Articles for tag: Fish

Flying Fish: How Some Species Glide Over 200 Meters to Escape Predators

Flying Fish: How Some Species Glide Over 200 Meters to Escape Predators

Annette Uy

Imagine a fish so desperate to survive that it takes flight above the waves, using the open air as its last line of defense. The ocean is full of surprises, but few are as jaw-dropping as the spectacle of flying fish launching themselves out of the sea, gliding for astonishing distances to evade the snapping ...

a large whale with its mouth open in the water

Shape Shifters of the Reef: The Surprising Evolution of Plankton Eaters

Suhail Ahmed

New research shatters the myth of the “perfect” plankton-feeding fish revealing an astonishing diversity of forms defying evolutionary expectations. The Myth of the Perfect Planktivore For decades, marine biologists believed plankton-eating reef fish all evolved toward the same ideal body shape: But a groundbreaking 2025 study analyzing 299 species across 12 fish families reveals a ...

The Fish That Can Walk: Discovering Evolution in the Swamps of Georgia

The Fish That Can Walk: Discovering Evolution in the Swamps of Georgia

Annette Uy

Imagine a creature that defies the boundaries of its natural habitat, a fish that dares to step out of water and onto land. This isn’t a scene from a science fiction novel but a reality lurking in the swamps of Georgia. The walking catfish, an evolutionary marvel, has captured the fascination of scientists and nature ...

The Fish That Forgot Its Tail: Why Sunfish Look Like a Mistake

The Fish That Forgot Its Tail: Why Sunfish Look Like a Mistake

Annette Uy

Imagine diving into the deep blue ocean and suddenly encountering what looks like a massive floating dinner plate with fins. Your first thought might be that nature made a serious error, or perhaps you’re witnessing some bizarre sea creature that forgot to finish evolving. This is exactly what most people think when they first lay ...

Damselfish

The Fish That Farm Their Own Algae Patches on the Reef

Annette Uy

In the vibrant underwater world, where colors swirl and life thrives in abundance, some fish have taken on an unexpected role: that of a farmer. These industrious creatures cultivate their own algae patches, a practice that showcases the wonders of adaptation and survival. Imagine a bustling metropolis, where the hustle and bustle of everyday life ...

This Fish Changes Sex — and It's Totally Normal

This Fish Changes Sex — and It’s Totally Normal

Annette Uy

Picture this: you’re swimming through a vibrant coral reef, watching a stunning parrotfish glide past in brilliant blues and greens. What you might not realize is that this magnificent creature could have started life as a completely different sex. In the underwater world, changing sex isn’t just possible — it’s a survival strategy that’s been ...

The Fish That Climbs Trees: Meet the Mudskipper

The Fish That Climbs Trees: Meet the Mudskipper

Annette Uy

Imagine walking through a mangrove forest and witnessing something that defies everything you thought you knew about fish. There, clinging to a tree branch several feet above the water, is a creature that should be swimming in the depths below. This isn’t a scene from a fantasy novel or a glitch in nature’s programming. This ...

Why Some Fish Can Walk on Land (and Climb Trees)

Why Some Fish Can Walk on Land (and Climb Trees)

Annette Uy

Picture this: you’re strolling along a tropical shoreline when suddenly, a fish crawls out of the water, walks across the sand, and begins climbing up a nearby mangrove tree. Your first thought might be that you’ve stumbled into some bizarre nature documentary or perhaps consumed too much sun. But here’s the shocking truth – this ...

Koi and Carp: Evolutionary Cousins With a Shared Past

Koi and Carp: Evolutionary Cousins With a Shared Past

Annette Uy

Beneath the serene surface of ornamental ponds and ancient rivers lies a captivating story of evolution, human intervention, and aquatic artistry. The vibrant koi swimming gracefully in Japanese gardens and the humble carp thriving in muddy waters across continents share far more than meets the eye. These remarkable fish represent thousands of years of natural ...