Do Fish Sleep?: Fascinating Answers to Questions About Fishes(Animals Q & a)

From the fifty-one-foot whale shark Rhincodon typus to a less-than-one-half-inch fish in the minnow family--the tiny Paedocypris progenetica--fish certainly carry a lot of weight . . . or do they? A fish's heft in water may vary, but these diverse aquatic animals certainly carry a lot of weight in our ecosystems and environment. From freshwater to ocean habitats, Judith S. Weis offers a fascinating look at these deceptively simple creatures. Fishes may appear to live a dull existence, but appearances change once we understand more about how they survive. These wonders actually possess attributes that would make us superpowers--they can change color, sex, produce light and electricity, regenerate injured fins, prevent themselves from sinking, and some can even walk on land. Do Fish Sleep? is organized in an easy-to-read and accessible question-and-answer format, filled with more than 55 photographs and over 100 interesting facts from fish biology basics to the importance of preserving and restoring fish diversity and healthy populations. A captivating read for fish enthusiasts of all ages--naturalists, environmentalists, aquarists, scuba divers, and students--this is also the perfect primer for those just about to get their feet wet. Dive in!

Table of Contents:
Preface and Acknowledgments One. Fish Basics Two. Where Fishes Live Three. Fish Bodies Four. Fish Lives Five. Fish Reproduction Six. Dangers and Defenses Seven. Watching Fishes Eight. Recreational Fishing Nine. Commercial Fishing Ten. Fish and Human Health Eleven. Research and Conservation Appendix: Public Aquaria in the United States  References Index

About the Author :
JUDITH S. WEIS is a professor of biological sciences at Rutgers University. She is the coauthor of Salt Marshes: A Natural and Unnatural History (Rutgers University Press).

Review :
"Judith Weis's clearly written book will interest a wide range of readers, from educators to naturally curious young people. " - Howard Reisman (Professor Emeritus of Biology, Long Island University) "Fish, fish, and more fish-from minnows to sharks, mountain streams to ocean bottoms, and teeth to tail fins, if it's a fish question, it's answered here." - John Waldman (author of Heartbeats in the Muck) "Do Fish Sleep? is a fascinating book covering just about every aspect of fish life for readers of every age. It's a book that the layperson or ichthyologist can read and comprehend in almost one sitting." (The East Hampton Star) "This book is a rich source of diverse information, covering all one might want to know about fish, beginning with fish biology and extending to fisheries management. The book is well written and provides an excellent introduction to a vast amount of information on the largest group of vertebrates. Recommended." (Choice) "Weis provides accurate, well-written, and succinct answers to each question. Overall, Do Fish Sleep? is a delightful read and makes the diversity and complexity of fish biology accessible to readers in a broad range of age groups and educational backgrounds." (Quarterly Review of Biology) "This book is for the person who wants to know if fish sleep or have other questions about fish or types of fish. The book answered both basic questions and complicated questions. This is not only for research, but also for people with a general interest." - Elizabeth Willoughby (AAUP Books for Public and Secondary School Libraries)