Russell read these lines on a website about tropical fish. fish make the best pets. surveys taken in elementary schools all over suggest that more than 85% of students have had fish as pets. fish have been around longer than dinosaurs--over 400 million years! there are more types of fish than there are mammals, birds, and reptiles combined. people have enjoyed watching fish for a very long time. what is the author's opinion, and what evidence is used to support it? the author's opinion is that fish make the best pets. the opinion is supported by the fact that 85% of students have had fish as pets. the author's opinion is that fish are older than dinosaurs. the opinion is supported by the fact that people have enjoyed fish for a long time. the author's opinion is that fish have been around for over 400 million years. the opinion is supported by the fact that fish make the best pets. the author's opinion is that there are more types of fish than mammals. the opinion is supported by the fact that fish make the best pets.