Huh.
What?
Well, apparently, some species of sea slug take off their heads when the body gets infested with parasites.
Where do they put it?
They just crawl around on it until they grow a new body.
That’s convenient. What happens to the old one?
The parasites have at it. By the way, did you remember to call the dentist?
They’re still closed. You know, I read that the Pacific lingcod lose about twenty teeth a day and they grow them all back.
How many do they start with?
About five hundred, I think.
Well, you don’t have that many. So don’t forget the dentist.
You ever had that fish?
The lingcod?
They’re supposed to be delicious. Sustainable, too.
Are those the ones with the fluorescent green meat?
Sometimes. It can be blue, too.
I’ll pass. But speaking of fish, look at this guy. Do you think he’s depressed?
He looks a little low, yeah. I told you when we were at the store you should get him some new leaves or something, make him his own little stocking, but you had tunnel vision about the cat food.
Well, that’s because she didn’t like the new kind and I wanted––
Apparently, you can tell the mental health of a zebra fish by how low it sits in a new tank. If it just hangs out by the bottom, it’s depressed.
Why?
They’re curious creatures. They like novelty. Plus, they’re apparently the closest to humans in terms of how brain chemicals function.
I met this paleontology guy at the checkout. He said fish were the first to invent heads with brains. That and the whole phenomenon of having senses in sets: two eyes, two nostrils, two ears ––
Fish have ears?
On the inside. They have these little ear stones that detect vibrations. They help with balance, too.
Do you think he’s listening?
***
These two started talking when I was reading a number of articles from or linked to a feature in the New York Times about the sea slug and other discoveries. I started with 2021’s Most Fascinating Animals, and from there went on to lingcod teeth, fish depression, and some articles inspired by the work of paleontologist Neil H. Shubin, including What People Owe Fish: A Lot. Considering the debt, this morning’s post is admittedly a meager offering.