Fishers Homes

I have always found myself wondering, "Is fishes a word?" In school we were generally taught that the plural of "fish" is "fish" and that "fishes" is incorrect. Times are changing and "fishes" is acceptable these days. Thus, there is no need to go all up in arms when you hear terms such as "marine fishes" or "all kinds of fishes". The concepts are far more important than the grammar.

When we first brought home that little goldfish in a plastic bag filled with water, all we knew was that this would be our own little pet fish. My first experience of aquarium fish came from the exotic tropical fishes that inhabited our tank. It was from them that I learned the answers to childish questions such as "Do fishes sleep?", "How do fishes reproduce?", and "What do fishes eat?" In those early days, any picture of cartoon fishes would make me pay attention. Those were the days when we thought that clown fish were nothing but the class clowns in a school of fish.

One of the first things we learn when it comes to the Piscean world is that respiration in fishes is very different from respiration in other kinds of animals. The organ that helps breathing in fishes -- gills are not found in other types of animals. Mammals and birds, for instance, have to make do with their lungs. Only fish have the privilege of breathing through their gills.

Of course, with time we have all become acquainted with a whole lot of fish information. We have learnt that Devonian fishes were the earliest ancestors of the fish that we share our world with. Anyone who has had an encyclopedia of fish kept right in the centre of the bookshelf will have a fairly thorough idea of the various characteristics of fishes. It is in those volumes that are chockfull of information that we come across fish of all types. Fish can be of many kinds. There are big fishes and small fishes; large ones and really miniscule ones. There are several kinds of bony fishes and an equally wide range of cartilaginous fishes. There are so many different types of fishes that it really boggles the mind. From beta fishes to Florida fishes, no two species are alike.

Fishes differ in terms of structure (as in the case of bony and cartilaginous fish). They also vary depending upon their dwelling places. Thus, we have all sorts of deep sea fishes as well as a number of freshwater fish. Then too, their nature, feeding habits, as well as reproductive tendencies will vary according to differences in temperature, depth, vegetation, and other aspects of their habitat. Saltwater fishes are bound to be very different from their freshwater cronies. The difference in habitat leads to different modifications in the structures and habits of various fishes. As a result of differences in habitat, fishes' digestive systems also vary, as do their other bodily processes.

Yet, despite their many differences, certain features remain constant. For instance, all fish have backbones; they breathe through their gills; and their limbs are in the shape of fins. These cold-blooded organisms swim through the water thanks to their streamlined body. No matter what types of fish one decides to study, they will have these features in common. After all, there have to be some common characteristics to bind all fish species together.

Wild fish tend to get everyone's attention. Just try taking the name of piranhas. Amazon fish have become famous thanks in particular to the aggressive reputation of these carnivorous fish. We may be ignorant about all kinds of other fish. We may not even know more than a few names of fishes. However, many of us have piranha facts ready at the tips of our fingers.

There really are so many kinds of fish inhabiting our earth that it boggles the mind. Is it any wonder that fishing has become such a sport? And when it comes to eating fishes, sardines and salmon are among our favorites. Unfortunately, as a result of indiscriminate fishing, and largely as a consequence of industrialization of the job of catching fish, the numbers of fish have been greatly depleted. Thanks to various types of water pollution, several species of fish have died out and many are endangered species on the verge of becoming extinct. Endangered fishes necessitate that we take extra care to ensure that yet another species does not disappear. Whether we are concentrating on sea fishes in general or more particularly on Caribbean fishes is not important. However, we need to make sure that we do our bit to save the fish of our planet.

From ocean fishes to tropical fish to jawless fishes, our planet has been blessed with a huge variety of fishes. Look in the depths of the ocean and you will find these streamlined organisms swimming around in all shapes and sizes. The colors that they impart to the monotony of underwater life are unbelievable. Life might have gone on without the presence of the fish in the waters. However, it may never have been as colorful and vibrant.