0:00:02 > 0:00:04Australia home of the possum, cool surfers, strange lingo.
0:00:04 > 0:00:05Fair dinkum.
0:00:05 > 0:00:08Lots of sunshine and the bonza Barrier Reef.
0:00:08 > 0:00:11It's the biggest most spectacular coral reef in the world.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14And what's more every creature is linked to another.
0:00:14 > 0:00:18Just imagine one huge family tree dating back 18 million years.
0:00:18 > 0:00:22From the miniscule to the mammoth, to the miraculous, they're all
0:00:22 > 0:00:24connected in Barney's Barrier Reef.
0:00:45 > 0:00:47BRAHMS LULLABY
0:00:51 > 0:00:52SNORING
0:00:52 > 0:00:56Get off me, it was the Gobi that did it.
0:00:56 > 0:00:57Shark!
0:00:57 > 0:01:00Eh, wake up.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03- What?- We're on the night shift.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06No, no we're not because the fishes are sleeping too.
0:01:06 > 0:01:10No way most of the Barrier Reef doesn't even get to go sleep
0:01:10 > 0:01:12and tonight neither do you.
0:01:12 > 0:01:14Besides, so many exciting things happen
0:01:14 > 0:01:15at night we don't want to miss anything.
0:01:15 > 0:01:17OK, but it better be good.
0:01:17 > 0:01:21Oh, it will be the reef at night is like a whole different universe,
0:01:21 > 0:01:25shy fish becoming all bolshie, nocturnal predators coming out play.
0:01:25 > 0:01:27Go on I'm listening.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30Grab your teddy then, Barney, today we're on the night shift
0:01:30 > 0:01:32in Barney's Barrier Reef.
0:01:32 > 0:01:37Teddy bear, me, as if.
0:01:43 > 0:01:47It's early evening on the reef, for some fish it's time to chill,
0:01:47 > 0:01:51for others it's time to eat before they start their shift
0:01:51 > 0:01:53and for some its time for romance.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56Meet the surgeon fish, they're feeling romantic.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59Oo la la.
0:01:59 > 0:02:01They don't sound very lovey-dovey,
0:02:01 > 0:02:04I mean surgeon fish, they sound a bit clinical.
0:02:04 > 0:02:06They're named surgeonfish because they have razor blades
0:02:06 > 0:02:08near their tails, used to defend
0:02:08 > 0:02:11themselves against attackers a bit like a surgical scalpel.
0:02:11 > 0:02:13Ah, OK, go on then back to the romance.
0:02:13 > 0:02:15I knew you'd want to hear.
0:02:15 > 0:02:17So, as the sun is setting the surgeonfish
0:02:17 > 0:02:19gather together to woo each other.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22How sweet, I guess there's nothing like a sunset
0:02:22 > 0:02:25to inspire a bit of loving. And they do look like they're showing off.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28Well, what they are doing is actually rushing
0:02:28 > 0:02:29to the surface to lay their eggs.
0:02:29 > 0:02:33- But why the big rush?- They choose this time because the tide is going
0:02:33 > 0:02:35out and as they lay their eggs the tide will sweep them away from
0:02:35 > 0:02:39hungry predators meaning their babies have more chance of survival.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42Ah, they think of everything these ocean lot, don't they?
0:02:42 > 0:02:45Practical yet romantic. Who's next on the night shift?
0:02:46 > 0:02:49Spooky, is this the same reef?
0:02:49 > 0:02:54It looks like the moon. It might seem weird but there's a good reason.
0:02:54 > 0:02:58During the day the day sunlight gives the reef its beautiful
0:02:58 > 0:03:00colours but at night
0:03:00 > 0:03:04the coral and animals look completely different and act differently too.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07Wow, what are all those balls, it's like an ocean snow storm.
0:03:07 > 0:03:09Well, it's basically the coral laying eggs
0:03:09 > 0:03:12into the water for the eggs to be fertilised by other corals.
0:03:12 > 0:03:14It's quite spooky really. Loads of the corals
0:03:14 > 0:03:18- around the reef all spawn together. - How do they know when it's
0:03:18 > 0:03:20the right time, they don't have watches?
0:03:20 > 0:03:22I know, well, it's a bit of an ocean mystery
0:03:22 > 0:03:25but the moon, the sun and the tides are all kind of linked together
0:03:25 > 0:03:28and the corals somehow let each other know that it's spawning time.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31It's spawning time, it's spawning time, it's spawning time.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34Wow, now that is some cool coral action.
0:03:34 > 0:03:36The loved up surgeonfish and the spawning
0:03:36 > 0:03:39corals are both night-time romantics.
