Scientists Discover World's Smallest Fish

sckienle writes "Yahoo news is reporting that scientists have found the world's smallest fish in Thailand. It wins the prize by 0.1 mm, being 7.9 mm in length. The fish has other unique qualifications: it lives in acidic water (ph 3), the males have fins that appear to be able to grasp objects, and have a head that is unprotected by a skeleton." From the article: "[Maurice Kottelat] said the record of finding the world's smallest fish was not important, preferring to focus on what he said was "scientifically significant." "What's important is finding a complete vertebrae in a body so small," he said."

What did they call it?

[luder]

Babel fish?

A Fish Story

[ackthpt]

"Yeah, it's small. But you should have seen the one that got away!"

Re:A Fish Story

[Tired and Emotional]

Should be a commercial success though - they'll just make up the volume with batter.

Hope for life on other planets

[catahoula10]

""It's tiny, it lives in acid and it has these bizarre grasping fins. "

If science can find a fish living in acid, then the possibility of life on other planets seems more real.

Thats nothing

[Anonymous Coward]

I lived in acid for about 6 years in the 90s

Re:Thats nothing

[FinestLittleSpace]

On, the word you're looking for is 'on'

Re:Hope for life on other planets

[ackthpt]

If science can find a fish living in acid, then the possibility of life on other planets seems more real.

Who's to determine what's normal for life? One lesson you gain from seeing a bit of grass growing up through a crack on an interstate is that nature is tenacious. On a different world, under different atmospheric pressure, light spectrum and intensity and different chemical make-up of environment you could find life. It just wouldn't do well here as neither would we there.

Re:Hope for life on other planets

[macklin01]

If science can find a fish living in acid, then the possibility of life on other planets seems more real.

I thought that was pretty cool, too. Although it's not household cleaner-strength acid. According to the article, the pH is 3, which is very close to orange juice, vinegar [physchem.co.za], and cola [epa.gov]. I can only imagine the joy of living in oxygenated cola. MMmm, cola. :-) -- Paul

Re:Hope for life on other planets

[smellsofbikes]

There are archaeobacteria that live in nearly boiling hot sulfuric acid ponds, stuff that has chemical activity more aggressive than batteries, and others that live near underwater volcanic vents that, because of the enormous water pressure and its increase in the boiling point of water, survive quite nicely in water temperatures far above boiling. Many of them have weird long-chain ethers and esters in their cell membranes that keep the membranes from rupturing to the outside world, in a manner similar to rivets keeping an airplane's skin on.

Re:Hope for life on other planets

[macklin01]

There are archaeobacteria that live in nearly boiling hot sulfuric acid ponds, stuff that has chemical activity more aggressive than batteries, and others that live near underwater volcanic vents that, because of the enormous water pressure and its increase in the boiling point of water, survive quite nicely in water temperatures far above boiling. Many of them have weird long-chain ethers and esters in their cell membranes that keep the membranes from rupturing to the outside world, in a manner similar to

Re:Hope for life on other planets

[PitaBred]

Yes. But this is a fish, not a bacteria. That's what makes this even more amazing. An actual vertebrate, not just some cells.

Re:Hope for life on other planets

[Gulthek]

Ah, much more than fish live near the undersea volcanic vents.

http://venturedeepocean.org/life/index.html [venturedeepocean.org]

Frex: tubeworms

"Not only can they live under immense pressures deep in the ocean, tubeworms living around volcanoes and vents can tolerate a wide range of temperatures. An individual tubeworm can often experience a range of tens of degrees over the length of its body (or a change in the same place on its body over the course of just a few seconds): from the background chill of most deep water (a few degrees above freezing), to warm fluids drifting out of vents in the seafloor."

"Unlike most other animals, a tubeworm lacks a mouth, gut and anus. Instead, it gets its food from millions of microbes living inside it (a bit like a plant gets its food from the choloroplasts which give it its green color). The tubeworm's body reflects the symbiotic (living together) relationship it has with its microbes"

http://venturedeepocean.org/life/tubeworms.html [venturedeepocean.org]

How's that for wicked cool?

