For generations, we have only viewed fish as food, but perhaps it’s time we revisit our aquatic ancestors and get to know them better. These stunning and diverse creatures are full of surprises, and like mammals, fish can be remarkably tender and complicated in their interactions.
Take the wolf eel, for instance, a fish with a fleshy face and massive jaws that mates for life and is known to be a highly attentive parent. Or the scalloped hammerhead shark that, contrary to popular belief, is a fascinating and tender creature with a romantic courting ritual. The evolution of mudskippers provided them with modified gills that function like lungs, as long as they are kept damp, enabling them to breathe out of the water. As we explore these and other sea creatures, we find ways to protect them and keep our oceans full of fantastic fish.