Fish, Seafood & Marine Animal Facts & Resources
What is a FISH?
The dictionary states: A cold-blooded, water dwelling animal that breathes through
gills, has a backbone and uses fins for propulsion.
For the first time, a large Pacific barreleye fish -
complete with transparent head - has been caught on film by
scientists using remotely operated vehicles at the Monterey
Bay Aquarium Research Institute. The deep-sea fish's tubular
eyes pivot under a clear dome
>>>
Click Here to watch the Video
Here are some more interesting facts about FISH:
Anatomy of a Fish
- Diagram of a fish showing anatomy.
Fish Terminology
See also our Australian Fish
and Seafood Section.
Photo of Bull Shark
Bull Shark caught in Sydney Harbour, Australia.
What is the largest & smallest fish?
The largest fish is the Whale Shark which grows to more than 15 metres in length and the
Smallest fish is a freshwater goby found in the Philippine Islands that is less than 1
centimetre fully grown.
Sinarapan - The World's
Smallest Commercial Fish Listed in
the Guinness Book of World Records as 'smallest food fish'
Can fish hear?
Fish have no outer ears but enclosed organs situated on either side of the head behind the
eyes that respond to sound waves in the water.
How fast do fish swim?
It is estimated that the fastest fish (tuna,
marlin,
swordfish, mackerel) swim in excess
of 50 kph, but the Sailfish and Wahoo can exceed 90 kph. The average fish would be
pushed to reach 20 kph.
Do Fish Sleep?
All animals need rest or sleep, although the way most fish sleep is very different from
our own. Fish have no eye lids, therefore it is difficult for us to tell whether
they are asleep or not. Some fish do sleep soundly, a range of Parrot Fish that are
found on the Great Barrier Reef can be picked up and handled by divers when asleep.
However, most other fish probably slow down, hovering or cruising in mid-water or on the
surface for short periods of time. This might explain why you can get close to a
finning billfish without spooking it, and why some fast species of fish such as tuna are
often found in the stomach contents of rather slow moving Tiger Sharks.
Dolphins sleep with one eye
open.
Can Fish see colour?
This is an often debated question. Some scientific studies have concluded that fish
in fact do see colour. Others that they only see black and white. Maybe they
see "colour" as shades of grey. However, it is known that different
colours of lures and fishing flies work better than other colours to attract fish.
The particular colour that is effective one day, may not necessarily be as effective on
another, the conditions of light etc., have an influence on what colour is productive.
Even more interesting fish and
seafood facts!
A jellyfish is 95% water and
have no heart, bones or brain and no real eyes. Nerve cells
help them move and react to food or danger.
Crabs have blue blood, Worms have
green blood, and Starfish have clear blood.
A blue whale's tongue weighs more than an elephant.
The fish that live more than 2,500 feet below the ocean's
surface don't have eyes
A group of sea jellies is
called a 'smack'
A person that studies fish is
called an ichthyologist.
There are around 28,000
different types of fish species.
The Climbing Perch can leave
its waterhole when it dried up and walk on land to another
waterhole.
A shark is the only fish that
can blink with both eyes
A pregnant goldfish is called
a twit.
It's against the law to catch
fish with your bare hands in Kansas.
Most lipstick contains fish
scales.
The giant squid has the
largest eyes in the world.
The oldest known goldfish
lived to 41 years of age. Its name was Fred.
The starfish is one of the
only animals who can turn it's stomach inside-out.
Male seahorses can become
pregnant. Male seahorses carry their eggs in a brood pouch
below the abdomen.
Dried
dolphin fish
(or Mahi Mahi) skin has been used in the past to make
trolling lure
skirts. It's very strong, and when it gets wet again - no
matter how old -
it softens up and has flash, action and smell.
Octopus appeared approx. 500 million years ago.
The colour of the
mussel meat varies slightly - the girls
are
pink and the boys are paler !!
Sydney Rock Oysters change sex during their lifetime.
They start out as males and later change to females
What is a group of:
A group of Fish (general) is called a school,
shoal, draft or nest.
A group of Bass is called a Shoal
A group of Herring is called an Army
A group of Sharks is called a Shiver
A group of Trout is called a Hover
A group of Jellyfish is called a Smack
A group of Clams and a group of Oysters is
called a Bed.
