rhamphotheca:

dendroica: Two Water Snakes, One Fish

Two snakes were spotted competing in a a tug-of-war over a catfish on the banks of the Arkansas River, America. Each firmly clamped its mouth down on the meal and refused not to let go. At one point, one of the animals appears determined to swallow the catch first. The bizarre battle was captured on camera by Steve Creek, from Lavaca, Arkansas… Picture: Steve Creek/Solent News (via Pictures of the day: 28 February 2012 - Telegraph)

Some pistol shrimp species share burrows with goby fishes in a symbiotic relationship. The burrow is built and tended by the pistol shrimp, and the goby provides protection by watching out for danger. When both are out of the burrow, the shrimp maintains contact with the goby using its antenna. The goby, having the better vision, alerts the shrimp of danger using a characteristic tail movement, and then both retreat into the safety of the shared burrow. So far this association has been observed in species that inhabit coral reef habitats. (Wiki.)

Clown Anemonefish, Indonesia
Photo: Tim Laman

Clown anemonefish nestle amid the tentacles of a sea anemone off the Tukangbesi Islands in Indonesia. The clear waters surrounding coral reefs have encouraged the evolution of color and pattern among the inhabitants.

Shark in a School of Fish

The bowmouth guitarfish, mud skate, or shark ray (Rhina ancylostoma) is a species of ray related to guitarfishes and skates, and the sole member of the family Rhinidae. It is found widely in the tropical coastal waters of the Indo-Pacific region, at depths of up to 90 m (300 ft). Highly distinctive in appearance, the bowmouth guitarfish has a wide, thick body with a blunt snout and large, shark-like dorsal and tail fins. The line of its mouth is strongly undulating, and there are multiple thorny ridges over its head and back. It has dorsal color pattern of many white spots over a bluish gray to brown background, with a pair of prominent markings over the pectoral fins. This large species can grow to 2.7 m (8.9 ft) long and 135 kg (300 lb). (Wiki)

Blue Fox Caught a Fish

Dolphin Fish

The barracuda is a ray-finned fish known for its large size and fearsome appearance. Barracudas are elongated fish, pike-like in appearance, with prominent sharp-edged fang-like teeth, much like piranhas, that are all of different sizes which are set in sockets of their large jaws. They have large pointed heads with an under bite in many species. Barracudas are voracious, opportunistic predators relying on surprise and short bursts of speed (up to 27 miles per hour) to overtake their prey. Like sharks, some species of barracuda are reputed to be dangerous to swimmers. Barracudas are scavengers, and may mistake snorkelers for large predators, following them in hopes of eating the remains of their prey. Swimmers have been reported being bitten by barracuda but such incidents are rare and possibly caused by poor visibility. (Wiki.)

Kingfishers are a group of small to medium sized brightly coloured birds in the order Coraciiformes. They have a cosmopolitan distribution, with most species being found in the Old World and Australia. The kingfishers feed on a wide variety of items. They are most famous for hunting and eating fish, and some species do specialise in catching fish, but other species take crustaceans, frogs and other amphibians, annelid worms, molluscs, insects, spiders, centipedes, reptiles (including snakes) and even birds and mammals. A number of species are considered threatened by human activities and are in danger of extinction. (Wiki.)

Sun Fish

Great White Shark

Dolphins by Bigeye Bubblefish

Moray Eel

Goblin Shark

The red lionfish (Pterois volitans) is a venomous coral reef fish that is natively found in the Indo-Pacific region, but has become a huge invasive problem in the Caribbean Sea and along the East coast of the United States. The fish has large venomous spines that protrude from the body like a mane, giving it the common name of the lionfish. The venomous spines make the fish inedible or deter most potential predators. Lionfish reproduce monthly and are able to quickly disperse during their larval stage for expansion of their invasive region. There are no definitive predators of the lionfish. (Wiki)