rays can be distinguished by the
position of the holes which connect the gills to the outside,
called gill slits. Those of the ray open towards the abdomen, as
with this species, while those of the shark open towards the
back."
147. <P27/4> Dwarf sawfish - Pristis clavata
--------------------------------------------
(FR) Poisson-scie
(DE) Zwerg-Sägerochen
(ES) Pez sierra
(IT) Pesce sega
Length: 2.1 m / 7 ft
Description: "This creature has dozens of teeth arranged in a saw-like pattern.
Its body is also covered with sharp scales known as placoid
scales. It has characteristics of both a shark and a ray, but it
is classified as a ray as its gills are on the ventral side. As
this species is very rarely captured anywhere in the world, there
is much that is still unknown about it."
Trivia: "[Useful mouth]
The dwarf sawfish's long mouth is particularly useful. It has
many uses, including swinging it like a club in order to attack
other creatures and using it as a spade to search for prey
hidden in the sand."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[11.28] Page 28 - Large Marine Life
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148. <P28/1> Remora - Echeneis naucrates
----------------------------------------
(FR) Rémora
(DE) Gestreifter Schiffshalter
(ES) Rémora
(IT) Remora
Length: 80 cm / 2 ft 3 in
Description: "This fish possesses a distinctive sucker on its head which
developed from one of its dorsal fins. It uses it to stick to
larger fish, which allows it to move around without using much
energy. It feeds on parasites attached to the larger fish in
return, so it can be described as a symbiotic relationship. It is
sometimes found in the stomach of its host so its services may
ot always be so highly regarded."
149. <P28/2> White tip reef shark - Triaenodon obesus
-----------------------------------------------------
(NA) Whitetip reef shark
(FR) Requin-corail
(DE) Weißspitzenriffhai
(ES) Tiburón coralino
(IT) Squalo pinna bianca del reef
Length: 2 m / 6 ft 7 in
Description: "Found in coral reef regions, this shark is active at night and
generally sleeps in the shade of rocks by day. It is easily
distinguished by the white tip of its dorsal fin. Although said
to be docile, the sight of a group feeding together can be a
stark reminder of the fact that they really are sharks."
150. <P28/3> Banded houndshark - Triakis scyllium
-------------------------------------------------
(FR) Virli coro
(DE) Gebänderter Hundshai
(ES) Tollo rayado
Length: 1.7 m / 5 ft 7 in
Description: "This shark has a wide head and slightly rounded mouth surrounded
by two spines. It is ovoviviparous, meaning that eggs are
incubated inside the mother's body. It produces around twenty
young which are nourished by the yolk of their egg. Because it
lives in changing habitats, such as shallow coastal waters, it is
not overly affected by environmental change. It is often kept in
aquariums because it is docile and easy to breed."
151. <P28/4> Epaulette shark - Hemiscyllium ocellatum
-----------------------------------------------------
(FR) Requin-chabot ocellé
(DE) Epaulettenhai
(ES) Pintarroja colilarga ocelada
(IT) Squalo spallina
Length: 90 cm / 2 ft 11 in
Description: "This shark's pectoral fins are further back than usual, with a
large black spot outlined in white behind them. The name
'epaulette shark' is thought to come from its markings, which
resemble the shoulder markings on military uniforms. It lives and
hides in coral or reefs and can be seen 'walking' along the
seabed using its pectoral fins when looking for prey."
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[11.29] Page 29 - Large Marine Life
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152. <P29/1> Zebra shark - Stegostoma fasciatum
-----------------------------------------------
(FR) Requin-zèbre
(DE) Zebrahai
(ES) Tiburón cebra
(IT) Squalo leopardo
Length: 3.5 m / 11 ft 6 in
Description: "This creature has a striking leopard spot pattern and a tail fin
nearly as long as its body. It also has several ridges on its
back, similar to a whale shark's. Young sharks are pale yellow
with black stripes, so do not resemble adults. They are most
active at night, and usually found on the seabed near coral
reefs."
Trivia: "[You can't hide!]
Sharks have electroreceptors in their heads, known as ampullae
of Lorenzini, which allow them to sense the weak magnetic field
of other creatures. This sense is believed to be particularly
well developed in zebra sharks. They can even find prey hiding
under the sand, but there are restrictions such as limited range
and an inability to detect insulated creatures."
153. <P29/2> Tasselled wobbegong - Eucrossorhinus dasypogon
-----------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Requin-tapis barbu
(DE) Fransen-Teppichhai
(ES) Tapicero barbudo
(IT) Squalo tappeto tassellato
Length: 4 m / 13 ft
Description: "This fish is wide and flat. Its colour and pattern blend into
the sand or reef where it lives, making it hard to see. Its wide
mouth, filled with long, sharp.teeth, extends around the front
edge of its head. The mouth is surrounded by long, beard-like
tassels that imitate bait."
Trivia: "[Keep off!]
It usually lies still on the sea floor until prey approaches or
it feels threatened, in which case it moves and attacks swiftly.
Care must be taken whenswimming in areas where it lives; it is so
well camouflaged that it is easy to get too close and
inadvertently cause it to attack."
154. <P29/3> Japanese bullhead shark - Heterodontus japonicus
-------------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Requin dormeur nekozame
(DE) Japanischer Stierkopfhai
(ES) Dormilón japonés
(IT) Squalo testa di toro giapponese
Length: 1 m / 3 ft 3 in
Description: "This shark has a large head and distinctive ridges above its eyes
that look like cat ears or cow horns. It lies still in reef
crevices or on the sea floor during the day then sets out to look
for food at night. It preys mainly on molluscs and crustaceans,
using its gigantic teeth to crush and eat them."
Trivia: "[Mysterious objects]
Spiral clumps of a strange black material about 15cm long are
sometimes found on the sea floor. These are the eggs of the
Japanese bullhead.shark. They are worth seeing as they have such
a unique shape that the first people to find them could not
believe they were eggs. There is a reason for this spiral shape;
it makes it easy for the eggs to be snagged in rocks or embedded
in sand and more difficult for it to be carried away by the
currents."
Found as: Adult, young (below), eggs
155. <P29/4> Japanese bullhead shark (young) - Heterodontus japonicus
---------------------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Requin dormeur nekozame (jeune)
(DE) Japanischer Stierkopfhai (JT)
(ES) Dormilón japonés (cría)
(IT) Squalo testa di toro giapponese (giovane)
Details as above
156. <P29/5> Blotchy swell shark (young) - Cephaloscyllium umbratile
--------------------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Holbiche du Japon (jeune)
(DE) Gefleckter Schwellhai (JT)
(ES) Tiburón gato (cría)
(IT) Squalo gatto (giovane)
Length: 1 m / 3 ft 3 in
10 cm / 4 in when young, as it is in the game
Description: "Only 10cm when young, this broad shark has narrow eyes and lives
on the sea bed near rocky and coral reefs. If it feels threatened
it can inflate its stomach by inhaling water or air."
Trivia: "[Long term storage]
A female can preserve a male's sperm inside her body for a long
period of time after breeding and fertilised eggs are known to
have been laid two years after intercourse. The eggs are about
10cm long with tendrils connected to each corner which help to
anchor the eggs to rocks or seaweed on the sea bed and stop them
being carried away."
Found as: Young, eggs
157. <P29/6> Cloudy catshark - Scyliorhinus torazame
----------------------------------------------------
(FR) Roussette nuageuse
(DE) Wolken-Katzenhai
(ES) Alitán nubarrado
Length: 50 cm / 1 ft 8 in
Description: "The cloudy catshark has a fairly wide head with long and narrow
slit-like eyes. There is also a detailed pattern on its body.
Females sometimes have bite wounds on their bodies. This is
because, while mating, the male bites the female in order to
position its body."
Trivia: "[Soft centred]
Rays and sharks, including this species, are members of the
subclass elasmobranchii, whose skeletal structures are composed
of cartilage. Because cartilage does not fossilise well, only the
hard teeth are found in fossils of cartilaginous fish, and whole
bodies are almost never discovered."
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[11.30] Page 30 - Large Marine Life
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158. <P30/1> Japanese angel shark - Squatina japonica
-----------------------------------------------------
(NA) Japanese angelshark
(FR) Ange de mer Kasuzame
(DE) Japanischer Engelshai
(ES) Angelote japonés
(IT) Squalo angelo del Giappone
Length: 1.5 m / 4 ft 11 in
Description: "Its front half looks like that of a ray, but the rear half looks
like that of a shark. It lives buried in sand on the sea floor
and catches prey with its large mouth as it swims overhead.
Despite its flat, ray-like appearance, it is most definitely a
shark."
Trivia: "[Shark skin]
Sharks have countless small protuberances on their skin which are
said to smooth the flow of water over their bodies, helping them
swim more efficiently and reach higher speeds. The skin of this
species was once used to make handles for files and Japanese
swords because of its rough texture."
159. <P30/2> Japanese eagle ray - Myliobatis tobijei
----------------------------------------------------
(FR) Raie aigle
(DE) Japanischer Adlerrochen
(ES) Raya águila
Length: 2 m / 6 ft 7 in
Description: "These rays have a characteristic diamond shape and long tail.
They swim using their large wing-like fins as if flying, and
sometimes swim together in groups of about a dozen. They are
often seen lying perfectly still on the seabed."
160. <P30/3> Manta ray - Manta birostris
---------------------------------------
(FR) Raie manta
(DE) Mantarochen
(ES) Mantarraya
(IT) Manta gigante
Length: 5 m / 16 ft
Description: "Well known to the general public as well as to divers, this is
the world's largest ray. Each manta ray has a unique pattern of
black spots on its stomach which helps to tell them apart. These
black spots can spread across the entire stomach, making some
manta rays appear entirely black. They sometimes jump out of the
water, but this is thought to be because they are startled or
trying to remove parasites."
Trivia: "[Looks cosy?]
The word 'manta' also means blanket or cloak, which fits its
large, flat body. It has distinctive fins on either side of its
mouth, developed from pectoral fins. These look like horns, so
the manta is also known as the devilfish."
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[11.31] Page 31 - Dolphins and Whales
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161. <P31/1> Bottlenose dolphin - Tursiops truncatus
----------------------------------------------------
(FR) Grand dauphin
(DE) Großer Tümmler
(ES) Delfín mular
(IT) Tursiope
Length: 3.6 m / 12 ft
Description: "This is the best known species of dolphin and the one most often
seen in aquariums. In the wild, it often forms groups, or pods,
of around 15. These pods can even contain several hundred
dolphins. It has a habit of playing in the wake of ships or large
whales, and is often seen swimming alongside boats."
Trivia: "[Getting close to humans]
Some bottlenose dolphins settle in coves or coastlines, where
they seem to enjoy playing with humans and become famous among
local inhabitants. Dolphins are also used in animal-assisted
therapy, where a person interacts with an an animal as part of
their therapy. This special form of therapy is continually being
researched and is gaining favourable attention."
162. <P31/2> Pacific white-sided dolphin - Lagenorhynchus obliquidens
---------------------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Dauphin à flancs blancs
(DE) Weißstreifendelfin
(ES) Delfín de lados blancos
(IT) Lagenorinco dai denti obliqui
Length: 2.4 m / 7 ft 10 in
Description: "This dolphin has a distinctive sickle-shaped dorsal fin with two
suspender-like stripes running along its back. It lives in pods
made up of a few to several hundred animals, which jump and
travel around together."
Trivia: "[High speed swimming secrets]
Pacific white-sided dolphins can swim at speeds of up to 55km/h,
and other dolphins commonly reach 30km/h or more. Scientifically,
dolphins should not be able to achieve the speeds they do, and a
lot of research has been carried out to explain why. Some of the
dolphins' secrets have been learned and used in swimsuits, but
the overall mystery has finally been solved. It is known as
Gray's Paradox after the zoologist who first described it."
163. <P31/3> Short-beaked common dolphin - Delphinus delphis
------------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Dauphin commun à bec court
(DE) Gemeiner Delfin
(ES) Delfín común
(IT) Delfino comune
Length: 2.5 m / 8 ft 2 in
Description: "This dolphin is easily recognisable by its yellow and grey
hourglass pattern on each side. It likes to form large groups and
a single pod can contain over 1,000 dolphins. It is able to dive
to 300m in around ten minutes."
Trivia: "[The true dolphin]
When people think of dolphins, they usually think of the
bottlenose dolphin. But, as its name suggests, the common
dolphin is the real representative dolphin - the dolphin amongst
dolphins."
164. <P31/4> Commerson's dolphin - Cephalorhynchus commersonii
--------------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Dauphin de Commerson
(DE) Commerson-Delfin
(ES) Tonina overa
(IT) Cefalorinco di Commerson
Length: 1.5m / 4 ft 11 in
Description: "Its bold black and white markings make it look like a panda,
although newborns are uniformly brown. The species is named after
the botanist who first recorded them."
Trivia: "[Full of life]
It usually lives in small groups, although very large pods are
sometimes seen. This particular dolphin loves to jump; six of
them were once recorded jumping 65 - 70 times in just 17
minutes."
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[11.32] Page 32 - Dolphins and Whales
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165. <P32/1> Orca - Orcinus orca
--------------------------------
(FR) Orque
(DE) Schwertwal
(ES) Orca
(IT) Orca
Length: 8 m / 26 ft
Description: "Easily identified by its black and white colouring and tall
dorsal fin, it lives and hunts in groups. Feeding habits vary;
some groups only eat fish while others hunt and eat anything,
including birds, seals and even whales larger than themselves."
Trivia: "[Vocalisations]
The vocalisations of the orca can be divided into three distinct
types: click, call and whistle. Each one has a distinct use.
Clicks are mainly used for echolocation, while calls and whistles
are used for social interactions within and between groups."
166. <P32/2> Risso's dolphin - Grampus griseus
----------------------------------------------
(FR) Dauphin de Risso
(DE) Rundkopfdelfin
(ES) Calderón gris
(IT) Grampo
Length: 4 m / 13 ft
Description: "This grey dolphin has a large rounded head. As it grows older,
its skin gradually becomes white. It has no teeth in its upper
jaw, and sometimes no teeth at all. It swims the seas leisurely
in groups of up to several dozen."
Trivia: "[White scars]
Adults look white because of countless scars on their skin. All
dolphins and whales are injured at some point, but their scars
usually fade with time. This species' injuries leave permanent
white scars which gradually turn their entire body white as they
get older."
167. <P32/3> Beluga - Delphinapterus leucas
-------------------------------------------
(FR) Béluga
(DE) Beluga
(ES) Beluga
(IT) Beluga
Length: 4.5 m / 15 ft
Description: "This dolphin is completely white with a melon, a rounded lump of
fatty tissue, protruding from its forehead. The melon can change
shape slightly. It has a thin protrusion on its back, but no real
dorsal fin, and its scientific name means 'wingless white
dolphin'. It lives in groups of up to a thousand or even more."
Trivia: "[A whale that sheds its skin]
Its white skin turns yellow in late spring, and in summer beluga
gather at inlets or shallows where fresh water flows into the sea
and start rubbing themselves on sand or gravel at the bottom. It
may be shocking to watch, but gradually the old skin falls away
to reveal the new and the beluga is white once again."
168. <P32/4> False killer whale - Pseudorca crassidens
------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Fausse orque
(DE) Kleiner Schwertwal
(ES) Falsa orca
(IT) Pseudorca
Length: 6 m / 20 ft
Description: "Black with a characteristic high, curved dorsal fin and a bend
halfway along each of its flippers, it lives in pods of just a
few to dozens and can jump to the same height as a small dolphin.
It is often found amongst dolphins and there are some false
killer whale and bottlenose dolphin hybrids."
Trivia: "[Why 'false killer whale'?]
Both this name and its Latin one, pseudorca, come from its
resemblance to the orca - the real killer whale. The other part
of the Latin name, crassidens, means 'thick teeth'; it has 16 -
22 large teeth on each jaw. It has been known to eat small
dolphins."
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[11.33] Page 33 - Dolphins and Whales
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169. <P33/1> Narwhal - Monodon monoceros
----------------------------------------
(FR) Narval
(DE) Narwal
(ES) Narval
(IT) Narvalo
Length: 5 m / 16 ft
Description: "Easily recognised by the male's spiralling tusk, which can be as
long as 3m. There are rare cases of males with two tusks and
females with tusks."
Trivia: "[Sea unicorn's horn]
Europeans in the Middle Ages believed that a unicorn's horn had
the power to negate poison, which made it more valuable than
gold. Unicorns may not exist, but the belief in the medicinal
power of a single horn was enough to see narwhal horns traded at
high prices."
170. <P33/2> Spectacled porpoise - Phocoena dioptrica
-----------------------------------------------------
(FR) Marsouin à lunettes
(DE) Brillenschweinswal
(ES) Marsopa de anteojos
(IT) Focena dagli occhiali
Length: 2.3m / 7 ft 2 in
Description: "The two rings around its eyes make it look as if it is wearing
glasses, and a black line around the mouth completes its
distinctive markings."
Trivia: "[Where is it?]
This porpoise is fairly rare and not often sighted but can be
found near Tierra del Fuego, an island at the southernmost tip
of South America. As there are so many in that region, they may
not be considered rare there."
