A captivating companion to the underwater world, this beautifully illustrated book introduces readers to 50 of the most extraordinary fish species from our oceans, rivers, and lakes.

The Pocket Book of Extraordinary Fish takes readers on a fascinating journey through the planet’s most remarkable aquatic life, detailing their unique behaviours, extraordinary adaptations, and the remarkable ecosystems they inhabit.

These strange, beautiful, and surprising creatures will challenge everything you thought you already knew about fish. Some of them breathe air and travel over land. Others create detailed mental maps of their surroundings or form intricate partnerships with entirely different species. Devoted parents guard their eggs with vigilance, nurture their young after hatching, or—more surprisingly still—give birth to live offspring.

From the icy heights of Himalayan lakes to the depths of ocean trenches, fish thrive in the most extreme environments on Earth. Their lifespans span from fleeting weeks to centuries, and their sizes range from tiny, one-centimetre marvels to the colossal 18-metre whale shark.

Perfect for dipping in and out of, this richly illustrated collection is an irresistible treasure trove for nature lovers or anyone curious about our underwater life.

About The Author

Ali Woodman completed a degree in Anthropology at Cambridge University, with a dual focus on social and biological anthropology. In this time she studied how different communities relate to the natural world and what drives people to experience connections here. Ali’s enthusiasm for the underwater world has remained central to her life. An avid scuba diver, she has logged over 100 hours underwater, observing and documenting marine life. In 2023, she dedicated three months to reef conservation projects in Malaysia and Indonesia, conducting daily surveys of fish and turtle populations, photographing marine ecosystems, and contributing to coral restoration efforts.