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Fish Notes

Fishes are classified into three main groups: jawless, cartilaginous, and bony fishes, with varying respiratory methods and circulatory systems. They possess scales for protection, a lateral line system for sensing, and different reproductive strategies. Fishes play a vital ecological role in aquatic ecosystems, contributing to food webs and maintaining coral reef health.

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151 views3 pages

Fish Notes

Fishes are classified into three main groups: jawless, cartilaginous, and bony fishes, with varying respiratory methods and circulatory systems. They possess scales for protection, a lateral line system for sensing, and different reproductive strategies. Fishes play a vital ecological role in aquatic ecosystems, contributing to food webs and maintaining coral reef health.

Uploaded by

laura.lain22
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Classification:​

●​ Fishes are vertebrates in the phylum Chordata and are primarily classified into three
major groups:​

○​ Jawless fishes (Agnatha): e.g., hagfish, lampreys​

○​ Cartilaginous fishes (Chondrichthyes): e.g., sharks, rays​

○​ Bony fishes (Osteichthyes): the largest group, includes tuna, salmon, goldfish​

Respiration:​

●​ Most fishes breathe by extracting oxygen from water using gills.​

●​ Some species, like the lungfish, can breathe air using a modified lung.​

Circulatory System:​

●​ Fishes have a closed circulatory system with a two-chambered heart (one atrium
and one ventricle).​

●​ Blood flows in a single circuit: heart → gills → body → back to heart.​

Scales:​

●​ Fish scales vary by type:​

○​ Placoid (sharks)​

○​ Ganoid (gars)​

○​ Cycloid and ctenoid (bony fishes)​

●​ Scales provide protection and reduce drag while swimming.​

Lateral Line System:​


●​ A sensory system that detects vibrations and pressure changes in the water—helps
with navigation, hunting, and avoiding predators.​

Reproduction:​

●​ Reproductive methods vary:​

○​ Oviparous (egg-laying)​

○​ Ovoviviparous (eggs hatch inside the body)​

○​ Viviparous (live birth)​

●​ Some fish exhibit external fertilization, while others (e.g., sharks) have internal
fertilization.​

Swim Bladder:​

●​ Most bony fishes have a swim bladder that allows them to maintain buoyancy.​

●​ Not present in cartilaginous fishes (they use oily livers for buoyancy).​

Migration:​

●​ Species like salmon (anadromous) and eels (catadromous) migrate between salt and
freshwater to breed.​

Electric Fish:​

●​ Some fish, like electric eels or torpedo rays, can generate electricity to navigate, hunt,
or defend.​

Ecological Role:​
●​ Fishes are crucial to aquatic food webs: they serve as predators, prey, and nutrient
cyclers.​

●​ Coral reef fish help maintain reef health by controlling algae.

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