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Have you heard about the one that got away? You know, that record-breaking fish your uncle caught last summer? Uh huh. There are probably as many unbelievable fish stories as there are fins in the sea. Though the 27 aquatic beauties featured here are all very real, there's a slim to zero chance they'll ever wind up at the end of your line. But that shouldn't stop you from taking a gander at what's below the watery surface. From the cute axolotl to the creepy predatory snaggletooth, the bulldog-like stargazer to the fantastical "Dumbo" octopus, and the elegant leafy sea dragon to the lumpfish with a face only its mother could love—these real-life animals are awe-inspiring. If they bring out the angler in you, check out the parent site, Bounty Fishing Blog, where you can sign up for fishing tournaments and give your uncle a little friendly competition.

Remember all those news stories about the giant squid? Of course you do, and maybe you were one of those types who couldn't get enough. Today's Pick brims over with more squid than you can possibly handle. Whether they're attempting to attack and eat grown men, emitting an "eerie blue glow" in Japan's Toyama Bay, ruining vacations, or hauling huge pouches of eggs, the tentacled monsters seem to have us surrounded —and not just in the water. They're appearing on squid T-shirts, knitted replicas, and even weirdly homoerotic paintings. So come join the cephalopod celebration, because by the looks of things, they're our masters now.

We have all experienced a museum exhibit that admirably tries (but usually fails) to get us excited about things that, well, aren't very exciting. Five minutes of staring at prehistoric rocks or the official dinnerware of Buckingham Palace and you'd probably rather be somewhere (anywhere!) else. Not so at the Monterey Bay Aquarium -- they've launched a smashing new shark exhibit. If your experience with the killer fish is limited to Jaws flicks and San Jose hockey, you'll want to sink your teeth in and bite off all you can chew. Visitors to the site can explore the deep sea, get up close with the deadly creatures, and even watch a live "shark cam" -- all from the safety of their dry desks. The site also offers practical tips on how you can help ensure the sharks' survival in the face of increased commercial fishing. Jump in and check it out. (Protective diving cage not included.)