The illusionary false eyes on one little fish
The waters of Wakatobi are home to a diminutive master of visual disinformation. Twin-spot signal gobies are often found sifting about for morsels among the reef’s sandier seabed. A passing glance might not reveal their presence, however, as the pair of distinctive spots they sport on each flank creates the illusion of large eyes, perhaps belonging to a foraging crustacean. Hence this fish’s other name: the crab-eyed goby. This optical illusion can confuse a would-be predator in pursuit of a fish dinner.
You can also find more on some of the other creatures that live among the seabed’s sand and rubble regions of the reef around Wakatobi here – Sand Dwellers of Wakatobi.
Informative and fun, thank you!