City Fish, Country Fish

Some people live in the country, close to the land, where they enjoy peace and quiet. Others live in high-rise apartments in the city and love the hustle and bustle of crowds and nonstop activity, both day and night. In the ocean, too, there are places that have some of the characteristics of the country or of the city. Like the classic tale of The City Mouse and the Country Mouse, there are advantages and disadvantages to each habitat.

We’ll compare how the fishes that live in tropical seas (the city) and those that swim through cold oceans (the country) meet the challenges and opportunities of their own ecosystems. We will examine how color, shape, and size, as well as behaviors and adaptations, help them survive in their particular habitat. We'll explore characteristics that make them different, as well as things that make them the same.