From the Publisher

Illustrations of various fish, sharks, and eels.

The Secret Life of Fish

There are more than 33,600 species of fish on this planet, which are grouped into approximately 515 families by taxonomists.

This book will introduce you to fifty distinctive fish species, each with its own remarkable story. Some you might be familiar with, but others might be completely new to you – however, they all represent just how important, amazing and intriguing fish can be.

The secrets of how their bodies work will be revealed – from their super-senses to their deadly toxins and their ability to give electric shocks. I will show you their strange and often baffling behaviours – explaining how and why they act as they do – and explore the history of how we came to discover their secrets. We’ll see just how important a role they play in our lives and the world as a whole.

Grouped into thematic chapters – including

DANGEROUS & DEADLY
MINIATURE MARVELS
ASTOUNDING GIANTS
STRANGER THINGS
PUSHING THE EXTREMES
LEGENDS OF OLD
WORLD TRAVELERS

DEVILS HOLE PUPFISH

Cyprinodon diabolis

There are only a handful of creatures able to live in the hottest habitat on Earth – and one of them happens to be a fish. Death Valley, Nevada, USA – only 209 km (130 miles) from Las Vegas – has the honour of holding the record of the highest temperature ever recorded. On 10 July 1913, a temperature of 56.7°C (134°F) was logged in the aptly named Furnace Creek. This is the lowest place on the North American continent, well below sea level and almost rain-free, due to its position between mountain ranges – an unlikely place to find a fish.

Playful pupfish

Pupfish are so-called because they have the delightful reputation of being quite playful – like puppies, although this seemingly adorable behaviour is the males fighting rather than playing.

A natural aquarium

It’s a small location for a full species to develop, for sure: only a few metres wide, with an average water temperature of 92°C (198°F), almost boiling, and a depth of 500 m (1,640 ft), although no one has plumbed the bottom. There is only a tiny rock ledge under the water where algae can grow, and the sun only gets to it for a few minutes a day – just enough for it to photosynthesize.

A.K.A. So good, they named it once
SIZE Up to 3 cm (1¼
HABITAT A cave in Death Valley
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES No pelvic fin
PERSONALITY Unlikely celebrity
LIKES It hot
SPECIAL SKILLS Survival against the odds
CONSERVATION STATUS Critically Endangered

GOLDFISH

Carassius auratus

It’s impossible to know how many pet goldfish there are in the world but these fish are undoubtedly the most recognizable for most people in the northern hemisphere, at least. From fairgrounds to ornamental ponds, these orange-coloured pocket jewels are one of the most popular aquarium fish – but their story began in China more than 1,000 years ago.

Fairground attraction

The goldfish remains popular today and, as with most other domestic animals and pets, we have begun to properly mess with its genetic nature. The modern goldfish is one of the original genetically modified creatures. Goldfish are selectively bred for their shapes, characters and even colours.

Forget what you know

While it is true that living in an actual goldfish bowl might well have driven the fish mad by making them constantly swim in circles, when it comes to memory, the opposite is true. The goldfish has rather a good memory. They can be trained to recognize faces and are generally much smarter than anyone considered, being able to remember tricks.

A.K.A. Golden carp
SIZE Up to 48 cm (19 in)
HABITAT Freshwater rivers
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES All shapes and colours
PERSONALITY Highly intelligent
LIKES Eating
SPECIAL SKILLS Good memory
CONSERVATION STATUS Least Concern