Fishy Facts II

Fishy Facts II

African Lungfish

1. African Lungfish are capable of living out of water for up to two years. They hibernate underground and wait for the water level to rise.

2. Goldfish can live for decades. The oldest known Goldfish, "Goldie," died in 2005 at 45 years of age. The second oldest Goldfish was "Tish" who died at 43. 

3. The largest fish in the world is the Whale Shark. The largest recorded Whale Shark was 12.6 m (41.5 ft) long, had a girth of 7 m (23 ft), and weighed more than 21,500 kg (47,300 lbs). 

4. Whale Sharks also lay the largest eggs of any animal. A Whale Shark egg measuring 35.6 cm (14 in) long was found in the Gulf of Mexico in the 1950s. 

5. The largest predatory Shark is the great White Shark. The largest one ever caught was 11.3 m (37 ft) long and weighted over 10,909 kg (24,000 lbs). 

6. It takes approximately seven years for the average American Lobster to reach one pound. 

7. The largest Octopus in the world is the Pacific Giant Octopus. Although it is only about the size of a pea when it is born, by the time it is two years old it can be 9.1 m (30 ft) across and weigh 68.2 kg (150 lbs). 

8. The Giant Squid is the largest creature without a backbone. It grows up to 16.8 m (55 ft) across and weighs up to 2,722 kg (5,000 lbs). The Giant Squid also has the largest eyes of any animal on earth, as they are sixteen times wider than human eyes, or more than 30.5 cm (1 ft) in diameter.

9. The Spotted Climbing Perch is able to absorb oxygen from the air and can crawl over land using its strong pectoral fins in search of water.

10. Some fish, like Sharks, do not have an air bladder to help keep them afloat. They must either swim continually or rest on the bottom.

11. Fish have a specialized sense organ called their lateral line, which works much like radar and helps them navigate in dark or murky water.

12. It wasn’t until 1853 in London when aeration and filtration of water was understood, that people were able to keep fish as indoor pets. 

13. The first public aquarium was opened in London (1853), and by 1856 New York also had an aquarium. 

14. The Great Barrier Reef Aquarium is the world’s largest living reef aquarium with 2.5 million litres (660,430 gal) of water! It is located in Queenshead, Australia. 

15. Today, fresh and saltwater aquarium fish are the most popular pets in the U.S. Approximately 12 million households own aquariums.

16. The world’s tiniest fish is the Stout Infant, which is about 0.6 cm (0.25 in) long. 

17. The largest fish fossil found to date is from the Leedsichthys problematicus, which lived 150 million years ago. It was found in England in 2003 and measured 22.0 m (72 ft) long.

18. Cavefish have no sight, but can detect movement and odor through what?.

19. American Lobsters have longer life spans than both cats and dogs, living over 20 years.

20. A person who studies fish for a living is called an ichthyologist.