Dr. Solomon David
@solomonrdavid.bsky.social
Fish Scientist & Prof, aka “The Gar Guy” | 🌎Freshwater Conservation | SciComm • GarLab | Views mine | he/him | #GarWeek
Wherever you go, there you gar
https://linktr.ee/solomonrdavid • @garlab.bsky.social
Wherever you go, there you gar
https://linktr.ee/solomonrdavid • @garlab.bsky.social
Pinned
My pet gar that I donated to Shedd Aquarium would recognize me and swim over to say hi when I visited her exhibit ❤️🐠
A rare hybrid gar, I raised her since she was 2 inches long, and had to re-home her when I moved to Chicago. I was happy I could visit her in her new home!
TO BE CONTINUED…
A rare hybrid gar, I raised her since she was 2 inches long, and had to re-home her when I moved to Chicago. I was happy I could visit her in her new home!
TO BE CONTINUED…
Reposted by Dr. Solomon David
I'm reviewing abstracts for an upcoming scientific conference, helping the planning team to select which attendees get a chance to present their work.
Some are amazingly good.
Some suggest that the applicant has not ever been taught how to write an abstract.
Here are some basic tips:
🧪
Some are amazingly good.
Some suggest that the applicant has not ever been taught how to write an abstract.
Here are some basic tips:
🧪
December 29, 2025 at 8:26 PM
I'm reviewing abstracts for an upcoming scientific conference, helping the planning team to select which attendees get a chance to present their work.
Some are amazingly good.
Some suggest that the applicant has not ever been taught how to write an abstract.
Here are some basic tips:
🧪
Some are amazingly good.
Some suggest that the applicant has not ever been taught how to write an abstract.
Here are some basic tips:
🧪
Reposted by Dr. Solomon David
Since you’re on Bluesky you probably didn’t need another reason to resent the gun lobby, but just in case you were on the fence… it’s killing the loons! (Though we anglers deserve most of the blame tbh.)
Great/frustrating @cestmoilanglois.bsky.social feature. 👇
www.biographic.com/why-are-loon...
Great/frustrating @cestmoilanglois.bsky.social feature. 👇
www.biographic.com/why-are-loon...
Why Are Loons Still Dying from Lead Poisoning?
In the United States, efforts to save a beloved species face pushback from a surprising foe: gun rights advocates.
www.biographic.com
December 28, 2025 at 3:16 AM
Since you’re on Bluesky you probably didn’t need another reason to resent the gun lobby, but just in case you were on the fence… it’s killing the loons! (Though we anglers deserve most of the blame tbh.)
Great/frustrating @cestmoilanglois.bsky.social feature. 👇
www.biographic.com/why-are-loon...
Great/frustrating @cestmoilanglois.bsky.social feature. 👇
www.biographic.com/why-are-loon...
Reposted by Dr. Solomon David
Did you know this fact from paleoecologist Emily Lindsey? She and fellow scientific consultant @tetzoo.bsky.social share what went into getting "Prehistoric Planet: Ice Age" right: buff.ly/3gAzCGf
December 27, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Did you know this fact from paleoecologist Emily Lindsey? She and fellow scientific consultant @tetzoo.bsky.social share what went into getting "Prehistoric Planet: Ice Age" right: buff.ly/3gAzCGf
Reposted by Dr. Solomon David
To have written a book you actually have to…write the book? Are you sure about that? That doesn’t sound right.
December 27, 2025 at 3:31 PM
To have written a book you actually have to…write the book? Are you sure about that? That doesn’t sound right.
Reposted by Dr. Solomon David
Southern zigzag (Plethodon ventralis), red-striped morph, on the Fall Line in eastern Tuscaloosa County, probably the southernmost extent of the species range
📍 Hurricane Creek Park
📍 Hurricane Creek Park
December 27, 2025 at 1:17 AM
Southern zigzag (Plethodon ventralis), red-striped morph, on the Fall Line in eastern Tuscaloosa County, probably the southernmost extent of the species range
📍 Hurricane Creek Park
📍 Hurricane Creek Park
*Sound On*
That feeling when you’re a regular Longnose Gar and everyone’s talking about the golden gar in the exhibit😅
Guess I should just be happy my family paid attention to the gars for a hot minute today at the Minnesota Zoo!
That feeling when you’re a regular Longnose Gar and everyone’s talking about the golden gar in the exhibit😅
Guess I should just be happy my family paid attention to the gars for a hot minute today at the Minnesota Zoo!
December 26, 2025 at 9:17 PM
*Sound On*
That feeling when you’re a regular Longnose Gar and everyone’s talking about the golden gar in the exhibit😅
Guess I should just be happy my family paid attention to the gars for a hot minute today at the Minnesota Zoo!
That feeling when you’re a regular Longnose Gar and everyone’s talking about the golden gar in the exhibit😅
Guess I should just be happy my family paid attention to the gars for a hot minute today at the Minnesota Zoo!
Reposted by Dr. Solomon David
As you’re gathering with your families today, do me a favor.
