These juvenile Spadefish are one of the most striking juveniles of any species. As adults they are fairly nondescript silver coloured, oval shaped fish. But as juveniles they are black and have the most amazing orange band that runs around the outline of their body.
It is though that this orange band, together with the constant movement, it meant to mimic a swimming flatworm, a creature that has poisonous flesh and therefore inedible.
This one is a large juvenile and is about 30cm from top to bottom.
You can see video of a small juvenile, 5cm, here – Click for Link
