Histiophryne psychedelica(鱼的名字) is also unique because of the way it hops along the bottom of the sea floor. Using its lower fins, the psychedelic fish expels water from tiny gill(鳃) openings to jet itself forward.
Their awkward motion might be attributed to a tail that's curled to one side, limiting their ability tosteer themselves. Even when stationary, the fish seems to use its lower fins like feet to position itself.
Dive operators in the waters of Ambon Island in Indonesia noticed the colorful fish in early 2008 and scientists at the University of Washington conducted DNA research to confirm it was a new species and part of the order of Anglerfish(琵琶鱼).
Psychedelica has a gelatinous(胶粘的) body covered with thick folds of skin that protect it from sharp-edged corals. It has a neck for pushing its way into coral crevices(裂缝) for hiding. It has forward-looking eyes like human's and is about the size of a human fist. The fish is shy and secretive, usually seeking a new hiding place within 10 to 15 minutes of discovery by divers. That probably accounts for why the species has remained hidden until now.
Researchers say while other frogfish and similar species are known to jettison(抛投) themselves before they take off swimming, none of these species have been seen hopping like the psychedelic fish.
