Classical music enhances growth in Aquariums

A new but unusual study taken in Greece has revealed that fish kept in aquariums will have more rapid growth if they listen to classical music. The study, which took place in the Department of Applied Hydrobiology at the Agricultural University of Athens, played Gilthead Seabream a bit of Mozart each day via an underwater speaker, to test their reaction. The music was played Monday to Friday, giving the Fish the weekend off.

Writing in the Journal of Fish Biology, the scientists described how "During the first 89 days of rearing, music resulted in enhanced growth." Those listening to the 18th Century composer grew

significantly better in the first 89 days than those whom listend only to the noise of the air pumps. It is hoped that these new findings can be used by farmers to improve the quality of reared Bream. This is the first results of their kind - other experiments done to look at the effects of sound on fish have usually shown negative or no results.

Although the results did show significant differences, it is unsure what exactly the fish heard. "Sound transmitted in the present study could have been just perceived as an increase in ambient noise (by 19db), a variation in ambient noise (as music piece chosen had its ups and downs), a novel previously non-existent sound within the tank, shock or enrichment and maybe as music per se."

Click on the Practical Fishkeeping link for more information on this article, and other article about your aquarium needs.

A lumpfish and a Blob fish walk into a bar...

Just another picture of another funny-face.

Deep-sea fish are fascinating, they have incredible attributes to make they survive in the murky unknown depths. But msot of all, they just look funny.

Check more out here: http://www.alaskaharvest.com/blog/news/weird-fish-dont-eat-any-of-these.html

Octopuses share common ancestor

New research has shown that octopuses all come form the same common ancestor, a shallow water octopus that lived in the Southern ocean. Its closest living relative is the Megaleledone setebos which can be found in the oceans in the Antarctica.

Scientists claim that octopuses evolved after nutrient-rich and salty currents drove them from the southern ocean to other ocean basins, nearly 30 million years ago.

The research is part of a 10 year global research programme to investigate more about oceans and how they've changed and the first Census of Marine Life (CoML) is due for completion in 2010.

The project hopes that as global warming is changing our oceans signifcantly, it is good to get a model of how our oceans have changed in order to help make a prediction for what the future will hold.

Melting ice caps affect migrating birds

Dr Roy Armstrong today has warned that millions of migrating birds may be facing extinction due to the melting polar ice caps. Turtle Doves, Cuckoos, Yellow Wagtails are among the species of birds whom migrate to West Africa each year facing the threat. Shrinking Polar ice caps mean that there is likely to be droughts due to less rainfall in places such as Gambria and Chad. Dr Armstrong said that statstics have shown that the last three decades have seen declines in many British bird species with Turtle Doves numbers falling by 88%, Yellow Wagtails by 70%, Spotted Flycatchers by 87% and Tree Pipits by 83%. These are huge decreases and the situation is said to be 'extremely serious'.

Dr Armstrong believes eco-tourism could be a happy solution to the problem, "It seems as if the only way we could look after the problem there is by encouraging investment in eco-tourism. The kind of savannah environment that tourists like would be ideal for our migrant birds as well".

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cumbria/7683473.stm

On another note...

On the subject of sharks, I just wanted to post this up to question whether it is real?

Posts like this do not really help the reputation of shrks, particularly Bull Sharks and the Great White; 2 more aggressive species.

The front of the 'newspaper' shows a photograph of a man being bitten in half by a Great White shark.

According to the front, he lives.
Photoshop? or for real? Sadly, I cant find any information on this picture so for now it will remain a mystery!

One thing to remember about Shark attacks is that most surfers and divers who suffer from shark attacks and live, go back in the water. Why? Because they know that statistics for shark attacks are actually very low and have been over hyped by the media. Sharks only attack due to a natural respose and while we don't know for sure why sharks attack humans, many believe it is a case of mistaken identity as it is rare that sharks will continuously attack a human being for food. In most cases, the sharks bites, realises it's mistake and then leaves well alone.

Interested in shark attacks? Check out these websites, but beware, not for the faint hearted!

http://www.sharkattacks.com/

http://www.sharkattackphotos.com/

http://consilience.typepad.com/sharks/

Sharkie and George...

It's Shark week this week and a chance for the Shark Trust to fight their cause.

The Shark Trust works for sustainable fishing and shark management - to help prevent finning and shark bycatch. Thye especially work on three projects: Whale sharks, Basking Shark and Egg cases. Whale Sharks and Basking Sharks are the most harmless of all the shark family, and both species are in danger due to bycatch, fishing nets, habitat destruction and human exploitation - mainly through finning.

This year's shark week mainly focuses on the Shark Trusts petition which calims that:

-The UK is one of five EU member states to allow fishermen to remove shark fins at sea under an exception to the EU finning ban.
-At least 30 species of sharks can be found in British waters, over half these species are threatened with extinction.
-An EU Shark Plan is in its final stages; your support is key to protecting sharks in Europe and beyond.

So sign up today to help protect our sharks.

Please visit their website:

Shark trust: http://www.sharktrust.org/content.asp?did=30824

Sign the petition: http://www.sharktrust.org/petition/

Deep sea debates

'Beyond the Abyss' - an exciting blog spot as part of Planet Earth online.

'NERC-funded researchers have travelled to the Pacific to search for life in the deepest parts of the ocean, known as the Hadal zone.'

http://www.planetearth.nerc.ac.uk/blogs/abyss/index.aspx

Picture shows a Dumbo Octopus....or a ghostie from Pacman.