Predatory fish are extraordinarily voracious, especially if they get to eat them occasionally. The most acute nutritional problem is in deep-sea fish, since the living resource in such conditions is significantly limited. An example of extraordinary voracity is considered to be a black livebird. This is a small fish that can swallow prey larger than herself.
Short description
The black livebird belongs to the chiasmododont, or lively pharynx, fish from the family of radiant feathers. He is classified as a representative of the common perch-like squad. This is a deep-sea predator, the size of which varies from 15 to 25 cm. True, individuals with a size of 25 cm are extremely rare. Like many unusual fish of deep-sea species, live-throats have an elongated body, compressed laterally. The dorsal fin is small, and the scales are completely absent. The color of the living throat can be black, as recorded in the name, and brown. The walls of the stomach of the predator are able to stretch very much. Thus, an elastic muscle reservoir is created in which large portions of food can be digested. The muscles of the predator are poorly developed, but its jaws are worthy of a separate chapter.
Teeth as a tool and a natural barrier
The structure of the mouth of live-mouth fish is very peculiar. The black bastard has a disproportionately large mouth for its small body. The bones of the jaw of the predator are elastic, and the mouth itself has articulated joints, which allows the jaws to move strongly forward and down when opening. Since the extraction of live-throats often exceeds its size, it was not possible to cope with it without such an adaptation.
The teeth in the mouth are arranged in two rows and have different lengths. All of them are fang-shaped. Teeth grow not quite directly, but under a slight slope towards the oral cavity. This feature in the structure of the jaw gave the Latin version of the name - Chiasmodon. The term is formed from two ancient Greek words - “crossed” and “teeth”. A small internal bias in the growth of teeth prevents the predator from breaking free, creating an insurmountable barrier.
How the bastard swallow finds prey
As you know, sunlight does not penetrate into the deep layers of the ocean. How does a black-eared fish hunt, if there is total darkness around it? Especially for this, nature supplied its creation with a system of organs of the lateral line. By the way, this system is present in many deep-sea inhabitants. Thanks to it, predators are able to catch low-frequency water vibrations and determine where the prey is located.
How is the meal
Since observing this process is almost impossible, scientists have put forward two opposing theories.
The black live-bearer swallows the fish from the tail, swimming in the back. Extraction cannot escape from crossed teeth and gradually surrenders.
The predator begins the meal, grabbing prey by the protruding part of the muzzle. Gradually, he pushes the enemy into the stomach. At the same time, each movement of production helps push. As soon as the head and respiratory organs are in the stomach, the prey suffocates and ceases to resist.
Which of these theories is more similar to the truth, it is not yet possible to reasonably prove. The fact is that not a single living and capable living swallow was obtained by scientists.
