NUTRITION AND FEEDING MECHANISMS 



243 



Fishes which stalk their prey are often provided with peculiar mouth 

 parts. In tube-mouthed fishes the snout is prolonged in the form of a 

 tube with a small mouth at the end. Pipe-fishes (Syngnathidae), for ex- 

 ample, feed largely on small Crustacea, which they actively seek in crevices, 



Fig. 5.28. Chauliodus {above) at Rest; {below) Swallowing a Fish. 



(From Tchernavin (99).) 



among vegetation, etc. The tube-like beak is used after the manner of a 

 syringe, small crustaceans being sucked in by inflating the cheeks. The 

 John Dory Zeus is provided with a protractile mouth and stalks small fish. 

 Gradually approaching its victim, it shoots its jaws forward with great 

 rapidity and engulfs the prey. 