0:03:39 > 0:03:41Both get together and mate in the evening so
0:03:41 > 0:03:43the eggs have more chance of survival.
0:03:46 > 0:03:51- And to the left and to the right. - Is that crab doing aerobics?
0:03:51 > 0:03:53He does like he's having a good old work out,
0:03:53 > 0:03:56or maybe he's mixing on the ocean decks.
0:03:56 > 0:04:00- No, actually he's just stuffing his face.- What's he eating?
0:04:00 > 0:04:01Well, the coral aren't
0:04:01 > 0:04:05the only clever night-time creature, MC crabster here is well aware that
0:04:05 > 0:04:08there is some tasty coral spawn to feed on. So, he's positioned himself
0:04:08 > 0:04:11- at the top of the reef to catch it as it comes up.- Crafty crab.
0:04:11 > 0:04:15He has these funny filtering glove hands that enable him to scoop up
0:04:15 > 0:04:18tasty morsels which he then puts straight in his mouth.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21- It's like he's licking his fingers. - A little bit.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24Luckily there is plenty of tasty coral spawn to go around
0:04:24 > 0:04:27but for the night-time crab feeders it's a fabulous feast.
0:04:27 > 0:04:31So, the coral spawning snow storm connects us to crafty crab stuff.
0:04:31 > 0:04:32The coral release the eggs
0:04:32 > 0:04:36and the crab lays in wait to snaffle some of them up for his dinner.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39Who else is linked to our coral?
0:04:39 > 0:04:41After a hard day of swimming,
0:04:41 > 0:04:45feeding and remembering to come up for air a turtle's work is done.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48- Hello.- He does look a bit tired, doesn't he?
0:04:48 > 0:04:50I'm off to bed, my work is done.
0:04:50 > 0:04:52Well, it is for the male turtles.
0:04:52 > 0:04:53Oh, here we go.
0:04:53 > 0:04:55All turtles work pretty hard during
0:04:55 > 0:04:58the day but now its time for the female turtles to
0:04:58 > 0:05:01start their night shift and boy have they got a long night ahead of them.
0:05:01 > 0:05:03The females do a double shift.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06When night falls they come on to land to nest.
0:05:06 > 0:05:08For the first two hours while the men
0:05:08 > 0:05:12are snoozing the women are digging nests for their eggs.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14OK, is this what you call random sand flinging?
0:05:14 > 0:05:17Well, she is working on her own, what do you expect.
0:05:17 > 0:05:19I was only asking but I see your point.
0:05:19 > 0:05:21- She's nearly done now, isn't she? - No!
0:05:21 > 0:05:24Now she lays the eggs into this chamber she's made at the bottom
0:05:24 > 0:05:27of this sand pit, all 120 of them.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30I must admit I have a whole new respect for the female turtle.
0:05:30 > 0:05:31So you should
0:05:31 > 0:05:35after all that hard work she covers her eggs with sand to keep them warm.
0:05:35 > 0:05:41There are loads of turtles nesting on this beach, up to 20,000.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43That's 20,000 turtles in an island
0:05:43 > 0:05:45the size of about 32 football pitches.
0:05:45 > 0:05:50About 625 turtles per football pitch, all trying to find to space
0:05:50 > 0:05:53for their babies, its hard work.
0:05:53 > 0:05:54OK, I admit she does all the hard work
0:05:54 > 0:05:56and the bloke turtle does very little.
0:05:56 > 0:06:00But why doesn't she do it during the day, wouldn't that be easier?
0:06:00 > 0:06:03Well, night-time is much safer for her and for her babies.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06She can lurk in the shadows and lay her eggs nice and peacefully.
0:06:06 > 0:06:08What can I say respect to the female turtles
0:06:08 > 0:06:10for their very busy night shift.
0:06:10 > 0:06:12Ah!
0:06:12 > 0:06:14Like the coral the female turtles
0:06:14 > 0:06:16choose night to lay their eggs to make sure
0:06:16 > 0:06:18they are as safe as possible from predators.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21So, the connection between the corals and turtles
0:06:21 > 0:06:23is nocturnal egg laying.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29- Have you ever really watched a fish? - What, of course.
0:06:29 > 0:06:33No, I mean really watched them, they are always on the go.
0:06:33 > 0:06:34Yeah!
0:06:34 > 0:06:38So, when night falls its snooze time.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41But they can't be asleep their eyes are open.
0:06:41 > 0:06:45Ssh. Gem, they're asleep, fish don't have eyelids.
0:06:45 > 0:06:46They look awake when they're asleep.
0:06:46 > 0:06:50Surely it's a bit of a dangerous time for them to relax, though, isn't this
0:06:50 > 0:06:52when the big boys come out to play?
