Noah Bressman, PhD
@noahwithfish.bsky.social
I LOVE fish! Fish biologist, angler, artist, science policy adviser, #SciComm. Amphibious fish, invasive species, biomechanics, functional morphology, behavior, ecology, fisheries. Assistant Professor of Physiology @ Salisbury University. He/him. AuDHD 🐡🎣🐟
The next day one of the baby cypresses I planted on the shoreline to help restore bald cypresses to another part of their historic range was gnawed down… at least this time it was nature instead of a boat propellor that took out my cypress. And a very cute beaver at that 🦫
November 10, 2025 at 1:15 PM
The next day one of the baby cypresses I planted on the shoreline to help restore bald cypresses to another part of their historic range was gnawed down… at least this time it was nature instead of a boat propellor that took out my cypress. And a very cute beaver at that 🦫
A new neighbor moved into town and came over to say hi…
November 10, 2025 at 1:15 PM
A new neighbor moved into town and came over to say hi…
Well, I tried my first fish sketch in a long time on a pumpkin for Halloween. I attempted a cleared and stained harvestfish, but the mouth came out more like an Opah’s. Does that count? 🐟 🐡
October 24, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Well, I tried my first fish sketch in a long time on a pumpkin for Halloween. I attempted a cleared and stained harvestfish, but the mouth came out more like an Opah’s. Does that count? 🐟 🐡
I went to take a couple of casts from the dock this morning before getting started with work, and got a nice 18” bass, but also found an invasive crayfish in my minnow trap that has not been documented for my county yet... Even when I’m off the clock, the invasive species find me… time to report
October 23, 2025 at 12:27 PM
I went to take a couple of casts from the dock this morning before getting started with work, and got a nice 18” bass, but also found an invasive crayfish in my minnow trap that has not been documented for my county yet... Even when I’m off the clock, the invasive species find me… time to report
After working late to finish analyzing data and revising my manuscript that describes why some fish emerge and leave the water and others don’t, it was quite ironic to see this shirt from @hankgreen.bsky.social finally arrived at my doorstep, as if sassing me 🐟
October 9, 2025 at 2:18 AM
After working late to finish analyzing data and revising my manuscript that describes why some fish emerge and leave the water and others don’t, it was quite ironic to see this shirt from @hankgreen.bsky.social finally arrived at my doorstep, as if sassing me 🐟
After playing with some options amongst the students in my lab, I have finally developed a lab logo! Prepare for our merch line featuring it on shirts, hats, sneakers, guitar picks, NFTs, bibles, steaks, wine, golf courses, and more!
October 7, 2025 at 3:05 PM
After playing with some options amongst the students in my lab, I have finally developed a lab logo! Prepare for our merch line featuring it on shirts, hats, sneakers, guitar picks, NFTs, bibles, steaks, wine, golf courses, and more!
What is something that could be taken wildly out of context by someone who didn’t know you were a scientist? 🧪 I’ll start with this note I just found in my pocket.
October 2, 2025 at 8:58 PM
What is something that could be taken wildly out of context by someone who didn’t know you were a scientist? 🧪 I’ll start with this note I just found in my pocket.