171. <P33/2> Amazon river dolphin - Inia geoffrensis
----------------------------------------------------
(FR) Boto
(DE) Amazonasdelfin
(ES) Delfín rosado
(IT) Inia
Length: 2.5m / 8 ft 2 in
Description: "This pinkish dolphin has a long snout and eyes that have become
smaller over time because of limited visibility in the murky
waters of the Amazon. They rely heavily on sound waves to
navigate their environment."
Trivia: "[Mysterious lover...]
According to legend, when night falls this dolphin turns into an
attractive man who seduces the village women. There is another
story suggesting that the dolphin changes into a beautiful woman
and seduces the men."
172. <P33/3> Southern bottlenose whale - Hyperoodon planifrons
--------------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Hyperoodon austral
(DE) Südlicher Entenwal
(ES) Ballena nariz de botella del sur
(IT) Iperodonte australe
Length: 8 m / 26 ft
Description: "This species has a rounded head with a thin snout, making it look
like a bottle's neck. Several hundred thousand are believed to
live in the Antarctic Ocean. A closely related species, the
northern bottlenose whale, lives in the northern hemisphere."
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173. <P34/1> Humpback whale - Megaptera novaeangliae
----------------------------------------------------
(FR) Baleine à bosse
(DE) Buckelwal
(ES) Ballena jorobada
(IT) Megattera
Length: 15 m / 49 ft
Description: "The humpback whale has distinctive elongated pectoral fins that
are around one third the length of its body. There are also a
number of lumps on its upper and lower jaws and in front of the
pectoral fins. The lumps on its upper jaw contain sensory hairs
which are used to feel water currents. It migrates seasonally
between warm and cold waters, and appears to not eat while
migrating."
Trivia: "[Ever-changing music]
Males sing during mating season, possibly to court females. Their
song has a fixed structure and all males in the same area sing
very similar songs. The song's composition changes a little every
year, so they never sing the same song twice. Whale song was
recorded and included in a record produced for intelligent
extraterrestrial life which was placed on board the
interplanetary probe Voyager I in 1977 and launched into space."
Found as: Adult, young
174. <P34/2> North Atlantic right whale - Eubalaena glacialis
-------------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Baleine de Biscaye
(DE) Atlantischer Nordkaper
(ES) Ballena franca
(IT) Balena franca nordatlantica
Length: 16 m / 52 ft
Description: "Its lower jaw is curved in an arc, and it has a beautifully
smooth back with no dorsal fin. It has protrusions on its head,
and the particularly large ones on the tip of its snout can be
used to distinguish individual whales."
Trivia: "[Suffering of the right whale]
It is a slow swimmer and its blubber causes it to float on the
surface even after it dies; these traits made it an attractive
target for whalers, as they could harvest large quantities of oil
and whalebone. As a result their numbers fell and they have
become a protected species, on the brink of extinction in some
areas. However, numbers are recovering in other areas, so
conservation is having an effect for this species."
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175. <P35/1> Pygmy sperm whale - Kogia breviceps
------------------------------------------------
(FR) Cachalot pygmée
(DE) Zwergpottwal
(ES) Cachalote pigmeo
(IT) Cogia di De Blainville
Length: 3 m / 10 ft
Description: "This small whale is about the same size as a dolphin. When it
dives from the surface, it enters the water gently without
slapping the water with its tailfin. As it doesn't make a huge
splash like other whales, it is considered a little boring."
176. <P35/2> Antarctic minke whale - Balaenoptera bonaerensis
-------------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Baleine de Minke
(DE) Südlicher Zwergwal
(ES) Rorcual antártico
(IT) Balenottera minore antartica
Length: 8 m / 26 ft
Description: "This relatively small, streamlined whale can be found in both the
southern and northern hemispheres, but each group has a slightly
different diet. Those in the southern hemisphere eat plankton and
krill, while those in the northern hemisphere eat krill, herring
and other small fish
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177. <P36/1> Grey whale - Eschrichtius robustus
-----------------------------------------------
(FR) Baleine grise
(DE) Grauwal
(ES) Ballena gris
(IT) Balena grigia
Length: 14 m / 46 ft
Description: "This whale is grey with white and orange spots. These spots are
not patterns on the whale's skin, but groups of corn barnacles or
the parasitic whale louse."
Trivia: "[Mothering instincts]
Their annual migration covers some 20,000km, said to be the
longest of any mammal. In the winter they move to their breeding
grounds where females give birth to a single calf. The mother</pre><pre id="faqspan-4">
whale stays close to the calf while rearing it and will protect
it with no consideration for her own safety, even taking on
whaling boats."
178. <P36/2> Sperm whale - Physeter macrocephalus
-------------------------------------------------
(FR) Cachalot
(DE) Pottwal
(ES) Cachalote
(IT) Capodoglio
Length: 18 m / 59 ft
Description: "Its square head takes up almost one third of its body length and
there are rows of large conical teeth in its lower jaw. The teeth
in its upper jaw never erupt. As it eats its prey, usually squid,
whole it needs no teeth to feed. Their teeth may instead be used
for fighting between males or bringing food back to calves."
Trivia: "[Maternal care]
Calves live with their mothers, but they cannot dive as far, so
when the mother goes down to find food, the calf stays at the
surface. Females and calves live together in pods and females
stagger their dives so that calves are not left alone and exposed
to danger. If an orca or other predator targets a calf, the
females will close ranks and surround the calf to protect it.
This is sometimes.called the 'marguerite formation' after the
flower it resembles."
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[11.37] Page 37 - Dolphins and Whales
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179. <P37/1> Blue whale - Balaenoptera musculus
-----------------------------------------------
(FR) Baleine bleue
(DE) Blauwal
(ES) Ballena azul
(IT) Balenottera azzurra
Length: 32 m / 105 ft
Description: "Known for its huge bluish-grey body, this is the largest mammal
on Earth with some over 30m long. The water it blows can reach
10m high, and the 60 or more ventral pleats in its throat open
when it feeds. It travels widely, and its call contains low
frequency wavelengths that travel well in water and allow it to
communicate with other whales for up to 150km."
Trivia: "[Extinction through progress?]
Hunting blue whales has always been difficult because of their
size and speed, and the total population was once around 300,000.
But with the introduction of faster whaling vessels and explosive
harpoons at the end of the 19th century the blue whale was hunted
to the brink of extinction. Even now, decades after whaling bans
were enacted, the blue whale population is less than 5,000 and
they are still at risk of extinction."
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180. <P38/1> Splendid alfonsino - Beryx splendens
-------------------------------------------------
(FR) Béryx long
(DE) Südlicher Kaiserbarsch
(ES) Palometa roja
(IT) Berice rosso
Length: 60 cm / 2 ft
Description: "This red fish can be identified by its large golden eyes. Though
normally seen as nothing more than a menu item, primitive bones
found in its skull have led people to believe that this fish has
existed for approximately one hundred milion years. It is a fine
example of an ancient fish."
Trivia: "[Golden eyes]
Inside the eyes of the splendid alfonsino is a tissue known as
the tapetum. This tissue reflects light entering the eye and
stimulates the photo-receptive cells in the eye a second time,
helping the fish to see using the limited amount of light that
reaches the dark sea depths. The light reflected by the tapetum
gives the eyes their golden colour."
181. <P38/2> Common fangtooth - Anoplogaster cornuta
----------------------------------------------------
(FR) Poisson-ogre
(DE) Fangzahnfisch
(ES) Pez abisal con colmillos
(IT) Anoplogaster cornuta
Length: 15 cm / 6 in
Description: "This fish's massive mouth has an upper jaw that stretches back
behind its eyes and long, large teeth. It may not look like it,
but it is related to the splendid alfonsino. It floats in the
water waiting for prey, and when it finds some it opens its large
mouth and skewers them with its long teeth. If its teeth become
too big it cannot close its mouth fully."
182. <P38/3> Fanfin - Caulophryne pelagica
------------------------------------------
(FR) Baudroie à longues nageoires
(DE) Fächerflosser
(ES) Pez de aleta de abanico
Length: 50 cm / 1 ft 8 in
Description: "Known for its elongated thread-like fins, it also has long
protuberances on its head, but these do not emit light. The
male's body is extremely small, only one-tenth the size of the
female's."
Trivia: "[Two become one]
When a male finds a female, he attaches himself to her body.
This adhesion goes as far as the blood stream, and the male
nourishes himself from the female. Although this seems like an
entirely one-sided parasitic relationship, it is also favourable
for the female. It is thought that the female can have the male's
sperm release at the optimal time for fertilisation. Sometimes
several males can be seen attached to a single female."
183. <P38/4> Pelican eel - Eurypharynx pelecanoides
---------------------------------------------------
(FR) Grand-gousier pélican
(DE) Pelikanaal
(ES) Pez pelícano
(IT) Anguilla pellicano
Length: 75 cm / 2 ft 6 in
Description: "This eel has a giant sack-like mouth and a long, soft thin body
with no scales. The tip of its tail has a luminescent organ which
it is thought to use to attract prey."
Trivia: "[Eats whenever it can]
Because there is so little life at the depths of the ocean, this
eel doesn't know when the next opportunity to feed will come.
This is why it developed its giant sack-like mouth in order to
eat much more food in a single meal. It has small eyes located on
the tip of this giant mouth."
184. <P38/5> Snailfish - Crystallichthys matsushimae
----------------------------------------------------
(ES) Pez caracol
Length: 42 cm / 1 ft 5 in
Description: "This soft, gelatinous pink fish inhabits reefs hundreds of metres
down and sticks to rocks using the suction pads located on its
left and right ventral fins."
Trivia: "[Blending in by standing out]
Lots of creatures living at the same depth as the snailfish are
some shade of red. By the time light reaches these depths, all
colours except blue have been absorbed by the water. The
remaining blue light is then absorbed by these red-bodied
creatures, making them almost invisible to predators."
185. <P38/6> Sea pig - Scotoplanes globosa
------------------------------------------
(DE) Seegurke
(ES) Holoturia
(IT) Cetriolo di mare
Length: 10 cm / 4 in
Description: "This creature is pure white with four large protuberances on its
back. It has between five and seven pairs of legs and swims
casually along the seabed as if walking. It may look nice enough
at first glance, but turning it over reveals a mouth full of
countless tentacles which may make you flinch."
186. <P38/7> Emperor nautilus - Nautilus pompilius
--------------------------------------------------
(NA) Chambered nautilus
(FR) Nautile
(DE) Schiffsboot
(ES) Nautilo
Length: 20 cm / 8 in
Description: "Its spiral shell has a radial pattern of red-tinged brown lines.
It has so-called pinhole eyes, which have no lens and leave it
with poor eyesight. Its ancestors lived about five hundred
million years ago, when ammonites and other large species
thrived. However, their numbers fell due to subsequent climate
change, natural selection and other factors, and only the
nautilidae family survived to the present day."
Trivia: "[Mini submarine]
One of its tentacles developed into a funnel called a hyponome,
which it uses to expel water to control buoyancy and propel
itself. Its shell is divided by thin walls into a number of
chambers called camerae, with a slender tube running through
them. These chambers contain low pressure gases and liquids, and
the nautilus uses its hyponome to control the volume of fluid
and so finely manage its buoyancy. Nautilus also means 'sailor'
and was the name of the world's first nuclear submarine."
187. <P38/8> Popeye grenadier - Coryphaenoides cinereus
-------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Grenadier
(DE) Riesen-Grenadierfisch
(ES) Granadero gris
Length: 50 cm / 1 ft 8 in
Description: "This fish has large eyes and a body that narrows towards the
tail. Larvae of the macrouridae family, such as this species,
are rarely encountered as they never live near the surface. As
such, there are many unknowns concerning its ecology."
Trivia: "[Different scales]
The macrouridae family divided into subfamilies as a result of
evolving and adapting to different environments. The macrourinae
subfamily have ctenoid scales with small spines at the rear, and
the bathygadinae subfamily have smooth cycloid scales. This
species is a member of the macrourinae subfamily and has ctenoid
scales."
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[11.39] Page 39 - Deep Sea Life
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188. <P39/1> Barreleye - Winteria telescopa
-------------------------------------------
(FR) Poisson-étoile bathypélagique
(DE) Gespensterfisch
(ES) Pez cabeza de cristal
Length: 15 cm / 6 in
Description: "This fish has particularly well-developed eyes; they are large,
protruding and cylindrical, and look upwards at an angle. Other
fish of this species have eyes that look directly upwards and
some even have four eyes."
189. <P39/2> Humpback anglerfish - Melanocetus johnsonii
--------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Baudroie abyssale
(DE) Buckliger Anglerfisch
(ES) Rape abisal
Length: 8 cm / 3 in
Description: "This fish has a huge mouth and long teeth, along with a special
glowing protrusion growing from its head. It waves the protrusion
to lure prey close, then eats it whole."
Trivia: "[Bigmouth]
This anglerfish can puff up its body to swallow prey that is even
larger than itself, but if the prey is too large the anglerfish
may also die. Its teeth can be pushed inwards but not outwards,
so prey cannot escape after being swallowed."
190. <P39/3> Firefly squid - Watasenia scintillans
--------------------------------------------------
(FR) Encornet lumière
(DE) Leuchtkalmar
(ES) Enoploluria centellante
(IT) Calamaro-lucciola
Length: 7 cm / 3 in
Description: "The hundreds of light-emitting organs on its body make this squid
shine with a bluish-white light. It has ten arms, but only the
fourth pair emit any light; there are three especially bright
light-emitting organs at their tips which are used for
intimidating other creatures. It spends the day at depths of
several hundred metres, returning to the surface when night
falls."
Trivia: "[Light disguise]
It can sense how much light is coming from the surface and adjust
the brightness of the light from its luminescent organs, making
it hard for predators to detect it from underneath as its
silhouette blends into the background."
191. <P39/4> Glass squid - Cranchia scabra
------------------------------------------
(FR) Calmar translucide
(DE) Gallertkalmar
(ES) Calamar de cristal
Length: 12 cm / 4.5 in
Description: "A barrel-shaped squid whose rough surface is covered with
star-shaped protuberances. It has fourteen luminous spots around
its large eyes, which are actually organs called photophores."
Trivia: "[What's inside?]
This species keeps a special fluid, lighter than salt water, in
its rounded body to aid buoyancy. It makes up more than 60% of
its body weight!"
192. <P39/5> Galatheid crab - Shinkaia crosnieri
------------------------------------------------
(DE) Springkrebs
(ES) Cangrejo abisal
(IT) Shinkaia crosnieri
Length: 8 cm / 3 in
Description: "This creature is white, with hair on its belly and legs. While it
is a member of the lobster family, it looks more like a crab
because its tail is bent towards its stomach. It seems to have
only four pairs of legs, but it actually has five like all
lobsters; the last pair are almost too small to be visible."
Trivia: "[Growing their own food]
This species lives near hydrothermal vents which feed bacteria
with the minerals they release. Galatheid crabs let the bacteria
live in the hair on their bodies, then feed on them once they
have grown. As the water around the vents is not very hot, the
crabs do not need to be resistant to heat. Also, they do not turn
red when boiled."
193. <P39/6> Deep-sea blind shrimp - Alvinocaris longirostris
-------------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Crevette à long rostre
(DE) Alvinocaris longirostris
(ES) Gamba abisal
(IT) Gambero degli abissi
Length: 3 cm / 1 in
Description: "You can see right through its white body to its transparent
internal organs. It has bacteria living in its gills, but it's
not clear what purpose they serve."
Trivia: "[Thermal sensors]
These shrimp live in a very dangerous area near hydro-thermal
vents which spout water at approximately 300°C. Special
heat-sensitive organs on their back help them to avoid the hot
water. Specimens with partially melted bodies have been found,
so even they need to be careful."
194. <P39/7> Sea gooseberry - Pleurobrachia pileus
--------------------------------------------------
(FR) Groseille de mer
(DE) Seestachelbeere
(ES) Grosella de mar
Length: 10 cm / 4 in
Description: "This variety of comb jellyfish is spherical with eight organs
extending around its body called comb plates, due to being
covered in fine hair. The combs reflect light in all the colours
of the rainbow. Even ones from the dark ocean depths are
beautiful when illuminated.
Trivia: "[Long feelers]
It has two sticky, comb-like feelers hanging from its body which
catch the tiny animals it feeds on. The species is also equipped
with both male and female sex organs which allows it to reproduce
alone."
195. <P39/8> Giant sea spider - Colossendeis colossea
-----------------------------------------------------
(FR) Araignée de mer colosse
(DE) Colossendeis colossea
(ES) Araña de mar gigante
(IT) Colossendeis colossea
Length: 35 cm / 1 ft 2 in
Description: "Its long, narrow red body has four pairs of long legs and two
pairs of shorter ones which contain its intestines and
reproductive organs. The male protects the eggs inside one pair
of its shorter legs known as ovigers. Although it looks like a
land-based spider, it is classified as a completely separate
species."
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[11.40] Page 40 - Deep Sea Life
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196. <P40/1> Ocean sunfish - Mola mola
--------------------------------------
(FR) Poisson-lune
(DE) Mondfisch
(ES) Pez luna
(IT) Pesce luna
Length: 3 m / 10 ft
Description: "Easily recognised for its large elliptical body and
startled-looking face, it has no clearly defined tail fin but
instead has a rounded clavus, a rudder-like fin formed from the
dorsal and.anal fins. It has been seen jumping above the water,
as.well as floating on its side. It may do this to remove
parasites, which either fall off from the impact or are eaten
by birds."
Trivia: "[Running the gauntlet]
The ocean sunfish produces more eggs than any other animal, as
many as three hundred million. Most of these are devoured by
other creatures and only a few reach adulthood. Incidentally,
the young are born with spines."
197. <P40/2> Opah - Lampris guttatus
------------------------------------
(FR) Lampris
(DE) Gotteslachs
(ES) Pez luna real
(IT) Pesce re
Length: 2 m / 6 ft 7 in
Description: "This fish is oval, with a characteristic red mouth, back and
fins. Its slightly protruding mouth has no teeth at all.Young
opah bear a striking resemblance to sunfish."
Trivia: "[Looks can be deceptive]
As it looks like a mola mola, which is often called a sunfish,
the opah has become known as the moonfish. However, it is a
completely different species and more closely related to the
oarfish."
198. <P40/3> Polka-dot ribbonfish - Desmodema polystictum
---------------------------------------------------------
(DE) Bandfisch
(ES) Pez cinta moteado
Length: 1 m / 3 ft 3 in
Description: "Its thin body starts off wide at the head and tapers down towards
the tail. Infants have elongated pectoral fins and spots on their
bodies. As it matures, the pectoral fins shorten and the spots
fade, leaving the adult fish without either of these distinctive
features. It normally lives at depths of hundreds of metres, but
is very occasionally seen in shallow waters."
Trivia: "[Strange swimmer]
This species has a unique way of swimming: it raises its head
and waves its dorsal fin, which runs from the top of its head to
the tip of its tail, which results in it swimming in a slanted
upright position.
199. <P40/4> Vampire squid - Vampyroteuthis infernalis
------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Vampire des enfers
(DE) Vampirtintenfisch
(ES) Calamar vampiro
(IT) Calamaro vampiro
Length: 30 cm / 1 ft
Description: "Easily recognised by its wing-shaped fins, eight arms and two
extended thread-like organs. It raises its tentacles to cover its
body in a defensive posture when it feels threatened. It has
several light-producing organs and can release a viscous
luminescent fluid from the tips of its tentacles. It uses these
abilities freely to defend itself from predators by diverting
their attention."
Trivia: "[Hellish messenger]
Its scientific name, vampyroteuthis infernalis, literally means
'vampire squid from hell'. However, this species is not a squid,
nor does it suck.blood, so the scientific name probably comes
from its appearance. Incidentally, although it is not a squid,
it isn't an octopus either. It is a creature closely related to
the ancestors of squids and octopuses."
200. <P40/5> Giant isopod - Bathynomus giganteus
------------------------------------------------
(FR) Bathynome géant
(DE) Riesenassel
(ES) Isópodo gigante
(IT) Isopode gigante
Length: 35 cm / 1 ft 2 in
Description: "These alien-looking creatures live deep down on the sea bed where
they gather around the carcasses of whales and fish and strip
them of meat until only the bones remain. If you're interested,
you should turn one over to see another sight that will stay with
you for a while."
Trivia: "[Surprisingly popular]
A lot of people might feel unsettled at the sight of these
creatures, but there are more than a few who find them
fascinating precisely because of their appearance. There is at
least one young woman in Paoul who would not hesitate to say how
cute she finds them, namely Océane."
201. <P40/6 >Longnose lancetfish - Alepisaurus ferox
----------------------------------------------------
(FR) Cavalo féroce
(DE) Lanzenfisch
(ES) Lanzón picudo
(IT) Sauro feroce
Length: 2 m / 6 ft 7 in
Description: "This fish is long and slender, and has a large mouth with sharp
teeth. It has a fleshy protrusion to the rear of its dorsal fin,
known as the adipose fin, whose function is unknown. It is very
soft because a large portion of its body is made up of water."
Trivia: "[Voracious eater]
Its insatiable appetite leads it to swallow fish, squid and other
prey whole - even other fish of the same species. Plastic and
other rubbish has also been found in its stomach. It seems to
swallow up anything that will fit in its mouth!"
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[11.41] Page 41 - Deep Sea Life
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202. <P41/1> Megamouth shark - Megachasma pelagios
--------------------------------------------------
(FR) Requin grande gueule
(DE) Riesenmaulhai
(ES) Tiburón bocudo
(IT) Megamouth
Length: 5.6 m / 18 ft
Description: "As the name suggests, it has a large head with a gigantic mouth.
It spends the day at depths of several hundred metres, before
returning to the surface during the night. Although around 30
years have passed since it was discovered, it is rarely captured,
and so there is still much that is not known about this shark."
Trivia: "[Inside the jaws]
Although it has a gigantic mouth, it feeds on plankton and
jellyfish, and so does not possess the sharp teeth of other
sharks. Instead it has countless teeth only millimetres in size.
Also, when it opens its jaws, a white line appears on the tip of
its snout. Because this white colour stands out at night and in
dark places like the deep sea, it is thought that it serves to
entice creatures as food."
203. <P41/2> Goblin shark - Mitsukurina owstoni
-----------------------------------------------
(FR) Requin-lutin
(DE) Koboldhai
(ES) Tiburón duende
(IT) Squalo goblin
Length: 3.5m / 11 ft 6 in
Description: "The front of this creature's head is elongated, giving it a
monstrous appearance. It is white with a hint of pink, and when
it dies it becomes red due to congested blood. As time passes,
it eerily changes to a chestnut colour. It feeds on creatures of
the ocean floor, protruding its jaws and swallowing down prey.
This is when it looks especially monstrous."
204. <P41/3> Frilled shark - Chlamydoselachus anguineus
-------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Requin-lézard
(DE) Kragenhai
(ES) Tiburón anguila
(IT) Squalo frangiato
Length: 2 m / 6 ft 7 in
Description: "Named for the frill shape of its six large gills, it has only one
dorsal fin. Its three-pronged teeth are very primitive and only
otherwise seen in fossils."
Trivia: "[The legendary sea serpent?]
Could this shark be behind the legends of giant sea serpents
heard in many parts of the world? Its long, slender body and less
than charming looks fit the description, but at two metres or
less in length it is unlikely to be related to a legendary beast
said to have wrapped itself around boats. The truth behind these
stories of sea monsters remains a mystery."
205. <P41/4> Bluntnose sixgill shark - Hexanchus griseus
--------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Requin-griset
(DE) Sechskiemerhai
(ES) Cañabota gris
(IT) Squalo capopiatto
Length: 4.2 m / 14 ft
Description: "This fish has characteristics of ancient sharks, such as a
single dorsal fin and six gill slits. Its snout is connected to
its skull at two points, which gives its jaw less freedom of
movement than other modern sharks' jaws. It also has beautiful
green luminescent eyes. It lives at depths of several hundred
metres, rising to the surface at night."
Trivia: "[Two types of tooth]
The shape of the teeth is different for each jaw. The upper jaw
has long, sharp teeth used to catch prey, while the wide, thick
teeth on the bottom jaw are used to chew food."
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206. <P42/1> Giant oarfish - Regalecus glesne
---------------------------------------------
(NA) Oarfish
(FR) Régalec
(DE) Riemenfisch
(ES) Pez remo
(IT) Re di aringhe
Length: 10 m / 33 ft
Description: "Its fins are red with the front of the dorsal fin and the ventral
fin elongated into fine fibres. It lives at depths of several
hundred metres and appears to swim at an angle. It rarely comes
into contact with humans, so very little is known about its
ecology."
Trivia: "[Japanese mermaids]
Japan has its own records of mermaids, which say they have long
bodies and a white head with long red hair; just like the giant
oarfish. While different from the common image of a mermaid as
having the upper body of a beautiful woman and the lower body of
a fish, it is still a beautiful legend."
207. <P42/2> Giant siphonophore - Praya dubia
---------------------------------------------
(FR) Siphonophore géant
(DE) Staatsqualle
(ES) Joroba dudosa de mar
Length: 40 m / 130 ft
Description: "This creature is made up of an umbrella called a swimming bell
and extremely long, thread-like organs. It is not one single
animal but is actually made up of a huge number of tiny
organisms, making the species a living colony. Each individual
organism has its own duties, such as feeding, reproducing, attack
or defence, so it can cope with anything."
Trivia: "[Big or small]
When people talk about.plankton, miniscule creatures usually come
to mind. However, this 40m long species is actually a type of
plankton. Plankton is actually defined as a floating creature
that is unable to resist ocean currents and has no swimming
ability; it is not related to size."
208. <P42/3> Giant squid - Architeuthis dux
-------------------------------------------
(FR) Calmar géant
(DE) Riesenkalmar
(ES) Calamar gigante
(IT) Calamaro gigante
Length: 18 m / 59 ft
Description: "There are eight long arms and another two massively long
tentacles, over 10m long, hanging from its enormous body. With
eyes reaching 50cm.in diameter, it also boasts the biggest eyes
of any living.creature. It contains a lot of ammonium chloride,
so does not taste very nice."
Trivia: "[Greatest size]
Although not officially recorded, there have been reports of a
27m long giant squid. The marks of enormous suction pads have
also been found on sperm whales, which eat giant squid. This
suggests that there may be giant squid bigger than those
officially documented. The credibility of old reports is low, and
as the.suction marks on whales increase in size as the whale
grows it is not yet clear how large giant squid can grow."
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209. <P43/1> Emperor penguin - Aptenodytes forsteri
---------------------------------------------------
(FR) Manchot empereur
(DE) Kaiserpinguin
(ES) Pingüino emperador
(IT) Pinguino imperatore
Length: 1.3 m / 4 ft 4 in
Description: "This is the largest of all penguins, weighing up to 40kg. It has
a thick layer of blubber underneath its plumage which makes it
resistant to cold. A bright yellow patch starts near its ears and
fades out towards its chest."
Trivia: "[A parent's duties]
The female penguin lays only one egg, without making a nest, then
leaves to gather food. The male balances the egg on its feet and
keeps it warm under the fold of its stomach. The female is gone
for about 60 days, and as the male goes without food all this
time his body weight drops sharply. If the egg hatches before
the female returns, the male raises the chick on 'penguin milk'
which he secretes from his gullet."
Found as: Adult, young
210. <P43/2> Gentoo penguin - Pygoscelis papua
----------------------------------------------
(FR) Manchot papou
(DE) Eselspinguin
(ES) Pingüino de pico rojo
(IT) Pinguino Papua
Length: 90 cm / 2 ft 11 in
Description: "It has white feathers running across the top of its head,
connecting its eyes. In order to protect eggs and chicks from
meltwater, nests are fairly high up and comprise of piles of
pebbles. If an enemy approaches while the egg is being warmed,
the penguin will stick out its neck, point its beak towards the
rival and cry out to drive them away. They sometimes approach
the opponent and attack them."
Trivia: "[Born in the South?]
The 'papua' in the scientific name is a reference to Papua New
Guinea. However, this was actually a naming mistake as this
species does not inhabit Papua New Guinea."
Found as: Adult, young
211. <43/3> Adelie penguin - Pygoscelis adeliae
-----------------------------------------------
(NA) Adélie penguin
(FR) Manchot Adélie
(DE) Adeliepinguin
(ES) Pingüino de Adelia
(IT) Pinguino di Adelia
Height: 75 cm / 2 ft 6 in
Description: "It has a distinctive angular head with short decorative
feathers. A ring of white feathers around its eyes creates the
illusion of big, round eyes. It keeps its eggs warm on a nest
of pebbles to stop them coming into direct contact with the ice
or snow. A large number of small pebbles must be gathered to make
these nests, so pebbles are often fought over. They may be
snatched violently or stealthily swiped while the nest is
unguarded."
Trivia: "[Day care]
When the chicks grow a little, their parents are able to go in
search of food but they must leave the chicks alone to do so.
When their parents leave, the chicks gather together and form a
crèche which is defended by young birds and adults who have
failed to mate that season. This makes it difficult for predators
to target the chicks. These penguins prefer eating krill, but the
percentage of fish in their diet increases while they are
bringing up their chicks."
Found as: Adult, young
212. <P43/4> Rockhopper penguin - Eudyptes chrysocome
-----------------------------------------------------
(FR) Gorfou sauteur
(DE) Felsenpinguin
(ES) Pingüino de penacho amarillo
(IT) Eudipte crestato
Height: 55 cm / 1 ft 10 in
Description: "This penguin is easily recognised by the distinctive,
eyebrow-like decorative feathers above its eyes and the way it
hops around. Males show a unique behaviour known as a display,
where they stick out their neck, raise their beak to the sky and
sing while swinging their head in an arc from side to side. This
is thought to be a way of marking territory and establishing
themselves as males."
Found as: Adult, young
213. <P43/5> African penguin - Spheniscus demersus
--------------------------------------------------
(FR) Manchot du Cap
(DE) Brillenpinguin
(ES) Pingüino de El Cabo
(IT) Pinguino del Capo
Height: 70 cm / 2 ft 4 in
Description: "This penguin is black and white with a more complex pattern than
other penguins. It has an area of pink exposed skin around its
eyes. They normally lay two eggs, with the first to be laid
larger than the second. Sometimes especially small eggs are laid,
but they won't hatch as they are unfertilised."
Trivia: "[Fasting season]
After breeding, this penguin has a moulting season when it
changes its plumage. It loses body heat easily at this time and
is unable to dive for food in the sea, so it stays on the shore
without eating. It has to eat a lot before the moulting season
starts so it can sustain itself. It takes around 18 days for the
African penguin to moult, and it loses about 150g of body weight
daily during that period."
Found as: Adult, young
214. <P43/6> Chinstrap penguin - Pygoscelis antarctica
------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Manchot à jugulaire
(DE) Zügelpinguin
(ES) Pingüino barbijo
(IT) Pinguino antartico
Height: 75 cm / 2 ft 6 in
Description: "They have a white face with a characteristic black line at their
throat which gives them their name. They are found on Antarctic
islands, which is reflected in their scientific name, pygoscelis
antarctica."
Found as: Adult only
215. <P43/7> Little penguin - Eudyptula minor
---------------------------------------------
(FR) Manchot pygmée
(DE) Zwergpinguin
(ES) Pingüino azul
(IT) Pinguino minore blu
Height: 40 cm / 1 ft 4 in
Description: "The smallest of all penguins, weighing just over 1kg. It has
long and short calls which can be used to mark territory and
communicate with or identify other penguins. While other species
walk upright, this species walks leaning forward and so is
thought to be more primitive."
Found as: Adult, young
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216. <P44/1> Cape fur seal - Arctocephalus pusillus
---------------------------------------------------
(FR) Otarie à fourrure d'Afrique du Sud
(DE) Südafrikanischer Seebär
(ES) Oso marino de El Cabo
(IT) Otaria orsina del Capo
Length: 2.3m / 7 ft 6 in
Description: "With a large nose and a body weight exceeding 300kg, this seal is
the largest fur seal. Although born with a black body, it becomes
grey as it matures. Despite normally living in groups of a dozen
or so, they can also sometimes be seen in their tens of thousands
near to breeding grounds."
Found as: Adult, young
217. <P44/2> Antarctic fur seal - Arctocephalus gazella
-------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Otarie de Kerguelen
(DE) Antarktischer Seebär
(ES) Lobo fino antártico
(IT) Otaria orsina antartica
Length: 2 m / 6 ft 7 in
Description: "These seals are grey or brown, and the male has long whiskers.
As their name suggests, they were once hunted extensively for
their fur, almost to the point of extinction. Laws protecting
them have resulted in a great increase in their numbers."
Found as: Adult only
218. <P44/3> California sea lion - Zalophus californianus
---------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Otarie de Californie
(DE) Kalifornischer Seelöwe
(ES) Lobo marino de California
(IT) Leone marino californiano
Length: 2.4m / 7 ft 10 in
Description: "This sea lion's short fur can be glossy black or matte brown.
Males have a distinctive mane around their neck. With five
webbed digits on its legs, and flippers more developed than those
of other sea lions, it can also move nimbly on land. It is
polygamous, with a male creating a harem of over ten females.
Because of this, the male patrols to protect against other males
encroaching on his turf and to prevent females escaping."
Found as: Adult, young
219. <P44/4> South American sea lion - Otaria flavescens
--------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Otarie à crinière
(DE) Mähnenrobbe
(ES) Lobo marino sudamericano
(IT) Leone marino sudamericano
Length: 2.6 m / 8 ft 6 in
Description: "This sea lion has brown hair with a black tinge and a thick layer
of blubber underneath its skin. The male sea lion also has a
light brown mane around its neck. It primarily eats fish and
squid, though it has also been known to eat penguins."
Trivia: "[Golden opportunities]
The South American sea lion breeds on the Valdes Peninsula in
Argentina, which is listed as a World Heritage Site. During
mating season, large numbers of sea lions gather, presenting a
golden opportunity for breeding. Sharks also appear in droves at
this time, attacking sea lions near the shore. Although this is
not unusual in itself, it means that the sharks know to gather at
the same time for their own golden opportunity to hunt."