0:06:52 > 0:06:55No problemo they just put their pyjamas on.
0:06:57 > 0:06:58Yeah, and I suppose
0:06:58 > 0:07:00they read a bedtime story as well.
0:07:00 > 0:07:02Once upon a time.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05Yeah right, but they do change outfits when they
0:07:05 > 0:07:07sleep, like this little fella here.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10During the day the fusilier fish is silvery blue but at night he
0:07:10 > 0:07:13changes his colour. It's a bit like putting on a pair of red jim-jams.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16That's the same fish are you sure?
0:07:16 > 0:07:20Yep, at night-time red is the most difficult colour to see under water,
0:07:20 > 0:07:22so it helps them hide from predators.
0:07:22 > 0:07:24So not to be seen they put on a different outfit?
0:07:24 > 0:07:26Yeah, loads of fish do it.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29This fellow is striped yellow, black and white during the day
0:07:29 > 0:07:31but at night he turns his colour ratio right down.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35What about this blue fish
0:07:35 > 0:07:39he stands out a mile, he's deffo gonna be shark feed.
0:07:39 > 0:07:40No, he's pretty safe he's chosen
0:07:40 > 0:07:43a coral bedroom to settle down for the night.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45I think that shrimps got the best idea, no-one's going
0:07:45 > 0:07:47to argue with that toothy trigger fish.
0:07:47 > 0:07:49Oi, keep the noise down!
0:07:49 > 0:07:53So, like the turtles, sleeping fish use the cover of darkness
0:07:53 > 0:07:56to hide away from predators.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59Aha, the parrotfish, its an ordinary looking fish
0:07:59 > 0:08:02with a mouth of steel and a sand blasted bottom.
0:08:02 > 0:08:03Trust you to remember they pooh sand.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06The parrotfish spend the day travelling around in schools,
0:08:06 > 0:08:12bustling around, chomping algae off rocks so by night-time
0:08:12 > 0:08:14- they're pooped.- I'm not surprised
0:08:14 > 0:08:17rock chomping and what goes with it, it must get tiring.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20Once night falls they say goodnight to their buddies and search
0:08:20 > 0:08:23- for somewhere to sleep.- So, where do they go, under rocks and stuff?
0:08:23 > 0:08:25Yes, mainly coral.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28Once they've found a little hole to snuggle into,
0:08:28 > 0:08:32they make their very own sleeping bag and kind of camp out for the night.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35- That is a cool trick, how? - Well, it's another
0:08:35 > 0:08:37fascinating use of mucus.
0:08:37 > 0:08:41- What!- You mean bogies, don't you? A choo!
0:08:41 > 0:08:43In a word yes. They release lots of mucus
0:08:43 > 0:08:45and wrap it around themselves before they sleep.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48They make their own snot sleeping bag?
0:08:48 > 0:08:51I'm not sure whether to be impressed or disgusted.
0:08:51 > 0:08:55Well, it protects them from predators that hunt by smell, like sharks.
0:08:55 > 0:08:58So, it's kind of a mixture of a sleeping bag and armour.
0:08:58 > 0:09:01- And its snot, I mean not...- Oh, dear.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04Ha-ha-ha-ha!
0:09:04 > 0:09:06..a quick process either. It takes half an hour
0:09:06 > 0:09:09to make the cocoon and almost as long to get out.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11And, they eat their way out.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14Hang on, they eat their own snot? That's gross.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18So, some fish change colour when they go to bed but the parrotfish
0:09:18 > 0:09:21creates a mucus bubble shield to protect themselves from predators.
0:09:25 > 0:09:26ALARM
0:09:26 > 0:09:28Oh, look its 11pm already.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31- I know.- It's been an interesting night so far, hasn't it?
0:09:31 > 0:09:35We started with the surgeonfish and ended up with the dozing parrotfish.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38- How did we get here? - Well, our surgeonfish have spawned,
0:09:38 > 0:09:41as have the spooky coral with their ocean snow storm.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44And the crafty crabs are feeding on any coral spawn they can grab.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47Whilst our hard grafters, the female turtles are halfway through their
0:09:47 > 0:09:50- night shift. I don't envy them. - I bet you'd want to be a sleeping
0:09:50 > 0:09:53fish, they're getting in their ZZZs ready for action tomorrow.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56Just like the parrotfish in his snotty sleeping bag.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59So, who's our next sleepless sea creature?
0:10:04 > 0:10:07This flamboyant fishy is called the lionfish.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11Now, I understand why some fish need a snot sleeping bag.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14This lionfish is a swooper and a gulper.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17I know, look how quick he is, sneaking up to a sleeping fish
0:10:17 > 0:10:19and hunting from above.
