Cockatoo Waspfish
Ablabys taenianotus
Sighting evidence at Zero Fighter Wreck, Tufi
Cockatoo waspfish rest on the Zero's wings and fuselage, rocking from side to side in a leaf-mimicking behavior that makes them nearly invisible among debris and sediment. They are venomous ambush predators, striking small shrimp and fish that mistake them for harmless detritus, and their unusual rocking display appears to function both as camouflage enhancement and as a behavioral strategy to confuse prey about whether the object they see is animate or inanimate.
Evidence at this site
No confirmed records on file at this site
Cockatoo Waspfish is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.