Embark on a thrilling exploration of the most toothy denizens of the deep and the chilling river monsters best avoided! In this edition, discover a plethora of astonishing, incredible, and unusual facts about fish and river monsters that were previously unknown to you. From the world’s toothiest creatures and the unbelievable ancestors of piranhas to mythical monsters, dangerous catfish, eerie pikes, and fish even crocodiles fear, Smart Pizza accompanies you. In this intriguing, informative, and exciting feature, witness the most dangerous fish with 555 teeth and learn about the most dreadful river monsters worldwide.
A particular fish species, the Pacific Grouper, boasts an astounding 555 teeth arranged in two sets of jaws.
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A recent study reveals an astonishing rate of tooth loss in these fish, averaging about 20 teeth daily.
“Every surface in their mouth is covered with teeth,” notes author Karly Cohen, a doctoral student in biology at the University of Washington.
The Pacific Grouper (Ophiodon elongatus) is a predatory fish inhabiting the northern Pacific Ocean. Mature individuals can measure up to 50cm, with some reaching lengths of 1.5m.
Distinct from conventional dentition, these fish sport hundreds of sharp and microscopic teeth, covering their palate as well.
Behind the main jaw lies an auxiliary jaw, the pharyngeal jaw, employed by the fish similarly to how humans use molars.
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An animal’s teeth serve as a revealing indicator of its dietary habits. According to Cohen, the primary tooth is “the most abundant artifact in the fossil record across numerous species.”
While tooth loss is natural among fish, the challenge lies in determining the precise number of teeth these fish shed.
Cohen and Emily Carr, biology students at the University of South Florida, raised 20 Pacific Groupers at the University of Washington lab.
Due to the minute size of grouper teeth, determining their rate of loss proved challenging. To address this, they placed the grouper in a red tank to stain the fish’s teeth.
Subsequently, the fish was transferred to a blue tank for another round of staining.
Carr then examined the tooth boxes under a microscope, calculating the ratio of red to blue teeth to the total number of teeth present in the grouper’s mouth. More than 10,000 lost teeth from 20 fish were counted.
Conclusively, the study determined that this fish loses an average of about 20 teeth per day, with oropharyngeal teeth shedding much faster than those in other parts of the mouth.
