I don’t envy the pearlfish – at all.
While many types of fish are blessed with some sort of ability to defend themselves against predators, the pearlfish must rely on the kindness (or complete surprise and shock) of a sea cucumber in order to protect themselves. It’s a hard concept to grasp. These fish actually willingly and without hesitation, burrow their way into the backend of a sea cucumber – which already looks less than desirable – and they do it in a way that looks like there is nothing else they’d rather be doing.
To give you an idea (as if anyone needed it) here’s an unexpected gif that BBC Earth tweeted out showing the awful scenario, while also creating the best hashtag the world may no be ready for – #FishThatLiveUpBums
For a pearlfish, the best place to hide is often up a sea cucumber’s anus #NaturalWorld #FishThatLiveUpBums pic.twitter.com/73KxPggbMv
— BBC Earth (@BBCEarth) May 19, 2016
If you’re not sure what to make of that, you aren’t alone. Twitter reactions ranged from complete horror, to shock, some were intrigued and others were impressed at the choice of hashtag.
