Is the world's smallest vertebrate a fish?

[dArKeR]

Sydney - They must have needed a really small hook, but Australian scientists say they've caught what they believe is the world's smallest and lightest fish.

In fact, researchers at Sydney's Australian Museum say the Stout Infantfish is so minuscule - it would take a million of them to tip the scales at one kilogram - they are seeking to have it listed as the world's smallest and lightest vertebrate.

The microscopic fish, first discovered by Australian scientists in 1979 but not classified until Wednesday, is formally identified as Schindleria brevipinguis. Males of the species are just 7mm long while females average 8,4mm.

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=31&art_id=qw1089182700428B223

[benburch]

1. Fascinating!

I'd love to have a prepared slide of one of these.