Prehistoric fish

[jigman73]

JD is correct. "Prehistoric fish" generally refers to the gars and the bowfin because they have a physostomous swimbladder which precedes the physoclistous swimbladder of the "modern" fishes.

Just an fyi:
We date the origins of almost all of the fishes that we have today to roughly 400 million years ago. The lampreys origins may date back 450 million years and the Hagfishes may date back 550 million years ago. So I guess in this aspect we could call them all prehistoric. lol

[HURRICANEBOB]

"Prehistoric fish"

If PRE ="before", and then does PRE Historic mean "before history?"

If it was before history, how do we have a history of it?

To me, PRE-Historic means "before I had a history on not catching fish. I have had a few "hostric outings". Some even included the capture of fish. Others included retrieving sunk Subaru's, freezing parts of the body to the boat, communicating with string and cans over vast distances, and the discovery through trial and error that Mercury outboards will not run on Makers Mark unless primed with Budweiser.

[fishhunter]

Prehistoric Fish..Hum,,, Must be where the smell comes from..

[colonelmeyer]

Is a spoonbill and a paddle fish the same thing? They fall into this category right? I gotta think that versatile feeders like catfish and carp must be pretty old to, when did they differentiate themselves?

[riverrat12]

Is a spoonbill and a paddle fish the same thing? They fall into this category right? I gotta think that versatile feeders like catfish and carp must be pretty old to, when did they differentiate themselves?

Yes, I believe they are called the mississippi basin paddle fish...Chuck

[JD7.62]

Is a spoonbill and a paddle fish the same thing? They fall into this category right? I gotta think that versatile feeders like catfish and carp must be pretty old to, when did they differentiate themselves?

Cyprinids such as carps, "minnows", shiners, barbs, etc are really young. Fossils older then 20millions years are rare or unkown. Today though they are one of the most diverse and dominant fresh water fish species in the world. The smallest reach barely .5" in length (being one of the smallest fish known to man) and the largest is the giant barb that can get nearly 10ft in length and over 400lbs. The Colorado Pike Minnow has historically been seen at sizes 6ft in length and toping 100pounds is the largest native cyrpinid. Sadly it is now endangered and large ones are rare or non-existant any more. All carp species found in North America, even the common carp, are introduced exotic species that are causing MUCH more damage then snakeheads could even dream about doing All cyprinids are freshwater by the way so imagine tangling into a 400lb carp in a small lake!!!

Siluriformes (catfish, representing over 3,000 species) as well as polydontidae (paddlefish, representing only two species one of which, the Chinese Paddlefish may very well be extinct now ) both evoled in the late Cretaceous about 65-100million years ago. The chinese paddlefish is believed to be on the verge of extinction if not already. The last one was seen alive in 2003. One was illegally killed in 2007 and no young paddlefish have been seen since 1995. The fish are true giants of the freshwater world, with reports of them being 23ft in length and over 1,000 pounds!

Dang, all this fish talk has me itching for spring time to do some smapling and snorkeling for fun!

[jcclark]

If it was before history, how do we have a history of it?

Fossils

[Downwind]

And not one Only a Cave Man Joke to be found

[BubbaBass1]

Prehistoric or not; I need to catch one. "ONE" I don't care what species. I just need to hear that reel sing that special tune we all luv to hear.

BB1

[Noker]

amen im ready for spring!

[colonelmeyer]

JD, are you a fisheries biologist, or do you just love fishing that much? I just noticed the 7.62 after JD, I also prefer the heavier, rounds unless of course I have to carry them. See ya on the water folks.

[JD7.62]

JD, are you a fisheries biologist, or do you just love fishing that much? I just noticed the 7.62 after JD, I also prefer the heavier, rounds unless of course I have to carry them. See ya on the water folks.

I was going to be but decided there wasnt enough money in it. Now Im sitting in a cubicle in an office working for the man while my friend, who is working on his masters in fisheries managment, has a "job" that pretty much involves fishing all day!

I hear ya on the weight of ammo. Ive got a "few" cases around and man Im glad I dont have to carry them around every day! Even the "lighter" stuff like 5.56 and 5.45 I have gets heavy FAST!