Suction hunters

Sticking out their jaws helps fish suck in prey

When sucking up small prey, many fishes look like they’re sticking their lips out. This kiss-of-death gesture — actually done by mobile upper- and lower-jaw bones — dramatically increases the fish’s suction power, researchers have now found, lowering the prey’s chances of escape.

JAWS Like thousands of other fish species, bluegills feed by sucking small prey in as they extend their upper and lower jaw forward.