Fish Physiology
Chambers of the fish heart consist of
one atrium and one ventricle
Buoyancy is enhanced by
oil content of the liver
Buoyancy is achieved with
a swim bladder
Epipelagic fish are characterized as
strong swimmers (nekton), schooling and shoaling fish
Scales are important for survival because
scales prevent water diffusion through the skin
Respiration/gas exchange occurs through r
countercurrent exchange across gills when fish swallows wate
Reproduction is by
internal fertilization and viviparity or oviparity
Fins are composed of
bony rays
Mesopelagic fish characterized by
vertical migrations, bioluminescence by photophores, small with large eyes
The life cycle of catadromous fish is characterized by
breed in saltwater, migrate to live in freshwater and return to saltwater to breed and include eels
Osmoregulation occurs via
chloride cells on gills, excretion of concentrated or dilute urine
The Ampullae of Lorenzini function as
an electrosensory system
Gills covered by
an operculum tat allows the fish to breathe without swimming
Bathypelagic fish are characterized by
bioluminescence, blind or small eyes, large mouth, hermaphroditic
A colorful fish characterized by reduced or no swim bladder and delayed reproduction is the
rainbow darter
Agnathans are
fish lacking jaws and include the hagfish and lamprey
Two members of this group with individual unique external patterns are
whale sharks and spotted eagle rays
Reproduction is typically
external
Coral reef fish are characterized by
laterally compressed bodies, bright colors
Predatory to omnivorous fish with interlocking teeth that communicates through barks is the
piranha
Lobe-finned fish are characterized by
bone development in the pectoral and pelvic fins include the coelacanth and lungfishes
Proteins are metabolized to
urea
Sensory abilities include
lateral line, excellent eyesight and sense of smell
The life cycle of anadromous fish is characterized by
born in freshwater, migrate to saltwater, return to freshwater to spawn and include salmon
A bottom feeding with sensory barbels containing taste buds and venomous spines is the
channel catfish