Strange fish with vertical swimming posture

Razorfish possess a unique swimming style that allows them to both evade predators and ambush hiding prey.

(Video: Dumagat Freedive).

The razorfish ( Aeoliscus strigatus ) typically floats in the water with its body upright and its head facing down. This slender, elongated fish is often found among coral branches, seagrass beds, and sea urchin spines, according to IFL Science .

Vertical swimming allows razorfish to hide easily even when moving in large synchronized schools. Their body coloration also helps. Individuals living in different habitats wear different colors to camouflage themselves. For example, razorfish living in seagrass habitats often have a yellowish-green coloration on their backs. They conceal themselves by swimming in an unusual way that serves a dual purpose. This behavior not only helps them avoid large predatory fish, but also helps them ambush their prey when the opportunity arises.

How razor fish swim.

Razorfish prey typically consists of small invertebrates such as arthropods and copepods. These tiny crustaceans sometimes take refuge in the spines of sea urchins. Because of the razorfish's unique camouflage, they may not even notice an intruder. Their innovative swimming style is not the only notable feature of the razorfish. Their small bodies are covered in thin bony scales that form a transparent armor. Their fins are also unique in that the caudal fin is located on the belly , replacing the usual position of the dorsal fin.

Although razorfish are common in aquariums and in the wild in the Indo-West Pacific, researchers know little about them beyond these characteristics. It is unclear how they reproduce, how long they reach adulthood, or how many they have in the wild. As a result, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List currently classifies them as 'Data Deficient.' However, as key habitats such as seagrass meadows and coral reefs decline globally due to climate change, learning more about these fish is key to ensuring their survival.