Fishy Friends: Dubious Duos Of The Deep

Most of us have heard a story or two about unlikely friends of the animal kingdom like the elephant befriending a dog or the Lioness who adopted an orphaned baby antelope. They're touching stories that show us that caring is not exclusively a human trait. Believe it or not, fish can display the same type of behavior, living with, getting along with and even becoming friends with other species, forging an unusual bond and becoming dubious duos of the deep.

Pilot Fish and Sharks

Looking like a schoolyard bully with a gang of toadies in tow, this shark enjoys the company of pilot fish for many reasons beneficial to both species. The shark could easily open its mouth and devour several pilot fish, but chooses not to, as the little guys help clean it, keep it free of parasites and mop up its mess after the more sloppy meals. For their faithful service, the pilot fish receive protection from predators and regular meals. The bond between these two can be so tight that if their host shark gets caught, pilot fish have been known to stay with the fishing boat for as long as six weeks.

The Watchmen Fish and Pistol Shrimp

Call them the misfits of the sea. Whatever they are, the watchman fish and pistol shrimp have found each other and have developed a relationship that works. Why misfits? The pistol shrimp has a snapping claw that packs a punch strong enough to knock out it prey, but it can't see well enough to catch anything on its own. And the watchman fish can see just fine, however it lacks the ability to make a permanent nest for itself, making it vulnerable to bigger fish. Together, though, they make up for each other's deficiencies. The shrimp digs a burrow big enough for the two of them, and the fish seeks out their food.

Clownfish and Sea Anemone

If you've seen "Finding Nemo" then you already know about this remarkable story of symbiosis. The sea anemone has tentacles that is uses to inject poison into its prey, not a good place for a fish. But somehow the clowfish has convinced the water polyp not to harm it, and in return the fish keeps the anemone clean by eating the dead tentacles and other stuff like the remains of a kill. The clownfish also attracts prey to the anemone with its bright colors while at the same time it chases away other fish that might want to eat its friend.

This Dog is not Coy with the Koi

This is not necessarily a duo of the deep, but fishy nonetheless. Chino and Falstaff are two of the most unlikely friends you will ever see. Chino, a nine-year old Golden Retriever (in 2001), has what his owners describe as a 'fish fetish.' Not that he ever wanted to do them any harm, quite the opposite. He is just enraptured with the aquatic creatures. And the Falstaff the fish, a black koi, apparently feels the same. Chino likes to lie down with his nose right next to the water, and when he does, Falstaff readily swims up to the dog, often puckishly nibbling on the canine's paws.

sources: dailymail.co.uk, blog.huddle.net,buzzle.com dogsinthenews.com photos: dailymail.co.uk, aboutfishonline.com, asknature.org, dogsinthenews.com

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