0:10:20 > 0:10:24Moonfish come on you've got to move, you must see this one coming.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28Mmm, tasty.
0:10:28 > 0:10:33And for my next trick I'm swimming upside down. Yeah.
0:10:33 > 0:10:35And for a fish with such a flashy
0:10:35 > 0:10:37head dress he can move pretty quickly.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40Well, actually his red head dress helps hide him.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42Like the sleeping fish in their red pyjamas.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44You see red is the best underwater camouflage.
0:10:44 > 0:10:49This is one night-time hunter who knows exactly what he is doing.
0:10:49 > 0:10:51So, while the parrotfish hides from all predators,
0:10:51 > 0:10:54the lairy lionfish is hiding to gobble up predators.
0:10:54 > 0:10:58So, they're connected because they both have clever ways of becoming
0:10:58 > 0:11:00practically invisible at night.
0:11:00 > 0:11:06Well, hello grumpy face, you look like you need a coffee.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08You try staying up all night.
0:11:08 > 0:11:09YAWNS
0:11:09 > 0:11:12These are soldier fish.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16These guys are strictly nocturnal.
0:11:16 > 0:11:18They love staying up all night to eat.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21They don't look like they love anything. Cheer up, dude.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24They do look like they haven't slept in weeks.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27- Their eyes are massive.- Well, their eyes are so huge so they can filter
0:11:27 > 0:11:30in as much moonlight as possible to help them catch their food.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33- Microscopic Zooplankton.- You took the words out of my mouth.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36I can see it on the tele. I just wish they'd smile more.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39Well, they have been up all night and do this night shift all the time.
0:11:39 > 0:11:41In fact their ancestors have been
0:11:41 > 0:11:45around for 50 million years. So, they've been grumpy for a long time.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48So, how come these guys don't eaten
0:11:48 > 0:11:50by the hungry lionfish or other predators?
0:11:50 > 0:11:53Well, it's that old red coat trick again.
0:11:53 > 0:11:57They would be seen during the day but at night they are camouflaged
0:11:57 > 0:11:59and can nibble to their hearts content.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01Isn't it funny how on land
0:12:01 > 0:12:04the colour red can mean danger but here it keeps fish safe.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07Or helps camouflage them in the lionfish's case.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10Another ocean wonder, the soldier fish are connected to our other
0:12:10 > 0:12:14night-time nosher, the lionfish, because they both dress in red.
0:12:15 > 0:12:17- Hey!- Oh, no. - CAR BEEPS
0:12:19 > 0:12:21We are still here in the ocean depths
0:12:21 > 0:12:23and these are flashlight fish,
0:12:23 > 0:12:25so called because they flash their lights
0:12:25 > 0:12:26at each other to communicate.
0:12:26 > 0:12:27A bit like this.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30This means can I have a cup of tea.
0:12:30 > 0:12:34And this means, let's get on with the story.
0:12:34 > 0:12:38What you can see glowing is a bioluminescent pouch underneath
0:12:38 > 0:12:41each eye. The fish use their glow to find food and speak with each other.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44But what's in the pouch that glows like that? I want me some of that.
0:12:44 > 0:12:50Well, its kind of a special glowing bacteria.
0:12:50 > 0:12:54On second thoughts maybe not. Can they turn it off?
0:12:54 > 0:12:56Otherwise they might as say here I am come and eat me.
0:12:56 > 0:13:00They have a lid which comes up from the bottom to cover their glowing
0:13:00 > 0:13:03pouch, otherwise predators would gobble them up easily.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06- It's clever, isn't it?- Ah so they see by flashing each other,
0:13:06 > 0:13:08it's a bit like having the wrong car headlights.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11Like the soldierfish our flashing fish
0:13:11 > 0:13:13have special ways of checking each other out at night.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15The soldierfish with their enormous eyes
0:13:15 > 0:13:18and the flashlight fish with their own built in headlamps.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21So, the connection must be that they have special tricks to let
0:13:21 > 0:13:23them see in the dark.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30These fish have some stamina, don't they? Will you do me a favour
0:13:30 > 0:13:33can you pass me them matchsticks to keep my eyes open.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36Who's our next insomniac fish?
0:13:36 > 0:13:38Talking of spooky glow in the dark
0:13:38 > 0:13:41things, wait till you see this fluorescent wonder.
