The seahorse – fish, horse or mythical creature? A fascinating mystery of the sea

Seahorses (Hippocampus hippocampus) in the aquarium tank of the former Helgoland Aquarium, photo: E. Hensel The seahorse has always enjoyed great popularity. And not least because it is fundamentally different from all other fish. Most noticeable is the external appearance, which is more reminiscent of a horse than a fish. In Greek mythology, these animalsContinue reading “The seahorse – fish, horse or mythical creature? A fascinating mystery of the sea”

The sturgeon – a living fossil with a Helgoland past

European sturgeon Acipenser sturio Photo: E. Hensel Many older residents of the North Sea island of Helgoland still remember that the island’s fishermen caught a spectacular and sensational catch at the end of the 1960s: a fish over a meter long, brownish-gray in color, with five rows of bony scales, which was one of theContinue reading “The sturgeon – a living fossil with a Helgoland past”

The wrasse – a striking splash of color

Spotted Wrasse Labrus bergylta Photo: E. Hensel There are also colorful fish in the North Sea Colorful fish are more likely to be expected in the tropical seas. But also in the North Sea you can find some species that impress with the variety and intensity of their colors. These include the spotted wrasse LabrusContinue reading “The wrasse – a striking splash of color”

Model studies: Talking fish – Bioacoustics of the gurnards

This project gave us insight into the acoustic communication of gurnards by recording their sounds by hydrophones Duration: 3 Months and more (project-specific) Location: Helgoland Scientists: AG Prof. Fischer / Dr. Emanuel Hensel In the last few decades, the investigation of inter- and intraspecific communication between organisms has increased in importance, because the central priorityContinue reading “Model studies: Talking fish – Bioacoustics of the gurnards”