The Salamanderfish of Australia is not to be confused with the regular Salamander, which is a lizard-like amphibian of some 550 species.
Lepidogalaxias salamandroides is a species of small fish of south western Australia and it is the only member of the family Lepidogalaxiidae (Lepidogalaxiid) and genus Lepidogalaxias. (Wikipedia)
It is only found in the waters of shallow lakes and ponds of south western Australia. Its appearance is not very different to other small fish, yet it is very unique. Unlike any other known fish, it has a neck which will allow it to turn its head in any direction…left, right, up or down. It’s normal length is about two inches.
But this amazing creature of God is very unique in another way. If any other living creature has this ability, they are unknown to this writer. It is somewhat amazing to hear some evolutionists remark that the primary evidence for evolution is the fact that every living thing has similarities. Good grief! It is difficult to imagine any thing more different than, say a six foot, seven inch basketball player as compared to a Salamander fish. Or such a ball player compared to a beautiful, sweet smelling Carolina Jasmine blossom.
It is also intriguing to even consider how this tiny fish evolved to have a functional neck, without any obvious need for it, but even more so the uniqueness of its ability to survive…somewhat differently to that of, perhaps, any other creature.
The south western part of Australia is known for its frequent long dry summers. Some are so dry that the lakes and ponds where these little fish abide, dries completely up. As the water dries completely up, these unique little fish disappear! And it matters not if the pond is dry for a week or several months, when the rains returns the little fishes return also. Without noticeable damage.
How it survives is not only marvelous, but the fact that it knows how to do it, is also astounding.
As the pond dries up and the water becomes too limited for survival, these little fish borough their way down into the muddy bottom, deep enough that it never dries completely up. They have the unique ability to take in oxygen directly through their skin. Scientists feel that they also enter into a period of dormancy and their metabolism slows drastically so they need very little oxygen or nutrients.
Then when the rains begin to refill the pond, these little fish work their way back into the water and life resumes as before. Amazing. Not only do these little fellows have the ability to crawl into the mud and hibernate, but they also have a unique ability to survive considerable change in water temperature. Most fish are unable to adjust to any notable amount of temperature change in their water. In deep water, they swim deeper or higher to remain in the same relative temperature.
But, the Salamanderfish, who live in shallow ponds often experience temperature change in a day's time of up to some 30 degrees. This would be deadly to most fish species. One other feature that scientists have discovered in them is their a unique ability to survive a much higher level of acidity in their water, than most fish are able to accept.
These unique features found only in this one small type of fish should baffle those who think that all such things are done through evolution. I say that the Psalmist David, has it correctly when he said:
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. (Psalm 139:14 KJV)
Comments