This project had absolutely nothing related to any of the research I was doing at the time during my PhD (or even now), but sometimes a research question comes so naturally, like “why won’t the lips clear?” that you can’t resist finding out the answer (with the help of collaborators)…
October 1, 2025 at 12:20 PM
This project had absolutely nothing related to any of the research I was doing at the time during my PhD (or even now), but sometimes a research question comes so naturally, like “why won’t the lips clear?” that you can’t resist finding out the answer (with the help of collaborators)…
My newest tattoo is based on the first field excursion of my lab at SU when I started it up in 2021. As part of my MS student Zach Crum’s thesis project on the diet of invasive blue catfish, we collected some big fish. Literally the first one cut (47 pounder) had a whole wood duck in its stomach 🐟🐡🦆
September 28, 2025 at 2:12 PM
My newest tattoo is based on the first field excursion of my lab at SU when I started it up in 2021. As part of my MS student Zach Crum’s thesis project on the diet of invasive blue catfish, we collected some big fish. Literally the first one cut (47 pounder) had a whole wood duck in its stomach 🐟🐡🦆
Anyone going to #SICB2026 want to join me for a white sturgeon charter in the Willamette or Columbia rivers, both world-class sturgeon fishing waters right in Portland? If so, let me know ASAP as that may mean adjusting flight times and/or hotel durations as you are planning for the conference
September 23, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Anyone going to #SICB2026 want to join me for a white sturgeon charter in the Willamette or Columbia rivers, both world-class sturgeon fishing waters right in Portland? If so, let me know ASAP as that may mean adjusting flight times and/or hotel durations as you are planning for the conference
Yes, I work with fish. What gave it away?
September 11, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Yes, I work with fish. What gave it away?
Apparently, a snake snuck through the floorboards of our screened in porch and our gentlest cat picked the lil guy up and brought it inside! If our other cats found him, he probably wouldn’t have been as lucky… the snake is now safely outside in the bushes
September 5, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Apparently, a snake snuck through the floorboards of our screened in porch and our gentlest cat picked the lil guy up and brought it inside! If our other cats found him, he probably wouldn’t have been as lucky… the snake is now safely outside in the bushes
First bluefish on the fly, and a chopper at that! About 8 lbs and 26”! 🎣
August 28, 2025 at 8:12 PM
First bluefish on the fly, and a chopper at that! About 8 lbs and 26”! 🎣
I’m Noah, I’m a professor in MD trying to save the Chesapeake Bay from invasive blue catfish. I also research amphibious fishes, biomechanics, behavior, and fisheries. When I’m not sciencing, you can find me SciComm-ing about fish, fishing, or making fish art (using science)
August 20, 2025 at 2:04 PM
I’m Noah, I’m a professor in MD trying to save the Chesapeake Bay from invasive blue catfish. I also research amphibious fishes, biomechanics, behavior, and fisheries. When I’m not sciencing, you can find me SciComm-ing about fish, fishing, or making fish art (using science)
I just updated my online shop with my newest prints, check it out! Not into traditional wall art? My art is also available on stickers, notebooks, towels, phone cases, external battery packs, duvet covers, shower curtains, tote bags, ornaments, yoga mats, & more! fineartamerica.com/profiles/noa... 🐡
August 16, 2025 at 4:04 PM
I just updated my online shop with my newest prints, check it out! Not into traditional wall art? My art is also available on stickers, notebooks, towels, phone cases, external battery packs, duvet covers, shower curtains, tote bags, ornaments, yoga mats, & more! fineartamerica.com/profiles/noa... 🐡
Working with @marylanddnr.bsky.social, my lab is working on removing invasive blue catfish from the Chesapeake Bay to protect native species like blue crabs and striped bass. Here's a little preview into a new project an MS student in my lab, Liam Hanley, is working on.
August 14, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Working with @marylanddnr.bsky.social, my lab is working on removing invasive blue catfish from the Chesapeake Bay to protect native species like blue crabs and striped bass. Here's a little preview into a new project an MS student in my lab, Liam Hanley, is working on.
