ICHTHYOLOGY

Brazilian scientists have described a new species of darter tetra in the genus Characidium from southern Brazil. The new species is named Characidium heirmostigmata by Weferson da Graça and Carla Pavanelli in the latest issue of the journal Neotropical Ichthyology. Characidium heirmostigmata is known from the upper Paraná River drainage in southern Brazil, and is named after the series of black marks on the sides of the body (from the Greek heirmos = series and stigmata = marks). The new species can be distinguished from other members of the genus except C. serrano in having 8 to 11 incomplete oblique bars on the sides of the body, which extend upwards and downwards from the lateral line and are independent of the 8 or 9 dorsal transverse bars usually are present in Characidium species. Characidium heirmostigmata differs from C. serrano by a wider body (12.2–15.7% vs. 8.7–11/1% standard length) and having fewer perforated scales on the lateral line (32–35 vs. 37–39).For more information, see the paper: da Graça, WJ and CS Pavanelli (2008) Characidium heirmostigmata, a new characidiin fish (Characiformes: Crenuchidae) from the upper rio Paraná basin, Brazil. Neotropical Ichthyology 6, pp. 53–56.This article may not be reproduced without permission.

Interested in a Career in Ichthyology
An ichthyologist is a zoologist who studies the fundamental aspects of fish biology.
‘I chose ichthyology as a career at the age of 12. I had an innate love of nature, and of fish in particular. This wonder and admiration of the natural world has never left me but has grown over the years’, explains Dr Alan Whitfield, Estuarine Ichthyologist and Deputy Director of the JLB Smith Institute of Ichthyology in Grahamstown, South Africa.
Many of us are aware of and take an interest in the animals and plants around us and are conscious of their interactions with each other. But how many of us stop and think about the animals and plants in the oceans, in our rivers and estuaries? Life in aquatic ecosystems is just as exciting and complex as that on land, and that is what ichthyology is all about: the study of fish and their associated environments, their interactions with each, with plants and other animals and with man.
An ichthyologist is a person who studies fish, but this is not just about identifying and discovering new fish (systematics and taxonomy). You can specialise as an ecologist (studying the interactions between fish and their environment), and ethologist (studying the behaviour of fishes) or even as an evolutionary biologist (studying how fish relate to each other and to other animals over time). Ichthyologists tend to specialise in either marine or freshwater fish or even in estuarine fish. In the field of applied Ichthyology, the main specialisations are Fisheries Science and Aquaculture. A Fisheries Scientist is involved in the study and management of fish resources, where a background in mathematical modelling is beneficial. An Aquaculturalist studies or practices fish farming and the management thereof. A fairly new, but fast-growing field in south Africa is that of Mariculture, which is the culture (or growth) of marine organisms, such as mussels, oysters, marine fish, etc.
Being an ichthyologist is a bit like being a detective with the mysteries of nature to unravel and solve. One goes out into the field and spends time in the laboratory collecting and collating many pieces of evidence to form answers to questions about fish and about nature. Dr Phil Heemstra (Curator of Marine Fishes at the JLB Smith Institute) says ‘it is satisfying to know that as a scientist, I am providing (and sometimes discovering) information that is essential to the understanding and wise use of our natural resources’.
Not only are fish collected by the ichthyologists themselves for further study, but anglers and beachcombers often find rare of unknown species and also often have questions to be answered by ichthyologists.
Research often takes ichthyologists to remote and exciting places, sometimes to places where others might pay a fortune to get to, r where many would not travel to. Ichthyologists from the JLB Smith Institute of Ichthyology have travelled to, worked in, and explored Antarctica, Tristan da Cunha and Marion Island in our Southern Oceans. Others have studied fish in and around Africa: Tanzania, Malawi, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Seychelles and the Comore Islands, etc. Within South Africa itself and along its shores, ichthyologists have also explored extensively: sinkholes, swamps, rivers, dams, estuaries and our extensive coastline.
