Imperator angelfish – Copyright www.jjphoto.dk

Colour in fish is probably an advanced for of communication, according to Professor David Bellwood of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies and James Cook University, Queensland. In an article in Telegraph.co.uk, Professor Bellwood shares his knowledge about fossil specimens of reef fish from Monte Bolca, Italy. By studying these prehistoric fishes, Professor Bellwood was able to determine that spotted and striped fishes have been swimming in our oceans for at least 50 million years. According to Professor Bellwood, it is probable that they also were very colourful.

So, why would a fish devote so much energy to the development of vivid colours and attractive patterns? According to Professor Bellwood, the look of a fish might be a way for fishes to communicate with each other. It can for instance be used to broadcast status in a pecking order or find a suitable mate. Colours and patterns can also be used to send out disinformation, e.g. in order to confuse predators. A dark spot near the end of the tail can for instance cause a predator to attack the tail instead of going for the real head of the fish. This type of fake eye is not a new thing in the kingdom of fishes; it appears on million year old fish fossils.

“Bright colouring is clearly a highly successful trait. The odd thing is that mammals, including humans, appear to have lost it.” says Professor Bellwood.

You can learn more about the secret language of fish here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2008/02/20/scifish120.xml

Giant Mekong catfish. Copyright www.jjphoto.dk

According to Zeb Hogan, head of the National Geographic Society’s Megafishes Project, a new dam project planned for Khone Falls in Laos threatens the migration of the Mekong giant catfish. The largest Mekong giant catfish ever caught weighed in at an astonishing 293 kilograms (646 pounds), but the existence of this magnificent species is unfortunately threatened in the wild and it is currently listed as critically endangered by the World Conservation Union.

You can find out more by visiting National Geographic at http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/04/photogalleries/catfish-pictures/

The Mekong giant catfish inhabits the Mekong River Delta in South-East Asian and can be found not only in Laos, but also in nearby Cambodia. Earlier, the species lived in Thailand as well but it is now believed to have become completely eradicated from the Thai part of the Mekong River Delta. (It has however been introduced as a sport fish in a number of lakes in Thailand, so the species has not vanished completely from Thai waters.) The situation is critical for the populations in Laos and Cambodia as well and the new dam might worsen an already precarious situation. The primary threats against the Mekong giant catfish are habitat destruction, pollution and over fishing. You can find more information about the Mekong giant catfish here: http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/catfish/giantmekong.php

Though her methods are different from the average fish keeper’s, 83 year old, Ada Shaw, has definitely proven to be the world’s best goldfish keeper. Goldie, her .99 cent feeder goldfish has grown into a 15.7 inch long Goliath! Weighing in at over two pounds, Goldie is now verging on the ripe old age of 16; which by goldfish standards, is antique.

So whats her secret? Nothing we would think of. Ada says that after each weekly water change she tops off old Goldie’s tank with, believe it or not, some boiling water; something unheard of in the world of goldfish keeping, considering the fact they are a cold water fish. Ada also says that she ” leaves the light on at night so he is not in the dark and if the sun is glaring on him (she) will draw the curtains so he doesn’t get too much sun.”

Ada also explains that Goldie is fed flakes, twice daily, like clockwork, and is given plenty of attention and conversation. Her methods may be out of the ordinary, but Goldie is all the proof Ada needs that her love and attention has given her goldfish the upper hand; or fin. Goldie has managed to not only out live the average goldfish (10 years) (Common goldfish can live atleast 35 years. Admin) but also succeeded in surpassing the lifespans of both Adas pet dog and cat.

While Goldie is just three inches away from the world record for the worlds longest goldfish, Ada still insists that she ” sometimes think (she is) making too much of a fuss over him.” Rest assured, there are many fish enthusiasts now marveling over Goldie, and wondering how an 83 year old British woman, went against all the logical fish keeping rules, and produced such a beautiful specimen.

Read the entire story and see a picture of the goldfish here