Ms. Bruno
Fish Anatomy and Life Functions
Name _____________________________________________
Date ________________
Marine Biology
Per ________
What are Fishes?
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Fishes are _________________, which is any organism that has
a __________ and a _________________
Fishes can be categorized into _________ groups:
o ________________________
o ________________________
o ________________________
Jawless Fish:
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Jawless fish are also known as __________________
They are the most ______________ fishes!
Two major types are ______________ and _______________
Characteristics include:
o
o
o
o
Lampreys:
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____________ Fish- feed off of _______ fish
Mouth is an oral __________- contains sharp ________ that cut the host’s flesh and then suck
the ____________
Hagfish:
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______________ of the sea- it feeds on ________ or
_________ fish
Also called a ___________ ______
Uses their ____________ to bore into prey and eat them
from the ____________ out
Produces a __________ that covers its __________
Ms. Bruno
Fish Anatomy and Life Functions
Marine Biology
Bony Fish:
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The majority of fish species are called ________ fish, or __________________ (os-tee-ikthee-eez)
Over __________ species of bony fish exist
Fins:
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Fins- most consist of thin ______________ that are supported by
bony ___________
Most fish have two ___________ fins, two __________ fins, two
_____________ fins, an anal fin and a ___________ fin (tail)
The caudal fin is considered to ________________, or the same
length on both the top and bottom
Dorsal
Pectoral/Pelvic
Anal
Caudal
Ms. Bruno
Fish Anatomy and Life Functions
Marine Biology
More External Anatomy:
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Lateral Line- ___________ organ lined with sensory cells that detects ______________ in the
water
o Enables fish to:
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Peduncle- ______________ part of the fish’s body where the __________ fin attaches
Vent- ___________ opening to digestive, ____________, and reproductive tracts
Types of Scales:
Cycloid Scales
Internal Anatomy:
Ctenoid Scales
Ms. Bruno
Fish Anatomy and Life Functions
Marine Biology
Buoyancy Control:
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Uses a structure called a _______ ______________ to
adjust their ____________ in water
It allows them to stay at a certain ___________ without effort
Can fill or empty it with ________ and adjusts to
______________ changes
Swimming __________ depends on ability to ____________
swim bladder
Feeding Patterns:
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Most bony fish are _______________, but many species also feed on ___________ and algae
Bony fish have various different types of ___________ and jaws that are ________________
to the food they eat
Most ____________ their prey whole, while some use their __________ to tear prey
Grazers
Filter Feeders
Bottom Feeders
Digestion:
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Pathway of food:
o Mouth  ________________  Stomach 
_______________
Specialized organ called the __________ ___________
which secretes digestive ______________
Some bony fish lack a stomach
Ex: ________________
Circulation:
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Fish have a ____________ circulatory system- blood is
contained in veins, _____________, and
________________
_________ chambered heart
Ms. Bruno
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
Fish Anatomy and Life Functions
Marine Biology
Blood is pumped from heart to ________ to pick up __________, then travels to all parts of the
body
Fish are ________ blooded- their _______ temperature is the ________ as the water
temperature
Respiration:
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_____________ is obtained from water through _________
___________ passes over the gills, and oxygen _______________ in the water enters the
capillaries via ______________
Gills are supported by __________ structures called gill _____________
Each gill arch has ________ __________ of fleshy projections called gill ________________,
which are surrounded by _____________________
Coloration:
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Varies with fish, species, and sex
Some are _________ colors, some are
________________
Color is due to special _________ in the skin called
__________________
Some fish can _____________ and
______________ the pigment in their
chromatophores to rapidly ____________ colors
Cells called _________________ (pigment cells
that contain reflective granules) work like small _______________
o Countershading: Top of fish is _________ in color and bottom is __________
 Helps conceal fish from ________________ both above and ____________
Ms. Bruno
Fish Anatomy and Life Functions
Marine Biology
Reproduction:
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Males- __________ present, produce sperm (called ________)
Females- __________ present, produce eggs (called ________)
Some fish are ______________________- can produce _______ eggs and sperm (hamlets,
lancetfish)
o Common in the _________ _______
Sex _____________ is not uncommon (sea bass, groupers)
Breeding and Courtship:
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Most breeding occurs at a specific _________ of year and
at a specific _______________
Some fish species have elaborate ____________
______________, such as swimming upside down,
____________ that display certain colors, and
____________
o Example: The sockeye salmon changes color from
___________ to _______, and the jaw of the males
grows into a ___________
Fertilization:
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Usually ______________ (spawning)
Fertilized egg develops into an _____________, then a ___________, then adult fish
Produce numbers of eggs and sperm in the ______________ to ensure fertilization happens
Few use ____________ fertilization
o Example _______________
Development:
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____________ begins to develop ____________ egg, gets nourishment from ________ of egg
Eggs are usually __________ or ________________ to something
Many develop in a ___________ built by one or both parents (clownfish)
In some fish species, the __________ keep the fertilized eggs inside them until they hatch!
Examples: ______________________