Have you ever heard about fish with legs? If not, let’s immediately discover 5 extremely unique fish species with legs right in the article below, there are even some very common species that you may not know!
Red-lipped batfish
The red-lipped batfish, scientifically known as Ogcocephalus darwini , is a species of fish in the Ogcocephalidae family. They often live in tropical waters, especially in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. This fish has fins that are used as legs to move. Their main food includes fish, shrimp and crustaceans.
One special thing about red-lipped batfish is that they have extremely sexy red lips, which can be used to attract a mate or as a weapon to attract prey. Although called a fish, this species cannot swim, but instead moves using its pectoral fins on the seabed.
When mature, the dorsal fin of the red-lipped batfish will develop into spines.
Red-lipped batfish
Crested fish
The spiny crested fish, also known by its scientific name as Satyrichthys rieffeli , is a species of fish in the Peristediidae family. They have the largest size of 28 cm and are mainly distributed in sea areas such as Japan, Taiwan, Bohai Sea, East China Sea, South China Sea, Indonesia and Australia.
This fish lives in warm tropical waters, often occurring along coastlines, continental slopes and island areas. They are benthic creatures, surviving by moving on their two flexible pectoral fins.
The crested fish’s barbs allow it to move easily on the sea floor, like legged creatures. However, they are still marine creatures and are capable of living in salt water environments.
Crested fish
Vietnamese toad fish
Vietnamese toad fish, also known by the scientific name Tylototriton vietnamensis , is a species of newt endemic to Vietnam. This species has a long body, four legs and a laterally flattened tail.
Its average length is 5 cm, with a flat head, short snout and rough skin. The front feet have four toes and the hind feet have five toes.
Vietnamese toadfish are distributed in the provinces of Van Ban (Lao Cai), Nguyen Binh (Cao Bang), Luc Nam (Bac Giang) and Que Phong (Nghe An).
This species of toadfish lives in ponds and puddles with lots of mud and rotten leaves, as well as in closed forests on mountains at an altitude of 250-300m. According to scientists, they eat worms, insects and some other invertebrates.
Vietnamese toad fish
The current distribution area of Vietnamese toadfish is very narrow and this species is threatened with extinction, classified as endangered in the Red Book. Therefore, protecting this unique amphibian species is essential and appropriate measures are needed to ensure their survival in the future.
Mudskipper
Mudskipper, also known as tree climbing fish, scientific name is Periophthalmodon schlosseri , is a species of fish in the Oxudercidae family. They are widely distributed in estuaries, downstream rivers and seas in tropical regions such as Seychelles, India, Bangladesh, Australia, Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam).
Mudskippers usually live in swamps at river mouths, not too flooded (under 2m). They can also live in burrows in the mudflats and when the tide is low, they will come out of the burrows to search for food.
This fish has the ability to move on the mud surface quite quickly and often jumps. They have a pulmonary respiratory system, allowing them to breathe on land. When underwater, they use their gills to inhale oxygen. When mature, mudskippers are about 27cm in size.
Mudskipper
According to people living along the coast of the Mekong Delta, mudskippers are divided into two types: one is living in the river, has a small size and has a fishy smell, so it is not popular; The other type lives at estuaries in mangrove forests, is larger in size, has chewier and more delicious meat, and is therefore preferred by people for preparing dishes such as braised with pepper, braised with soy sauce, grilled, or made into salads. mudskipper with coriander leaves and other spices.
Axolotl
The Mexican axolotl, also known as the six-horned dinosaur in English, is a special species of salamander with the scientific name Axolotl Ambystoma mexicanum . This species is considered a salamander with characteristics from juvenile to adult and is related to the tiger salamander.
They were initially discovered in many lakes, such as Lake Xochimilco under Mexico City. Axolotls are different from other amphibians because they do not undergo metamorphosis to become adults. Instead, they still live underwater and retain their gills.
By 2010, wild Mexican axolotls were nearly extinct due to the urban development of Mexico City and the impact of water pollution and the introduction of tilapia and perch species.
Currently, they are considered an endangered species by CITES and by IUCN as critically endangered in the wild with their numbers decreasing.
Axolotls are widely used in scientific research thanks to their ability to regenerate limbs. In addition, they were also sold as food in Mexican markets and were an important source of nutrition in the diet of the Aztecs.
Axolotl is also known as the Mexican salamander