Found as: Adult, young
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220. <P45/1> Steller sea lion - Eumetopias jubatus
--------------------------------------------------
(FR) Lion de mer de Steller
(DE) Stellerscher Seelöwe
(ES) Lobo marino de Steller
(IT) Leone marino di Steller
Length: 3 m / 10 ft
Description: "The largest of the sea lion family, males can weigh up to a
tonne. Living in packs, the males form harems of up to several
dozen females. Hunted as pests and suffering from a diminishing
food supply, they are now in danger of becoming extinct."
Found as: Adult only
221. <P45/2> Walrus (male) - Odobenus rosmarus
----------------------------------------------
(FR) Morse (mâle)
(DE) Walross (m)
(ES) Morsa
(IT) Tricheco (maschio)
Length: 4 m / 13 ft
Description: "This mammal has a thick pelt and a layer of blubber. The length
of its two tusks depends on its gender; a female's only grow to
40cm, while a male's tusks can reach up to 1m in length. The
tusks are used for pulling itself out of the water and fighting
between males. The walrus tends to form large groups, and
thousands can be seen gathered together."
Trivia: "[King of the North]
Although both polar bears and walruses inhabit the Arctic Circle,
attacks by the polar bear on the walrus are rare. As the polar
bear is likely to be severely injured in such an attack, it will
not do so unless it is near starvation. Because of this, the
walrus has no natural predators, and sits atop the Arctic food
chain with the polar bear."
Found as: Male, female (see below)
222. <P45/3> Walrus (female) - Odobenus rosmarus
------------------------------------------------
(FR) Morse (femelle)
(DE) Walross (w)
(ES) Morsa (hembra)
(IT) Tricheco (femmina)
Details as above
223. <P45/4> Southern elephant seal - Mirounga leonina
------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Eléphant de mer du sud
(DE) Südlicher See-Elefant
(ES) León marino del sur
(IT) Elefante marino del Sud
Length: 6.5 m / 21 ft
Description: "Easily recognised by its large, long nose, this seal is
particularly large; a male can weigh over 2 tonnes. Females are
smaller, growing up to 700kg. Their body is soft, which allows
them to bend over backwards. They are strong divers and can be
underwater for up to two hours and reach depths of up to 2,000m."
Trivia: "[Conflict]
Male elephant seals create a harem containing several females.
If another male appears to be approaching a female, the resident
male will swell its nose to make a loud, intimidating noise,
then violently attack the intruder with his body."
Found as: Adult only
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224. <P46/1> Weddell seal - Leptonychotes weddellii
---------------------------------------------------
(FR) Phoque de Weddell
(DE) Weddellrobbe
(ES) Foca de Weddell
(IT) Foca di Weddell
Length: 2.5 m / 8 ft 2 in
Description: "This seal can be identified by the scattering of black or white
patches across its grey body. Whiskers sprout from either side of
its upturned nose. It uses its teeth to cut ice, creating holes
through which to dive and surface. Its teeth gradually wear down
but new teeth do not grow in their place, and seals with very
short teeth are unable to survive."
Trivia: "[Limited time]
The seal calf swims with its mother, learning how to dive. The
mother swims slowly and doesn't dive further than the calf can
manage. The calf is able to dive by itself when it is about seven
weeks old. Once it can do this it is able to live independently,
so this is when parent and child go their separate ways."
Found as: Adult, young
225. <P46/2> Leopard seal - Hydrurga leptonyx
---------------------------------------------
(FR) Léopard de mer
(DE) Seeleopard
(ES) Foca leopardo
(IT) Foca leopardo
Length: 3.5m / 11 ft 6 in
Description: "Known as the sea leopard on account of its black spots, its diet
is varied and includes penguins, fish, squid and young seals.
They are also said to relentlessly chase humans. Whether this is
because they think the person is prey or if they are just curious
is unclear, but it's best to be cautious."
Found as: Adult only
226. <P46/3> Bearded seal - Erignathus barbatus
-----------------------------------------------
(FR) Phoque barbu
(DE) Bartrobbe
(ES) Foca barbuda
(IT) Foca barbata
Length: 2.8m / 9 ft 2 in
Description: "This seal has long whiskers growing around its mouth which are
connected to nerve endings on its face and used to forage for
prey on the seabed. Its forelegs face forward, unlike those of
other seals, allowing it a greater range of movement. It can also
turn them out horizontally. Most seals who are born on the ice
have pure white fur which acts as camouflage, but for some reason
this seal is brown with grey patches at birth."
Found as: Adult, young
227. <P46/4> Spotted seal - Phoca largha
----------------------------------------
(FR) Phoque tacheté
(DE) Largha-Robbe
(ES) Foca manchada
(IT) Foca maculata
Length: 1.7 m / 5 ft 7 in
Description: "This seal has brown or grey fur covered in white or black spots.
It has large eyes which give it excellent underwater vision, but
it is colour blind. Cubs are born with downy white fur to let
them blend in with the ice floes, but they shed this fur after
two to three weeks and their fur becomes like their parents'.
The seal's milk they are raised on is thicker and contains more
fat and nutrients than cow's milk."
Trivia: "[Submerged snoozing]
Seals can sleep underwater for a short time because they have a</pre><pre id="faqspan-5">
lot of blood which lets them store large quantities of oxygen."
Found as: Adult, young
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228. <P47/1> Ribbon seal - Phoca fasciata
-----------------------------------------
(FR) Phoque à rubans
(DE) Bandrobbe
(ES) Foca fajada
Length: 1.7 m / 5 ft 7 in
Description: "These seals are black with distinctive white ribbon patterns
around their bodies, more pronounced on the males. The young,
who are born on drift ice, are a pure white colour for
camouflage."
Found as: Adult only
229. <P47/2> Harp seal - Phoca groenlandica
-------------------------------------------
(FR) Phoque du Groenland
(DE) Sattelrobbe
(ES) Foca de Groenlandia
(IT) Foca della Groenlandia
Length: 1.9 m / 6 ft 3 in
Description: "Its name comes from the harp-like pattern on its back. Pups are
completely white, like many other seals that live on drift ice."
Found as: Adult, young
230. <P47/3> Mediterranean monk seal - Monachus monachus
------------------------------------------------
(FR) Phoque moine de Méditerranée
(DE) Mittelmeer-Mönchsrobbe
(ES) Foca monje del Mediterráneo
(IT) Foca monaca mediterranea
Length: 2.5 m / 8 ft 2 in
Description: "This seal was once found all over the Mediterranean but its
numbers have gradually dwindled because of changes in the
environment, and now they can only be seen in a few places. A
similar species lives off the coast of Hawaii, but it is also at
risk of extinction."
Found as: Adult only
231. <P47/4> West Indian manatee - Trichechus manatus
-----------------------------------------------------
(FR) Lamantin des Caraïbes
(DE) Nagelmanati
(ES) Manatí
(IT) Lamantino
Length: 4.5 m / 15 ft
Description: "This fat, rotund animal with big round eyes can be distinguished
from the similar dugong by its fan-shaped tail. The manatee
lives in warm waters and spends most of the day grazing on
seaweed and other plants. It is friendly and will let itself be
stroked and petted, and its skin feels like an elephant's."
Trivia: "[Mermaid myopia]
Tales of mermaids are told all over the world, and a sighting was
even recorded in a ship's journal on Columbus' voyage. However,
there is a prominent theory that many of these sightings were
actually of sea cows, including manatees. It is plausible that
the creature seen by Columbus was also a manatee."
Found as: Adult only
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232. <P48/1> Razorbill - Alca torda
-----------------------------------
(FR) Pingouin torda
(DE) Tordalk
(ES) Alca común
(IT) Gazza marina
Height: 40 cm / 1 ft 4 in
Description: "This black and white seabird has a wingspan of about 60cm, and at
first glance looks like a penguin. It lives on cliffs near the
sea and dives for its food."
Trivia: "[The original penguin]
Long before the creature we now call a penguin was discovered in
the southern.hemisphere, there was a species of flightless black
and white seabird in the northern hemisphere called the penguin.
However, these birds had a poor sense of self-preservation and
were hunted to extinction in the 19th century. When the bird we
now call the penguin was discovered in the southern latitudes,
they were given the same name because of their resemblance to
this extinct species."
233. <P48/2> Short-tailed albatross - Phoebastria albatrus
----------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Albatros à queue courte
(DE) Kurzschwanzalbatros
(ES) Albatros de cola corta
(IT) Albatro codacorta
Length: 95 cm / 3 ft 1 in
Description: "Easily identified by its large beak, which is curved down at the
tip, and its long, narrow wings. Blood can be seen through its
beak, making it look pale red. Chicks have a brown back with a
black tinge. This bird is monogamous, breeding with the same
partner every year."
Trivia: "[Ups and downs]
Its 2.5m wingspan makes it difficult for this bird to flap its
wings, and it cannot take off without an approach run. Once
airborne, it uses a technique called dynamic soaring to make use
of air currents and glide without moving its wings."
234. <P48/3> Brown booby - Sula leucogaster
-------------------------------------------
(FR) Fou brun
(DE) Brauntölpel
(ES) Alcatraz pardo
(IT) Sula fosca
Length: 70 cm / 2 ft 4 in
Description: "This sea bird has short wings and a pointed beak with jagged
edges. The area around the base of the beak is blue in males and
a pale yellow in females. It flies high above the waves hunting
for prey, performing a nosedive into the water when it finds
some. It has been seen at depths of up to 30m by divers."
235. <P48/4> Japanese cormorant - Phalacrocorax capillatus
----------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Cormoran de Temminck
(DE) Japankormoran
(ES) Cormorán japonés
(IT) Cormorano giapponese
Length: 90 cm / 2 ft 11 in
Description: "This long-necked bird is black with a green lustre. Its feathers
have a low fat content, which means they cannot repel water but
instead soak it up, making the bird heavier and better suited to
diving. It is normally too heavy to fly after diving, so it has
to let its feathers dry off first. It may even fall from the sky
if it rains, so its feathers could be called a double-edged
sword. It swallows its prey whole, which has led to it being used
for fishing in Asia."
236. <P48/5> White pelican - Pelecanus onocrotalus
--------------------------------------------------
(FR) Pélican blanc
(DE) Rosapelikan
(ES) Pelícano blanco
(IT) Pellicano comune
Length: 1.6 m / 5 ft 3 in
Description: "This bird has a long slender neck and an enormous bill with a
pouch on the underside. Its plumage becomes pink during mating
season. Although it has a lifespan of around 30 years, pelicans
bred in captivity have lived for over 50 years."
Trivia: "[Fishing with an advantage]
Gathering in flocks of dozens, they drive fish towards the shore
by beating the water's surface in unison with their wings. When
the fish are cornered, they are immediately scooped up by the
pelican's large beak. Water is also taken into the beak together
with the fish. However, the water settles in the pouch, allowing
the pelican to swallow only the fish. Some pelican flocks can
even consist of tens of thousands of birds."
237. <P48/6> Australian pelican - Pelecanus conspicillatus
----------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Pélican à lunettes
(DE) Brillenpelikan\
(ES) Pelícano australiano
(IT) Pellicano australiano
Length: 1.4 m / 4 ft 7 in
Description: "This bird can be identified by its giant bill with a sack-like
underside. Its bill can reach 50cm in size, the largest of all
birds' beaks. During mating season, its bill becomes a vivid pink
and its bill pouch turns red. It performs a courtship dance,
vibrating its bill pouch."
238. <P48/7> South polar skua - Catharacta maccormicki
------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Labbe de McCormick
(DE) Antarktische Raubmöwe
(ES) Págalo polar
(IT) Stercorario di McCormick
Height: 55 cm / 1 ft 10 in
Description: "This bird has a wingspan of around 1.3m and eats penguin eggs or
chicks. They wait for their chance, then snatch eggs or chicks
from their parents. Penguins actively threaten them and chase
them off if they come too close."
239. <P48/8> White-bellied parrot - Pionites leucogaster
--------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Caïque à ventre blanc
(DE) Rostkappenpapagei
(ES) Caique de cabeza amarilla
(IT) Caicco ventrebianco
Height: 25 cm / 10 in
Description: "This brightly coloured bird has a yellow head, green back and
white belly. It is a very popular pet, probably because it mimics
its owners' speech and enjoys playing with toys."
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240. <P49/1> Polar bear - Ursus maritimus
-----------------------------------------
(FR) Ours blanc
(DE) Eisbär
(ES) Oso polar
(IT) Orso polare
Length: 3 m / 10 ft
Description: "This bear is large and white, with a small head and ears and a
thick layer of blubber. Although its body hair looks white, it is
actually transparent; it appears white due to reflected light.
The polar bear lives inside the Arctic Circle, where much of the
ice is now receding due to global warming. Because of this, its
habitat has shrunk and there is a real threat of extinction as
the population continues to decrease."
Trivia: "[Formidable strength]
The polar bear has sharp claw and fangs and a biting force of
800kg, and sits atop the Arctic food chain. It also has a keen
sense of smell and can pick up the scent of a seal swimming
underwater. However, it has a low success rate when hunting
walrus and can even be fatally wounded fighting them."
Found as: Adult, young
241. <P49/2> Sea otter - Enhydra lutris
---------------------------------------
(FR) Loutre de mer
(DE) Seeotter
(ES) Nutria marina
(IT) Lontra di mare
Length: 1.5 m / 4 ft 11 in
Description: "It has the densest fur of all mammals, with approximately one
billion individual hairs. There are two types of hairs; guard
hairs are long and thick while down hair is soft and thin. It can
insulate itself from the cold and create buoyancy by trapping air
between its hairs. It grooms its fur frequently to maintain its
effectiveness."
Trivia: "[Hidden pouches]
The sea otter's armpit skin forms deep pocket-like pouches. It
catches shellfish underwater and places them in these pouches to
carry them safely to the surface. Once there it places them on
its stomach, breaks them open with stones and eats them. It eats
between 20 - 30% of its body weight in a single day, so although
it may not look like it, it has quite an appetite. It must eat
large quantities of food to keep itself warm in cold waters, so
it is not eating out of pure gluttony."
Found as: Adult, young
242. <P49/3> Galapagos marine iguana - Amblyrhynchus cristatus
--------------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Iguane marin
(DE) Meerechse
(ES) Iguana marina
(IT) Iguana marina
Length: 1.5 m / 4 ft 11 in
Description: "This is the only lizard able to dive underwater. It has webbed
feet and feeds mostly on seaweed, diving repeatedly for several
minutes at a time and spending the rest of its time basking in
the sun. Sunbathing is very important, as it needs to warm itself
in the sun after diving; if its body temperature falls too low in
the water, it will be unable to move. It expels salt accumulated
in its body from its nose with salt-water sneezes."
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243. <P50/1> Guppy - Poecilia reticulata
----------------------------------------
(FR) Guppy
(DE) Guppy
(ES) Guppy
(IT) Guppy
Length: 5 cm / 2 in
Description: "This fish comes in a wide variety of colours and attractive tail
shapes, and remains one of the most popular aquarium fish.
Selective breeding has produced many different shapes and
colours, but these fish are not a new species. Regardless of
their appearance, they are all guppies."
Found as: two colour variants: guppy and guppy (red)
244. <P50/2> Banjo catfish - Bunocephalus coracoideus
-----------------------------------------------------
(FR) Poisson-chat banjo
(DE) Zweifarbiger Bratpfannenwels
(ES) Siluro Catalina
(IT) Pesce banjo
Length: 12 cm / 5 in
Description: "This catfish is very flat and dull in colour, usually brown or
black. Its plain appearance makes it ideally suited to escape
predators by hiding on the river bed amongst rotting leaves or
driftwood."
245. <P50/3> Zebra pleco - Hypancistrus zebra
---------------------------------------------
(FR) Pléco zébré
(DE) Zebra-Harnischwels
(ES) Loricárido cebra
(IT) Pesce a ventosa zebrato
Length: 7 cm / 3 in
Description: "This beautiful catfish has black and white stripes all over its
body which give it its name."
Trivia: "[Cuckoo in the nest?]
There is a species of catfish in Lake Tanganyika in Africa,
called synodontis multipunctata, that tricks other fish into
incubating their young. It targets fish who incubate their eggs
in their mouth, laying its own eggs at the same time and mixing
them together. The catfish's young hatch earlier than the host's
eggs, and grow by eating the host fish's own young."
246. <P50/4> Scarlet trimmed pleco - Pseudacanthicus sp
-------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Pléco écarlate
(DE) Rotflossen-Kaktuswels
(ES) Pleco flama
Length: 30 cm / 1 ft
Description: "All of this attractive catfish's fins are bright red. It has a
row of spines leading towards its tail fin, so should not be
handled without gloves."
247. <P50/5> Marbled piranha - Pristobrycon maculipinnis
------------------------------------------------
(FR) Faux piranha tacheté
(ES) Piraña
Length: 25 cm / 10 in
Description: "Many piranhas have attractive colours or patterns like this one
with its bright red fins and scattering of black dots. They are
widely kept as aquarium fish, but in their native Amazon River
they are caught and eaten just like any other fish."
