"What makes a fish a fish? Trout thinks he knows the answer. "That's easy! Fish have fins, gills, scales, are shaped like me, and live underwater." "Not so fast," answers Mudskipper. "What about a clingfish? They don't have any scales. Or a hagfish? They don't have any fins. Or what about me? I live in and out of the water!" As Trout and Mudskipper explore below and above the world's waters, they are introduced to a multitude of fish in various shapes, colors, and sizes, forcing Trout to rethink about his notion of what a fish is. Maybe there is a vast watery world of unimagined possibilities (like a walking fish, or a fish with a transparent head!). And maybe, just maybe, there's not just one way to be a fish-but many, many ways!"--
A KID’S GUIDE TO THE OCEAN "Can you imagine a world without fish? It's not as crazy as it sounds. But if we keep doing things the way we've been doing things, fish could become extinct within fifty years. So let's change the way we do things!" World Without Fish is the uniquely illustrated narrative nonfiction account—for kids—of what is happening to the world’s oceans and what they can do about it. Written by Mark Kurlansky, author of Cod, Salt, The Big Oyster, and many other books, World Without Fish has been praised as “urgent” (Publishers Weekly) and “a wonderfully fast-paced and engaging primer on the key questions surrounding fish and the sea” (Paul Greenberg, author of Four Fish). It has also been included in the New York State Expeditionary Learning English Language Arts Curriculum. Written by a master storyteller, World Without Fish connects all the dots—biology, economics, evolution, politics, climate, history, culture, food, and nutrition—in a way that kids can really understand. It describes how the fish we most commonly eat, including tuna, salmon, cod, swordfish—even anchovies— could disappear within fifty years, and the domino effect it would have: the oceans teeming with jellyfish and turning pinkish orange from algal blooms, the seabirds disappearing, then reptiles, then mammals. It describes the back-and-forth dynamic of fishermen, who are the original environmentalists, and scientists, who not that long ago considered fish an endless resource. It explains why fish farming is not the answer—and why sustainable fishing is, and how to help return the oceans to their natural ecological balance. Interwoven with the book is a twelve-page graphic novel. Each beautifully illustrated chapter opener links to the next to form a larger fictional story that perfectly complements the text.
This book is a comprehensive identification guide to the 222 species of fishes in Florida’s fresh waters. Each species is presented with color photographs, key characteristics for identification, comparisons to similar species, habitat descriptions, and dot distribution maps. Florida's unique mix of species includes some of the world's favorite sport fishes, the Tarpon and Largemouth Bass. This guide also features three species native only to Florida—the Seminole Killifish, Flagfish, and Okaloosa Darter—and the smallest freshwater fish in North America, the Least Killifish. Ranging from the panhandle to the Everglades, their habitats include springs, creeks, rivers, lakes, ponds, swamps, marshes, and man-made canals. As Florida's human population grows, the state's freshwater environments are being changed in ways that threaten its native fishes. This book provides important information on the diversity, distribution, and environmental needs of both native and nonindigenous species, helping us monitor and take care of Florida's water and its aquatic inhabitants.
Spectacularly illustrated with 1,300 full-color photographs, this encyclopedic guide to one of the world's most popular hobbies showcases the shimmering diversity of 800 kinds of freshwater aquarium fish from every corner of the world. It is the only book available that features representative species of each family ingeniously photographed -- both in an aquatic environment and against a white background -- highlighting their shapes and distinctive markings. An authoritative text provides a detailed description of the characteristics, feeding habits, breeding behavior, and native habitats of each fresh and brackish water species, as well as information on its care. The consummate guide to an exciting hobby, Aquarium Fish of the World is sure to become a classic reference book for aquarium fish enthusiasts everywhere.
Fish do the wildest things! (And you thought all they did was swim...) In Fish Tricks, learn how fish use sound, color, and chemicals to talk to each other and camouflage and toxins to discourage predators. Many have cool body adaptations that help them find food and take care of their young. Meet sea dragons and flatfish that use camouflage to hide from predators. Learn about archerfish that can knock land insects into the water with streams of spit, and anglerfish that grow glow-in-the-dark fishing lines from their heads to lure prey. Laugh at toadfish that make grunting and whistling sounds to attract mates and remora fish with suction cups on their fins that help them stick onto sharks and turtles. Read about fish parents such as cichlids that feed their young with mucus secreted onto their scales and cardinal fish that protect their eggs in their mouths. Under the sea, a whole world of wonder exists that will fascinate the inquisitive mind of every child. Fish Tricks includes a glossary, an index, and fun learn-more adventures.