I only hear rails at the marshes near me, never see them. Except for this one that lives by this viewing platform at Blackwater NWR. If you need a reliable spot, that’s your best bet for seeing Clapper Rails (aka just this individual reliably), that’s a good location
August 6, 2025 at 12:43 AM
I only hear rails at the marshes near me, never see them. Except for this one that lives by this viewing platform at Blackwater NWR. If you need a reliable spot, that’s your best bet for seeing Clapper Rails (aka just this individual reliably), that’s a good location
Anyway, that’s a long way of saying I just caught my first Atlantic Cod (Gaduas morhua) on hook-and-line from Nova Scotia - a fish with perhaps more cultural history than any other species. Also got some Atlantic Mackerel and had some pilot whales come up to us! (3/3)
August 5, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Anyway, that’s a long way of saying I just caught my first Atlantic Cod (Gaduas morhua) on hook-and-line from Nova Scotia - a fish with perhaps more cultural history than any other species. Also got some Atlantic Mackerel and had some pilot whales come up to us! (3/3)
Meanwhile, everyone in the vicinity looked at me holding a bag of fish with an expression like they’ve never seen where food comes from before. The restaurant then gave me seasoning, butter, and lemon to cook it with and pointed me to a grill out back, where I cooked my own fish. 2/3)
August 5, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Meanwhile, everyone in the vicinity looked at me holding a bag of fish with an expression like they’ve never seen where food comes from before. The restaurant then gave me seasoning, butter, and lemon to cook it with and pointed me to a grill out back, where I cooked my own fish. 2/3)
I’m currently at a golf resort & asked the restaurant “if we caught some fish & brought it to dinner, would the kitchen cook it for us?” They said “sure, can do”. Apparently, they didn’t think I was serious & I called their bluff, but they said the kitchen couldn’t prepare it cus health reg. (1/3)
August 5, 2025 at 10:55 PM
I’m currently at a golf resort & asked the restaurant “if we caught some fish & brought it to dinner, would the kitchen cook it for us?” They said “sure, can do”. Apparently, they didn’t think I was serious & I called their bluff, but they said the kitchen couldn’t prepare it cus health reg. (1/3)
Well, clearly these snakehead have something else taking their attention away from biting my lure (spawning)
July 22, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Well, clearly these snakehead have something else taking their attention away from biting my lure (spawning)
This event would not have been possible without a small grant from @marylanddnr.bsky.social and our sponsors Old Skool Tackle, Maryland Coastal Conservation Association, Eastern Shore Gyotaku, and PHAT KATZ Catfish Rigs. Hopefully, we will see everyone out again next year!
July 21, 2025 at 9:11 PM
This event would not have been possible without a small grant from @marylanddnr.bsky.social and our sponsors Old Skool Tackle, Maryland Coastal Conservation Association, Eastern Shore Gyotaku, and PHAT KATZ Catfish Rigs. Hopefully, we will see everyone out again next year!
Thanks to everyone who came out to my lab’s 4th Annual Nanticoke River Invasive Fishing Derby! While poor weather may have scared some away, we still had over 30 teams weigh-and remove about 140 invasive fish, totaling 225 lbs! Valuable data was also collected about fish & ecosystem health
July 21, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Thanks to everyone who came out to my lab’s 4th Annual Nanticoke River Invasive Fishing Derby! While poor weather may have scared some away, we still had over 30 teams weigh-and remove about 140 invasive fish, totaling 225 lbs! Valuable data was also collected about fish & ecosystem health
Like other anchovies (Engraulidae), this species has a very large, functionally toothless mouth with very long, tightly packed gill rakers that act as a filter to help them filter out zooplankton as they swim around with their mouths open to feed. (2/2) 🐙🐟🐡🧪#SciComm
July 17, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Like other anchovies (Engraulidae), this species has a very large, functionally toothless mouth with very long, tightly packed gill rakers that act as a filter to help them filter out zooplankton as they swim around with their mouths open to feed. (2/2) 🐙🐟🐡🧪#SciComm
Striped Anchovy (or Broad-striped Anchovy, Anchoa hepsetus) are small baitfish that are abundant in the western Atlantic Ocean, though they get about twice as large (6 in/15 cm) as the other common anchovy species around the Chesapeake Bay, the Bay Anchovy. (1/2) 🐙🐟🐡🧪
July 17, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Striped Anchovy (or Broad-striped Anchovy, Anchoa hepsetus) are small baitfish that are abundant in the western Atlantic Ocean, though they get about twice as large (6 in/15 cm) as the other common anchovy species around the Chesapeake Bay, the Bay Anchovy. (1/2) 🐙🐟🐡🧪