Transcript Gulf Coast Sea Life - Fish - myLSU

Fish:
Form and function
An LSU Museum of Natural Science presentation to
accompany the activity
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
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
Pelvic fin
Anal fin
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
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)
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.
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.
1st dorsal fin
2nd dorsal fin
Lateral line
Eye
Nostril
Caudal
Mouth
Pectoral fin
Operculum
Pelvic fin
Anal fin
Gyotaku
Japanese art of fish printing
How it works:
1. Paint plastic fish
2. Press painted fish onto paper to make
impression. Label parts if desired.
Build you own ‘Franken’fish
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
On-line Resources
• Fish anatomy print-out
Enchanted learninghttp://www.enchantedlearning.com/subject
s/fish/label/labelfish.shtml
• Basic information on fish
http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/FISH/Education/Dia
grams.htm
• Gyotaku fish