Blog

By Author: Mark McGrouther

Juvenile Roundface Batfish

This week in Fish: Baby Batfish

It was another big week with heaps of new fishy content added to the site.  Two of the highlights were the spotting of juvenile Roundface Batfish in Sydney Harbour and the addition of a stunning Halimeda Ghostpipefish image.  Follow the links below to read more about these and other happenings.  This will be the first and last Fish Bits post for May.  I will be participating in the Kermadec Islands expedition (more below) until early June.  Thank you as always to everyone who contributed during the week.

By: Mark McGrouther, Category: Science, Date: 06 May 2011

Juvenile Roundface Batfish

Batfish in Sydney Harbour

Sydney Harbour doesn't immediately spring to mind when you think of tropical fishes. That's why we were recently surprised to hear about juvenile Roundface Batfish that have been seen near Clifton Gardens and in Parsley Bay, in the outer harbour.

By: Mark McGrouther, Category: Science, Date: 05 May 2011

'Faye', a large female White Shark near the surface

Shark blood production

In what part of the body is a shark's blood made? This was the subject of an enquiry that was recently sent to the Australian Museum.

By: Mark McGrouther, Category: Science, Date: 02 May 2011

Whale Shark in Botany Bay

This week in Fish: Pineapplefish and Surf Sardine

It was a short but action-packed week.  The highlights were adding an image of the Whale Shark sighted last week in Botany Bay and a movie of dolphins (I know they are not fish) off Manly.  Thanks to everyone who contributed.

By: Mark McGrouther, Category: Science, Date: 29 Apr 2011

Bottlenose Dolphin

Dolphins at Manly

Swimming with dolphins has to be high on the wish list for many people.  Gaetan Guilhon had the very good fortune to do just that at Manly Beach, Sydney, on a lovely April morning in 2011.   The footage shows a pod of about 50 Common Dolphins, Delphinus delphis.  Please don't tell me that dolphins aren't fish - I know that!  I was just so envious and excited I had to share this movie.  Enjoy!

By: Mark McGrouther, Category: Science, Date: 27 Apr 2011

Tawny Shark, <em>Nebrius ferrugineus</em>

This week in Fish: Whale Shark sighting

During the week we reported on a Whale Shark sighting in Botany Bay.  Teagan Marzullo visited to examine the spines of rays in the collection and a small 'Querying the site' image gallery was added.  Of course there were also plenty of new images added.  Thank you to everyone who contributed.

By: Mark McGrouther, Category: Science, Date: 21 Apr 2011

Whale Shark in Botany Bay

Whale Shark in Botany Bay - April 2011

A friend just called me to say that she had heard that a Whale Shark was swimming in Botany Bay.  "No way" was my initial reaction. Apparently members of the Abyss Scuba Diving encountered the fish this morning and have posted images on their Facebook account.

By: Mark McGrouther, Category: Science, Date: 19 Apr 2011

Head of a Prickly Dogfish

This week in Fish: Lots of sharks and Fin Forensics

It has been a 'sharky week' with the addition of images showing a shark bite on a horse (really!), a Prickly Dogfish, and wounds inflicted on larger fishes by Cookiecutter Sharks.  Rebecca Johnson from our Genetics Unit deserves another cheer for her TV appearance on Catalyst.  Thank you as always to all contributors and to the increasing number of people who are adding comments.

By: Mark McGrouther, Category: Science, Date: 15 Apr 2011

Rebecca Johnson with sea eagle

Fin forensics and the fish collection

The Australian Museum's Dr Rebecca Johnson appeared in the Catalyst Fin Forensics story on 7 April 2011. The show focused on the the practice of shark finning and highlighted how the museum's Genetics Unit were instrumental in a successful legal prosecution.  The Australian Museum's 'fishos' were also delighted to see some excellent footage of the Fish collection that appeared in the story.

By: Mark McGrouther, Category: Science, Date: 11 Apr 2011

Undescribed anglerfish at Jervis Bay

This week in Fish: undescribed anglerfish and bellowsfish

This week I was delighted to add two beautiful images of the undescribed 'Bare Island' anglerfish. Also added were a 'new species' for the site, the Little Bellowsfish plus some great images of a Common Galaxias and a Scribbled Unicornfish from remote Middleton Reef. From closer to home, the Horned Blenny makes an ever-so-cute appearance. As always, thank you to all contributors!

By: Mark McGrouther, Category: Science, Date: 08 Apr 2011