Not to say that a fish living in acidic water isn't nifty, but it sure isn't high on the list of Extreme Life Conditions.

Re:Hope for life on other planets

[conJunk]

How's that for wicked cool?

amen to that. a simbiotic relationship with one's own internal microbes, such that you don't have to eat *or* poop is probably among the top 10 coolest adaptations i've ever heard of

Re:Hope for life on other planets

[Decaff]

"Not only can they live under immense pressures deep in the ocean, tubeworms living around volcanoes and vents can tolerate a wide range of temperatures."

The immense pressure is often mentioned, but is largely completely irrelevant, as it is not like these creatures have to be built to resist pressure - water can move throughout their bodies. The thing that is really awesome is the temperature range.

Re:Hope for life on other planets

[smellsofbikes]

That's true. I wonder if, like some other fish, it can change its sex [davidson.edu] whenever it wants to, as well. ALMOST makes me want to be a fish.

Re:Hope for life on other planets

[sl4shd0rk]

Yup. When someone says 'go fuck yourself' you actually could. See who gets the last laugh then....

Re:Hope for life on other planets

[Firethorn]

It was once thought that life was an incredibly fragile thing, able to exist only in stringent bounds. Turns out that it's not nearly the case, that life can adapt to many different conditions. Only the individuals, even species are that fragile. Life itself can adapt to many conditions. And when it gets to a global level it modifies the very planet, leading to different life.

Re:Hope for life on other planets

[jtorkbob]

Here's the important bit:

the males have enlarged pelvic fins and exceptionally large muscles that may be used to grasp the females during copulation

Why didn't this make it into the summary?

Re:Hope for life on other planets

[servognome]

"the males have enlarged pelvic fins and exceptionally large muscles that may be used to grasp the females during copulation"

Why didn't this make it into the summary?

Jealousy

Re:Hope for life on other planets

[catahoula10]

"the males have enlarged pelvic fins and exceptionally large muscles that may be used to grasp the females during copulation"

"Why didn't this make it into the summary?"

"Jealousy"

It sure ain't penis envy

Re:Hope for life on other planets

[tonywong]

does this mean that you can swallow this fish and it will be able to live in your stomach (for a while at least)?

Mmmmm

[MrShaggy]

Fishy Fishy Fishy.. Has anyone seen the fish?? Where did the fishy go ?

Re:Mmmmm

[fitten]

It's in his trousers!

Re:Mmmmm

[Rude Turnip]

At that size? Probably up someone's urethra for all we know. Except for Hank Hill's.

It's (still) ALIVE!

[LinuxWhore]

Looks like the EPA might have to update their pH scale [epa.gov].

Re:It's (still) ALIVE!

[955301]

You should tell them to update it.

If you have questions about this site, please contact the Acid Rain Students Site Webmaster via e-mail at [e-mail].

You may also write to us at:

Mail Code 6204J
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20460

Or call us at:

Phone: [phone]
Hotline: [phone]

Re:It's (still) ALIVE!

[SydShamino]

Remind me to not eat any Ceviche [wikipedia.org] made with this guy. Lemon or lime juice (ph 2) is used to "cook" Ceviche, but I doubt it would kill them off. Eww.

Re:It's (still) ALIVE!

[stomv]

Maybe not... this fish might find a pH of 4.2 far too basic for it's tastes, and keel over as a result.

what is..

[dotpavan]

..the prize?

It wins the prize by..

My Fish

[kote-men-do]

That's funny, my fish are way smaller than that. Good at swimming upstream too.

Re:My Fish

[fashionfirst]

Its a real shame they never get the chance =( /cry =)

Re:My Fish

[Gzip Christ]

That's funny, my fish are way smaller than that. Good at swimming upstream too.

Given that this is Slashdot, I suspect there is no actual stream involved and that your fish are primarily farm raised (by hand, so to speak).

Fishing pole

[PopeOptimusPrime]

Finally a use for my tiny fishing pole!

Re:Fishing pole

[ackthpt]

Finally a use for my tiny fishing pole!

