United States
£ GBP
Fishes of the Salish Sea is the definitive guide to the identification and history of the marine and anadromous fishes of Puget Sound and the Straits of Georgia and Juan de Fuca, the coastal waterways where the Canadian province of British Columbia and the northwestern portion of the U.S. state of Washington meet. Featuring striking illustrations of the Salish Sea's 260 fish species by noted illustrator Joseph Tomelleri, this comprehensive three-volume set details the ecology and life history of each species, as well as recounts the region's rich heritage of marine research and exploration.
Beginning with jawless hagfishes and lampreys and ending with the distinctive Ocean Sunfish, leading scientists Theodore Pietsch and James Orr present the taxa in phylogenetic order, based on classifications that reflect the most current scientific knowledge. Illustrated taxonomic keys facilitate fast and accurate species identification. These in-depth, thoroughly documented, and yet accessible volumes will prove invaluable to marine biologists and ecologists, natural resource managers, anglers, divers, students, and all who want to learn about, marvel over, and preserve the vibrant diversity of Salish Sea marine life.
Volume One
Preface ix
Acknowledgments xi
Introduction 3
What Is the Salish Sea? 3
What Fishes Are Included? 6
The Names of Fishes 7
Taxonomic Accounts 8
Anatomical Considerations 9
Use of the Keys 9
About the Illustrations 10
Historical Perspective 12
Origins and Present Distribution of the Salish Sea Ichthyofauna 44
Pictorial Keys to the Families of Salish Sea Fishes 62
A Classification of Salish Sea Fishes 77
Describers of Salish Sea Fishes 84
Glossary 103
References 111
Index of Biographical Names 195
Index of Scientific and Common Names 199
Volume Two
Family and Species Accounts
Myxinidae, Hagfishes 217
Petromyzontidae, Lampreys 220
Chimaeridae, Chimaeras 225
Alopiidae, Thresher Sharks 228
Cetorhinidae, Basking Sharks 231
Lamnidae, Mackerel Sharks 234
Scyliorhinidae, Cat Sharks 237
Triakidae, Hound Sharks 240
Carcharhinidae, Requiem Sharks 243
Hexanchidae, Cow Sharks 246
Somniosidae, Sleeper Sharks 251
Squalidae, Dogfish Sharks 254
Squatinidae, Angel Sharks 257
Torpedinidae, Electric Rays 260
Rajidae, Skates 263
Acipenseridae, Sturgeons 275
Nemichthyidae, Snipe Eels 280
Engraulidae, Anchovies 283
Clupeidae, Herrings and Sardines 285
Cyprinidae, Carps 293
Bathylagidae, Deepsea Smelts 296
Osmeridae, Smelts 299
Salmonidae, Salmon and Trouts 312
Sternoptychidae, Marine Hatchetfishes 334
Stomiidae, Dragonfishes 338
Synodontidae, Lizardfishes 341
Alepisauridae, Lancetfishes 344
Paralepididae, Barracudinas 348
Myctophidae, Lanternfishes 351
Lampridae, Opahs 366
Trachipteridae, Ribbonfishes 369
Merlucciidae, Hakes 372
Gadidae, Cods 376
Atherinopsidae, New World Silversides 384
Scomberesocidae, Sauries 388
Cyprinodontidae, Pupfishes 391
Aulorhynchidae, Tubesnouts 394
Gasterosteidae, Sticklebacks 397
Syngnathidae, Pipefishes 401
Scorpaenidae, Rockfishes and Thornyheads 404
Moronidae, Temperate Basses 468
Bramidae, Pomfrets 471
Sciaenidae, Drums and Croakers 475
Sphyraenidae, Barracudas 483
Carangidae, Jacks 485
Embiotocidae, Surfperches 489
Trichodontidae, Sandfishes 505
Ammodytidae, Sand Lances 508
Gobiidae, Gobies 511
Trichiuridae, Cutlassfishes 519
Scombridae, Mackerels and Tunas 523
Centrolophidae, Medusafishes 529
Stromateidae, Butterfishes 533
Icosteidae, Ragfishes 536
Gobiesocidae, Clingfishes 539
Plates 1–81 542
Index of Biographical Names 627
Index of Scientific and Common Names 631
Volume Three
Family and Species Accounts
Anoplopomatidae, Sablefishes 649
Hexagrammidae, Greenlings 652
Rhamphocottidae, Grunt Sculpins 667
Cottidae, Sculpins 670
Hemitripteridae, Sea Ravens 743
Agonidae, Poachers 748
Psychrolutidae, Fatheads 784
Cyclopteridae, Lumpsuckers 796
Liparidae, Snailfishes 799
Bathymasteridae, Ronquils 826
Zoarcidae, Eelpouts 829
Stichaeidae, Pricklebacks 843
Cryptacanthodidae, Wrymouths 869
Pholidae, Gunnels 874
Anarhichadidae, Wolffishes 885
Ptilichthyidae, Quillfishes 888
Zaproridae, Prowfish 890
