 |
 The Bramble
Shark (Echinorhinus brucus)
is distinguished from similar-looking sharks by
having two small dorsal fins located far on the
back just before the tail., as well as the large,
thorn-like denticles that cover its body. |
 The
Whale
Shark (Rhincodon typus) is the largest fish in the sea, being
18-40 feet long and weighing an average of 20.6
tons. In addition to size, the whale shark is
distinguished by its blunt snout and a mouth up
to 4 feet wide at the very front of the head;
most other sharks have a more pointed snout and
the mouth is on the underside of the head. |
 Sand
Tiger Shark (Carcharias
taurus) This
species is distinguished by its flattened,
cone-shaped snout, and by its anal and both
dorsal fins being the same size. It is unique among sharks in that it will
come to the surface to take big gulps of air; it
holds the air in its stomach, allowing it to
maintain neutral buoyancy, meaning it does not
have to keep swimming in order to stay afloat. |
 European
Conger Eel (Conger conger)
The largest eel in the world grows up to 5 feet
in length and weighs up to 150 pounds, with
specimens up to 9 feet long and weighing 350
pounds known. It lives in the eastern Atlantic,
from Norway and Iceland to Senegal, and in the
Mediterranean and Black seas. |
 Bitterling
(Rhodeus sericeus)
The bitterling's breeding behavior is by far its
most distinguishing feature. Eggs are laid inside
a freshwater mussel, while the mussel discharges
its larvae onto the bitterling. There must be a
mussel present in order for a female to lay her
eggs; it there is a mussel but no male near, she
will lay infertile eggs. |
