- Thailand Troglobites | Cave Angelfish
Are these blind, cave-dwelling, rock-clinging fish the most specialized species on Earth?
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressr ... aves.shtmlCaves are Planet Earth's final frontier and this programme will go where few have been before.
Caves are one of the only habitats not directly driven by sunlight but this doesn't mean there's no wildlife.
Cave angel fish are perhaps the most adapted creatures on earth since they live only on cave waterfalls - hanging on with microscopic hooks on their flattened fins. Until now they have never been filmed before.
Source: http://fishschooled.blogspot.com/2010/0 ... lfish.htmlMember of the family Balitoridae (Loaches) belonging to the order Cypriniformes (Carps). This group of fish is known for their non-visual senses and its a good thing since this fish is perhaps one of the most specialised species on earth inhabiting only waterfalls within caves in Thailand. This fish has no eyes and lives out its entire life within the cave. They hang on to rock with microscopic hooks on their flattened fins. Their diet is bacteria. They were filmed for the first time for the BBC documentary Planet Earth.
Source: Audio taken from BBC's Planet Earth's "Caves" -“ These troglobites from Thailand are possibly the most specialized creatures on Earth, for they only live in cave waterfalls. The entire population of these Cave Angelfish seems to be restricted to just two small caves. The Cave Angelfish feed on bacteria in the fast-flowing water, keeping their grip with microscopic hooks on their fins... ”
If you are interested in an image of a Cave Angelfish, here is one... http://tinyurl.com/CaveAngelfish
Cave Angelfish are featured in BBC's Planet Earth's episode of "Caves".
The YouTube video linked in the last quote also shows how they hook and maneuver through waterfalls.
Quite interesting little 'fellas. I'd definitely like to see more research done on them. c: