This bizarre venomous fish actually walks more than it swims

This is the spiny devil fish. It is a bizarre fish in many ways. It can grow up to 25cm in length (10 inches) and although it is small in stature, it packs a serious wallop with its venomous spines.Show more

Their colouration and texture closely matches the sea bed on which they are typically found. They are almost impossible to detect against the coral or rubble. In fact, the spiny devil fish has no known predators.

The most unusual aspect of this fish' behaviour is that it propels itself over the ocean floor using two rays on either side. These are part of the dorsal fins. The eyes, mouth and nostrils all project upwards, which is fitting since this animal rarely leaves the protection of the bottom. It is an ambush predator that will sit and wait until an unsuspecting meal swims with reach. It will quickly be inhaled as the devil fish lunges forward and gulps the fish in with lightning speed.