Some fish make sounds by grating their teeth and others like some catfish make sounds from their air filled swim bladder. Fish have a specialized sense organ called the lateral line which works much like radar and helps them navigate in dark or murky water. The largest fish is the great whale shark which can reach fifty feet in length. Some species of fish have skeletons made only of cartilage. Fish have excellent senses of sight, touch, taste and many possess a good sense of smell and 'hearing'.
Fish feel pain and suffer stress just like mammals and birds.
Many tropical fish sold in the United States are harvested from the wild in Africa, Asia, and Central and South America. The harvesting of wild tropical fish results in high mortality and habitat destruction and is rapidly being considered unnecessary and undesirable. Dr. Burgess s Mini Atlas of Marine Aquarium Fishes. Inc. All rights reserved.