248. <P50/6> Altum angelfish - Pterophyllum altum
-------------------------------------------------
(DE) Hoher Segelflosser
(ES) Pez ángel altum
Length: 13 cm / 5 in
Description: "Angelfish normally have a thin body with long fins, but this one
has particularly long fins. While not as brightly coloured as
many other tropical fish, they are popular in aquariums because
of their shape and elegant, relaxed swimming style."
249. <P50/7> Redtail catfish - Phractocephalus hemioliopterus
-------------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Poisson-chat à queue rouge
(DE) Rotflossen-Antennenwels
(ES) Bagre cajaro
(IT) Pirarara
Length: 1 m / 3 ft 3 in
Description: "This striking catfish sports a bright red tail. It is in high
demand as an aquarium fish, possibly because of its unique face.
However, as it grows to be very large, the owner needs to be
prepared for a large amount of responsibility. It is called
'pirarara' by local people."
250. <P50/8> Royal panaque - Panaque sp
---------------------------------------
(DE) Schwarzlinien-Harnischwels
(ES) Carachama
Length: 40 cm / 15.7in
That measurement in inches looks suspiciously precise!
Description: "With its green body covered in black lines, this fish looks a bit
like a watermelon. There are many varieties, some with spots or
flecks and others with geometrical patterns. They are popular
aquarium fish."
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[11.51] Page 51 - Freshwater Life
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251. <P51/1> Disc flounder - Symphysodon aequifasciatus
-------------------------------------------------------
(NA) Blue discus
(FR) Discus
(DE) Diskus
(ES) Disco azul
(IT) Pesce disco
Length: 20 cm / 8 in
Description: "This species has an attractive metallic blue lustre and is
popular as an aquarium fish. Fish in the discus genus come in a
variety of colours and each has its own name. Not all of these
colours have occurred naturally - many have been achieved by
selective breeding."
Trivia: "[Where's the milk coming from?]
These fish provide a viscous solution called 'discus milk' for
rearing their young. The fish do not have teats, but instead
secrete it through their skin. Even more surprising is that this
'milk' is secreted by the male as well as the female."
252. <P51/2> Green terror - Aequidens rivulatus
-----------------------------------------------
(FR) Acara à bandes blanches
(DE) Goldsaumbuntbarsch
(ES) Terror verde
(IT) Terrore verde
Length: 25 cm / 10 in
Description: "This attractive, bright green fish probably gets its name from
its aggressive temperament."
253. <P51/3> Pink-tailed chalceus - Chalceus macrolepidotus
-----------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Chalceus à queue rose
(DE) Großschuppensalmler
(ES) Carácido de cola rosa
Length: 30 cm / 1 ft
Description: "A pale pink fish whose tail is a particularly beautiful shade of
pink and the origin of its name."
Perhaps the most pedestrian description of any fish in the game.
254. <P51/4> Butterfly peacock bass - Cichla ocellaris
------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Tucunaré
(DE) Grüner Augenfleck-Kammbarsch
(ES) Pavón
Length: 60 cm / 2 ft
Description: "This fish has a distinctive eye- shaped mark on its tail. Males
develop a noticeable bump on their forehead as they reach
maturity. It is popular both as a game fish and in aquariums."
255. <P51/5> Red-bellied piranha - Pygocentrus nattereri
--------------------------------------------------------
(NA) Red Piranha
(FR) Piranha à ventre rouge
(DE) Roter Piranha
(ES) Piraña roja
(IT) Piranha rosso
Length: 30 cm / 1 ft
Description: "Named for its red underside, it also has razor-sharp teeth. There
are many types of piranha, but this one is most like what people
imagine them to be. It eats other fish and small animals that
fall into the water, and the sight of a large school feeding can
be overwhelming."
Trivia: "[Not as fierce you think...]
It has a reputation for being ferocious, but is actually quite
cowardly. A healthy human or large animal is unlikely to be
attacked. It is thought to swim in schools to protect itself from
predators such as crocodiles and river dolphins. Its large teeth
are still dangerous, and touching it carelessly can result in
serious injury."
256. <P51/6> Tambaqui - Colossoma macropomum
--------------------------------------------
(FR) Pacu noir
(DE) Schwarzer Pacu
(ES) Cachama
(IT) Tambaqui
Length: 1 m / 3 ft 3 in
Description: "This tall, dark fish lives on the fruit falling from trees, some
of which have hard shells. Its extremely strong jaws allow it to
break shells and extract the fruit."
257. <P51/7> Electric Eel - Electrophorus electricus
----------------------------------------------------
(FR) Anguille électrique
(DE) Zitteraal
(ES) Anguila eléctrica
(IT) Anguilla elettrica
Length: 1.8 m / 5 ft 11 in
Description: "It is long and slender, like an eel, and is well known for its
ability to generate electricity. It can produce a maximum voltage
of around 800V, which is enough to electrocute humans and animals
as large as horses."
Trivia: "[What is it?]
Although it looks like an eel or a loach, it isn't related to
either and is currently classed in its own order. There are only
a few other fish in the same family, but they can all generate
electricity. Although it isn't a true eel, it is just as edible
as any eel."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[11.52] Page 52 - Freshwater Life
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
258. <P52/1> Black arowana - Osteoglossum ferreirai
---------------------------------------------------
(FR) Ostéo noir
(DE) Schwarzer Arowana
(ES) Arahuana negra
(IT) Arowana amazzonica
Length: 60 cm / 2 ft
Description: "Adults of the species are an attractive blue-green colour but the
young are black, changing colour as they mature. The fully mature
fish is very similar in colour to the silver arowana. Its colour
also depends on the environment in which it lives."
Found as: Adult, young (see below)
259. <P52/2> Black arowana (young) - Osteoglossum ferreirai
-----------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Ostéo noir (jeune)
(DE) Schwarzer Arowana (JT)
(ES) Arahuana negra (cría)
(IT) Arowana amazzonica (giovane)
Details as above
260. <P52/3> Tiger-striped catfish - Brachyplatystoma tigrinum
--------------------------------------------------------------
(NA) Tigerstriped catfish
(DE) Tigerspatelwels
(ES) Pez tigre
(IT) Brachyplatystoma tigrinum
Length: 1 m / 3 ft 3 in
Description: "Named for its black and white striped markings, it also has a
long face and whiskers which give it a unique and fascinating
face. Its sight is poor, but it is able to find food and detect
predators using its long whiskers."
261. <P52/4> Silver arowana - Osteoglossum bicirrhosum
------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Arowana argenté
(DE) Arowana
(ES) Arahuana
(IT) Osteoglosso
Length: 95 cm / 3 ft
Description: "This fish is covered with large, shiny silver scales. It doesn't
just hunt underwater, but will also target prey close to the
water and jump out to eat them in one bite."
Trivia: "[Beauty for a price]
Arowana live in the Amazon River, with some varieties found in
Australia and Indonesia. The Asian arowana, with its beautiful
red or gold colouring, is highly sought after as an aquarium
fish and traded for large sums of money. Particularly fine fish
are said to.cost as much as a luxury car. Species in the wild are
protected by the Washington Treaty, so fish you see being sold
are bred in captivity."
262. <P52/5> Paradoxical frog (young) - Pseudis paradoxa
--------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Grenouille paradoxale (tétard)
(DE) Harlekinfrosch (JT)
(ES) Rana patito (renacuajo)
(IT) Rana paradossale (giovane)
Length: 20 cm / 8 in
This is the length of the tadpole, not of the frog
Description: "You might think that these enormous tadpoles would grow up to be
giant frogs, but they actually become smaller as they mature and
are only 6cm long as adults. This is the paradox that gives them
their name."
Trivia: "[World's largest frog]
The world's largest tadpoles are those of the paradoxical frog,
but the largest frog in the world is the West African goliath
frog. The largest recorded frog is 36.8cm long and measured
87.6cm with its legs fully extended."
Found as: Young (tadpoles) only
263. <P52/6> Polkadot stingray - Potamotrygon leopoldi
------------------------------------------------------
(NA) White-blotched river stingray
(FR) Raie d'eau douce
(DE) Leopolds Stachelrochen
(ES) Raya de agua dulce
Length: 1 m / 3 ft 3 in
Description: "This fish is black with white dots. It is one of a number of ray
that live in freshwater areas such as rivers, and it has a
poisonous stinger in its tail."
Trivia: "[Dangerous fish of the Amazon]
Some fish in the Amazon are even more dangerous than the piranha.
Freshwater ray strike with their poisonous stingers if trodden
on, causing extremely painful injuries. Even more feared than the
freshwater ray is a small catfish called the candiru, which
enters the bodies of larger fish through the gills and feeds off
their blood.and internal organs. They can also invade the human
body and cause death through blood loss or infection."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[11.53] Page 53 - Freshwater Life
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264. <P53/1> Alligator gar - Atractosteus spatula
-------------------------------------------------
(FR) Garpique alligator
(DE) Alligatorhecht
(ES) Gaspar baba
(IT) Pesce caimano
Length: 3 m / 10 ft
Description: "This fish has the long nose and mouth full of sharp teeth
associated with crocodiles, and is covered with hard scales
called ganoid scales. It swims slowly just below the surface and
can occasionally be seen coming up for air."
Trivia: "[Owners' responsibility]
Tropical fish are often exported to other countries to be enjoyed
as part of an aquarium. But if their owners cannot carry on
keeping them, they can be released into local rivers or lakes. It
is difficult for these fish to survive in a different
environment, and even if they do they can seriously upset the
balance of the local ecosystem. There can be tragic consequences
if owners do not take responsibility for their pets."
265. <P53/2> Bicuda - Boulengerella cuvieri
-------------------------------------------
(FR) Piakoko
(DE) Bicuda
(ES) Picua
(IT) Bicuda
Length: 1 m / 3 ft 3 in
Description: "Living in fast-flowing waters, it has a long nose and orange
tail. They are fast, powerful swimmers and popular with sports
fishermen because of the way they leap from the water when
hooked."
266. <P53/3> Giant arapaima - Arapaima gigas
--------------------------------------------
(NA) Arapaima
(FR) Arapaïma
(DE) Arapaima
(ES) Paiche
(IT) Arapaima
Length: 4 m / 13 ft
Description: "The world's largest, and possibly oldest, freshwater fish, it is
said to have remained unchanged for millions of years. It is a
carnivore which moves close to its prey then snaps them up with a
noisy gulp, surrounding water and all."
Trivia: "[Surface catch]
Unlike most other fish, this one can breathe air. It occasionally
comes to the surface to breathe and local people traditionally
hunt it by waiting for it to come to the surface, then spearing
it. It has always been an important source of food in the areas
where it is found."
267. <P53/4> Dorado - Salminus maxillosus
-----------------------------------------
(DE) Forellenraubsalmler
(ES) Dorado
(IT) Dorado
Length: 1 m / 3 ft 3 in
Description: "A beautiful fish with a golden gleam that might make you think
of the legendary city of gold, El Dorado, that explorers once
sought."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[11.54] Page 54 - Freshwater Life
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268. <P54/1> Piraiba catfish - Brachyplatystoma filamentosum
------------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Bagre laulao
(DE) Riesenantennenwels
(ES) Bagre lau lau
(IT) Siluro dell'Amazzonia
Length: 3 m / 10 ft
Description: "Said to be the world's largest catfish, with some animals known
to exceed 300kg. Its massive body and enormous mouth have given
it the nickname 'man-eating catfish'. It is delicious and often
served fried or used in soups."
Trivia: "[Is it really the largest?]
This catfish is said to be the world's largest, but the Wels
catfish and Mekong giant catfish have also been given that title.
There are records of individual fish over 3m, but the
authenticity of the records is questionable. The current record
should probably go to a Mekong giant catfish found in 2005 which
measured 2.7m, but it's possible that an even bigger one will be
found."
269. <P54/2> Giant otter - Pteronura brasiliensis
-------------------------------------------------
(FR) Loutre géante
(DE) Riesenotter
(ES) Nutria gigante
(IT) Lontra gigante
Length: 2 m / 6 ft 7 in
Description: "They have a long, flat tail and large webbed feet tipped with
sharp claws, and live in nests on the banks of rivers and lakes.
Their young are occasionally threatened by crocodiles, but the
adults will band together to drive them off."
270. <P54/3> Spectacled caiman - Caiman crocodilus
--------------------------------------------------
(FR) Caïman à lunettes
(DE) Krokodilkaiman
(ES) Caimán de anteojos
(IT) Caimano dagli occhiali
Length: 2.5 m / 8 ft 2 in
Description: "Its name comes from the ridges between its eyes that makes it
look as if it's wearing glasses. It lays several dozen eggs at a
time in a single nest, and the mother stays nearby to look after
the hatched young."
Trivia: "[Protective crocs]
Hatchlings give out a high-pitched cry as soon as they break out
of their eggs. When the mother hears them, she runs to the nest
and digs to help them get out. If the hatchlings cry out when
threatened by a predator, their mother will come to their defence
immediately and fight ferociously. Not only will other spectacled
caiman nearby react in the same way, but even different species
have been known to help protect the young."
Found as: Adult, young
271. <P54/4> Amazonian manatee - Trichechus inunguis
----------------------------------------------------
(FR) Lamantin de l'Amazone
(DE) Amazonas-Manati
(ES) Manatí del Amazonas
(IT) Lamantino delle Amazzoni
Length: 2.5m / 8 ft 2 in
Description: "This herbivore lives in the fresh waters of the Amazon where it
feeds off water plants. The Amazon has wet and dry seasons, so
food is sometimes in short supply, but they are able to fast for
months at a time by living on their body fat reserves."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[11.55] Page 55 - Other Fauna
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272. <P55/1> Orange sea slug - Thecacera pacifica
-------------------------------------------------
(FR) Polyceride pacifique
(DE) Pazifische Nacktschnecke
(ES) Babosa naranja
(IT) Nudibranco thecacera
Length: 5 cm / 2 in
Description: "This bright orange sea slug has two protuberances near its tufted
gills. The base of its antennae, tail area and tips of its
protuberances are a luminous pale blue. It lives on rocky reefs,
and sways the protuberances beside its gills as it moves."
Trivia: "[Rendezvous]
The chances of tiny sea slugs meeting in the ocean are low, so
they cannot rely on chance encounters for breeding. They leave a
scent trail wherever they go so others can follow it to find a
mate for procreation."
273. <P55/2> Orange and black sea slug - Thecacera sp
-----------------------------------------------------
(FR) Limace de mer ambrée
(DE) Indische Nacktschnecke
(ES) Babosa naranja moteada
(IT) Nudibranco arancio
Length: 4 cm / 1.5 in
Description: "This sea slug is orange with black spots and two large
finger-like protuberances on its back. It is popular with divers
for its bright colour and the sight of it swaying its
protuberances while moving."
Trivia: "[Standing out to protect itself]
Many sea slugs are easily found by predators because of their
bright colours. Sea slugs have an unpleasant taste, so their loud
colours may act as a warning."
274. <P55/3> Festival sea slug - Hypselodoris festiva
-----------------------------------------------------
(FR) Limace de mer festive
(ES) Babosa multicolor
Length: 4 cm / 1.5 in
Description: "This sea slug is blue with orange antennae, a yellow line
running from between its antennae to in front of its gills and
broken yellow lines down both sides of its body. It lives by
rocky and coral reefs and eats sponges."
Trivia: "[Growing apart]
The sea slug is a member of the class gastropoda, and when born
it has a shell and organs called cilia, used for movement and
feeding, just like other snails. It casts off its shell as it
grows, so the adult sea slug no longer looks like a snail."
275. <P55/4> Spotted white sea slug - Chromodoris orientalis
------------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Limace de mer orientale
(DE) Gefleckte Prachtsternschnecke
(ES) Babosa moteada
(IT) Nudibranco bianco
Length: 4 cm / 1.5 in
Description: "This white sea slug with black spots floats on ocean currents
after hatching from its egg. Although it has a shell at birth,
it discards it as it develops."
Trivia: "[Both sexes]
The sea slug is a hermaphrodite, meaning that all sea slugs have
both male and female sexual organs. This means that eggs can be
spawned by any two sea slugs. The eggs of this species are laid
in a thin ribbon wrapped in a coil around rocks."
276. <P55/5> Striped white sea slug - Chromodoris willani
---------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Doris de Willan
(DE) Zebra-Prachtsternschnecke
(ES) Babosa cebra
(IT) Nudibranco striato
Length: 5 cm / 2 in
Description: "This beautiful pale blue sea slug has three black lines on its
back, which are often broken. The central line normally runs from
its antennae to its gills."
277. <P55/6> Cinderella sea slug - Hypselodoris apolegma
--------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Limace de mer Cendrillon
(DE) Prachtsternschnecke
(ES) Babosa rosada
(IT) Nudibranco violaceo
Length: 10 cm / 4 in
Description: "This gracefully drifting reddish-violet sea slug has a white
lace-like pattern at its edge. This sea slug has been filmed
breeding with what was thought to be another species, but after
seeing this some researchers think they may be two colour
variations of the same species."
278. <P55/7> Strigate chromodoris - Chromodoris strigata
--------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Limace de mer striée
(DE) Gestreifte Prachtsternschnecke
(ES) Babosa rayada
(IT) Nudibranco fasciato
Length: 4 cm / 1.5 in
Description: "A bright yellow rim runs round the edge of this pale blue sea
slug. It has a blotchy pattern on its back behind its antennae
and close to its gills, and three solid or broken lines run
along its back."
