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Spiny devil fish
Scientific name : Inimicus didactylus
Elongated, almost cylindrical body. Variable colour, from dark brown to red. The dorsal fin is deeply incised, with long spiny rays. Large pectoral fins, the first 2 rays from below, free and articulated, are used to crawl on the bottom. The back part of the pectoral fin has a typical yellow and black colour pattern. 18 cm.
It lives on sandy bottoms, in lagoon and bay. Often buried under the sand during the day. It can move around crawling with the free rays of the pectoral fin, the tail curled. If disturbed, warns about its dangerous nature flashing the inner surface of the pectoral fins (warning colour). Easily confused with other species belonging to the same genus. It is identified by the pectoral fins colour pattern, that has a reduced black band in Inimicus filamentosus (Indian Ocean), and is black with yellow spots in I. sinensis.
Associated organisms
Filamentous algae or hidroids can grow on its skin.
Habitat:
Coastal bay, Lagoon, Sand
Distribution:
Western Pacific
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