Around coral reefs and other areas of the oceans where sunlight penetrates, many fish would be easy targets for larger fish, mammals and birds unless protected in some way. And so God has given them camouflage for protection.
An example of this is the ten-inch, bright-red sea dragon, living in the red seaweed along Australian shores. It looks quite similar to the sea horse. The sea dragon is a poor swimmer and would be devoured quickly by larger fish except that the Creator has given it an interesting disguise. Not only is it helped by its red color, but also it has been given weed-like growths all over its oddly shaped body, including its head, chin, back and stomach. This makes it look like a sea plant with new leaves sprouting on it.
In South America and the Philippines there are also several small fish that both look and act like leaves of the mangrove tree that grows there. One fish, almost as thin as a leaf, swims on its side near the surface and moves about as slowly as a drifting leaf while it finds morsels of food here and there.
The Nile catfish is the only known fish that swims upside down, just the opposite of other fish. Their backs are light-colored and bodies are dark—thus they are safely camouflaged.
Flounders, that are common around North American and European shores, can change color to match the bottom of the bay as they slowly swim along the bottom. The same is true of several fish which live around Bermuda. They can change color almost instantly when swimming over different colored parts of the ocean floor.
Sponge crabs look ordinary enough but cover themselves with a sea sponge, which they cut with their claws to make a coat over their backs. As the crab grows, the sponge does the same. Or if the sponge dies, the crab just gets rid of it and cuts another one to fit.
Another variety, the decorator crab, will often cover itself with bits of coral or limestone or certain sea plants. To other sea creatures it just looks like seaweed drifting by.
None of these amazing creatures arranged for its unusual camouflage, nor did it happen gradually over a long time. The Bible, which always tells the truth, says, “God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life” (Genesis 1:2020And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. (Genesis 1:20)). Another verse, speaking of God, says, “He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength.... [He does] great things past finding out” (Job 9:4-104He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered? 5Which removeth the mountains, and they know not: which overturneth them in his anger. 6Which shaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble. 7Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars. 8Which alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea. 9Which maketh Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south. 10Which doeth great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number. (Job 9:4‑10)).
It is good to read the Bible every day, and when you do, ask the Lord Jesus to make it all plain and helpful to you. He will be pleased to have you do this.
ML-02/04/2018