LEAFFISH

Unlike many of the marine world’s families, leaffish are really quite a small gang. They consist of just one small group called Taenianotus triacanthus but they do come from a very large family - Scorpaenidae or scorpion fish. Like all scorpionfish they have compressed bodies, large, heavily ridged and spined heads, and prominent spines along a single dorsal fin.

Leaffish are masters deception. Most spend their time dressed in camouflage tones of cream, khaki and brown which allows them to blend into the reef background. Contrasting skin patches add to this by matching algae and plant debris. Every now and then, however, you spot one that obviously cares little for disguise as it's a vivid bright pink.

They put their highly flattened body to further use with some interesting moves. By flexing their pectoral fins they wave from side to side, looking for all the world like a leaf blowing in the wind. Plus they are just chock full of poison - a raft of venom glands are sited along the extended dorsal fin and woe betide any one who puts an unwary hand on them!

When it comes to being the predator, leaffish operate a cunning hunting strategy. Divers often say that you can sniff out a member of the scorpion family whenever you spot a cave or crevice full of glassy sweepers. As those little fish are a favoured delicacy you're nearly always bound to find one in the vicinity. A leaffish or two will settle right in the middle of a cloud of them, swaying gently from side to side, until one moves close enough to be nabbed.

Although you sometimes spot leaffish sitting near to each other, courtship rituals are rarely seen. It's known that dusk is the time for a little amorous behaviour, when a male (or two) will compete for a female’s attention. They'll swim around her until she chooses between them and the winner chases the loser away. The female will always opt for a chap with a similar complexion to her own, yet rarely seen juveniles are nearly transparent.

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