Using DNA in the Water to Tell How Many Fish There Are in Rivers, Lakes, and Seas
River water, lake water, and seawater contain DNA belonging to organisms such as animals and plants. Ecologists have begun to actively analyze such DNA molecules,…
Fish
Fighting Fish Synchronize Their Combat Moves and Gene Expression Leading to Tightly Meshed Battles
Betta fish opponents undergo similar brain changes that become more synchronized after longer fights. When two betta fish are fighting for dominance, not only do…
Dramatic Fish Evolution in Action: Land Fish Forced to Adapt After Leap Out of Water
A diverse diet and flexible behavior may have empowered blenny fish to make a dramatic transition out of the water — but once on land,…
“Single Pixel Vision” Discovery in Fish Reveals Clues to How Humans Can Spot Tiny Details
Recently discovered ‘single-pixel vision’ in fish could help researchers understand how humans are able to spot tiny details in their environment — like stars in…
New Sex Hormone Discovered by Biologists
New hormone that stimulates sexual functions in fish could lead to novel infertility treatments in humans. When University of Ottawa biologists Kim Mitchell and Vance…
Giant Armored Fish Fed Similar to Basking Sharks 380-Million-Years Ago
Scientists from the University of Bristol and the University of Zurich have shown that the Titanichthys — a giant armored fish that lived in the seas…
Key to Past & Future Habitat of West Coast Marine Species Is Ocean ‘Breathability’
Marine life off the West Coast, from Mexico up through Canada, inhabit the California Current. The cool, nutrient-rich water supports life from invisible phytoplankton to…
Underwater Sound Devices Called “Pingers” Could Save Porpoises From Fishing Nets
Underwater sound devices called “pingers” could be an effective, long-term way to prevent porpoises from getting caught in fishing nets with no negative behavioral effects,…
Sturgeon “Methuselah Fish” Genome Sequenced – Important Piece of Evolutionary Puzzle
Sometimes referred to as the “the Methuselah of freshwater fish,” sturgeons and their close relatives are very old from an evolutionary point of view. Fossils…
Evolutionary Origin of the Human Hand Revealed by Ancient Fish Fossil
An ancient fossil found in Canada reveals new insights into how the human hand evolved from fish fins. An ancient Elpistostege fish fossil found in…
If You Eat Sashimi, Check for Worms: 283-Fold Increase in Sushi Parasites in Past 40 Years
The next time you eat sashimi, nigiri or other forms of raw fish, consider doing a quick check for worms. A new study led by…
Using Fish Scales to Make Wearable Electronics More Sustainable
Flexible temporary electronic displays may one day make it possible to sport a glowing tattoo or check a reading, like that of a stopwatch, directly…
How Ear Bones of a Fish Unraveled the Mystery of Spinal Deformities
Native fish discovered with spinal deformities in California’s Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in 2011 were exposed to high levels of selenium from their parents and food…
To Save the Amazon Rainforest, It Helps to Learn About Fish
High fish diversity is a good indicator of forest health. Think of the Amazon, and you probably think of jaguars, monkeys, or parrots. But many…
Microplastic Pollution Found in Deep Sediments on the Ocean Floor
Microplastic pollution in the world’s oceans is a growing problem, and most studies of the issue have focused on land-based sources, such as discarded plastic…
Scientists Were Wrong – Coral Reef Fish Not Affected by Ocean Acidification From Climate Change
Double-Checking the Science on the Effects of Ocean Acidification Sometimes it helps to check the facts. You may be surprised by what you find. Over…
When Reefs Die, Parrotfish Thrive, Paving the Way for Coral Regrowth
Researchers find familiar species pave the way for coral regrowth. In contrast to most other species, reef-dwelling parrotfish populations boom in the wake of severe…
Bad News for Nemo: Species Can’t Adapt to Rapid Environmental Changes
The beloved anemone fish popularized by the movies “Finding Nemo” and “Finding Dory” don’t have the genetic capacity to adapt to rapid changes in their…