One of the major activities in an ichthyologist’s, or in any scientist’s life, is writing: ‘Many hours are spent at a computer writing reports, scientific manuscripts and popular articles, as it is imperative for researchers to communicate their findings to other scientists and to the world at large’, says Prof Paul Skelton, Director of the JLB Smith Institute of Ichthyology, and author of ‘A Complete Guide To The Freshwater Fishes Of Southern Africa’. Another way of communicating is through conferences: ichthyologists get to travel all over the world, meeting people who are interested in and are involved in similar lines of research.
A lot of people may think that being an ichthyologist is all glamour, travelling to exotic destinations, working outdoors, going out on sea cruises, diving and catching fish. This is not entirely incorrect, as these are the exciting highlights of being an ichthyologist, but there is also hard work associated with this job.
In the field of taxonomy (the identification and classification of fish), many hours are spent measuring, counting (for example teeth or scales), comparing fish, peering down a microscope, and working with unpleasant preservatives; columns of data collected must be punched into a computer for mathematical and statistical analyses. A scientist may have to spend a lot of time on ships and boats, which is often exciting and challenging, but which may also be unpleasant (for those who are prone to sea-sickness) and often dangerous (being caught in a storm or hurricane). Being an ichthyologist is often physically and mentally demanding, and involves having to develop skills beyond the narrow confines of being a scientist, like learning to skipper a boat, or learning to SCUBA dive.
To be an ichthyologist one should be curious and adventurous, self-motivated and innovative, be able to work alone, be observant and methodical, as well as ‘open-minded and capable of lateral thinking … to find solutions when none seem to exist’, says Ofer Gon, Marine Scientist at the JLB Smith Institute of Ichthyology. Above all, it is important to be dedicated and willing to persevere.
Scientists usually work long hours, beyond the normal ‘eight to five’ of office workers, and salaries, although comfortable, are low in comparison to other professions. Because of the specialised nature of the field of ichthyology, job opportunities are limited. Ichthyologists in research and teaching posts are employed in museums, universities and research institutes. The and the (at Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa) are not only centres of research, but offer the only post-graduate degree courses in Ichthyology in South Africa. Marine and Coastal Management (MCM) advises on the utilisation of living marine resources and the conservation of marine ecosystems, servicing the fishing industry in South Africa. Oceanariums not only serve a tourist and education function, but also employ researchers to seek answers to questions and problems of the animals in their care.
For an ichthyologist, self-employment opportunities do exist, for example, in consulting positions on ichthyological, conservation and management issues. Aquaculture is a rapidly growing industry, with many fish farms being run as small businesses, supplying fish to fish hobbyists and also for growing food fish.
Ichthyology, or fish research, is a very rewarding career and lifestyle. Most people involved in this field love their work and are ‘fulfilling a childhood dream’ according to Dr Eric Anderson, Marine Ichthyologist at the JLB Smith Institute. How many people can wake up and look forward to going to ‘office’ each day, when your office may be the laboratory, the open air, or water?! How many are lucky enough to call their love of nature, and especially the aquatic environment, ‘work’?
(Article published in The Star newspaper – 14 August 1996)
Ms Vanessa Twentyman-Jones, Education Scientist, JLBSI
School subjects recommended to study ichthyology
Prerequisites for taking a science degree at Rhodes University and to enable you to study Ichthyology at the undergraduate level:
If you have studied in South Africa, then before you can register for study towards a BSc degree, you normally need to have obtained
- A "university exemption" matriculation certificate
- A pass in Mathematics at the Higher Grade
- A pass in either or both of Physical Science and Biology (at Higher Grade)
If you have studied for O and A levels, rather than for a South African matric, then you normally need to have obtained
- At least two A level passes in the sciences, and at least three O level passes in subjects other than those taken at A level
- A pass in mathematics at a level of at least a B for O level, and a pass in English at least at O level
Regardless of where you have studied, you also need
- A score of at least 32 unweighted "Swedish points" on your best six subjects (matric) or best five subjects (O and A levels)
As a rough guide, students who score between 28 and 32 points, or those very weak in English, are usually advised to take the degree over a minimum of four years. Students are very rarely admitted with scores below 28 points, and have even less chance of being admitted if they have passed Maths or Science below the level of standard grade C.