0:13:41 > 0:13:45- What coral, have you been asleep? - No,I've been finding
0:13:45 > 0:13:47extra cool night-time wonders including this one.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50- Mmm.- Allow me to explain.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52We know that corals are naturally pretty and colourful
0:13:52 > 0:13:55and make the reef look very appealing.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58- Right, this had better be good. - Well, at night corals look very
0:13:58 > 0:14:03different, especially when its spawning time, much more moon like.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06OK, OK but they still look like corals.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08- Look at this.- Whoo, they're
0:14:08 > 0:14:10purple and very bright.
0:14:10 > 0:14:15- What have you done?- I have used a very special ultraviolet light.
0:14:15 > 0:14:17Wow, that is spooky.
0:14:17 > 0:14:19Ooh, ooh Dr. Barnacles tell me more.
0:14:20 > 0:14:22OK, here's the science bit.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24Well, it's an ocean mystery why it happens
0:14:24 > 0:14:26but there are several theories.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28One is that it helps poorly coral recover
0:14:28 > 0:14:30by protecting it from damaging UV light.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33You see, corals know how to look after themselves.
0:14:33 > 0:14:37They can produce sun screen to protect them from sunlight.
0:14:37 > 0:14:41So maybe being fluorescent as well is like putting on an extra shirt
0:14:41 > 0:14:43to protect themselves even more.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46Thank you Barney, oh, I mean Dr. Barnacles.
0:14:46 > 0:14:47So, if you put a special light on
0:14:47 > 0:14:51these corals they shine a bit like the flashlight fish.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54So, the connection is that they glow in the dark, how cool is that?
0:14:54 > 0:14:57Who else connects with our funny flashlight fish?
0:14:58 > 0:15:01Put these on and you will have something in common
0:15:01 > 0:15:03- with our next sleepless wonder. - What?
0:15:03 > 0:15:05Meet the slipper lobster.
0:15:05 > 0:15:09Indeed, what a lovely day for a stroll in the park.
0:15:09 > 0:15:13- Ah, very clever Gem. - Except he's not a lobster.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16Oh, here we go! Another mad reef moment.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19He's actually a clawless crustacean
0:15:19 > 0:15:21who is more related to a spiny crayfish.
0:15:21 > 0:15:25He looks more like a space age Star Wars lobster, or maybe a hovercraft
0:15:25 > 0:15:27or a giant wood louse.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30- Or he's driving his own special tank. - What's he doing?
0:15:30 > 0:15:33Has he just staying up all night to wander across the ocean?
0:15:33 > 0:15:36Yeah. He's a creature of the night and feels more confident
0:15:36 > 0:15:38having his stroll in the evening.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40He'll nibble until its time to hide away.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43night-time is a popular time for crustaceans
0:15:43 > 0:15:45because it's easier to surprise their prey
0:15:45 > 0:15:47in hidden crevices or beneath the sand.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50I like the strolling slipper lobster.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53How on earth is he connected to the flashing flashlight fish?
0:15:53 > 0:15:56Well, both the flashlight fish and slipper lobster
0:15:56 > 0:15:57come out at night to feed.
0:15:57 > 0:16:01There are all kinds of weird critters out at night.
0:16:01 > 0:16:02OK, who is our next insomniac?
0:16:02 > 0:16:06Have you noticed how the reef feels calm and peaceful during the day
0:16:06 > 0:16:09with fish happily going about their daily business?
0:16:09 > 0:16:12- Yes.- Well, that's because the sharks are asleep
0:16:12 > 0:16:17and that's why, at night, everyone hides.
0:16:17 > 0:16:18FISH: Oh, no!
0:16:18 > 0:16:21So, what are we doing up?
0:16:21 > 0:16:22TURTLE: Goodbye.
0:16:22 > 0:16:23Why are you shouting?
0:16:23 > 0:16:26I'm not sure. Sharks always make me nervous.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29Now, this is why we're supposed to be asleep at night, Gem!
0:16:29 > 0:16:33Barney, its OK. Look, we're on dry land.
0:16:35 > 0:16:39During the day, white tip sharks are pretty lazy.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42I bet he's dreaming about hunting all those little fish
0:16:42 > 0:16:43he's going to eat.
0:16:43 > 0:16:44Oh, Barney get on with it.
0:16:44 > 0:16:49Once night falls, the white tips wake and all those happy fish
0:16:49 > 0:16:51have to hide or be eaten.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55He can't get into that hole there, can he, or can he?
0:16:55 > 0:16:57SHARK: Hello, I can hear you.
0:16:57 > 0:17:01Oh, yes, the fish can hide all they want but white tips
0:17:01 > 0:17:05have a hidden talent which allows them to get into smaller crevices.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08They have indestructible skin and bendy fins that mean
0:17:08 > 0:17:11they can squeeze into ridiculously small spaces.