Ask them what their favorite shark is and why, and report back here!
Ask them what their favorite shark is and why, and report back here!
December 25, 2025 at 8:56 PM
As you’re gathering with your families today, do me a favor.
Ask them what their favorite shark is and why, and report back here!
Ask them what their favorite shark is and why, and report back here!
Reposted by Dr. Solomon David
Merry Christmas (tree worms!)🎄
December 24, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Merry Christmas (tree worms!)🎄
Reposted by Dr. Solomon David
🎶Here come Santa Gars🎵
🎵Here come Santa Gars🎶
Season’s GAReetings and Happy Holidays from the @garlab.bsky.social Team!
🎵Here come Santa Gars🎶
Season’s GAReetings and Happy Holidays from the @garlab.bsky.social Team!
December 23, 2025 at 10:40 PM
🎶Here come Santa Gars🎵
🎵Here come Santa Gars🎶
Season’s GAReetings and Happy Holidays from the @garlab.bsky.social Team!
🎵Here come Santa Gars🎶
Season’s GAReetings and Happy Holidays from the @garlab.bsky.social Team!
Reposted by Dr. Solomon David
Need a last-minute gift for the fish-lover in your life? Have sewing supplies, fabric, and time? The National Parks Service can *hook* you up with a pattern to make your very own stuffed American shad #25DaysofFishmas www.nps.gov/articles/000...
December 24, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Need a last-minute gift for the fish-lover in your life? Have sewing supplies, fabric, and time? The National Parks Service can *hook* you up with a pattern to make your very own stuffed American shad #25DaysofFishmas www.nps.gov/articles/000...
Reposted by Dr. Solomon David
Shad bakes are common along the East Coast, including in Connecticut where American shad is the state fish. While cooking shad on wood planks goes back to native peoples, the "shad bake" as we know it was developed by marketers in the 1800s #25DaysofFishmas www.atlasobscura.com/foods/shad-b...
December 24, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Shad bakes are common along the East Coast, including in Connecticut where American shad is the state fish. While cooking shad on wood planks goes back to native peoples, the "shad bake" as we know it was developed by marketers in the 1800s #25DaysofFishmas www.atlasobscura.com/foods/shad-b...
Reposted by Dr. Solomon David
American shad historically spawned in nearly every accessible river along the East Coast. Between overharvest + dams that cut off access to spawning grounds, shad numbers declined even before the 20th century. Commercial ocean fishing for shad closed in 2005 + stocks remain low #25DaysofFishmas
December 24, 2025 at 2:25 PM
American shad historically spawned in nearly every accessible river along the East Coast. Between overharvest + dams that cut off access to spawning grounds, shad numbers declined even before the 20th century. Commercial ocean fishing for shad closed in 2005 + stocks remain low #25DaysofFishmas
Reposted by Dr. Solomon David
American shad “hear” better than other fish + can detect ultrasonic signals up to 180 kHz (above the limit of human hearing). It’s thought that this ability helps them be sensitive to noises like the clicks/echolocation communication used by dolphins, one of their major predators #25DaysofFishmas
December 24, 2025 at 2:18 PM
American shad “hear” better than other fish + can detect ultrasonic signals up to 180 kHz (above the limit of human hearing). It’s thought that this ability helps them be sensitive to noises like the clicks/echolocation communication used by dolphins, one of their major predators #25DaysofFishmas
Reposted by Dr. Solomon David
American shad have been called “America’s Founding Fish” because they were once one of the East Coast’s most abundant and economically important species, feeding native peoples, early colonists, and even George Washington. Their species name sapidissima even means “most delicious”! #25DaysofFishmas
December 24, 2025 at 2:15 PM
American shad have been called “America’s Founding Fish” because they were once one of the East Coast’s most abundant and economically important species, feeding native peoples, early colonists, and even George Washington. Their species name sapidissima even means “most delicious”! #25DaysofFishmas
Reposted by Dr. Solomon David
On the East Coast, American shad spawning runs herald the beginning of spring as the fish return from the ocean to their birth rivers to spawn. You thought you had a long way to travel home for the holidays? Over the course of their lives, shad may migrate over 12,000 mi/19,000 km! #25DaysofFishmas
December 24, 2025 at 2:11 PM
On the East Coast, American shad spawning runs herald the beginning of spring as the fish return from the ocean to their birth rivers to spawn. You thought you had a long way to travel home for the holidays? Over the course of their lives, shad may migrate over 12,000 mi/19,000 km! #25DaysofFishmas
Reposted by Dr. Solomon David
American shad is a migratory fish who spawns in coastal rivers along the Atlantic coast from Newfoundland to Florida. Shad were also introduced to the West Coast in the 1800s + rapidly expanded - in the Columbia River, it's now the predominant migratory species, outnumbering salmon #25DaysofFishmas
December 24, 2025 at 2:07 PM
