What is Fish?
Fish are cold-blooded animals that live in water, breathe through gills, and have fins for swimming. They come in many shapes, sizes, and colors, and most lay eggs.
Let's break it down
- Cold-blooded: Their body temperature changes with the water around them.
- Gills: Thin organs that pull oxygen out of water so they can breathe.
- Fins: Flat, flexible parts that help them move, turn, and stay stable in water.
- Lay eggs: Most fish release eggs into the water, where they develop into baby fish.
Why does it matter?
Fish are a major source of food for people worldwide, help keep aquatic ecosystems healthy, and inspire scientific research and technology.
Where is it used?
- Food industry: Fresh, frozen, and canned fish provide protein for billions of meals.
- Aquaculture: Farming fish helps meet growing demand without overfishing wild stocks.
- Medicine: Compounds from fish (like omega-3 oils) are used in supplements and treatments.
- Recreation: Fishing and aquarium keeping are popular hobbies and tourism activities.
Good things about it
- High-quality protein and essential nutrients.
- Helps maintain balanced aquatic ecosystems by controlling insect populations and recycling nutrients.
- Supports economies through commercial fishing, tourism, and aquaculture.
- Provides inspiration for biomimicry, such as fish-scale armor and efficient swimming robots.
Not-so-good things
- Overfishing can deplete wild populations and damage habitats.
- Some fish farms produce waste and spread disease if not managed responsibly.
- Certain species contain high levels of mercury or pollutants, posing health risks if consumed in excess.
- Climate change and water pollution threaten fish habitats and biodiversity.