Do you use a loupe to tie and bait hooks?

finally, a use for my milligram scale!

They're micro-fishes

[wcrowe]

They're used for archiving documents.

Re:They're micro-fishes

[Hogwash McFly]

What a carp pun.

Re:Groan....

[wcrowe]

Actually, bad as it is, I was afraid no one would get it. Who microfiches anything these days?

Re:Groan....

[Kazzahdrane]

I got it and thought it was the funniest comment I've read on /. in the last few days - and I've been stuck at home. More of the same, please :)

Re:Groan....

[dclydew]

Well, thats only because they overfiched the microfisheries...

Re:Groan....

[gardyloo]

I used to microfiche, but my eyes aren't good enough, any more. Baiting those tiny little hooks is a b*tch.

      Cue the "since this is Slashdot, you have to be a masterbaiter..." jokes.

Re:They're micro-fishes

[wcrowe]

I'm more curious about who modded it "insightful".

Sushi

[TCFOO]

Are we going to see a story on the worlds smallest piece of sushi made from this fish tomarow?

Re:Sushi

[eclectro]

Are we going to see a story on the worlds smallest piece of sushi made from this fish tomarow?

No, but we will see a fishy story that's a dupe.

grasping fins not cool enough?

[elohim]

"[Maurice Kottelat] said the record of finding the world's smallest fish was not important, preferring to focus on what he said was "scientifically significant." "What's important is finding a complete vertebrae in a body so small," he said."

Are grasping fins not scientifically significant enough to be included in what's important? This guy sounds like a true nerd.

Re:grasping fins not cool enough?

[Anonymous Coward]

There are other fish with grasping fins, sea horses being an obvious example. Go to your local tropical fish store and you'll see them.

We're talking about being able to hang on to a weed, not that it can deal blackjack.

Re:grasping fins not cool enough?

[sp0rk173]

First of all, he is a nerd. He's a scientist. You can't be a scientist without being a nerd, it just comes with the territory. Second, he wasn't saying the grasping fins aren't scientifically significant, he was simply saying that the fact that this sets a new record is not scientifically significant. Instead, the physiology is the scientifically significan part (he mentions the vertibre, but the fins - i'm sure - are also significant).

Re:grasping fins not cool enough?

[hackstraw]

Are grasping fins not scientifically significant enough to be included in what's important?

Odds are, the grasping fins are to improve the likelihood of a male successfully producing offspring.

Its common for external fertilizers like fish and frogs to have hooks or whatnot to stay above the eggs coming out of the female, and to keep another male from joining in on the fun.

The important question

[HangingChad]

How does it taste?

Re:The important question

[Stradenko]

Read my mind...It's a member of the carp family, so I imagine it'd be cooked similarly...sure would take a lot of 'em to make a meal.

Re:The important question

[The_Rook]

apparently a new fish dish at the supermodel restaurant.

Re:The important question

[ballpoint]

Like chicken ?

Re:The important question

[OldManAndTheC++]

How does it taste?

No one knows. So far we have been unable to make chips that small.

Scientists are hard at work on the problem though. They hope to soon have a tiny potato that they can cut up into (wait for it...) microchips.

Thank you! I'll be here all week.

Why so small?

[onco_p53]

Their theory of its small size, is a lack of minerals in the habitat (Specifically Calcium I guess), that limits the avalible bone making material.

Re:Why so small?

[SetupWeasel]

But you'll have the strength of five gorrilas.

Re:Why so small?

[Eightyford]

Flamebait? It was an honest question. I don't often make comments about how posts are modded, but you can clearly see by my signature that I have an interest in people's opinions on the matter.

Small fish?

[jbeaupre]

Now no skull, that's cool!

But I see smaller fish every day. The baby cichlids I'm raising are as small as 2 mm. It's funny watching them act just like adults. Defending turf from each other, looking for food, running from 200 mm adults (different species), and so on. I can't help but think how such complex actions are being controlled by so few neurons.

Me too.

[IAAP]

I can't help but think how such complex actions are being controlled by so few neurons.