American shad is a migratory fish who spawns in coastal rivers along the Atlantic coast from Newfoundland to Florida. Shad were also introduced to the West Coast in the 1800s + rapidly expanded - in the Columbia River, it's now the predominant migratory species, outnumbering salmon #25DaysofFishmas
Reposted by Dr. Solomon David
American shad is the largest member of the genus Alosa (river herrings), bigger than other members common along the East Coast (alewife, hickory shad, blueback herring). American shad from the southern part of their range (like FL) are generally smaller than those from the north #25DaysofFishmas
December 24, 2025 at 2:03 PM
American shad is the largest member of the genus Alosa (river herrings), bigger than other members common along the East Coast (alewife, hickory shad, blueback herring). American shad from the southern part of their range (like FL) are generally smaller than those from the north #25DaysofFishmas
Reposted by Dr. Solomon David
Shad tidings we bring to you and your fin! 🐟
Our #25DaysofFishmas road trip heads up the East Coast for a fish as American as apple pie - American Shad (Alosa sapidissima)! Known for their spawning runs, shad know that no matter how far away you roam, no trip could be too far when it comes to home
Our #25DaysofFishmas road trip heads up the East Coast for a fish as American as apple pie - American Shad (Alosa sapidissima)! Known for their spawning runs, shad know that no matter how far away you roam, no trip could be too far when it comes to home
December 24, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Shad tidings we bring to you and your fin! 🐟
Our #25DaysofFishmas road trip heads up the East Coast for a fish as American as apple pie - American Shad (Alosa sapidissima)! Known for their spawning runs, shad know that no matter how far away you roam, no trip could be too far when it comes to home
Our #25DaysofFishmas road trip heads up the East Coast for a fish as American as apple pie - American Shad (Alosa sapidissima)! Known for their spawning runs, shad know that no matter how far away you roam, no trip could be too far when it comes to home
🎶Here come Santa Gars🎵
🎵Here come Santa Gars🎶
Season’s GAReetings and Happy Holidays from the @garlab.bsky.social Team!
🎵Here come Santa Gars🎶
Season’s GAReetings and Happy Holidays from the @garlab.bsky.social Team!
December 23, 2025 at 10:40 PM
🎶Here come Santa Gars🎵
🎵Here come Santa Gars🎶
Season’s GAReetings and Happy Holidays from the @garlab.bsky.social Team!
🎵Here come Santa Gars🎶
Season’s GAReetings and Happy Holidays from the @garlab.bsky.social Team!
Reposted by Dr. Solomon David
excuse me, blobfish???
December 23, 2025 at 9:27 PM
excuse me, blobfish???
Reposted by Dr. Solomon David
December Fieldwork Recap!
From the frigid Mississippi River in Minnesota to Louisiana & Mississippi (which were also frigid), the @garlab.bsky.social team saw big gars, smaller gars, blobfish and more!
From the frigid Mississippi River in Minnesota to Louisiana & Mississippi (which were also frigid), the @garlab.bsky.social team saw big gars, smaller gars, blobfish and more!
December 23, 2025 at 9:21 PM
December Fieldwork Recap!
From the frigid Mississippi River in Minnesota to Louisiana & Mississippi (which were also frigid), the @garlab.bsky.social team saw big gars, smaller gars, blobfish and more!
From the frigid Mississippi River in Minnesota to Louisiana & Mississippi (which were also frigid), the @garlab.bsky.social team saw big gars, smaller gars, blobfish and more!
Reposted by Dr. Solomon David
You might ask: Why is any small silvery fish different from any other small silvery fish - aren't they interchangeable? There's much we don't know about many fish species including ghost shiner, but just because we don’t know (yet) doesn’t mean they aren’t important to ecosystems #25DaysofFishmas
December 23, 2025 at 2:32 PM
You might ask: Why is any small silvery fish different from any other small silvery fish - aren't they interchangeable? There's much we don't know about many fish species including ghost shiner, but just because we don’t know (yet) doesn’t mean they aren’t important to ecosystems #25DaysofFishmas
Reposted by Dr. Solomon David
There's some confusion whether ghost shiner is invasive in Ontario, as it was discovered there relatively recently (1972), is disjunct from other southern populations + is used as a baitfish. However, studies have suggested they're native but became isolated from other populations #25DaysofFishmas
December 23, 2025 at 2:24 PM
There's some confusion whether ghost shiner is invasive in Ontario, as it was discovered there relatively recently (1972), is disjunct from other southern populations + is used as a baitfish. However, studies have suggested they're native but became isolated from other populations #25DaysofFishmas
Reposted by Dr. Solomon David
Ghost shiners look *very* similar to and were even previously considered a subspecies of the mimic shiner (Paranotropis volucellus). Ghost shiners never have a stripe along the sides, while mimic shiners usually have at least a faint stripe along the sides + shorter fins #25DaysofFishmas
December 23, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Ghost shiners look *very* similar to and were even previously considered a subspecies of the mimic shiner (Paranotropis volucellus). Ghost shiners never have a stripe along the sides, while mimic shiners usually have at least a faint stripe along the sides + shorter fins #25DaysofFishmas