Fish

1
Fish Form and function
An LSU Museum of Natural Science presentation to
accompany the activity
2
Types and Function of fins

• All Fish have fins! Each fin shape has a unique
  shape and function.
• Dorsal- (top fin) Helps keep the fish upright.
  Also used for sudden direction changes.
• Pectoral- These are the pair of side fins that
  help the fish move in different directions and
  aids in the ability to swim and steer. Sometimes
  have spines used for defense.

Dorsal fin
Pectoral fin
3
Types and Function of fins

• Pelvic- Located on the bottom of the fish. Most
  often used as brakes.
• Anal- used to stabilize fish
• Additional fins
• Adipose- tiny fin between dorsal and caudel
  fins

Anal fin
Pelvic fin
4
Caudel (Tail) fin

• This fin is used to propel the fish through the
  water, pick up speed, and make turns.
• Rounded caudal fin allows for effective
  acceleration and maneuvering but in general is
  found on fish that do not swim long distances
  because of large amounts of drag
• Truncated caudal fin straight tipped tail
  allows for quick turns and short burst of speed
• Emarginated caudal fin has the least amount of
  drag fin has two lobes
• Forked caudal fin- 2 lobes, helps reduce
  turbulance
• Lunate caudal fin- tend to be fastest fishes,
  maintain speeds

5
Body shapes of Fish
Sagitiform elongated tubular body layout that
is arrow shaped allows fish to strike quickly.
(Example gar, barracuda) 
Depression wide, flat body shapes that all fish
to rest on the bottom. (Example flounder)
6
Body shapes of Fish
Compressiform fish that are laterally
compressed tall, thin body shape that allows
fish to enter vertical crevices allows for quick
bursts of speed and quick turns.
Fusiform streamlined with pointed ends - shaped
like a plane helps to lower frictional
resistance, and allows them to move through the
water extremely fast.
7
Body shapes of Fish
Anguilliform fish that are long and skinny
these fish slither like snakes allows them to
maneuver into narrow openings and resist the
force of current. Globiform these fish are
almost round or globe-shaped.
Taeniform thin ribbon like shape good for
hiding in crevices and cracks.
8
1st dorsal fin
2nd dorsal fin

• Lateral line

Eye
Nostril
Caudal
Mouth
Anal fin
Pectoral fin
Operculum
Pelvic fin
9
Gyotaku Japanese art of fish printing

• How it works
• Paint plastic fish
• Press painted fish onto paper to make impression.
  Label parts if desired.

10
Build you own Frankenfish
Purpose Students will learn about fish anatomy
and morphology by building their own fish.

• Materials
• Fish part templates
• Glue
• Crayons
• Construction paper
• Scissors
• Pencil and paper

11
On-line Resources

• Fish anatomy print-out
• Enchanted learning- http//www.enchantedlearning.c
  om/subjects/fish/label/labelfish.shtml
• Basic information on fish
• http//www.flmnh.ufl.edu/FISH/Education/Diagrams.h
  tm
• Gyotaku fish