Fish are essential creatures for marine habitats by providing food and helping maintain the ecological balance in places where they live. Fishes are so beneficial to their environment because they keep predators away from seabed ecosystems, including coral reefs.
Fish are one of the most vital resources in underwater ecosystems. For starters, they provide sustenance for other marine animals. Moreover, fish are the primary food source for many aquatic species. Before delving into specific types of fish and their essential functions within an aquatic ecosystem, here are ten important facts on fishes.
Fish belong to the phylum Chordata, which includes any creature that possesses a notochord in its embryonic stage. Most chordates have a backbone or spinal column. However, fish also share many physiological traits with other chordates, including having cardiorespiratory organs and body symmetry.
The EPA states that there are over 32,000 species of fish. In addition to being from varied ecosystems worldwide, migratory fish have been known to travel thousands of miles throughout their lifetimes. Because of these variations, it is often daunting to generalize about this group as a whole.
Everybody needs to jump in the ocean to see how beautiful it is, to get acquainted with fishes swimming in the ocean aesthetically, rather than just swimming with lemon slices and butter.
– Sylvia Earle.
A recent study by the Food and Agriculture Organization revealed that over 3 billion people worldwide consume fishes as a primary source of animal protein. Over one-third of these people reside in Asia, where seafood consumption is incredibly high due to its increased availability. On average, Americans eat about 15 pounds (7 kilograms) of fishes per year.
Fish and other creatures that live in saltwater, such as corals, are known as marine species. Their lifespan is typically much longer than their freshwater counterparts. For example, the rough-eye rockfish ( Sebastes Aleutians ) has been found to live up to 205 years in the wild, while the Galapagos tortoise ( Chelonoidis nigra ) lives an average of 170 years. Studies have shown that freshwater fishes may have a maximum lifespan of about 40 years.
Most marine fishes need water with a specific temperature range for optimal health. For example, Bass, perch, walleye, and trout prefer cooler water, while goldfish and koi maintain preferred temperatures of around 68 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit. On the other hand, tilapia, catfish, and salmon are best in warm waters between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Certain fishes have demonstrated unique regenerative abilities. For example, zebrafish can completely regrow two broken fins within 30 days. They retain stem cells called neoblasts throughout their lives. These stem cells allow them to grow new body tissue quickly when needed. The ability of fishes to regenerate certain body parts may make them a great inspiration for future regenerative medical therapies.
Fishes saw as great bioindicators because they have several physiological and developmental characteristics that make them well-suited to assessing pollution and other detrimental human impacts. For example, some fishes live in the interstitial spaces between aquatic plants and animals, where heavy metal buildups can occur over time. Because these metals may accumulate in the fatty tissues of fishes, they also serve as a warning sign for potential contamination.
When they go fishing, it is not the fish they are after. It is a philosophic meditation.
– E.T. Brown.
Fish species such as Atlantic halibut and sawfish are experiencing population declines throughout their ranges. In some cases, this may trigger species to be given the designation of threatened or endangered, putting it at risk of extinction.
Scientists estimate that fish have been a part of life on Earth since approximately 450 million years ago. They also believe that these animals were some of the earliest vertebrates to emerge after water covered much of the planet’s surface. As a result, fish proved to be an essential part of many early ecosystems, and they continue to play vital roles in most aquatic habitats today.
Fish come in sizes and shapes, and there are currently more than 30,000 known species of fish. One reason for the significant number of different species may be that fishes have been able to seize nearly every aquatic niche rapidly. In addition, widespread aquarium hobbyists have played an enormous role in developing many new breeds over time.
When fish populations decline, it causes severe repercussions for all parts of an ecosystem, primarily because they can help regulate other people that would otherwise grow out of control. For example, when there aren’t enough fishes keeping prey populations in check, then herbivores can often explode in number, which has a knock-on effect up the food chain and decreases biodiversity.