BIOLOGY Swimming It is essentially the rear part of the body, particularly the caudal fin, which serves to propel the fish, while the other fins play a stabilizing and steering role. Of course, the more hydrodynamic a fish’s form, the more it is capable of setting off abruptly and swimming quickly, indispensable for catching prey […]
Countless aquarists have noticed that some of their fishes react more enthusiastically to their presence than to that of strangers. If they do “recognize” the person who looks after them, how do they do it? They are capable of distinguishing the special characteristics of the vibrations caused by the footsteps of such and such person, […]
The respiratory and circulatory system This system is highly distinctive. The blood loaded with carbon dioxide is pumped by the heart to the branchiae, where it is oxygenated. Nature has provided fish with eight branchiae (four on each side), each made up of two leaves. The total surface area of these essential organs, when spread […]
The lateral line Running symmetrically along each side of the fish’s body, the lateral line is more or less visible, according to the species. It consists of a succession of pores that communicate with a canal situated under the skin. This important organ does not exist in any other vertebrates. While the senses of taste […]
Breathing Water is aspirated through the fish’s mouth, passes through the branchiae and is expelled due to the movements of the operculum, which covers them. There is always some water washing the branchiae of the fish. Oxygen requirements are not directly proportional to the size of the fish, with the smallest species being the greatest […]
The head Whatever its form - conical, elongated, or stocky - the head houses some important organs: - first of all, there are the eyes, which have no eyelids and are highly mobile. This mobility, coupled with their position on the side of the head, allows a fish to command a broad field of vision […]
Some aquarium fish have fins that are very different in shape or size from those that are found in nature. They are the result of patient breeding carried out by aquarists over a period of years. The visual effect is guaranteed, but the fish’s behavior is sometimes altered, especially its velocity when moving around. Fish […]
The mucus, skin, and scales Fishes’ bodies are covered with a mucus that plays a double role: it reinforces the hydrodynamics by “smoothing” the skin, and it affords protection against the penetration of parasites or pathogenic elements. The latter point is extremely important, and it explains why fish must not be moved by hand: this […]