This Hot-Tempered Sea Fish Has a Wider Mouth Than Body (Pics & Video)

The sarcastic fringehead (Neoclinus blanchardi) has a rather curious name, with an attitude to match. This creepy little fish can scare off animals much larger than itself with one show of its distended mouth, which is wider than its head, or even its whole body, for that matter.

Indeed, these fish are known for being big fighters. When two fringeheads battle for territory, they press their swollen mouths together, giving the impression that they are kissing – but in fact, they are actually determining who the larger fish is. The larger fish – or, more precisely, the fish with the larger jaw – wins dominance, meaning it bags the best den and a chance to mate. Then, the female lays thousands of eggs in the prized location and the male fertilizes them. He then defends his offspring with yet more oral aggro.