> Gee, I thought it would be one of the pupfish too since isn't the
> southwest desert (well death valley especially) supposed to be about
> the hottest place in general?
Gary was onto a good idea, though not the correct one. :-) There is
one Aphanius that lives in a springs in Iran at 40oC (104oF), undoubtably
there are others in the genus that take similar conditions. On average,
Death Valley is the hottest place in the world. The hightest surface
temperature recorded is ~58oc (136oF) in Libya and Mexico. Death Valley
recorded 57oC (134oF) (in like 1913 when it also recorded its coldest
temperature of which I forget). I've been there on a day of ~55oC (127oF),
though by the time I got there is was only ~53oC (123oF). Most of the
fish there can take it to around 40-42oC (104-108oF).
> Hmm, not knowing much about oceanography I was wondering if it might
> be one of those ugly deep sea fish of some sort. I've read that water
Salt water fish are just inferior relative to some freshwater beasties
I'm afraid. :-) Good try though. :-)
Tootles
Peter J Unmack peter.unmack at asu.edu
---------------------------------------------------------------
DESERT FISHES RULE: To boldly thrive where no other fish can make it!
Australian desert fishes pages at ozdesertfish.base.org (don't forget to
visit the Desert Fishes Council pages too)
Native Fish Australia pages at nfa.base.org (under construction)
North American Native Fishes Association at www.nanfa.org