PISCATORIAL PROBLEMS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 30, 6 February 1933, Page 6

PISCATORIAL PROBLEMS.

Do fish die of old age? No one knows the answer to that question, although it is logical to answer "Yes." But no observation of old age in fish has ever been recorded, says "Popular Mechanics" (Chicago), which -states: "Soriie members; of the , carp family have lived in .captivity more than ; a hundred years without, showing signs of senile decay; as do land animals, which experience deterioration of arteries, muscles and various other organs. Of course fish die 'natural' deaths from disease, parasites and larger fish and run the constant risk of being stranded or dashed to death on rocks and passing boats or ships. Life in the depths is perilous, so perhaps no fish is able to live out whatever its span of life should be. Whether fish sleep is another question that science never has been able to answer definitely. Fish often are seen motionless at the bottom of shallow streams and near the shore, but whether they are sleeping or remaining quiet, either in wait for prey or to escape the eyes of larger fish has not been determined with any degree of finality. The probability is thit fish do not sleep like land animals, ■because their eyes are lidless and therefore the creajtures-cannot close them."