Basic Fish Anatomy

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Basic Fish Anatomy
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Fin Functions

• Stabilize, turn, hover, brake, etc.
• Pectoral
• Pelvic
• Stabilize and straighten
• Dorsal
• Anal
• Propel forward
• Caudal

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You can tell a lot about a fish by looking at his
fins
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Fin Pics
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Scales

• Bony substance protection
• Epidermal layer mucous cells

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Swim Bladder

• Maintains buoyancy in water column
• Sharks and rays

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Fish Respiration

• Water taken into mouth
• Passed over gills
• Out gillslits
• O2 CO2 exchange

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Eyesight

• Similar to humans
• No eyelids

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Hearing

• Water more efficient than air
• No external ear
• Vibrations pass through body to otoliths

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Smell

• Nostrils
• Olfactory organ

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Taste

• Taste buds in mouth, skin, lips, fins
• Catfishes barbels

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Carfish barbel