Smooth trunkfish (Lactophrys triqueter). This fish inhabits reefs and coastal regions in the western Atlantic Ocean, from as far north as Canada to Br

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Smooth trunkfish (Lactophrys triqueter). This fish inhabits reefs and coastal regions in the western Atlantic Ocean, from as far north as Canada to Brazil. It feeds on bottom-dwelling invertebrates such as crustaceans, shellfish, worms, sponges and sea squirts. It uncovers these from sandy seabeds by squirting a jet of water from its mouth. It can secrete a toxin when threatened that can be fatal for other fish. In aquaria this can cause the death of the entire population of a tank, including the trunkfish itself. It can reach a length of around 47 centimetres. Photographed off Bonaire Island in the Netherlands Antilles, in the Caribbean Sea.

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Size: 5112px × 3444px
Photo credit: © GEORGETTE DOUWMA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: animal, antilles, biological, biology, bonaire, caribbean, coral, defence, fauna, fish, lactophrys, marine, nature, netherlands, poisonous, reef, sea, single, smooth, toxic, triqueter, tropical, trunkfish, underwater, venomous, wildlife, zoological, zoology