For further information on studying science at Rhodes University, contact:
Dean of Science: Professor Pat Terry, Computer Science Department
Phone: (046) 603 8292 Fax: (046) 636 1915

For further information on marine careers in South Africa, booklets can be obtained from:
The Communications Officer
Marine and Coastal Management
Private Bag X2
Roggebaai
8012
Rhodes University degrees and courses
Ichthyology deals specifically with the biology of fishes, both as found in fresh water and in the oceans. Not only is Rhodes the only African university to teach Ichthyology at the undergraduate level, our internationally recognised Ichthyology department also teaches Fisheries Science and Aquaculture – the specialisations that deal with how best to manage and optimise the important food resources that inhabit our lakes, rivers and oceans. Associated with the University is the of Ichthyology, first made famous when Professor JLB Smith and renowned in the world ever since for its work in researching the fishes of the southern hemisphere.
Ichthyology and Fisheries Science
Ichthyology is the study of fish in a fundamental sense, whereas Fisheries Science is an applied discipline referring to the study and management of man’s utilisation of fish stocks.
Rhodes University’s in partnership with JLB Smith Institute of Ichthyology form the only major African centre for the study of fish and training of graduates in ichthyology, fisheries science and aquaculture.
The recently introduced undergraduate programme in ICHTHYOLOGY consists of a two year major. The course is presented as four independent semester courses names Ichthyology 201, 202, 301 and 302 over two years. Ichthyology 201 and 202 is offered in the second year of study while 301 and 302 are offered in the third year of study.
Ichthyology 201 covers fundamental aspects of fish biology, diversity and evolution.
Ichthyology 202, fish physiology, endocrinology, reproduction, early ontogeny and population genetics are presented. In addition, students have to attend a field course in ichthyological methods. Ichthyology 301 consists of five core modules, (i) evolution, speciation and systematics, (ii) zoogeography of marine and freshwater fishes, (iii) fish ecology and life history styles, (iv) advanced population genetics and (v) experimental design and data analysis.
Ichthyology 301 consists of five core modules, (I) evolution, speciation and systematics, (ii) zoogeography of marine and freshwater fishes, (iii) fish ecology and life history styles, (iv) advanced population genetics and (v) experimental design and data analysis.
Ichthyology 302, students are required to select four modules from the following options; (I) introduction to quantitative fisheries resource management, (ii) behaviour, (iii) fisheries ecology, (iv) conservation, (v) water chemistry, (vi) aquaculture. A report on a research project must also be submitted for examination. Modules in Ichthyology 301 and 302 are subject to change.
Prerequisites for Ichthyology 201 are Zoology 101 and 102, or Biology 101 and 102, and Chemistry 101 and 102. In addition, candidates who wish to major in Ichthyology 301 and 302 must have obtained credits in Stats 1F and Computer Science 1L, oro Maths 1F and Stats 1F, or Maths 1F and Computer Science 1L.
The Honours programme in Ichthyology and Fisheries Science prepares students for careers in research, management, and industry in these disciplines. Approximately 80% of Ichthyology Honours graduates stay in this broad field. The course covers fundamental as well as applied aspects of Ichthyology, Fisheries Science and Aquaculture. Lectures are presented by experts from several institutions and two field trips are held in which students are exposed to the realities of work in the field as well as in fishing and aquaculture industries. Strong emphasis is placed on communication and writing skills and these are developed through a series of seminar presentations, and the write up of an Honours research project and an aquaculture business plan.
Postgraduate studies. The DIFS has a large post-graduate school of students who perform research on contract projects from industry, government and development agencies. MSc and PhD degrees are supervised by members of the DIFS and JLB Smith Institute and both are research degrees examined by thesis. A coursework MSc in Aquaculture is presently being planned. Applicants for MSc must have a BSc Honours in Ichthyology, Zoology or equivalent undergraduate degree