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Seamoth
Family Pegasiidae |
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Slender
seamoth
Pegasus volitans
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Seamoths
appear to be seasonally abundant on Chek Jawa. At some times of the
year, they are everywhere and at other times, not to be seen at all.
Some are black, others yellow or sand-coloured. They are active little
fishes, swimming about in pools in the seagrass lagoon.
Why seamoth? Seamoths probably
got their name for their long, stiff snouts and the pair of broad,
fan-like pectoral fins. They are also called Sea robins. Their stiff
snouts are made up of modified nose bones.
Seamoth features: Their bodies
are covered by a bony skeleton and the tail enclosed in bony rings.
One species is said to shed its skin in one piece with a rapid jump,
to get rid of unwanted parasites or encrusting algae on their skin.
These fishes are adapted for bottom-dwelling and lack swim-bladders.
One species is believed to "walk" over the bottom with their
pelvic fins. Another species can bury themselves in the sand and change
colours to match their surroundings. Some scientists place them in
the same larger group with seahorses.
Seamoth babies: Seamoths are believed
to have social behaviour and form monogamous pair bonds. Unlike seahorses,
they don't brood their young and spawn in open water.
Seamoth food: These fishes feed
on minute creatures on the sea bottom, sucking them up in their small,
toothless mouths which is found under their snouts.
Human uses: Seamoths are collected
for use in traditional Chinese medicine.
Status and threats: The Slender
or Longtail seamoth (Pegasus volitans) is considered rare.
It is listed among the threatened animals of Singapore due to the
loss of our natural beaches and reef flats. |
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quick
facts
To about 6cm, sometimes common in the seagrass lagoon
Classification:
Order Perciformes
Phylum Chordata |
