MONSTER FISH PHOTOS: "Evolution on Steroids" in Congo

[Adsos Letter]

Source: National Geographic News
Tasha Eichenseher



February 13, 2009--Goliath tiger fish, such as the one seen above, are among the uniquely adapted "monster fish" of the Congo River, which winds through several African countries.

A recent, unprecedented river run on the Congo yielded a raft of new discoveries, including different species--some potentially new--in nearly every nook and cranny, scientists announced this week.

The river was also found to be possibly the world's deepest, and its extraordinary changes in depths and currents help explain why it's such a hotbed of fish diversity.

"What we're seeing here is kind of evolution on steroids," said team leader Melanie Stiassny, a fish biologist at the American Museum of Natural History. Stiassny, a member of the National Geographic Society's Conservation Trust, was among the marine and evolutionary biologists, hydrologists, and kayakers who conducted the exhaustive research in summer 2008. (The National Geographic Society owns National Geographic News.)

more images at the link

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/02/photogalleries/monster-fish-congo-missions/index.html

[Solly Mack]

1. Neat!

love the elephant fish

[catnhatnh]

5. Those are pretty big...

but other members of the family are common fish available in any good aquarium or larger pet stores.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mormyridae

[Solly Mack]

11. Thanks!!

The one on NG looks like it might be growing an appendage.

[Blue_In_AK]

2. Oh my!

What odd creatures. Elephant fish?

[catnhatnh]

7. I put a link about them above....

They have an electric organ that seems to provide them with something similar to a dolphins echolocation.

[The Brethren]

3. Scary to me.

I would hate to even go near it! The teeth on that fish are huge....creepy.


Full text of the Stimulus Plan ("American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009"): Orig. House version -- http://appropriations.house.gov/pdf/RecoveryBill01-15-09.pdf , House spreadsheet -- http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=pV-c6t5fOVmNorqMpHvnCMw ; Senate version -- http://appropriations.senate.gov/News/2009_02_02_The_American_Recovery_and_Reinvestment_Act_of_2009.pdf ; and Senate compromise -- http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h111-1 , Text and $$$ details of Senate compromise -- http://appropriations.senate.gov/News/2009_02_08_UPDATED_Appropriations_Provisions_of_American_Recovery_and_Reinvestment_Act.pdf?CFID=4043629&CFTOKEN=40573040 in addition to -- http://readthestimulus.org/amdth1.pdf ; along with -- http://www.readthestimulus.org/ .

[MrSlayer]

4. But..but..Evolution is a myth.

Excellent. That tiger fish must put up a hell of a fight.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

6. HOLY CARP!!!

Scares hell outta me.

[TreasonousBastard]

8. And for a mere 4,000 bucks, plus air, you can catch them...

yourself:

http://www.fishquest.com/Quest.asp?Option=TripDetail&Detail=101



(These suckers are BIG!)

[AzDar]

9. So COOL!

Thanx for posting.
:hi:

[aquart]

10. Yeeks. So how do they taste?

[Tashca]

12. Wow!!

Today's note to self....

"Never go skinny dipping in the Congo River."

[SidDithers]

13. I think we're gonna need a bigger boat...

Sid

[tammywammy]

14. Holy Crap! That's scary! n/t

[stuntcat]

15. the TEETH

WOW, thanks for this article!! :wow: :scared:

[AtomicKitten]

16. Interesting that Americans want to kill these freaks of nature

... as opposed to preserving them if only for their freakshow oddity quality.

Annie get your gun. Oy.

http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2007/05/26/wildpig_wideweb__470x317,2.jpg