Scytalinidae, Graveldivers 894
Ophidiidae, Cusk-eels 896
Bythitidae, Viviparous Brotulas 899
Batrachoididae, Toadfishes 903
Paralichthyidae, Sand Flounders 906
Pleuronectidae, Righteye Flounders 912
Cynoglossidae, Tonguefishes 946
Molidae, Molas 949
Plates 82–155 952
Index of Biographical Names 1029
Index of Scientific and Common Names 1033
Theodore W. Pietsch is professor emeritus in the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences and curator emeritus of fishes at the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, both at the University of Washington. He is the author of Oceanic Anglerfishes: Extraordinary Diversity in the Deep Sea and Trees of Life: A Visual History of Evolution.
James Wilder Orr is a fisheries biologist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, and affiliate professor at the University of Washington.
Joseph Tomelleri is a nationally acclaimed fish illustrator.
"Every so often, a new book comes along that when first seen causes me simply to stop and stare at it in awe with mouth agape [...] Written by Theodore W. Pietsch and James Wilder Orr, and filled with breath-taking illustrations by renowned artist Joseph Tomelleri, this trio of books present the 260 species of the marine and anadromous fishes of Puget Sound and the Straits of Georgia and Juan de Fuca, including information on their ecology and life histories."
– The Well-Read Naturalist
"Whether you're a scientist, angler or teacher, or you're just plain fond of fish, this set is a treat to savor and marvel over."
– Columns
"In Fishes of the Salish Sea, Pietsch and Orr provide a definitive guide to marine and anadromous fishes of Washington State and British Columbia [...] This set is suitable for use by fisheries researchers and professionals as a key to the species found in the Salish Sea, but it will be appreciated by anyone with an interest in the fish of the Pacific Northwest in particular or a more general interest in natural history or the art of nature."
– Choice
"Will be useful for scientists, anglers, educators and others in identifying Salish fishes, tracking the distribution and abundance of known species, assessing the health of their habitat and determining when these populations might be in danger of disappearing."
– Phys.org
"The definitive guide to the coastal fish of Washington State and British Columbia is as lovely as it is weighty [...] Luminous color illustrations of each fish set against a white background make this a work of art, as well as an unmatched scientific reference."
– Natural History Magazine
"[T]his monumental effort represents many years of work, tremendous attention to detail, and an obvious love for the subject."
– Quarterly Review of Biology
"Stunning, lavish, comprehensive, and accurate: these 4 words epitomize Pietsch and Orr's (2019) new magnum opus on the diversity, identification, ecology, and distribution of the 260 fish species that inhabit the Pacific Northwest's Salish Sea."
– Northwest Naturalist
"Stunning images and intriguing text. What's not to like? For surely, this is a feast for the eye and a tickle for the brain."
– Milton Love, Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara
"I am impressed by the thoroughness of the coverage of the fish fauna of the Salish Sea, but also by the historical review, including the biographies of ichthyologists and other naturalists who worked on Puget Sound and the Georgia and Juan de Fuca Straits."
– Daniel Pauly, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, University of British Columbia
"Art and science collide magnificently in this monumental three-volume celebration of the 260 species of fishes that infuse the inland marine waters of Washington State and British Columbia, with hidden beauty, remarkable diversity and intriguing ways of living. This long-awaited work is a must-have, not just for serious scientists and devotees of exquisite natural history artistry, but for any and all who find joy in exploring the wonders of nature."
– Sylvia Earle, National Geographic Explorer in Residence, Founder, Mission Blue
