Leaf scorpionsfish (Taenianotus triacanthus). This fish inhabits the tropical reefs of the Indo- Pacific region. It takes its name from its habit of s

---

Leaf scorpionsfish (Taenianotus triacanthus). This fish inhabits the tropical reefs of the Indo- Pacific region. It takes its name from its habit of swaying from side to side like a dead leaf in a current. It is a lie-in-wait predator, remaining still and using its cryptic colouration to remain undetected by predators or prey. It waits until its prey, mainly small crustaceans and fish, gets close and then engulfs it with a sudden gulp, which sucks it into its mouth. Photographed in Fishmarket, Biak, West Papua in Indonesia, Asia.

---

Size: 2848px × 4288px
Photo credit: © MATTHEW OLDFIELD/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: animal, asia, asian, biak, biology, bony, close-, fauna, fish, fishmarket, head, indonesia, leaf, marine, nature, papua, pisces, scorpionfish, sealife, taenianotus, triacanthus, tropical, underwater, west, wildlife, zoological, zoology