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Last broadcast on Mon, 16 Nov 2009, 00:50 on BBC One (Northern Ireland only) (see all broadcasts).
Synopsis
Fish dominate the planet's waters through their astonishing variety of shape and behaviour.
The beautiful weedy sea dragon looks like a creature from a fairytale, and the male protects their eggs by carrying them on his tail for months. The sarcastic fringehead, meanwhile, appears to turn its head inside out when it fights.
Slow-motion cameras show the flying fish gliding through the air like a flock of birds and capture the world's fastest swimmer, the sailfish, plucking sardines from a shoal at 70 mph. And the tiny Hawaiian goby undertakes one of nature's most daunting journeys, climbing a massive waterfall to find safe pools for breeding.
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Clips (6)
Atlantic sailfish
Atlantic sailfish are large fish that can weigh up to 60kg. They are extremely fast swimmers and have developed specialised methods of hunting in packs.
Wildlife Finder: enter the underwater world of the Atlantic sailfish
Flying fish
Flying fish are a family of fish that have unusually large pectoral fins that act like wings and enable them to glide through the air. This ability is particularly effective when evading large underwater predators.
Weedy sea dragon
Weedy sea dragons are found along the southern coast of Australia. Like seahorses and pipefish, these animals make very conscientious fathers and carry their eggs around with them.
Gobies
Gobies are the largest family of fish in the world. Within their ranks are the mudskipper and the Hawaiian goby. Both of these species feature in the fourth episode of Life.
Wildlife Finder: delve into the underwater world of the gobies
Chapters
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Fish
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Speed
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Creating Life
Flying fish not only have to protect themselves, but also thousands of their eggs. Also, the male weedy sea dragon must take the female's eggs to look after.
3 03.48 -
Home
The young convict fish seem to help their parents feed in exchange for a place to stay, and the sarcastic fringehead must fight off trespassers on his patch.
4 13.00 -
Leaving the Ocean
Certain fish can actually leave the water; these include the mudskipper, which can breathe oxygen, and the goby, which tries to suck its way up a waterfall so it can lay eggs.
5 19.17 -
The Odd Couples
Some fish form a bond with the unlikeliest creature and the Jack fish bothers the shark in order to get clean. Also, male clown fish must be wary of the female as well as predators.
6 28.29 -
Working as a Team
A shoal of anchovies come together as one to outwit a sea lion and snappers try to spawn in mass numbers.
7 38.57 -
Life on Location - Fish Out of Water
A closer look at the making of Life, including how the cameramen filmed under water with a limited amount of air whilst trying to avoid getting caught up in the action.
8 47.30
Credits
- Narrator
- David Attenborough
- Producer
- Adam Chapman
- Executive Producer
- Michael Gunton
Broadcasts
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Mon 2 Nov 200921:00
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Mon 2 Nov 200921:00
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Mon 2 Nov 200922:35
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Tue 3 Nov 200920:00
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Sun 8 Nov 200918:00
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Sun 8 Nov 200918:00
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Mon 9 Nov 200900:00
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Fri 13 Nov 200901:05
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Mon 16 Nov 200900:50
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