7|12|25 - Becoming a Junior Ichthyologist: Exploring the World of Fish!

Hello, curious explorer! Do you love watching fish swim, shine, and wiggle through the water? Ever wonder why some fish have stripes, others glow, or how they breathe underwater? Then you're ready to become a Junior Ichthyologist—a scientist who studies fish!

Grab your snorkel brain and your explorer spirit—let’s dive into the fintastic world of fish!

What’s an Ichthyologist?

Say it with us: ICK-thee-AWL-uh-jist! An ichthyologist is a scientist who studies all kinds of fish, from the tiny fish in ponds to giant fish deep in the ocean. They learn how fish live, what they eat, how they swim, and how to protect them.

If you love learning about underwater creatures, this could be your dream adventure job someday!

What Makes a Fish a Fish?

Fish are amazing animals that live in fresh water (like lakes and rivers) and saltwater (like oceans). Here are some things all fish have in common:

• Gills to breathe underwater

• Fins to help them swim

• Scales that protect their bodies

• A cold-blooded body (they don’t make their own heat)

And guess what? There are more than 34,000 species of fish—that’s more than all the mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians combined!

Cool Fish You Might See

• Clownfish – Bright orange and white (like Nemo!)

• Sharks – Big, bold, and powerful

• Anglerfish – Live deep in the ocean and have a glowing “lure”

• Betta Fish – Colorful and fancy, often kept as pets

• Cleaner Wrasse – They clean other fish’s scales like underwater dentists!

Fun Ways to Be a Junior Ichthyologist

You don’t need to dive into the ocean to start learning! Try these fun fishy ideas at home or at school:

🔍 Fish Observation Journal - Visit an aquarium, pond, or pet store and draw the fish you see. What colors are they? Do they swim fast or slow? Alone or in groups?

🎣 Fish ID Game - Look up local fish in your area and try to spot them in a pond, river or lake while on a nature walk. Can you tell a trout from a bass?

🐠 Create Your Own Fish Species - Make up your own fish with special colors, patterns, and superpowers. Where does it live? What does it eat?

📚 Read a Fishy Book - Try The Rainbow Fish, Swimmy, or a nonfiction book about coral reefs or sharks!

Fishy Fun Facts

✅ Some fish sleep with their eyes open—creepy but cool!
✅ Parrotfish make a bubble blanket at night to hide from predators.
✅ A group of fish is called a school—and they really swim in sync!
✅ Some fish can change color to hide from enemies (that’s called camouflage!).
✅ The biggest fish in the world is the whale shark—it can grow longer than a school bus!

Help Fish Around the World

You can be a Fish Protector even as a kid! Here’s how:

🌿 Don’t throw trash in lakes, rivers, or oceans
🚫 Say no to single-use plastics like straws and bags
🐟 Eat fish from sustainable sources (ask an adult what that means!)
🧼 Be careful with soap and chemicals—they can wash into waterways

Your Junior Ichthyologist Challenge

1️⃣ Visit an aquarium or fish habitat
2️⃣ Learn 3 new fish species and what characteristic makes them special
3️⃣ Share a cool fish fact with someone today
4️⃣ Draw your favorite fish and give it a name!

Fishy Arts & Crafts to Enjoy!

1. Paper Plate Aquarium

Create a mini fish tank you can hang on the wall!

You’ll need:

• 1 paper plate

• Blue paint or crayon

• Construction paper (for seaweed & fish)

• Glue, scissors, googly eyes

• Clear plastic wrap (for the “glass”)

How to: Paint the plate blue, cut out fish and plants from paper, glue them on, and cover it with clear wrap to look like an aquarium window!

2. Egg Carton Fish

Turn recycled egg cartons into silly swimming friends.

You’ll need:

• An empty egg carton

• Paint or markers

• Pipe cleaners (for fins)

• Googly eyes

• Glue or tape

How to: Cut one egg cup out, paint it like a fish, glue on eyes, and add fins or tails with paper or pipe cleaners!

3. Bubble Wrap Fish Prints

Make scaly fish with bubble wrap printing!

You’ll need:

• Bubble wrap

• Paint

• Paper

• Fish cut-out stencil

How to: Paint bubble wrap and press it on paper. Use your fish stencil to cut fish shapes out of your printed paper—perfect fish scales every time!

4. Clothespin Fish Clip

Make a chomping fish with a clothespin mouth!

You’ll need:

• Wooden clothespin

• Paper or foam

• Markers

• Googly eyes

• Glue

How to: Draw and cut a fish body that fits around the clothespin. Glue half on top and half underneath so when the pin opens—CHOMP!—the fish opens its mouth!

5. Underwater Diorama

Create your very own 3D fish scene!

You’ll need:

• A small cardboard box (like a shoebox)

• String or fishing line

• Paper fish

• Blue paint or paper

• Shells, rocks, seaweed shapes

How to: Paint the inside of the box blue, hang paper fish on string, and decorate the “ocean floor” with paper seaweed, shells, and more!

6. Fishy Windsock

Let your fish dance in the wind!

You’ll need:

• An empty toilet paper roll or cardstock tube

• Tissue paper (for streamers)

• Construction paper (for fins)

• Glue, markers, and string

How to: Decorate the tube like a fish, glue tissue paper strips on one end for a flowing tail, and hang it outside to watch it flutter!

These crafts are not only fun and creative—they’re great ways to encourage learning about fish habitats, body parts, and ocean conservation while using recycled and natural materials.

Are you ready to make waves in the world of science?

You’re never too young to become a Junior Ichthyologist, start your adventure today!