I have that exact same thought when hearing politicians speak.

Re:Small fish?

[techno-vampire]

Of course there are just hatched fish that are smaller than this. The point is that this is the smallest adult fish known.

So few neurons...

[truthsearch]

I can't help but think how such complex actions are being controlled by so few neurons.

I wonder the same thing about my coworkers every day...

Re:So few neurons...

[dwayner79]

I will gladly elect this post to your best of site. Very nicely done.

Re:So few neurons...

[typical]

Interesting site in your .sig, but I think that it would be better run on something like the bash.org [bash.org] codebase than Slashcode.

Re:So few neurons...

[truthsearch]

Thanks. It's actually running on Drupal [drupal.org] with a slash theme. I've contributed some modules that that project and I like it a lot. I'll give look at bash.org. Thanks!

How this fish and I are alike...

[VitrosChemistryAnaly]

From TFA "...exceptionally large muscles that may be used to grasp the females during copulation..."

No wonder I scare the ladies away!

Re:How this fish and I are alike...

[chris_eineke]

Yes, a big belly certainly is worth a scare... ;)

Slashdotters Discover Worlds Lamest TinyFish Jokes

[digitaldc]

Scientists have discovered the world's smallest fish on record in an acidic peat swamp in Indonesia
Ironically, all his friends just like to call him 'Shrimp'

'with a see-through body and a head that is unprotected by a skeleton'
Which one are you referring to, Paris Hilton or Nicole Richie?

It's tiny, it lives in acid and it has these bizarre grasping fins.
Are you sure you weren't talking about your last 'Phish' concert?

"the males have enlarged pelvic fins and exceptionally large muscles that may be used to grasp the females during copulation"
Does size really matter?

"You don't wake up in the morning and think today we will find the smallest fish in the world,"
Well I guess you haven't been fishing much at my local pond lately.

And finally...
You can never tell any 'fish stories' because this is always going to be the 'one that got away.'

Uh oh...better watch your family jewels guys...

[MindPrison]

...it could be one of those that swims up your organic tube and when snug as a bug.... POOF! Blows up and stays in there.

(/me watches as half the slashdotters in here crosses legs)

Re:Uh oh...better watch your family jewels guys...

[mattsucks]

...it could be one of those that swims up your organic tube and when snug as a bug.... POOF! Blows up and stays in there.

(/me watches as half the slashdotters in here crosses legs)

Waaaaaay more than half.

Re:Uh oh...better watch your family jewels guys...

[MindPrison]

Ah, there you go - now I feel safe again.

I guess there is a reason my 38L fishtank is filled with guppies only.

For small appetites

[rip_1956]

Scientists are now seeking a miniature species of potatoes so they can make the world's smallest batch of fish 'n chips.

I suppose they could call it microfiche and microchips...

Or, for the Japanese...

[interactive_civilian]

Nigiri-sushi using only one grain of rice!

:D

Vertebrate

[Nerdfest]

"What's important is finding a complete vertebrae in a body so small,"

How can it have a complete skeleton if it doesn't have a skull? I always feel somewhat incomplete without mine.

Obligatory grammar nitpick

[techno-vampire]

When I read the summary, I thought the poster had mis-typed the quote because vertebrae is a plural. When I RTFA'd, I found that the poster was right. Either that's what was said, or the reporter's the one making the mistake.

What the hell does it look like?

[killermookie]

Hey Lookie! Another article with an actual PICTURE [abc.net.au]!

A picture is worth 1000 words.

can't see much

[roman_mir]

A picture is worth 1000 words. - I think in this case a 1000 words maybe more visible.

Re:What the hell does it look like?

[antdude]

That almost looks like minnows to me.

It's tiny AND transparent

[digitaldc]

Hey Lookie! Another article with an actual PICTURE!

The second picture [abc.net.au] of the fish shows that it is partially transparent.
So not only has it evolved and survived because it is so small, but also because it is almost invisible.

I for one...

[garrett714]

...welcome our new acid-swallowing, skeleton-challeneged, bitch-slappin' miniature overlords!

