The fangblenny lives on coral reefs throughout the Indo-Pacific, including Australia, Japan and the Red Sea. Australian marine biologists have observed it change its colour through several variations to mimic the different species of cleaner fish it hides among.

“Many fish can alter their colouration, but the fangblenny is the first example of a vertebrate that can change their colour at will to mimic a variety of different species,” said Dr Karen Cheney, from the University of Queensland’s School of Integrative Biology.

“The only other example is the mimic octopus that can alter its colouration and shape to resemble lionfish, flatfish and sea snakes.”