0:17:11 > 0:17:15Oh, Mr blue fish, you didn't hide well enough!
0:17:15 > 0:17:16CHOMP!
0:17:16 > 0:17:20Even if their prey hides deep in the reef they're still in danger.
0:17:20 > 0:17:24Absolutely, and sharks have a super sense of smell.
0:17:24 > 0:17:28If you combine that sense of smell with their extra electro sensors
0:17:28 > 0:17:31that allow them to detect a sleeping fish's heartbeat
0:17:31 > 0:17:35from kilometres, you've no chance if you're on this shark's menu.
0:17:35 > 0:17:36SHARK: Mmm.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39Sharks can't swim onto the beach, Barney!
0:17:39 > 0:17:42But we can safely say they are the ultimate nocturnal hunter
0:17:42 > 0:17:43with a raging appetite.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45And just like our slipper lobster
0:17:45 > 0:17:49and his mates, they come out feast once night-time falls.
0:17:51 > 0:17:53It's time for a reef cap.
0:18:08 > 0:18:10Barney, what are you doing?
0:18:10 > 0:18:11Ah, can you see me?
0:18:11 > 0:18:15Yeah, the red disguise only works underwater, duh!
0:18:15 > 0:18:18It works for the lionfish, I thought it was worth a try.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22He doesn't look like a lion but behaves like one.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25Talking of red, the soldier fish look like they haven't slept
0:18:25 > 0:18:28in weeks but they have ways of seeing in the dark,
0:18:28 > 0:18:30just like flashlight fish.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33Complete with car-headlight luminescent pouches,
0:18:33 > 0:18:34they can turn on or off.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37For the ultra spooky, what about that fluorescent coral
0:18:37 > 0:18:39you showed me, that was cool.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41It glows bright purple under UV light.
0:18:41 > 0:18:43Or the lobster, that's not a lobster,
0:18:43 > 0:18:45named after night-time footwear.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48That's mad! The slipper lobster comes out at night to nosh along
0:18:48 > 0:18:52with the ultimate insomniacs, the white tip reef sharks.
0:18:52 > 0:18:55So, who else works hard in the hours of darkness?
0:19:03 > 0:19:07Wow, this shell-type geyser looks almost energetic.
0:19:07 > 0:19:12It's the giant Triton snail, named after the Greek God Triton.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15WITH DEEP VOICE: The giant Triton,
0:19:15 > 0:19:17sounds much scarier than he is though.
0:19:17 > 0:19:19He's having a bit of a stretch before dinner.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22Dinner? What's he gonna eat? Worms and stuff?
0:19:22 > 0:19:26No way. He has a lot more, shall we say, toxic taste buds?
0:19:26 > 0:19:30- What are you talking about? - Well, let's just say he's starving,
0:19:30 > 0:19:33really starving.
0:19:34 > 0:19:35SNAIL: Uh-huh.
0:19:35 > 0:19:41- No way. Come on, snails don't eat sea stars, do they?- Hello.
0:19:41 > 0:19:46- Hi.- Oh, yes, they eat all sorts of sea stars and sea cucumbers too.
0:19:46 > 0:19:50By day, an ordinary snail but at night...
0:19:50 > 0:19:51HOWL!
0:19:51 > 0:19:53..he's the deadly Triton.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56Once he's caught the sea star he pushes his proboscis
0:19:56 > 0:19:58- it's a bit like a trunk -
0:19:58 > 0:20:00into the body, feeding on the soft parts first.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02Is he really going to eat all of it?
0:20:02 > 0:20:04Looks like it, doesn't it?
0:20:04 > 0:20:07Although because the sea stars legs can grow back,
0:20:07 > 0:20:11it could escape, leaving a leg or two behind for the Triton to munch on.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14I can think of better midnight snacks, like chocolate.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17It's certainly not for the faint-hearted, this meal.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20Loads of legs, big spiky and toxic.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22I'll bet that will fill him up for a while.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25Yeah. They only eat once a week, luckily for the sea stars.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28I thought only sharks were night-time hunters.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30It seems that they're all at it.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32Yep, the white tip and Triton are linked
0:20:32 > 0:20:34because they are night-time predators.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38Ah! A lovely little sea shell
0:20:38 > 0:20:41having a nice night-time stroll along the ocean bed.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44Oh, yes, look at him! He's making friends with the fish.
0:20:44 > 0:20:46- I know. - FISH: Hello.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49But he's getting a bit close to Mr Fish...
0:20:49 > 0:20:52FISH: He's behind you.
0:20:52 > 0:20:54No! He's eating it whole.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57That fish is a gonner. You fall for it every time, Gem.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00He may look sweet and innocent but he's not.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03He's one of the most venomous creatures in the ocean
0:21:03 > 0:21:04capable of killing people.
