fish dynamics

[JE]

Are there any good books, DVDs etc relating to fish "dynamics",fish anatomy etc.
As a fish head ! I would like to learn more about fin positioning, poses, muscle structures , etc.
I would like to know how fish "work" in their surroundings and how their surroundings/activities and moods affect them.
John

[Jimmy Lawrence]

Clarks been doing some AWESOME articles in breakthrough about anatomy, fin structure, movement, etc.....


He has been covering the bases of fish the last few issues in depth.  Very informative.

Jimmy

[fishmaster]

Dittos on the artlicles Clark has been doing. They have had a ton of good information.
   If you have a Cabelas or Bass Pro nearby then you have great access to some big aquariums. If you own a video camera you can get some great footage and slow it down so you can really see what's going on. Even a standard camera in video mode is fine.  If you take a large cardboard box  (bigger is better) and tape the flaps down on one end, then cut a hole in the bottom of the box big enough to put the lens of the video camera in. Press the box up against the glass of the aquarium and the video camera in the back. Shooting thru the box will eliminate any glare on the glass and you can get some good footage. Try to meet and get to know the person who maintains the tanks and feeds the fish. Buy him some lunch and tell him what you're wanting to do and see  if you can get permission to use the box. Maybe first thing in the morning, during feeding time or last thing of the day. If you can get footage of them feeding on baitfish and get it on film it will do wonders for your understanding of how fish move quickly, stop quickly and the relationship of the fin movement to what's happening. When they charge a baitfish there's specific fin movement that you can capture on film but is hard to see otherwise. I've judged at shows where competitors duplicated the fin movement in their piece of a feeding fish. I would ask them if they owned an aquarium and usually get a grin.
  Good luck with your studies!

[JE]

Good tip about the box , thanks. I am a great believer in that you can learn an old dog new tricks !
John