Trivia: "[Mutation]
There are many reports of abnormalities among sea slugs of the
same species, such as different numbers of antennae or their tips
being split. One report even describes a two- headed sea slug."
279. <P55/8> Luminescent sea slug - Plocamopherus tilesii
---------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Limace de mer léopard
(DE) Tiger-Meeresschnecke
(ES) Babosa luminiscente
(IT) Nudibranco iridescente
Length: 15 cm / 6 in
Description: "This translucent white sea slug is covered in random brown and
yellow splotches. It may not look like much, but it shines with a
beautiful pale blue light when stimulated. The significance of
the light is unknown. They are normally found near reefs and
sometimes bury themselves in sand."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[11.56] Page 56 - Other Fauna
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280. <P56/1> Parade-float sea slug - Kalinga ornata
---------------------------------------------------
(FR) Limace de mer ornée
(DE) Rotpunkt-Meeresschnecke
(ES) Babosa ornamentada
(IT) Nudibranco kalinga
Length: 15 cm / 6 in
Description: "Almost unidentifiable at first glance, this elliptical sea slug
is covered in white, yellow and red protuberances. It glows pale
blue when stimulated, but its biology is largely unknown. It
normally moves along the ocean floor but sometimes floats near
the surface."
281. <P56/2> Venus flower basket - Euplectella aspergillum
----------------------------------------------------------
(NA) Venus's-flower-basket
(FR) Eponge à crevettes
(DE) Gießkannenschwamm
(ES) Regadera de Filipinas
(IT) Cestello di Venere
Length: 20 cm / 8 in
Description: "This sponge looks like a basket woven from white thread. It is
actually formed from very fine silica, and beautiful enough to be
named after the goddess of beauty."
Trivia: "[Together forever]
Pairs of small shrimp often enter venus flower baskets through
the lattice as soon as they are born and grow up inside,
eventually becoming too large to get out. They then spend the
rest of their lives together inside the sponge."
282. <P56/3> Branched sea slug - Kaloplocamus ramosus
-----------------------------------------------------
(FR) Limace de mer ramifiée
(DE) Gelbe Meeresschnecke
(ES) Babosa de Ramous
(IT) Nudibranco ramificato
Length: 7 cm / 3 in
Description: "The numerous branch-like protuberances growing on this orange sea
slug can do many things. Cells on their tips emit light when
stimulated, spreading them out allows it to ride on ocean
currents and it can even use them to move."
283. <P56/4> Berthella aurantiaca - Berthella aurantiaca
--------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Berthelle orange
(DE) Orange Berthella
(ES) Berthella aurantiaca
(IT) Bertella arancione
Length: 5 cm / 2 in
Description: "These striking orange sea slugs have a relatively simple shape,
without the dorsal protrusions and fins of other sea slugs."
284. <P56/5> Leafy seadragon - Phycodurus eques
-----------------------------------------------
(FR) Hippocampe feuille
(DE) Australischer Fetzenfisch
(ES) Dragón marino de hojas
(IT) Dragone foglia
Length: 40 cm / 1 ft 4 in
Description: "With branching protrusions all over its body, this creature
looks like a piece of seaweed. It lives in seaweed-rich
environments like rocky reefs, and survives by mimicking
seaweed."
Trivia: "[Secret pocket]
There is a hollow section under the tail of the male leafy
seadragon known as a brood pouch. The female lays 150 - 300 eggs
in the male's pouch, and the male protects the eggs until they
hatch. Because the male and female look almost identical, it is
difficult to tell them apart by sight. But if one of them is
carrying eggs, it's definitely the male."
285. <P56/6> Weedy seadragon - Phyllopteryx taeniolatus
-------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Dragon de mer commun
(DE) Kleiner Fetzenfisch
(ES) Dragón marino común
(IT) Drago marino comune
Length: 45 cm / 1 ft 6 in
Description: "This seaweed-like creature has a number of protuberances growing
from its body. It has no egg-bearing brood pouch, which sets it
apart from other seahorses."
Trivia: "[Threat of extinction]
This species is listed as near threatened on the Red List
compiled by the International Union for Conservation of Nature
and Natural Resources. Being classed as a near-threatened species
does not mean an animal faces immediate extinction, but it does
indicate factors like dwindling numbers or habitat deterioration.
If the situation does not improve, the species will be given a
higher rank on the list and is likely to be on course for
extinction."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[11.57] Page 57 - Other Fauna
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
286. <P57/1> Pygmy seahorse - Hippocampus bargibanti
----------------------------------------------------
(FR) Hippocampe pygmée
(DE) Zwerg-Seepferdchen
(ES) Caballo de mar pigmeo
(IT) Ippocampo pigmeo
Length: 2 cm / 1 in
Description: "This small pink seahorse is covered in a large number of short
protuberances. It uses its twisted tail to wrap itself around
coral or seaweed and fix itself in position. Its body colour
changes depending on the surrounding environment, and orange, red
or yellow varieties with different patterns can be found."
Trivia: "[Where can it be?]
This cute, tiny fish is very popular amongst divers, but
extremely difficult to find. Even this small seahorse is adept
at mimicry, with its body looking like a coral stem and its soft
protuberances mimicking polyps."
287. <P57/2> Crowned seahorse - Hippocampus coronatus
-----------------------------------------------------
(FR) Hippocampe couronné
(DE) Hippocampus coronatus
(ES) Caballito de mar
(IT) Hippocampus coronatus
Length: 10 cm / 4 in
Description: "This seahorse has a long, slender body and a tubular mouth, and
is covered in hard bony plates that create ridges all over its
body. It may not look like a fish, but it is classed as one. It
is a weak swimmer, so it lives in areas with gentle currents and
anchors itself to seaweed with its tail."
Trivia: "[Male pregnancy]
The male has a sack known as a brood pouch on his abdomen. The
female lays her eggs into this pouch and the male cares for the
eggs until they start to hatch. Then he anchors his tail to
seaweed and shakes his body furiously, giving birth to about 70
offspring, one at a time."
288. <P57/3> Spotted garden eel - Heteroconger hassi
----------------------------------------------------
(FR) Anguille de jardin mouchetée
(DE) Ohrfleck-Röhrenaal
(ES) Anguila punteada
(IT) Grongo maculato
Length: 40 cm / 1 ft 4 in
Description: "This eel has a long, slender white body covered in spots, which
are particularly large and noticeable around the gills. It lives
in groups and buries the lower half of its body in the sand near
coral reefs. It faces the tide and feeds on plankton swept out to
sea in the morning. It will sometimes move around to find a more</pre><pre id="faqspan-6">
suitable area to live in."
Trivia: "[Metamorphosis]
Eels have a larval form known as leptocephalus, where their young
have a slender, ribbon-like body. These larvae do not resemble
adults, but as they develop, their body becomes 20 - 50% shorter
and cylindrical, and they gradually become miniature versions of
their adult form."
289. <P57/4> Black garden eel - Heteroconger perissodon
-------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Hétérocongre noir
(DE) Schwarzer Röhrenaal
(ES) Anguila negra
Length: 50 cm / 1 ft 8 in
Description: "This long, dark and slender eel has a faint pattern above its
gills. Sticking its body out from a nest dug in the sand, it
sways like grass blowing in the wind. It spends most of its life
in the sand, quickly burying itself if it feels threatened."
290. <P57/5> Belt jellyfish - Aequorea coerulescens
---------------------------------------------------
(NA) Crystal Jelly
(FR) Méduse azur
(ES) Hidromedusa
(IT) Idromedusa
Diameter: 20 cm / 8 in
Description: "Its soft, pale, dome-shaped umbrella is fringed with over one
hundred tentacles and has a mouth in the centre that can be
spread wide to swallow other jellyfish whole. It drifts at dozens
of metres below the surface."
Trivia: "[Discovery]
This is the largest of all jellyfish in the order leptomedusae,
and it shines with a bluish-white light when stimulated. It was
recently discovered that this luminescent substance could be used
to measure calcium density, and the researchers who made this
discovery were awarded the Nobel prize for chemistry."
291. <P57/6> Mauve stinger - Pelagia noctiluca
----------------------------------------------
(FR) Méduse pélagique
(DE) Leuchtqualle
(ES) Medusa luminiscente
(IT) Medusa luminosa
Diameter: 10 cm / 4 in
Description: "Its dome-shaped umbrella has eight feelers extending from the
edge and four belt-shaped organs known as oral arms hanging down
from the centre. It has luminescent cells all over its body which
light up when stimulated."
Trivia: "[Skipping ahead]
Many jellyfish in the class scyphozoa go through a stage living
on the ocean floor as a polyp as they mature. This species
develops in an unusual fashion, skipping this growth stage and
carrying on to the floating stage."
292. <P57/7> Turritopsis nutricula - Turritopsis nutricula
----------------------------------------------------------
(ES) Medusa inmortal
Diameter: 1 cm / 0.5 in
Description: "This little jellyfish has a red organ in the centre of its
translucent body. On reaching maturity, it regenerates into its
younger form, so appears to be immortal. The species was only
recently discovered and there is much research yet to be done
on it."
293. <P57/8> Moon jellyfish - Aurelia aurita
--------------------------------------------
(FR) Méduse commune
(DE) Ohrenqualle
(ES) Medusa común
(IT) Medusa quadrifoglio
Diameter: 20 cm / 8 in
Description: "Over 95% of its transparent body is made up of water and its
umbrella is covered with a four leaf clover pattern. There are
huge outbreaks of them from time to time."
Trivia: "[Danger - do not touch!]
Most jellyfish have stings inside venomous stinging cells called
nematocysts. This species is quite poisonous but their sting is
not very painful, maybe because the sting is too short to
penetrate deeply into the skin, or because the area stung is
small. However, their venom can cause an acute and damaging
allergic reaction and so they should not be allowed to come into
contact with bare skin."
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294. <P58/1> Nomura's jellyfish - Stomolophus nomurai
-----------------------------------------------------
(FR) Méduse de Nomura
(DE) Nomura-Qualle
(ES) Medusa nomura
(IT) Medusa di Nomura
Diameter: 2 m / 6 ft 7 in
Description: "It has an enormous umbrella, which is soft as it is mostly made
up of liquid. Hanging beneath the umbrella are countless organs
known as oral arms as well as thread-like appendages which can be
up to 5m long. It moves by riding ocean currents, which sometimes
leads to swarms of jellyfish. It is edible, and has even been
made into jellyfish ice cream."
Trivia: "[Jellyfish house]
Sometimes, a 3cm prawn known as a medusa shrimp will live inside
the Nomura's jellyfish. In exchange for protecting the prawn from
predators with its tentacles, the jellyfish has its body surface
cleaned of any organic matter sticking to it, which provides food
for the prawn. This is the basis of their symbiotic relationship.
It seems that more than one hundred prawns can live in a
symbiotic relationship with a single jellyfish."
295. <P58/2> Red stingray - Dasyatis akajei
-------------------------------------------
(FR) Pastenague du Pacifique
(DE) Japanischer Stechrochen
(ES) Raya látigo del Pacífico
(IT) Trigone del Pacifico
Length: 1.2 m / 3 ft
Description: "Its large diamond-shaped body ends in a long tail with a venomous
sting. This species' stingers are hard, serrated and have high
penetrative power. Not only are they difficult to remove, they
also leave the edges of the wound badly torn."
Trivia: "[Mother's milk]
This species is ovoviviparous, meaning that the eggs are
incubated inside the mother's.body. The embryo absorbs a highly
nutritious substance secreted in the womb called uterine milk.
Embryos in the womb have their pectoral fins folded along their
stomach."
296. <P58/3> Leopard whipray - Himantura undulata
-------------------------------------------------
(FR) Raie léopard
(DE) Leopard-Stechrochen
(ES) Raya leopardo
(IT) Pastinaca leopardo
Length: 5 m / 16 ft
Description: "This species can be recognised by the leopard pattern on its
back. Its tail is twice as long as its body, and has a poisonous
stinger at the tip. It is not very active and spends most of its
time buried in the sandy sea floor."
Trivia: "[Sharks and rays]
Sharks and rays are both cartilaginous fish. Rays, including this
species, may have divided off from sharks and adapted to living
on the sea floor. Rays have large brains relative to their body
weight, and are considered smarter than the average fish."
297. <P58/4> Blotched fantail ray - Taeniura meyeni
---------------------------------------------------
(NA) Marbled ray
(FR) Raie brisant
(DE) Schwarzfleck-Stachelrochen
(ES) Raya látigo manchada
(IT) Trigone
Length: 3 m / 10 ft
Description: "This ray has a thicker body than most and a long tail with a
poisonous stinger. Some have a scattering of black blotches while
others are almost totally black."
Trivia: "[You won't just be wounded...]
Although not normally aggressive, when it feels threatened, it
will bend its tail up so that its stinger is aimed forwards. It
can inflict severe wounds and also inject poison, resulting in a
very dangerous injury."
298. <P58/5> Cowtail stingray - Pastinachus sephen
--------------------------------------------------
(FR) Pastenague plumetée
(DE) Federschwanz-Stechrochen
(ES) Raya rabo de vaca
Length: 3 m / 10 ft
Description: "Its tail has a large frill-like piece of skin hanging from it and
a poisonous stinger at the end. It lives on the sea floor where
it buries itself in the sand with just its eyes sticking out."
Trivia: "[Breathing on the seabed]
This ray has large breathing holes near its eyes, on the upper
surface of its body. They take in water and pass it to the gills
to give the ray the oxygen it needs to breathe. These holes are
on the upper side so that sand is not taken in with the water."
299. <P58/6> Blue-spotted ribbontail ray - Taeniura lymna
---------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Pastenague queue à ruban
(DE) Blauflecken-Stechrochen
(ES) Raya manchada de azul
(IT) Pastinaca a macchie blu
Length: 70 cm / 2 ft 4 in
Description: "This ray is greenish-yellow with large blue spots all over its
body. It also has a long tail with a stinger at the end and two
blue lines running from root to tip."
Trivia: "[Sand jet]
It blasts its prey with a jet of sand from the seabed, and then
breaks up the fish or shellfish with its hard teeth. This species
never buries itself on the sea floor."
300. <P58/7> Japanese anglerfish - Lophius litulon
--------------------------------------------------
(NA) Monkfish
(FR) Baudroie du Japon
(DE) Anglerfisch
(ES) Rape japonés
(IT) Rana pescatrice orientale
Length: 1.3 m / 4 ft 4 in
Description: "This fish is flat and extremely thin with a protuberance on its
large head. Its mouth is full of large, sharp teeth which can
fold inwards. The protuberance on its head is actually formed by
spines from its dorsal fin."
Trivia: "[Angler of the sea]
The anglerfish can normally be found buried in the sand with only
its protuberance showing. There is a lure-like part at the tip
which is used to entice prey towards it. When prey draws near,
the anglerfish opens its mouth and instantly swallows its prey
along with a large quantity of water. It can even eat creatures
over half its size."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[11.59] Page 59 - Other Fauna
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301. <P59/1> Broadclub cuttlefish - Sepia latimanus
----------------------------------------------------
(FR) Seiche à larges mains
(DE) Breitarm-Sepia
(ES) Sepia mazuda
(IT) Seppia gigante
Length: 60 cm / 2 ft
Description: "There is a fin running around its body and eight arms attached to
its head. It also has two long tentacles with five rows of around
eighty suction pads towards the ends, with larger ones in the
centre. It has a short life span of only one or two years."
Trivia: "[Underwater chivalry]
Cuttlefish lay their eggs in coral reefs every year. While the
female lays the eggs, the male swims nearby to protect her. If a
threat approaches, he changes colour to intimidate it. However,
he only changes colour on the side facing the threat; the side
facing the female remains unchanged. This is so as not to unduly
alarm her while she is focused on laying eggs."
Found as: Adult, young (see below), eggs
302. <P59/2> Broadclub cuttlefish (young) - Sepia latimanus
-----------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Seiche à larges mains (jeune)
(DE) Breitarm-Sepia (JT)
(ES) Sepia mazuda (cría)
(IT) Seppia gigante (giovane)
Details as above
303. <P59/3> Bigfin reef squid - Sepioteuthis lessoniana
--------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Calmar grandes nageoires
(DE) Lesson-Kalmar
(ES) Calamar manopla
(IT) Calamaro di reef
Length: 45 cm / 1 ft 6 in
Description: "A large fin runs all the way around this white, almost
transparent, fish. It lays its eggs on coral or seaweed from
spring to summer. During this time, the male never leaves the
female's side, protecting both the eggs and the female as she
lays them."
Trivia: "[Liquid crystal]
Squid ink is a liquid crystal, but there are many different kinds
of liquid crystal and it is not the same as that used in displays
(LCDs). Liquid crystals similar to squid ink can be used in
thermometers, or to bring out a glossy finish on surfaces."
