The Politically Incorrect Red Indian Fish

By Chris Doyle on October 18, 2012 in Other

While not the most politically correct name in this day and age, the Red Indian Fish is named so because of the long dorsal fin that runs from the top of its forehead all the way down its back. This unusually long fin gives the fish the appearance that it is wearing the headdress of a North American chief.

But while Red Indian Fish have a very distinctive appearance, they are not very easy to spot in the wild. Not only are they relatively uncommon, they also keep themselves well hidden. In fact, the entire life of the Red Indian Fish centres around remaining concealed.

Red Indian Fish live among sponge gardens on the ocean floor where their wonderful red colouration allows them to blend in seamlessly with their surrounds. They also rock back and forth with the current, just like sponges do, making it even harder for predators to find them. But one of their most intriguing camouflage skills is the ability to shed their skin in one complete piece. Sponges produce toxins that prevent algae and tiny animals from growing on them, but Red Indian Fish cannot produce these toxins and so are prone to encrusting growths on their skin. This makes them more noticeable to predators, which are now able to pick them out from the sponges they are living on. By shedding their skin every now and then, the fish get rid of any growths and more closely resemble the sponges.

Curiously, when they are discovered, Red Indian Fish do not flee. Instead, they remain still and motionless on the bottom of the ocean floor. Even when they are picked up and let go again, rather than swim away they fall slowly back down to the same position they were in, looking like a dead leaf as they do so. Red Indian Fish are relatively poor swimmers, which may be one reason why they choose not to flee when disturbed. Another reason could be that they are continuing to imitate a sponge in the hope that whatever has noticed them will soon lose interest, as any sudden movements would certainly give them away. Whatever the reason, this behaviour of remaining still and motionless makes them great subjects for photography and many budding underwater photographers seek them out for exactly that reason.

Red Indian Fish are found as far north as Moreton Bay in south-eastern Queensland down to southern NSW. They are also found in South Australia and the southern coast of Western Australia. They prefer areas where there are strong tidal currents and, obviously, prolific sponge gardens to hide in. While they are difficult to spot, requiring a lot of patience and time staring at sponges, catching a glimpse of these magnificent fish in the wild is well worth the effort.

As for the name, it seems that ‘Red Indian Fish’ is here to stay. After all, ‘Indigenous North American Fish’ is not exactly going to stick for a fish that is found nowhere else in the world other than Australia!