Scientists discover bizarre new fish off Brazil's Bahia coastSeptember 22nd, 2009 WASHINGTON - Scientists have discovered a previously unknown species off Brazil's Bahia coast, which is more than six feet long, has small teeth, and has no scales covering its gelatinous body. According to a report in National Geographic News, the fish that has a long tail, was found floating in the sea by researchers from the TAMAR Project, a sea turtle conservation project.
Cleaner fish wear 'uniforms' to signal their professions to clientsAugust 21st, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new study has determined that like police and nurses, cleaner fish on coral reefs wear 'uniforms', which are basically colors and body patterns, to signal their "professions" - a tactic that also helps the fish avoid being eaten by their clients. Several species of small reef fish are known to invite larger fish to stop by "cleaning stations," where the cleaners groom their customers and pick them free of parasites.
Fish fear divers and snorkelers who try to count them for censusJuly 21st, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new research by scientists from the University of Victoria has shown that fish avoid the divers and snorkelers who try to count them, and that is why using snorkelers and SCUBA divers may misrepresent the number of fish. Not all types of fish are equally frightened by the divers, and Faculty of 1000 member Helen Yap, who recommended the study, explains that therefore "such methods may not provide an accurate picture of the actual diversity and abundance of fish communities."
Counting coral reef fish informs researchers about local ecological changes.
Edible coating makes fish filets more nutritious, longer-lastingJuly 17th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Oregon State University have extended the shelf life of lingcod fillets and possibly made them more nutritious by dipping them into an edible, protective coating enriched with fish oil. The research may give consumers a chance to eat longer-lasting, potentially healthier fish fillets.
Humans may have started feasting on fish about 40,000 years agoJuly 7th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new study by an international team of researchers has suggested that fish may have become an important part of the year-round diet for early humans in China as far back as 40,000 years ago. Freshwater fish are an important part of the diet of many peoples around the world, but it has been unclear when fish became an important part of the year-round diet for early humans.
Humans first ate fish 40,000 years agoJuly 7th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Freshwater fish remains a staple in many regions of the world, but it remains unclear when it became a year-round diet for early humans. A new study led by Erik Trinkaus, anthropology professor at Washington University, St.
Fish are likely to exhibit natural behavior in large groups rather than smallJune 30th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new research has determined that fish are more likely to exhibit natural behavior in a home aquarium in large groups, rather than when kept alone or in pairs. Scientists at the Universities of Plymouth and Exeter in the UK conducted the research.
High CO2 levels lead to abnormally large fish ear bonesJune 26th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Rising carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the ocean can cause abnormally large growth in the otoliths, or ear bones, of fish, say researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego. Considered a fundamental bodily structure in fish, otoliths serve a vital function in fish by helping them sense orientation and acceleration.
Farmed fish may transmit mad cow diseaseJune 17th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Farmed fish, if fed by-products rendered from cows, could transmit Creutzfeldt Jakob disease-commonly known as mad cow disease. Questioning the safety of eating farmed fish, Dr.
Fish are closer to humans' way of thinking than previously believedJune 17th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new research study has suggested that the way fish learn could be closer to humans' way of thinking than previously believed. The subject of the research was a common species of fish which is found across Europe including the UK, called the nine-spined stickleback, which could be the first animal shown to exhibit an important human social learning strategy.
Veterinary association to go ahead with fish toss team-building event at Seattle conferenceJune 13th, 2009 Fish toss a go for veterinarians visiting SeattleSEATTLE — Despite complaints from an animal-rights group, a national veterinary association says Seattle's famed fishmongers will be tossing dead fish at its Seattle convention next month. American Veterinary Medical Association CEO Ron DeHaven says his organization will proceed with a plan to host a team-building program offered by the famous fish-throwers of Seattle's Pike Place Fish Market.
Veterinary group rethinks fish tossing event in Seattle after carping from animal-rights groupJune 10th, 2009 Veterinary group rethinks fish toss in SeattleSEATTLE — Seattle's famed fishmongers may be tossing rubber fish instead of real ones at a national veterinary association's convention next month following complaints from an animal-rights group. American Veterinary Medical Association chief executive Ron DeHaven said the Schaumburg, Ill.-based organization had thought inviting one of Seattle's top tourist attractions — the fish-throwers at the Pike Place Fish Market — to the event would be a great "team-building experience."
But after People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals raised concerns about the ethics of using dead fish as props at a veterinary event, DeHaven said the AVMA would explore other options, including an alternative PETA suggested: using rubber fish.
Cleaning up oil spills can be bad for fishApril 14th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new research has shown that chemicals commonly used to clean up oil spills make oil far more toxic to fish, particularly for eggs and young fish. According to a report by Discovery News, the research was done by Fish toxicologist Professor Peter Hodson of Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario and colleagues.
Fish oil's cardiovascular health claims 'overstated'March 19th, 2009 WASHINGTON - The purported benefits of fish for such things as cardiovascular health have been overstated and have put increased pressure on global fish stocks, according to a new research. Researchers at St.
Algal blooms poisoning seafoodJanuary 6th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Harmful algal blooms are increasingly poisoning seafood, causing respiratory and skin irritations, while killing off fish and mammals in coastal waters. Scientists presented a compilation of 21 studies outlining the role of nutrient pollution in the increasing frequency of these events.