When I was a Fish

This fast-paced, highly readable book not only recounts the extraordinary life of Mike Bruton, one of the leading fish biologists in Africa, but also explores and discusses the various issues and topics in which he was involved as a scientist, conservationist and science educator. Through funny, peculiar and sometimes alarming episodes during his career, Bruton shows that an aquatic scientist’s life is a story worth telling! He became obsessed with fish during his early childhood and carried this passion with him throughout his career. Mike’s research on the freshwater fish of Africa and the Middle East lead to entanglements with crocodiles, hippopotami, giant snakes and military operations but also allowed him to contribute to international efforts to conserve wetlands and endangered species. He also made major contributions to our understanding of the ways in which fish are adapted to their watery environments and how they made that epic evolutionary transition from water onto land. Whether or not you are a fisherman, aquarist or sushi eater, you will be fascinated by these astonishing tales of a man who almost became a fish!