Is it the shortest?

[antifoidulus]

The fish featured in this slashdot article [slashdot.org] was 7 mm, this one says their fish is 7.9 mm....

Re:Is it the shortest?

[Red Flayer]

The article you link to refers to a species where males are 7 mm long; females average 8.4mm.

The species referred to in the current article has sexually mature femals of 7.9 mm.

Re:Is it the shortest?

[Red Flayer]

I'd settle for shortest sexually mature adults of both sexes.

Erm, that sounds kind of funny, I'm not really into that kind of fetish.

But you did bring up a good point an another interesting article on the topic.

Is it really such a small fish...

[Elvis Parsley]

...or was it just found in a really big pond?

Just small enough

[Red Flayer]

To fit in my ear canal and swim in a bit.

Babelfish, anyone?

Not from Thailand

[Seanasy]

...is reporting that scientists have found the world's smallest fish in Thailand.

The report comes from Thailand. The fish comes from Sumatra.

All about the size

[CompressedAir]

[Maurice Kottelat] said the record of finding the world's smallest fish was not important, preferring to focus on what he said was "scientifically significant." "What's important is finding a complete vertebrae in a body so small," he said.

So... finding the world's smallest fish is important, then?

Actually its in Indonesia not Thailand

[trash eighty]

It was found in a Sumatran swamp, though the story was filed in Thailand. Obviously the submitter didn't get as far as reading the first sentence of TFA :p

I vote that we name it the Plankfish.

[bareman]

They won't serve them at a Sushi bar, but you might be able to get one at an h-bar.

Ok, that was bad. Hope I don't have to walk the plank.

Maki

[malus]

I'm sure the Japanese will figure out a way to get us gaijin to pay $400/oz for sushi.

Mistake in Article

[Rac3r5]

The fish were found in Indonesia, not Thailand. Sumatra is in Indonesia. I guess the submiter missed the first line of the article.

Favorite Quote from Article

[coinreturn]

"This is all the more serious because the habitat of this fish is disappearing very fast, and the fate of the species is now in doubt."

Nothing like having your fate in doubt the moment you're discovered!

42

[scharkalvin]

Would that be a babel fish?

Obviously...

[AyeRoxor!]

What's important is finding a complete vertebrae in a body so small," he said.

Obviously, what is NOT important is plurality-matching...

Re:Obviously...

[AyeRoxor!]

Ahhh, good catch. I didn't even think Parent wouldn't just copy and paste. And if he did, there's yet ANOTHER Chief Editor post for which I should apply! :-P

At least it wasn't discovered in Korea...

[tomcres]

Tomorrow's headline: world's smallest fish found to be a hoax

Is that by itself?

[brainburger]

...or does it come with micro-chips?

Sorry....

But...

[belmolis]

But does it run Linux?

O Rly?

[EEBaum]

Left out of the article:

Scientists know that it is indeed the world's smallest fish, and no smaller one could possibly exist, because "Look at it! It's REALLY small! Smaller even than the now not-quite-smallest fish! That's tiny!"

Re:Not important

[ackthpt]

So it's not important that it is the world's smallest fish, but it is important that it is so small?

Small fish or small vertebrate, whichever the excitement is about, it's a Carp relative, so don't release any of these in the local resevoir or you'll have 1.0e06 of them.

Re:Not important

[19thNervousBreakdown]

Well, yeah, but only if your local resivoir is made of orange juice [mpcfaculty.net].

Re:what about the dreaded Candiru

[whitehatlurker]

Okay, that's it. I'm not swimming any more. I thought you were joking until I did a search on "Candiru".

That's one sick little fish. However, since it seems that they only do their urethra swimming while urine is passing, this might be a good way to keep people from pissing in your pool. Warning: this pool patrolled by Candiru fish.

Re:This quote bothers me.

[CoderBob]

Why? It happened on a global level long before mankind even entered the picture. Species will disappear whether it is a result of us (which could be preventable or not, depending), a result of other natural species, or a catastrophe of some form. Nature doesn't hold any particular species dear.