The Ecology of Fishes

Contents: Introduction. I. Inter-relationships between fishes and their abiotic and biotic environment: 1. Adaptations of fishes to abiotic environmental factors. 2. Density and pressure of the water. 3. Salinity of the water. 4. Temperature of the water. 5. Salt content of the water. 6. Gases in solution. 7. Light, sound, other vibrations and forms of radiant energy. 8. Bottom deposits and particles suspended in the water. 9. Movement of the water and modes of movement in fishes. 10. Biotic inter-relationships among fishes. 11. Intraspecific relationships among fishes. 12. Interspecific inter-relationships among fishes. 13. Interspecific relationships between fishes and other organisms. II. Fundamental links in the life cycles of fishes: 1. Reproduction and development of fishes. 2. The size, growth, and age of fishes. 3. Population dynamics of fishes. 4. The migrations of fishes. 5. The overwintering and hibernation of fishes. 6. Feeding and the feeding relationships among fishes. III. The significance of fishes in the life of mankind and the biological basis of a rational fishery. Bibliography. Subject index.

"This book represents a brief essay on the ecology of fishes. The book differs in structure from other. Following a short introduction, in which the basic theoretical concepts of modern fish ecology are examined, conclusions are drawn concerning the interrelations between the fish and its organic and inorganic environment. In the second part of the book the fundamental links in the life histories of fishes are examined. In selecting the examples, author used where possible data concerning species of commercial importance. Primarily, the author examined those aspects of the ecology of fishes which are important for the construction of a rational fishery. Since the ecology of separate species of fishes has been dealt with in detail." (jacket)