What's down there??

Fish although not credited with being the most intelligent creatures on the planet are born with the basic instincts for survival. By using one of several tried and tested methods their survival is assured

1. Don't get caught out in the open. The smaller fish search out "Structure" places to hide, this means any form of structure on the sea bed, which may be natural, such as coral, rocks, underwater plants, or it could be man made such as a ship wreck.

2.Safety in numbers. Especially for fish that migrate and have no protection from a structure, this is the other winning strategy. Although these huge shoals of fish may be followed by many predators such as Dolphin, Tuna, Mahi Mahi and Sharks and will suffer losses, enough will survive to reproduce. The system however has one drawback, although this has worked for thousands of years it has little defence against the commercial fishing boat who's huge net capture the entire shoal.

3. Camouflage. This works well for both the hunter and the hunted,

4. Nocturnal feeding. A tactic used by Lobster and Octopus to name 2 as both these animals feature in the diet of many larger fish.

Some fish use the stinging sea anemone as its home, the fish is covered in a mucus membrane that makes them immune to the stings, the fish will search for food around its home but at the first sign of danger will hide among the stinging tentacles.

The octopus is very intelligent and has been used in several scientific tests to prove their ability to learn. Whilst they are a hunter they also feature in the diet of many large fish so they use several tactics to avoid capture. 1. Nocturnal feeding, 2. Camouflaging to blend with its current surroundings, 3. Ink. By squirting a cloud of ink the octopus is able to make its getaway. 4. Hiding. With no fixed bone structure the octopus can squeeze its self into the smallest opening.

Some fish use their ability to hide as a tool to hunt, this fish is easily missed when diving.

The Barracuda lurks above a wreck looking for a meal, their sleek shape and incredible acceleration allow them to catch fish that stray too far out into the open.

Fish such as the grouper above are predators who also make their home in and around the reefs or wrecks and play a deadly game or hide and seek with their pray. Although not fast enough, or agile enough, to catch the smaller fish in a one on one chase; their tactic is to slowly cruise the wreck or reef and appear uninterested in its soon-to-be lunch. With enough time the smaller fish stray closer. If it gets close enough its opens it large mouth and sucks in a large amount of water and hopefully its next meal.

Although the previous grouper may be the king of his reef or wreck, even he needs to have a hiding place ready for a quick retreat as his position swaps from hunter to hunted when the local shark turns up looking for lunch. As the Apex predator, a mature shark's only threat is from humans.

A Reef Shark passes overhead