0:21:04 > 0:21:10No! He can't be tougher than the giant Triton. He's half the size.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13Oh, and he's much deadlier. And night-time for this geezer
0:21:13 > 0:21:16is pure party time. He can't see very well,
0:21:16 > 0:21:18so he has to smell his prey by running water
0:21:18 > 0:21:21through this one big nostril called a siphon
0:21:21 > 0:21:24and at night, when his victims are sleeping.
0:21:24 > 0:21:26He smells by inhaling water, cool.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28This one must have a great sense of smell -
0:21:28 > 0:21:30look he's on his second course.
0:21:30 > 0:21:31He's silent and deadly
0:21:31 > 0:21:34and creeps along the ocean floor on his one foot until...
0:21:34 > 0:21:37Well, until it's too late for little fishy here.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40But he's a snail. How can he move so fast?
0:21:40 > 0:21:43See his tongue? Well, on the end is a tooth
0:21:43 > 0:21:47but not just any ordinary tooth. That is a barbed tooth.
0:21:47 > 0:21:49It stabs his prey like a poison dart.
0:21:49 > 0:21:51He lassoes, injects the venom which paralyses
0:21:51 > 0:21:53and then sucks his prey up.
0:21:53 > 0:21:57So, he swallows his prey whole. Gross!
0:21:57 > 0:22:00Rumour has it he can start digesting his food
0:22:00 > 0:22:01before his prey's dead!
0:22:01 > 0:22:05So he's chewing them and killing them at the same time.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07All this from a sea snail.
0:22:07 > 0:22:12Yeah, and what's more, sped up, he looks like a Dalek!
0:22:12 > 0:22:15Oh, there's something in that. He looks a lot more wicked.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18I just can't believe it. Another deadly snail.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21Yep, like the giant Triton, the cone shell
0:22:21 > 0:22:23is a one-footed deadly night-time hunter
0:22:23 > 0:22:26using his special sense of smell to sniff out prey.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32We may have encountered a breathing rock.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35That may or may not be an eye.
0:22:35 > 0:22:39And they may or may not be some teeth.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42- I think you were right the first time.- I think so were you.
0:22:42 > 0:22:47We're looking at a stonefish - a master of disguise, a true monster.
0:22:47 > 0:22:51- And really, really ugly.- Indeed.
0:22:51 > 0:22:57- Do you mind?- Is he going to sleep? It looks like he can't get comfy.
0:22:57 > 0:22:59And boy does he need to be comfortable
0:22:59 > 0:23:01because he may be there for a while.
0:23:01 > 0:23:03Sleep is the last thing on his mind.
0:23:03 > 0:23:05"Nice day for it, eh, Sid?
0:23:07 > 0:23:09"Sid? Where are you?"
0:23:09 > 0:23:12Meet one of the ocean's most convincing night tricksters.
0:23:12 > 0:23:14He has all the tools to disguise himself
0:23:14 > 0:23:16and stake out any passing prey.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20- Hey!- Thick skin covered in slimy algae to resemble a stone.
0:23:20 > 0:23:24Eyes that can constantly look all around him, his very own binoculars.
0:23:24 > 0:23:28Upturned mouth facing the surface, all the better to gulp you with.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31Add it all up and you get an easy meal for this geezer.
0:23:31 > 0:23:33They are a night-time bottom dweller.
0:23:33 > 0:23:36With an algae covered slimy skin, they can hide anywhere.
0:23:36 > 0:23:38They are terrible swimmers,
0:23:38 > 0:23:42but with a mouth action like this, he doesn't care.
0:23:42 > 0:23:47This night hunter's prey can be history in about 15 milliseconds.
0:23:47 > 0:23:52The stonefish doesn't rest at night because with a gut that size,
0:23:52 > 0:23:56he's always hungry but he's the ultimate master of disguise,
0:23:56 > 0:23:57blending into the background
0:23:57 > 0:24:00and lying in wait for poor innocent fish.
0:24:02 > 0:24:04Who else could be connected to the cone shell?
0:24:07 > 0:24:09Why are we looking at a plant, Gem?
0:24:09 > 0:24:13It's all very pretty but we've just had the gulping stonefish monster.
0:24:13 > 0:24:15A plant is not going to cut the cheese.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18- It's not a plant, it's an echinoderm. - Wow, that sounds nasty!
0:24:18 > 0:24:23No, you've seen loads of echinoderms but you just didn't know it.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26These guys are related to sea urchins, sea cucumbers,
0:24:26 > 0:24:28sea stars and brittle stars.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31Wow, they've got a lot of relatives. I bet birthdays are cool.
