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Bearded Scorpionfish

The bearded scorpionfish (Scorpaenopsis barbata) is definitely one of the strangest-looking fish in the sea. Its bizarre appearance serves to provide camouflage as it hides among the algae and seaweed on the ocean floor. When an unsuspecting fish swims too close, the prey is snapped up almost instantly with powerful jaws. The spines on the dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins secrete an extremely toxic venom that helps to protect the it from predators. The bearded scorpionfish can be found in the Western Indian Ocean from the Red Sea to the coast of Somalia.