Found as: Adult, young (see below), eggs
304. <P59/4> Bigfin reef squid (young) - Sepioteuthis lessoniana
----------------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Calmar à grandes nageoires (jeune)
(DE) Lesson-Kalmar (JT)
(ES) Calamar manopla (cría)
(IT) Calamaro di reef (giovane)
Details as above
305. <P59/5> Common octopus - Octopus vulgaris
----------------------------------------------
(FR) Pieuvre commune
(DE) Gemeiner Krake
(ES) Pulpo
(IT) Polpo
Length: 60 cm / 2ft
Description: "It has eight tentacles equipped with suction pads growing from
its round body, with a membrane between each one. The tentacles
can also divide and one octopus was found to have 96 tentacles.
It can change colour to blend in with its surroundings and uses
this ability to protect itself. One of its favourite foods is
crab."
Trivia: "[Using ink]
The ink an octopus squirts when threatened diffuses in the water
and acts as a smokescreen to blind its attacker. Squid produce a
huge quantity of ink which does not diffuse but creates a cloud
that looks like the squid, diverting the attacker's attention."
306. <P59/6> Crown-of-thorns starfish - Acanthaster planci
----------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Acanthaster pourpre
(DE) Dornenkronenseestern
(ES) Corona de espinas
(IT) Stella corona di spine
Length: 60 cm / 2 ft
Description: "Its body and countless arms are covered in thick orange spines.
The spines contain a poison which can be fatal to humans so it
must be approached with caution. It feeds on coral, which turns
white and dies when eaten. Conch shellfish are unaffected by the
poison and often eat these starfish."
Trivia: "[Who's the bad guy?]
When large numbers of these starfish appear, they can devour a
huge quantity of coral; this has led to them being disposed of as
a pest. However, small numbers of them can promote the growth of
new coral by eating fully developed coral, so they are not
completely destructive. Pollution is thought to cause an increase
in their numbers, so even if numbers were reduced the underlying
problem would not be solved."
307. <P59/7> Sea star - Certonardoa semiregularis
-------------------------------------------------
(FR) Etoile de mer
(ES) Estrella de mar
Length: 10 cm / 4 in
Description: "The surface of this red starfish is rough, and it sometimes has
swollen bumps on its arms; these are actually small parasitic
snails inside the arm which live off its bodily fluids. Turning
it upside down reveals small prawns living in the grooves of its
arms."
308. <P59/8> Blue sea star - Linckia laevigata
----------------------------------------------
(FR) Etoile de mer bleue
(DE) Blauer Seestern
(ES) Estrella de mar azul
(IT) Stella di mare blu
Length: 20 cm / 8 in
Description: "This blue starfish has five solid round arms. It mainly feeds on
microbes and organic matter on the ocean floor, and its mouth is
located in the middle of its body. There are also green and grey
varieties. If turned over it can right itself by moving its arms
cleverly."
Trivia: "[Re-arming]
Starfish are very good at regenerating. An arm will regrow over
time if it has been cut off. What's more, the dismembered arm
also regenerates, gradually regrowing and eventually developing
into an entirely new starfish."
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309. <P60/1> Randall's pistol shrimp - Alpheus randalli
-------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Crevette-pistolet de Randall
(DE) Randalls Knallkrebs
(ES) Camarón pistola
(IT) Gambero dei ghiozzi di Randall
Length: 6 cm / 2.5 in
Description: "This shrimp has a red and white candy-stripe pattern, ten legs
and two sets of antennae. The first set of legs have claws, one
small claw and one large claw that is used to make an
intimidating noise. It digs a nest in the sand on the sea bed and
lives in a symbiotic relationship with a goby."
Trivia: "[Amazing cooperation]
This pistol shrimp's eyesight is particularly poor, so it
struggles to detect threats. It escapes predators by allowing a
goby to live in its burrow in exchange for warning it of danger.
The shrimp keeps its long antennae in contact with the goby, who
will move its body or fins when it sees something dangerous,
alerting the shrimp. The burrow they share is large with many
complex branching tunnels."
310. <P60/2> Goby shrimp - Alpheus rapax
----------------------------------------
(FR) Crevette-gobie
(DE) Baggerkrebs
(ES) Gamba gobio
Length: 7 cm / 3 in
Description: "This mottled shrimp has one large and one small claw. The large
claw can produce a noise so loud it can even stun nearby prey.
Each goby shrimp digs a nest in the sand and forms a symbiotic
relationship with a goby fish."
Trivia: "[Sounds delicious]
These shrimp are loud enough to be detected by submarine sonar.
The noise made by their large claw sounds like deep-frying food,
so has been called the 'frying noise'."
311. <P60/3> Ornate spiny lobster - Panulirus ornatus
-----------------------------------------------------
(FR) Langouste ornée
(DE) Schmuck-Languste
(ES) Langosta ornamentada
Length: 60 cm / 2 ft
Description: "This hard-shelled animal is the largest in its family. It has
ten legs and two pairs of antennae; one long and thin stretching
out in front to sense flavour and odour and the other heavier and
stretched out over its shell that it uses to explore its
immediate environs. Its shell is blue-green with a pale yellow
pattern on the back."
Trivia: "[Growing by shedding]
Its eggs hatch and produce phyllosoma larvae which float freely
in the water for a long time. They moult repeatedly as they grow
and eventually become puerulus, where they look like adults
except for being transparent, and settle on the sea floor. After
moulting one more time they take on their adult colouring, and
they continue to moult as they grow larger."
312. <P60/4> Japanese horseshoe crab - Tachypleus tridentatus
-------------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Limule
(DE) Japanischer Pfeilschwanzkrebs
(ES) Cangrejo de herradura
(IT) Limulo giapponese
Length: 80 cm / 2 ft 3 in
Description: "Often described as a living fossil, the shape of this
hard-shelled crab has not changed for about two hundred million
years. It has two types of eye; one which can detect light,
called ocelli, and another known as compound eyes which are used
to distinguish different objects. Although they live on the sea
bed, they occasionally swim on their backs just below the
surface."
Trivia: "[Power of blood]
The blood of the Japanese horseshoe crab is utilised in medicinal
and pharmacological research. It has a variety of uses, which
include making it possible to quickly test for endotoxins such as
those produced by toxigenic strains of E. coli bacteria."
313. <P60/5> Red-streaked box crab - Calappa lophos
---------------------------------------------------
(DE) Schamkrabbe
(ES) Cangrejo de caja común
Width: 12 cm / 5 in
Description: "This unique crab holds its large pincers in front of its face as
if hiding. It likes to eat shellfish, which it braces against a
bump at the base of its right pincer and gradually crushes to get
at the meat inside. When it is finished eating, nothing but the
core of the shellfish is left."
314. <P60/6> Spotted box crab - Calappa philargius
--------------------------------------------------
(DE) Gepunktete Schamkrabbe
Shell width: 10 cm / 4 in
Description: "This crab has round spots on its pincers and markings around its
eyes that make it look like it is wearing glasses."
315. <P60/7> Japanese spider crab - Macrocheira kaempferi
---------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Crabe araignée du Japon
(DE) Japanische Riesenkrabbe
(ES) Cangrejo araña gigante
(IT) Granchio gigante del Giappone
Length: 4 m / 13 ft 1 in
Description: "This is the largest crustacean in the world, with a carapace
measuring approximately 40cm. It has ten long spindly legs with
claws at the end of one pair, which grow especially large and
long for males. Old records state that the biggest. ver specimen
was 5.8m."
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316. <P61/1> Ribbon eel - Rhinomuraena quaesita
-----------------------------------------------
(NA) Ribbon moray
(FR) Murène ruban
(DE) Geistermuräne
(ES) Morena cinta
(IT) Murena a nastro
Length: 1.3 m / 4 ft 4 in
Description: "This striking member of the moray eel family is blue with a
yellow mouth and dorsal fin. It also has a characteristic ribbon
protruding from the front of its nose. Females are yellow and
young fish are black."
317. <P61/2> Kidako moray - Gymnothorax kidako
----------------------------------------------
(FR) Murène Kidako
(DE) Kidako-Muräne
(ES) Morena kidako
(IT) Murena Kidako
Length: 80 cm / 2 ft 3 in
Description: "This carnivorous fish has a long, slender body and a large mouth
full of sharp teeth. It lives in crevices in coral and other
reefs, and it will attack if it is approached carelessly.
However, when it expels parasites or leftover food it opens its
mouth and allows tiny prawns to clean it. It waits patiently with
its mouth open for the cleaning to finish. It's rather sweet."
Trivias: "[Childhood]
The young, known as leptocephalus, are pale, ribbon-shaped and
very buoyant, and travel long distances on the ocean currents.
Other species of eel have a similar period of development, but
there are still many unknowns about this stage."
318. <P61/3> Bering wolffish - Anarhichas orientalis
----------------------------------------------------
(FR) Loup de Béring
(DE) Anarhichas orientalis
(ES) Pez lobo de Bering
(IT) Bavosa lupa del Bering
Length: 1.3 m / 4 ft 4 in
Description: "It hides in reef crevices with just its head poking out, and has
a long mouth full of large, sharp teeth that it uses to catch
crustaceans and shellfish. It can crush them, shell and all, with
its powerful back molars."
Trivia: "[Parental affection]
When the sticky batches of eggs are laid in the winter, the
parent fish wraps itself around the eggs and protects them from
predators until they hatch. This takes up to four months, and
shows a surprisingly affectionate side to this scary-looking
fish."
319. <P61/4> Leatherback turtle - Dermochelys coriacea
------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Tortue-luth
(DE) Lederschildkröte
(ES) Tortuga laúd
(IT) Tartaruga liuto
Length: 3 m / 10 ft
Description: "The largest turtle in the world, it has large fins and a dark
leathery back with several ridges instead of a hard shell. The
total population is small, and they are considered an endangered
species."
Trivia: "[Turtle without a shell]
This species has a flexible skin on its back instead of the hard
shell other turtles have. It is thought to have had a hard shell
millions of years ago that disappeared in the course of its
evolution."
320. <P61/5> Green sea turtle - Chelonia mydas
----------------------------------------------
(FR) Tortue verte
(DE) Suppenschildkröte
(ES) Tortuga verde
(IT) Tartaruga verde
Length: 2 m / 6 ft 7 in
Description: "It has a carapace made up of a central line of five hardened
scales with four more on either side, and its legs are shaped
like fins with the forward pair longer than the rear. Unlike
land-based turtles, it is unable to draw its head and limbs into
its shell."
Trivia: "[Turtles and humans]
This turtle is very well known in certain parts of the world and
is sometimes caught for food, but its numbers are dwindling and
it is at risk of extinction. There are many causes for this, most
of them are related to human activity. Turtles are caught for
food or taxidermy or killed as bycatch, there are fewer spawning
sites due to levees, eggs are illegally harvested and turtles
killed after eating polluted food. They are also affected by a
disease known as fibropapillomatosis."
Found as: Adult, young, eggs (the last two maybe just in cutscenes?)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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321. <P62/1> Sea angel - Clione limacina
----------------------------------------
(FR) Papillon de mer
(DE) Flügelschnecke
(ES) Ángel de mar
(IT) Angelo di mare
Length: 3 cm / 1 in
Description: "With its translucent body and wing-like legs, it's easy to see
how this creature got its name. It is related to shellfish and
has a shell when born, but loses it as it matures."
Trivia: "[Not so angelic?]
Approaching its prey, it opens its mouth, found between two
horn-like projections on its head, and sends six tentacles out to
catch its food. These tentacles are what make its transparent
head look red. It lives on small floating shellfish called sea
butterflies."
322. <P62/2> Sea butterfly - Limacina helicina
----------------------------------------------
(DE) Meeresschmetterling
Length: 1.5 cm / 1 in
Description: "This member of the mollusc family has parapodia, special
wing-like legs, that it uses to swim while floating. It is
related to the sea angel, but preyed upon by it."
323. <P62/3> Hydromyles globulosa - Hydromyles globulosa
--------------------------------------------------------
Length: 1 cm / 0.5 in
Description: "This mollusc has a translucent body with long tentacles and
wing-like appendages, but no shell. It belongs to a group of
shell-less or naked snails commonly called pteropods."
324. <P62/4> Antarctic krill - Euphausia superba
------------------------------------------------
(FR) Krill antarctique
(DE) Antarktischer Krill
(ES) Kril antártico
(IT) Krill antartico
Length: 5 cm / 2 in
Description: "These shrimp-like creatures are found in enormous swarms. When
threatened, they quickly spring backwards. They have
bioluminescent organs and can emit light, but why they do this is
not yet known"
325. <P62/5> Mertensia ovum - Mertensia ovum
--------------------------------------------
(FR) Groseille de mer plate
(DE) Rippenqualle
Length: 10 cm / 4 in
Description: "This translucent round creature gleams with all the colours of
the rainbow. The colour comes from light reflecting off the fine
hairs in the comb ridges on its body."
326. <P62/6> Atlantic spiny lumpsucker - Eumicrotremus spinosus
---------------------------------------------------------------
(FR) Petite poule de mer atlantique
(DE) Seehase
(ES) Ciclóptero espinoso atlántico
(IT) Eumicrotremus spinosus
Length: 13 cm / 5 in
Description: "This small, round fish has large eyes, several small spines on
its body and a sucker on its belly. It uses the sucker to secure
itself to rocks and prevent itself being swept away by ocean
currents."
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327. <P63/1> Ice Cupid - ? ? ? ? ? ?
------------------------------------
(FR) Cupidon de glace
(DE) Arktis-Amor
(ES) Cupido de hielo
(IT) Cupido dei ghiacci
Description: "For several years now, there has been a rumour amongst certain
Canadian preservation groups whose activities focus on the Arctic
Sea. They tell of a creature called the Ice Cupid, and say that
anyone who sees it will find true love... This giant sea angel
might just be what inspired this story."
Trivia: "[Origins of the Ice Cupid story]
According to stories handed down among a number of Arctic tribes,
one child of the gods was a hunter who ruled over love and
marriage. Perhaps the story of the Ice Cupid originates from
tales such as these."
328. <P63/2> Ailouros Pearl - ? ? ? ? ? ?
-----------------------------------------
(FR) Perle d'Ailouros
(DE) Ailourosperle
(ES) Perla de Ailouros
(IT) Perla di Ailouros
Description: "Called the pearl of Ailouros Island, this is a rare red-streaked
box crab with a pure white shell which can be found only rarely
in the Cyclades Islands. Its shell is valuable as it is crafted
and sold as traditional art. Popular belief says that whoever
finds one of these rare crabs will have the luck of 100
four-leafed clovers."
Trivia: "[The Ailouros cat]
To the west of Ciceros Strait, the cat-filled island of
Ailouros (which means 'cat' in Greek) is famous for craft items
made from the shells of red-streaked box crabs, as are the
Cyclades Islands in general. In the 12th century the shells of
Ailouros Pearl were used to make an ornamental white cat known as
the Ailouros Cat, which is highly valued among the arts of the
Aegean Sea. The figure is so well-loved that replicas are sold
today in souvenir shops in the region."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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329. <P64/1> Grave Keeper - ? ? ? ? ? ?
---------------------------------------
(FR) Gardien du cimetière
(DE) Der Grabwächter
(ES) Sepulturero
(IT) Guardiano del cimitero
Description: "This oversized giant isopod is the size of a young child. Living
in the depths of the crevasse off the carcasses of whales or fish
and generally cleaning up the seabed, his size makes him king of
the scavengers. As he tends to the dead in the dark depths he is
aptly named."
Trivia: "[Giant centipedes]
Giant isopods grow to 50cm and are the largest members of the
order isopoda, which includes woodlice. The arthropleura, a kind
of giant centipede and also a member of this family, roamed the
land about 300 million years ago and grew over two metres long.
Their growth may have been the result of higher oxygen
concentrations at that time. This is particularly interesting as
the giant isopod lives at the bottom of the sea where there is
little oxygen."
330. <P64/2> Gungnir - ? ? ? ? ? ?
----------------------------------
(FR) Gungnir
(DE) Gungnir
(ES) Gungnir
(IT) Gungnir
Description: "This monstrous sailfish is the talk of fishermen throughout the
South Pacific. He is sly and ferocious and swims several times
faster than any normal sailfish. A number of fishing boats have
been damaged when he rammed them. Some fishermen tried to catch
to catch this monster, but they fell victim to his attacks
instead. He is called Gungnir after a magic spear in Norse
mythology."
Trivia: "[Mutation? Genetic defect?]
There are cases of unusual physical characteristics that can
only be described as mutations, but Gungnir's fundamental body
structure is the same as that of any normal sailfin. His muscles
are over-developed, probably due to a genetic defect sometimes
found in dogs or cows where a gene suppressing muscle growth is
deficient, but this has not been confirmed."
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331. <P65/1> Phantom - ? ? ? ? ? ?
----------------------------------
(FR) Spectre
(DE) Das Phantom
(ES) Sombra
(IT) Fantasma
Description: "This is the jet black manta seen in the silent ruins of Valka
Castle. This foreboding creature roams the deserted ruins like a
ghost. There is a superstition amongst the inhabitants of Ciceros
Straits that the spirits of those who die at sea return as rays
Could this be the shade of the former owner of the castle, the
prince himself?"
Trivia: "[Phantoms of Valka Castle]
Valka Castle, built by an eastern European prince in the 16th
century, was said to be haunted even before it sank into the sea.
