September 18, 2004

Tropical Fish Found Off English Pier

Found this interesting little tidbit of an article while I was in London, reading the Metro newspaperwhile I was in the airport. Now, why would I be interested in something like this. Well, I have always been fascinated by biology, evolution, and the amazing diversity around us, and its one of the reasons I love to travel so much. How else better to learn then to experience it first hand? There is so much to discover that it would take my lifetime to just touch even the smallest part of it, and successfully understand it.

Rainbow is found at end of the pier - A Tropical fish normally found in the Mediterranean has been caught off Southend pier. The rainbow wrasse, with an iridescent green body, yellow stripes, and red fins, usually stays in warner waters. Experts say the catch is proof sea temperatures are rising. David Knapp, of the Sea Life Centre, Southend, said: 'The change may be very small to us but in the grand scheme of ecology it is quite a lot.'

This article is ecologically related, and some proof that habitats and dispersal of organisms are always changing for a variety of reasons such as global warming. How did a tropical fish in the Mediterranean end up off the Southend pier (longest pier in the world) in England? So very far away from home? I am guessing the fish wanted to find a new home, was dumped into the ocean from someone in England, got swept up in an ocean current, or changes in environment (water temp) made it possible to emigrate to a new location. Maybe it was availability of food?

This is a picture of the male rainbow wrasse, that as described in the article had "iridescent green body, yellow strips, and red fins". Which pretty much describes the fish below. However according behavior, male wrasse stay in deeper waters, while females generally come closer to shore in rocky areas for protection. This fish was caught off a pier on the beach. Hmmmm, something is quite fishy. Answer: This fish changes sex from female to male often.

rainbow-wrasse.gif

Posted by Ben at September 18, 2004 02:27 AM

Comments