Freshwater eels are almost infinitely improbable creatures. They spawn and die in the middle of the ocean, often associated with undersea mountains. Their tra- parent, leaf-like larvae move with ocean currents for months or years until they approach the mouths of freshwater rivers. Then they undergo a dramatic transf- mation in morphology, physiology and behavior. They move from their planktonic oceanic environment, migrate upstream and live for several years as apex fre- water predators. Then, almost impossibly, as they become sexually mature, they reverse their migration downstream to the...

A number of major advances in our understanding of how physiological processes, and related behaviour patterns, are controlled and integrated in fish are presented in this book. Such information is not merely of academic interest since it is also fundamental to the scientific basis of fish farming and fisheries. The contributors are acknowledged experts from Europe and North America. The major themes covered are the autonomic and central nervous systems, the control of digestion, respiration and circulation, kidney function, endocrinology, and control of metabolism. Particular attention is...

Freshwater eels are almost infinitely improbable creatures. They spawn and die in the middle of the ocean, often associated with undersea mountains. Their tra- parent, leaf-like larvae move with ocean currents for months or years until they approach the mouths of freshwater rivers. Then they undergo a dramatic transf- mation in morphology, physiology and behavior. They move from their planktonic oceanic environment, migrate upstream and live for several years as apex fre- water predators. Then, almost impossibly, as they become sexually mature, they reverse their migration downstream to the...