The ghosts were probably the vengeful spirits of peasants or
enemy soldiers executed by the cruel prince. This explains why
Prince Valka became obsessed with the occult and mysticism in his
later years."
332. <P65/2> Apollo - ? ? ? ? ? ?
---------------------------------
(FR) Apollon
(DE) Apoll
(ES) Apolo
(IT) Apollo
Description: "Paoul legend says that the sun rests in the sea during the night
and rises up from the water in the morning. The sun is said to
turn into a large round fish while under the sea - none other
than the giant golden ocean sunfish. It can sometimes be seen
leap into the sky."
Trivia: "[Sunfish? Moonfish?]
In English, this fish is called a sunfish, but in Spanish,
Italian and German it is known as the moonfish. Whichever name
is used, they all try to capture something about its unique
shape."
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333. <P66/1> Divine Gift - ? ? ? ? ? ?
--------------------------------------
(NA) Lady Dorthea
(FR) Don du ciel
(DE) Die Göttergabe
(ES) Don divino
(IT) Dono degli dei
Description: "This perfect sturgeon from Ciceros Strait has the ideal
combination of characteristics for its species. There is a story
of a Roman emperor who ate caviar from such a Ciceros sturgeon
and declared that it was ''food sent from the gods''. This story
gave these fabulous sturgeon, found only once every hundred
years, their name."
Trivia: "[The cost of caviar]
Caviar, the eggs of the sturgeon, is considered a delicacy the
world over. It takes 10 - 20 years for a sturgeon to mature into
an egg-laying fish, and this combined with overfishing has caused
prices to soar. Regular caviar is expensive, but caviar from
Divine Gift can easily be ten times more expensive."
334. <P66/2> Golden Catfish - ? ? ? ? ? ?
-----------------------------------------
(FR) Poisson-chat doré
(DE) Der Goldene Wels
(ES) Pez gato dorado
(IT) Pesce gatto dorato
Description: "This golden hue is not a mutation or camouflage, it is real gold!
To be precise, there is a fine layer of gold dust covering this
fish's entire body. Gold dust is known to lie on the riverbed of
the Amazon and other rivers in the region. This fine powder is
eaten by micro-organisms and insects and builds up inside the
bodies of other animals as it goes up through the food chain.
The golden catfish simply exudes the gold through its skin."
Trivia: "[The Cortica Gold Rush]
Panning for gold dust in the Cortica River region became so
popular at one time that it was called the Cortica Gold Rush.
There was a rumour in the mining community at the time that a
golden fish lived in the river. The rumour grew until every miner
turned his hand to fishing in the hope of catching this golden
fish. No one was lucky enough to catch it, and the story was
eventually forgotten. This might just be the fish they were all
searching for."
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[11.67] Page 67 - Other Fauna
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335. <P67/1> Paoul crocodile - ? ? ? ? ? ?
------------------------------------------
(NA) Pelago crocodile
(FR) Crocodile de Baoru
(DE) Paoul-Krokodil
(ES) Cocodrilo de Paoul
(IT) Coccodrillo di Baoru
Length: 5 m / 16 ft
Description: "This rare native of Paoul is known to the natives as 'gatama
gatawa'. It was thought to have been hunted to extinction for its
leather at the beginning of the 20th century, but you have
rediscovered it! It is a very strong swimmer, even compared to
other saltwater crocodiles, and may be capable of swimming up to
ten thousand kilometres. It is ferocious, even preying on water
buffalo. Like other crocodiles, it will eat humans if it is
hungry enough."
Trivia: "[The diamond necklace]
In the Paoul language, 'gatama gatawa' means 'mother's diamond
necklace'. Long, long ago there was an island where the most
beautiful woman was envied by her daughter, who was the second
most beautiful. The daughter believed her mother's diamond
necklace made her more beautiful, so she stole it. The gods
turned the daughter into an ugly crocodile as punishment. This
crocodile is said to have a belly full of diamonds it has
swallowed, and so this ugly creature has a beautiful name."
336. <P67/2> King Gigide - ? ? ? ? ? ?
--------------------------------------
(FR) Roi Gigide
(DE) König Gigide
(ES) Rey Gigide
(IT) Re Gigide
Description: "This is the crocodile that appears before you as if called by the
caiman relic. The people of the Cortica region say that a wind
god was exiled from heaven and settled in the Cortica River, and
he sometimes appears before humans in the form of a gleaming
reptile. If the person is good, he grants them health and long
life but if the person is bad, he immediately devours them.
This god is known as King Gigide and he has faithful followers
even today."
Trivia: "[The evil king]
In the language of the ancient culture of the Cortica area,
'Gigide' is related to the words for left hand, the East,
Atlantic Ocean, morning, and birth. Local worship of the rising
sun may also come from these legends. Similar stories exist all
over the Amazon River basin, including one from the Gorgonia
region about Gagadi, associated with the right hand, the West
and death. These stories of an evil deity directly contrast with
those of Gigide, and are currently being researched."
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[11.68] Page 68 - Other Fauna
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337. <P68/1> Mama Cortica - ? ? ? ? ? ?
---------------------------------------
(FR) Mama Cortica
(DE) Mama Cortica
(ES) Mama Cortica
(IT) Mama Cortica
Description: "This Amazon River manatee with unique markings is highly
intelligent and good natured. She is rarely seen but there are
many stories of her saving drowning children, stopping boats from
capsizing or helping people in some way. This creature has earned
the love and respect of the local people, who named her Mama
Cortica."
Trivia: "[Legendary goddess] The legend of a goddess named Mama Kola has
been passed on in the Cortica River region since time immemorial.
Kola is an ancient form of Cortica. A statue with the head of a
woman and the body of a dolphin, known as the Cortica Mermaid,
is a well-known symbol of the region's capital. She is said to be
the mother of a great king who once ruled the area, and she
watches over and protects her people."
338. <P68/2> Arthur - ? ? ? ? ? ?
---------------------------------
(NA) Leo
(FR) Leo
(DE) Ras Odelepe
(ES) Arthur
(IT) Ras Odelepe
Description: "This is the king of all leopard seals in the Weddell Sea. A
mysterious wisdom shines in hiseyes and he has the strength of a
veteran of countless battles. He is named after the legendary
King Arthur who was fabled for his courage, strength and honour."
Trivia: "[Leopard seal army]
The most powerful and daring of all the seals, leopard seals will
often act individually without needing to form a group. Recently,
observers in the Antarctic have reported leopard seals acting and
hunting as a group under the influence of a boss seal, almost
certainly Arthur."
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339. <P69/1> Snowy - ? ? ? ? ? ?
--------------------------------
(NA) Snowball
(FR) Blanche
(DE) Schneeball
(ES) Blanca
(IT) Fiocco di neve
Description: "Rockhopper penguins are normally clearly distinguished by their
two-tone colouring, so this albino female looks like she belongs
to a different species. Albinos are rare, but all the other
penguins in her group seem to support her despite her difference.
Hayako was the first to notice her, and she named the albino
Snowy and is following her progress."
Trivia: "[Albinos - sacred or evil?]
Albinism is caused by a genetic lack of melanin, which is needed
for pigmentation. In most cases this leads to eye problems such
as poor vision or over-sensitivity to light, and sometimes other
physical weaknesses. A lack of natural camouflage can also leave
albinos more vulnerable to predators. As albinos are so rare,
they have long been considered either as sacred or as evil
omens."
340. <P69/2> Big Bobby - ? ? ? ? ? ?
------------------------------------
(FR) Grand Bobby
(DE) Riesen-Rudi
(ES) Guille
(IT) Big Bobby
Description: "Emperor penguins will normally reach around 100 - 130cm, but Big
Bobby has already grown to 170cm, as tall as an average human
male. Discovered about two years ago by an American winter
research team, he was called 'Fat Bob' at first before being</pre><pre id="faqspan-7">
renamed 'Big Bobby'. He seems to have grown a little more this
year too."
Trivia: "[Extinct giant penguins]
Millions of years ago, there was a species of penguin larger than
those that live today. They were over 160cm tall and became
extinct about 40 million years ago. The largest confirmed penguin
fossils to date measure 170 - 180cm, but there were never any
dinosaur-sized penguins 10m tall."
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341. <P70/1> Kraken Jr - ? ? ? ? ? ?
------------------------------------
(FR) Kraken junior
(DE) Karl Krakenson
(ES) Chopito
(IT) Piccolo Kraken
Description: "A young giant squid, probably the child of the huge one that
lives at the bottom of the crevasse. It should be able to grow up
safely in the ruins where there are almost no natural predators.
So in ten or maybe even a hundred years, it may grow into the
monster of Zahhab, pulling its victims to their sad fate in the
depths."
Trivia: "[The Kraken]
One of the most famous of all unidentified sea monsters is the
Kraken. There are countless tales of giant octopi or squid
attacking ships, dating back hundreds of years. According to one
theory, tales of a greedy beast that breathes a foul stench do
refer to giant squid. A large percentage of a giant squid's body
is made up of ammonia, which explains its unique breath."
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342. <P71/1> Emperor - ? ? ? ? ? ?
----------------------------------
(NA) Living Fossil
(FR) Empereur
(DE) Der Zar
(ES) Emperador
(IT) Imperatore
Description: "This coelacanth is unbelievably large. Who knows how many years
it took to reach this impressive size? Looking at it makes you
feel the weight of the ages and even a sense of timelessness. The
feeling of solemnity leaves you in no doubt that this is the
emperor of those living fossils, the mighty coelacanths."
Trivia: "[Mysterious species]
The coelacanth was thought to have become extinct during the
Cretaceous period, 65 -140 million years ago. How was this fish
able to live through the worldwide extinction which wiped out the
dinosaurs, and then survive for tens of millions of years without
being.discovered?"
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343. <P72/1> Cocoa Maharaja - ? ? ? ? ? ?
-----------------------------------------
(NA) Cacao Maharaja
(FR) Maharadjah de Cacao
(DE) Cocoa Maharaja
(ES) Maharajá de Koko
(IT) Grande Maharaja
Description: "The leatherback is the largest turtle, and this is the largest
leatherback. The ship that first sighted and reported this giant
was the Cocoa Maharaja, and the turtle has somehow taken the same
name. Its friendly nature has made it extremely popular around
the southern seas of Paoul."
Trivia: "[Lucky turtle]
This turtle is so popular with the divers of the region that it
is featured in this year's Paoul guide book. The chances of
sighting Cocoa Maharaja are actually very slim, as it is only
sighted once a year even by the inhabitants of the local islands.
This has led to a rumour that anyone who sees the turtle will be
blessed with amazingly good luck."
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344. <P73/1> Thanatos - ? ? ? ? ? ?
-----------------------------------
(FR) Thanatos
(DE) Thanatos
(ES) Tánatos
(IT) Thanatos
Description: "This enormous great white shark is feared throughout the Aegean
Sea, where it is seen as the embodiment of evil and violence. It
actively attacks people and boats and has caused a number of
brutal incidents. The many scars on its body are proof of the
countless battles it has fought, and its cunning has helped it to
evade all human attempts to ensnare it. This creature is a
monster created by ferocious fighting and years of experience
which can be seen all over the world, but only rarely."
Trivia: "[Mother Nature's revenge?]
Normally, a great white shark would not go out of its way to
attack humans. Almost all attacks are the result of the shark
mistaking the person for a seal or some other creature it
considers food. That means shark attacks are rare, only a few
each year. But despite this, humans kill thousands of tons of
sharks every year to boast, or simply out of pure fear or
loathing. Is the emergence of a creature like Thanatos, which
hunts man alone, the revenge of Mother Nature?"
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345. <P74/1> Black Harbinger - ? ? ? ? ? ?
------------------------------------------
(FR) Sombre Présage
(DE) Schwarzes Omen
(ES) Pena Negra
(IT) Araldo Oscuro
Description: "This large, jet black humpback whale can be seen in the Solomon
Islands. In Paoul legend, it stands in direct contrast to the
loving White Mother; where she grants new life, this whale spirit
is said to preside over death and the afterlife. At least one
hundred years old, every fishermen in the region knows about it
and it is considered the ruler of those seas. It seems to visit
Gatama Atoll in Paoul every few years, but no one knows why."
Trivia: "[Whale's requiem]
Where legends about the White Mother are positive, those of the
Black Harbinger are usually negative. His song is said to be
heartbreakingly sad, and is believed to be a requiem guiding the
souls of the dead. Because of this local fishermen will burn
their fishing tackle if they meet him while at sea, in an attempt
to ward off the fate of being led to the land of the dead."
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346. <P75/1> Leviathan - ? ? ? ? ? ?
------------------------------------
(FR) Léviathan
(DE) Leviathan
(ES) Leviatán
(IT) Leviatano
Description: "This albino sperm whale has a particularly violent temperament
and has been seen attacking and capsizing fishing boats. Known in
these waters as the White Terror, it is despised by local
residents. An old fisherman who pursued it reported seeing this
whale defeating an orca, normally its predator. Considering that
albinos are usually weaker than other members of a species,
you can see just how powerful and aggressive this animal is."
Trivia: "[The captain's grudge]
One captain in the Zahhab Sea has been hunting the White Terror
for years. He lost his only son when their boat was capsized by
Leviathan, and has been obsessed with hunting the white whale
ever since. But will his quest for revenge ever end?"
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347. <P76/1> White Mother - ? ? ? ? ? ?
---------------------------------------
(NA) Ancient Mother
(FR) Mère Blanche
(DE) Weiße Mutter
(ES) Madre Blanca
(IT) Madre Bianca
Description: "A new species of baleen whale discovered a few years ago in the
Manaurai Sea of Paoul, South Pacific, attracting attention from
all over the world. There is little known about its ecology and
behaviour, although your recent discovery shows that it migrates
from the South Pacific to the North Pole and back again. Its
scientific name is also yet to be decided."
Trivia: "[Twilight of the sacred mother]
This whale, known as the sacred and loving White Mother, has been
worshipped as the origin of all life in Paoul since ancient
times. Searching for her, harming her or hunting for her were
seen as blasphemy. But since she was confirmed to really exist
these beliefs started to fade away. Souvenir shops in Paoul's
capital have already started marketing White Mother merchandise."
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348. <P77/1> Singing Dragon - ? ? ? ? ? ?
-----------------------------------------
(FR) Dragon Criant
(DE) Singender Drache
(ES) Melodía de dragón
(IT) Custode del Canto
Description: "This is the pure white whale seen in the ruins in the Cavern of
the Gods. Although it looks like a small humpback whale, it is in
fact an unknown species. It might even be a descendant of the
whales that the Okeanides once controlled."
Trivia: "[The Song of Dragons]
Whale song is composed of repeated, altered complex patterns of
sound, so if the Song of Dragons is whale song how can it be the
same all over the world? One theory holds that whales have their
own.'civilisation'. Killer whales in the same pod have similar
hunting techniques, and all the humpback whales in a pod use the
same scales for singing, so perhaps the Song of Dragons is a song
so old it was passed down from ancient times and transmitted to
whales everywhere."
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349. <P78/1> Okeanos' Guardian - ? ? ? ? ? ?
--------------------------------------------
(NA) Okeanos's Guardian
(FR) Gardien d'Okéanos
(DE) Der Finstere Hüter
(ES) Guardián de Oceanis
(IT) Guardiano di Okeanos
Description: "The large goblin shark you encountered in the Cavern of the Gods,
which rules over others of its ferocious kind living in these
historic ruins. It is said to resemble Ammit, a creature from
Egyptian mythology. These sharks may have been bred by the ancient
Okeanides, with this specimen a descendant of those
selectively-bred creatures."
Trivia: "[Guardian of the Underworld]
Ammit is a monster from ancient Egyptian mythology with the head
of a crocodile and the body of a lion. It was chained at the side
of Anubis, the god who judged the dead in the underworld. Souls
which failed his test were given to Ammit, who personified divine
retribution."
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350. <P79/1> Sea serpent - ? ? ? ? ? ?
--------------------------------------
(FR) Serpent de mer
(DE) Seeschlange
(ES) Serpiente marina
(IT) Mostro marino
Description: "A gigantic plesiosaur? If it really is one, this aquatic reptile
survived extinction in the Cretaceous period. But nothing is
known for certain, and it's possible that people just imagined
seeing it."
Trivia: "[Unidentified Marine Animals]
There have been thousands of reports of dinosaurs or snakes
lurking in the ocean depths since the beginning of the 20th
century. One of these was an animal resembling a plesiosaur
found in the waters off New Zealand in 1977. It was dubbed the
New Nessie as its corpse looked like that of a dinosaur. It was
also said to be the remains of a basking shark, but nobody knows
for sure."
===============================================================================
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VERSION HISTORY
---------------
1.0 Oct 2011 - corrected Black Pyramid/Purple Tang error
0.1 Feb 2010 - 350 creatures, in-game text, FR,DE,ES,IT
CREDITS
-------
Arika and Nintendo for making such a fantastic, compelling game.
Gamefaqs for hosting the FAQ.
Gamefaqs contributors, especially do_0M.
LEGAL
-----
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Any other site hosting this FAQ without permission will by that act be
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Any other arrangement will be with my express advance permission only.
Copyright
---------
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their respective trademark and copyright holders.
This FAQ is copyright 2010/2011.
===============================================================================
END
===============================================================================
