Red Sea Moses Sole [Pardachirus marmoratus]
Description
This species is a small, benthic fish that is found in the tropical Indo-Pacific region. It is most commonly known for its unique defense mechanism, where it secretes a toxin from glands in its skin when threatened. This toxin, called pardaxin, can deter predators such as sharks. The Red Sea Moses Sole typically inhabits sandy or muddy bottoms in shallow waters and has a diet that consists mainly of small invertebrates.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Chordates
Chordata
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Fish
Actinopterygii
|
| Order |
Flatfishes
Pleuronectiformes
|
| Family |
Soles
Soleidae
|
| Genus |
Pardachirus
Pardachirus
|