-
Actually, Echidna has the best, most accurate answer thus far. :-) Depth of the water plays a bigger role in color and fin shape than does temperature. Temp actually doesn't play much in those things aside from what food sources are sustained in each environment. If you want an example of a colorful coldwater fish look up the catalina goby. They're one of my favorite species. The same also applies to invertebrates. For an example of a colorful cold water invertebrate look up a picture of a "strawberry anemone" (another of my favorite species).
Something to keep in mind if you are contributing this theory to mermaids... mers are still air breathing, thus will spend a fair amount of time at the surface. While temp itself won't make a difference in skin tone, sun/uv rays will. Closer to the surface means more uv exposure, thus skin would tend to be darker.
In regards to the comment about fluke shapes and still water and the reference to bettas... the long flowing fins that most people associate with bettas is a genetic trait that has been toyed with by man. Wild bettas have short fins. Again, do a search for "wild betta splendins" and you will see examples of this. Bettas, much like goldfish, have been manipulated so much by people that it's becoming increasingly difficult to find them in their wild/natural appearance anymore.
One thing that plays a part in fin shape is what areas a fish tends to occupy. Gobies are a good example to see these changes. There are many true goby species and they come in a wide variety of fin shapes, including the fused pelvic fin which serves the purpose of a "suction cup" so that they can better adhere to rock formations. Other goby species, such as the neon goby, are very streamlined in shape, and they tend to be more of an open water swimmer vs the goby species with the fused pelvic fin who tend to be bottom dwellers.
When it comes to reef fish, keep in mind that there are deep water reefs as well as shallow reefs, and this applies to both tropical and cold water. Shallow reefs tend to contain animals that rely more on uv rays for things such as digestion and food, whereas deep water reef animals tend to rely more on predation of other animals and filter feeding.
There's a LOT that plays into where a fish lives, thrives, etc. and not all fish stay in the same environment their entire lives. Many fish travel great distances for mating and spawning, and newly hatched/live born fish will also travel through various salinity, depth, and temp changes as they grow and mature. This applies to both freshwater and saltwater animals.
(I am married to an aquatic biologist and I am an aquatic specialist, my specialty is in aquatic medicine) I can offer you examples of any fin style, color, etc. for fish that fall within most regions, both cold and tropical waters and at varying depths.
Posting Permissions
- You may not post new threads
- You may not post replies
- You may not post attachments
- You may not edit your posts
-
Forum Rules
Bookmarks