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Fish and the Need for Speed – The World’s Fastest and Slowest Fish

Posted by: Dave Acland in Fun Stuff September 16, 2009 0 7419 Views

Dave here. Did you ever hear or see a news story that sent your mind into overdrive with strange thoughts? Last weeks news story about the Cincinnati Zoo’s record setting cheetah named Sarah, who ran 100 meters in just 6.13 seconds, was one of those stories that got me to thinking. What is the fastest fish? What is the slowest fish? Why do I think about these things?

Well the first two are relatively easy to answer. The fastest recorded fish speed is that of the Cosmopolitan Sailfish, Istiophorus platypterus , who has been recorded at an amazing 68 mph. The slowest fish is the dwarf sea horse ,Hippocampus zosterae, who reaches a blazing speed of .001 mph. Sarah the Cheetah reached 70 miles per hour on her record breaking 100 meter run (who knew there were records for these things?) it would take the dwarf seahorse 62 hours to cover the 100 meters.

As for the third question, I still have no idea; maybe someday I will be a contestant on Jeopardy.

Until Next Time,

Dave

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After graduating from Coastal Carolina University with a BS in Marine Science in 1996, I started my professional career in 1997 as an aquarist at Ripley’s Aquarium in Myrtle Beach, SC. This was an amazing experience, in which I gained invaluable hands on training in exhibit design and construction, as well as husbandry skills for a wide range of animals. In 2000 I started working at That Fish Place as one of the staff Marine Biologists, with the responsibility of maintaining one of the largest retail fish holding systems in the world. I presently hold the position of Director of Aquatic Science, where I oversee the operation of our 35,000 gallon retail aquarium systems, and provide technical support for our mail-order and retail store customer service staff. As an aquatic product specialist, I also provide support for our purchasing and marketing departments, as well as contribute web content and analysis. As a Hobbyist I acquired my love of aquariums from my father who was keeping a large aquarium in early 70’s, and set up my first aquarium when I was 12 years old. I have now been keeping aquariums for over 35 years, and through this time have kept more aquariums and types of fish than I can remember. I set up my first Saltwater aquarium in 1992, which led me down the path I still follow today.