As its name suggests, this fish has a big mouth ideal for capturing prey. These ambush predators lurk within dense plant cover, waiting for small fish, invertebrates and insects to wander close enough to swallow.

This fish’s large mouth plays another crucial role—it’s where the mouth almighty incubates its eggs! When breeding, the male collects the eggs in its mouth, incubating them for about two weeks. Once the eggs hatch, the young will stay safely sheltered in the male’s mouth for another week or so. This dedicated dad doesn’t eat for the entire time it’s carrying its offspring.

Mouth almighty are part of the cardinalfish family, many of which are also mouthbrooders. They are typically found in the lakes, rivers, creeks and lagoons of northern Australia.

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