In contrast to the clinical, objective science of descriptive taxonomy, naming a fish is the one time scientists can be creative, personal, poetic, whimsical, and even mysterious. We dig into the process and history of formally naming fish species. Our special guest, Christopher Sharpf (the brains behind the ETYFish Project), has researched the names of literally ALL THE FISH!! You'll particularly like this episode if you like history, are curious about etymology or language, and want to be inspired to find your own very unique "Everest" to tackle (in the name of fish).

What looks like a rock, vocalizes using its own bizarre internal instrument, and vibrates like a cell phone when picked up? Get to know the Rockhead Poacher: a fish that's developed a very special way to make itself heard in loud, acoustically complex tidepools along the Pacific coast. Whether you're a fish enthusiast, computer geek, gamer or art lover, this episode is for you. Fish biologist and recent LSU master's graduate Dan Geldof is our enthusiastic guest/guide.

Get to know the Saugeye! You'll get extensive tips how to angle for this fish, how it tastes, and what goes into producing this hybrid for fun fishing opportunities in Virginia. Katrina and Guy are joined by two guests from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.

Get to know a notoriously difficult-to-detect Noturus species: the Piebald Madtom! Matt Wagner, a biologist from our Mississippi Ecological Services Field Office, takes us into the field to learn about this very neat little American catfish with a big sting!

Tune in this week as Katrina and Guy head to Alaska's Kuskokwim River! U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service guests Frank Harris and Aaron Moses describe this fish, its importance to people, the river + Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, and the logistical challenges of studying fish in remote Alaska (MacGyver story included!).

If you like this episode, we've got another for you that offers an Iñupiat perspective and science from a different region of Alaska: S2:E47: Broad Whitefish: Trade and Table Fare

Get to know the Trout-Perch, an understudied yet important forage fish that makes its living across a large swath of North America! Katrina and Guy are joined by guests Ray Katula and Justin Lesser.

Co-hosts Katrina and Guy reflect on the past five seasons and take a sneak peek into season 6. Learn which 25 American fish top their lists and their shortlist of Mount Rushmore-worthy fishes. The episode ends with listeners' "fanmail darter" recommendations.

Get to know 'o'opu nākea, 'o'opu 'alamo'o, ‘o’opu nopili, ‘o’opu naniha, and ‘o’opu ‘akupa! From scaling waterfalls to farming algae, Hawaii’s native ‘o’opu gobies embody a mauka to makai (mountains to sea) way of living. These fascinating obligate amphidromous fishes (and our guests - Cory Yap, Cody Chacon, and Tim Grabowski), help us to open a window into Hawaiian culture, sense of place, and kuleana.

Check out these other Hawaii-focused episodes:

• S4:E43 Guests Andie Le Doux and Iokepa Frederick discuss the once-great coastal O'ahu mullet migration and conserving muliwai (estuary) environments.
• S4:E21 Awa (Milkfish) with guest Keli'i Kotubetey (Assistant Executive Director of Paepae o He'eia on the island of O'ahu)
• S3:E18 Guest William Aila discusses traditional and contemporary Hawaiian fishing techniques and dishes, management and conservation of tuna.
• S2:E18 Moi (Pacific Threadfin) + fishponds of Molokai with guests Uncle Mac Poepoe and Hi'ilei Kawelo