0:24:31 > 0:24:35But unlike the other echinoderms, you won't see these guys anywhere
0:24:35 > 0:24:38during the day, but at night, they're all action.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41So why are they doing that weird floaty dance thing?
0:24:41 > 0:24:43They look like they're dancing to a rock ballad.
0:24:43 > 0:24:45That's their arms.
0:24:45 > 0:24:49- Wow, that's a lot of arms.- They have arms within their arms, these guys.
0:24:49 > 0:24:51They all branch together like a snowflake.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54So, what do they do with all these arms?
0:24:54 > 0:24:56They hold them up in the current
0:24:56 > 0:24:59and catch mini micro food called plankton as it passes by.
0:24:59 > 0:25:03Their only tools are tiny hairs coated with mucus.
0:25:03 > 0:25:05Yummy!
0:25:05 > 0:25:09Mucus again! I wonder if we're missing a trick in the human world.
0:25:09 > 0:25:10Ah-choo!
0:25:10 > 0:25:12Eurgh...
0:25:14 > 0:25:16It's a bit like having a net with hundreds
0:25:16 > 0:25:19of little hands all reaching out for a bit of dinner.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22That's cool but if I had hundreds of arms,
0:25:22 > 0:25:25I could think of a lot more interesting things to do.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28Like the cone shell, our basket star only comes out at night
0:25:28 > 0:25:31because he knows it's the best time to grab all the grub.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34The basket star also links right back to our first night critter,
0:25:34 > 0:25:37the surgeon fish, because they both make the most
0:25:37 > 0:25:39out of night time currents,
0:25:39 > 0:25:41one for spawning and one for feeding.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46COCKEREL CROWS
0:25:46 > 0:25:49That wasn't a bad night shift, thanks to the great company.
0:25:49 > 0:25:51Aw! Thanks, Barney.
0:25:51 > 0:25:55I was talking about the fish.
0:25:55 > 0:25:57I'll put that down to lack of sleep.
0:26:02 > 0:26:07First up were our surgeon fish who meet up at dusk to get romantic.
0:26:07 > 0:26:09Like our magical coral snowstorm
0:26:09 > 0:26:11who spawn at night to escape predators.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14But there's always one freeloader and this time its Mr Crab,
0:26:14 > 0:26:17who stays up especially to nosh on any spare coral eggs.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20No-one does a harder night shift than the female turtles
0:26:20 > 0:26:23who lay eggs under the cover of darkness to make sure they're safe.
0:26:23 > 0:26:28They sure don't get a lot of sleep time unlike our sleeping fishes,
0:26:28 > 0:26:30once they put their pyjamas on, that is.
0:26:30 > 0:26:34The oddest night dwelling has surely got to be the snot sleeping bag,
0:26:34 > 0:26:38created, slept in and then eaten by the potty parrot fish.
0:26:38 > 0:26:40I don't blame him when there are flamboyant dudes
0:26:40 > 0:26:43like the lionfish around. Ludicrous outfit,
0:26:43 > 0:26:46but it helps disguise him so that he can sneak up from behind.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49The longest shift worker has to be the soldierfish.
0:26:49 > 0:26:53Big eyes, grumpy face and his red coat helps him hide away.
0:26:53 > 0:26:54Fish with headlights.
0:26:54 > 0:26:58The flashlight fish have found a much flashier way of keeping in touch,
0:26:58 > 0:27:01but they can't beat the magical fluorescent coral.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04It's an ocean mystery.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07He looks like a slipper, but the slipper lobster is not a lobster.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10He does hunt at night though, just like the bendy fearless white tips
0:27:10 > 0:27:13who can sniff out dinner from miles away.
0:27:13 > 0:27:15Like the giant triton,
0:27:15 > 0:27:19a snail that eats spiky poisonous ginormous sea stars,
0:27:19 > 0:27:21a bit different from your garden snail.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24Then there's the pretty but deadly cone shell.
0:27:24 > 0:27:26With its venomous toothy action, no fish is safe.
0:27:26 > 0:27:31And if the cone shells don't get you, then the stonefish will.
0:27:31 > 0:27:33Plug ugly but strikes out of nowhere
0:27:33 > 0:27:35and so thick-skinned, it just doesn't care.
0:27:35 > 0:27:37Then there's the floaty basket star,
0:27:37 > 0:27:41whose many arms allow it to sway and scoff at the same time.
0:27:41 > 0:27:43You really remind me of someone.
0:27:43 > 0:27:47I know who it is! It's the soldierfish.
0:28:00 > 0:28:03Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:28:03 > 0:28:06E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk