The modern bowfin species descends from an ancient line of fish that dates back to the Jurassic period some 145 to 200 million years ago. It is sometimes called a "primitive fish" or "living fossil" because it has changed relatively little compared to its ancestors many millions of years ago, but this in fact a modern species.
The blobfish only looks ugly way above water. In its normal habitat, which is 2,000 to 4,000 feet underwater, the pressure there makes it look like any ordinary fish. But as it is brought up to the surface, caught in fishermen's trawling nets, the pressure of the water decreases and the blobfish begins to lose its shape.
There is a science-based plan in place to rebuild red snapper to healthier levels. It is working but will take time. If implemented properly, management agencies hope to restore the population to sustainable levels by 2032.
A flying squid does not actually fly, but uses a jet propulsion mechanism to move forwards above the water surface. It moves with a gliding movement and in about three seconds it can move about 30ft (9 meters)
Although they look near identical, rays and skates are actually different. Stingrays are ovoviviparous, meaning the young are hatched from eggs that are held within the body, whereas skates are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs – these eggs are protected by a hard, rectangular case often called a "mermaid"s purse"!
The largest species in the wolffish family is the wolf eel, a type of wolffish that lives in the North Pacific and is the only member of the Genus Anarrhichthys. These fish can grow up to 2.4 meters (7 feet 10 inches) in length and weigh a whopping 18.4 kilos (41 lbs)!
The Nine-armed Sea Star (Luidia senegalensis), is a millipede with long, slim tapering arms attached to a small circular center. This sea star grows between twelve to sixteen inches in diameter.
Sea cucumbers have an elaborate defensive system. This includes releasing dense and sticky white filaments to entangle any would-be predator or expelling internal organs, which are then regenerated. Some also produce holothurin, a toxin lethal to many fishes.
Despite their flesh-eating reputation, some piranhas are omnivorous, eating more seeds than meat, and some even subsist on plants alone. For example, in the Amazonian rapids of the Trombetas basin in Pará, Brazil, scientists discovered that Tometes camunani lives solely off of riverweeds.
Swordfish actually slash at their prey rather than stab at them with their sword shaped bill. This method allows the predatory fish to injure their prey and also slow it down so it's easier to catch.