Mysterious Fish of Lake Baikal

Sideleva Valentina

Whether you are a fisherman or a “philosopher” who enjoys observing the habits of our “younger brothers”, transparent and cold Baikal waters, that are abundant in amazing animal life, can let you into lake’s secrets.

The lake is every angler’s and naturalist’s dream. Since Baikal water is oxygenated to maximal depth, fish live throughout the lake, on the bottom and in the water column. Bathypelagic freshwater fishes occur only in Lake Baikal.

Unique cottoid fishes, more commonly known as bullhead, are among the most interesting Baikal fishes. You can make a closer acquaintance with their unusual appearance, surprising habits, and the sixth sense organ, which enabled them to inhabit and make themselves at home in the dark Baikal depths. Valentina Sideleva, Doctor of Science in Biology, from the Zoological Institute RAS (St. Petersburg), opens the bullhead secrets to readers.

More information on these and other subjects you can find in the printed version of our journal.