Region 1 Freshwater Fisheries

Region 1 Freshwater Fisheries Vocabulary continued • • • • • • • Scales- protective cover on a fish; similar to skin Scientific Classification- systematic grouping of organisms based on similarities in structure Slime Layer- covers scales; layer protects from bacteria, parasites, etc. Superior Mouth- a mouth that opens upward (usually surface feeders) Taxonomic Classification- hierarchical system in which organisms are classified into groups based on their similarities, moves from largest and most general to smallest and most specific Terminal Mouth- a mouth located at anterior end of fish’s body (mid water feeder) Vertebrate- organism with a backbone Operculum (gill cover) Gills (under operculum) Pectoral Fin Dorsal Fin Lateral Line Nares Tail/Caudal Fin Mouth Pelvic Fin Anal Fin Background It is important to be able to identify fish for many reasons: to follow the rules and regulations, for protection against sharp teeth or protruding spines, for the safety of the fish, and for consumption or eating purposes. When identifying fish, scientists and anglers use specific vocabulary to describe external anatomy or outside body parts. These body parts are common to most fish. The difference in the body parts is what helps distinguish one fish from another, while their similarities are used to classify them into groups. There are approximately 29,000 fish species in the world. In order to identify each type of fish, scientists have grouped them according to their outside body parts, specifically the number and location of fins, and body shape. Classification Using scientific classification, scientists arrange all organisms into groups based on their similarities. Carolus Linnaeus proposed the first system of classification in 1753. Linnaeus believed that each organism should have a binomial name, genus and species, with species being the smallest organization unit of life. Using Linnaeus’ system as a guide, scientists created a hierarchical system known as taxonomic classification, in which organisms are classified into groups based on their similarities. This hierarchical system moves from largest and most general to smallest and most specific: kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species. For example, fish belong to the kingdom Animalia, the phylum Chordata , and from there are grouped more specifically into several classes, orders, families, and thousands of genus and species. A sample classification of the largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides is shown below {See Figure 1: Classification of the Largemouth Bass}. Figure 1: Classification of the Largemouth Bass Taxon Latin Name Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Osteichthyes Order Perciformes Family Centrarchidae (Sunfish) Genus Micropterus Species Salmoides External Anatomy Features Common external anatomy features of fish include: dorsal fin, anal fin, caudal fin, pectoral fins, pelvic fins, gills, lateral line, nares, mouth, scales, and body shape. Fins All fish have external appendages called fins. Like human limbs, fins provide fish with balance, steering, and protection. Fins are either single along the centerline of the fish: the dorsal fin, anal fin, and tail fin; or paired fins: the pectoral fins and pelvic fins. Pectoral fins help fish balance. The back fin or dorsal fin is typically used for balance and protection and in some fish families (pike and gar) it is used for propulsion. The pelvic fin and anal fin are located on the bottom or belly of fish and help with steering as well as balance. The tail fin, also called the caudal fin, helps propels fish forward. Gills Located on either side of fish, gills transfer oxygen to fish from the water. The gills are covered by a flexible bony plate called the operculum. Some fish have spines located on the operculum as a defense mechanism to protect them from predators. Lateral Line Running down the length of a fish’s body is the lateral line. This organ is used to feel low vibrations in the water. The lateral line is made up of a series of tiny holes located just under the scales of a fish. Nares All fish can smell. Located on a fish’s snout are paired holes, or nares, used for detecting odors in the water. Nares are similar to nostrils but are not used for breathing. Some fish, like catfish and eels, have a heightened sense of smell. Scales and Slime Most fish have scales covering the length of their body. Scales protect fish from injury, much like skin on the human body. On top of these scales is a mucus covering known as the slime layer. Slime protects fish from bacteria and parasites in the water. Anglers should be careful not to remove the slime layer when handling a fish. Body Shape A fish’s body shape as well as the shape and size of certain external features can tell you a lot about that fish. For example, the body shape of a fish can indicate where that fish lives in the water and what type of swimmer it is. Mouth The mouthparts of a fish will vary in size. Some fish have very small mouths while some have large gaping mouths. Some fish have teeth, depending on what the fish eats. The location of the mouth on a fish’s body can also give us a clue as to what the fish eats. A superior mouth (a mouth pointing upward) means the fish will usually eat food located above it, whereas a fish with an inferior mouth (a mouth pointing downward) will usually eat food located below it. Fish with a terminal mouth, located at anterior end of fish’s body, are usually mid water feeders. Main Activity Introduction 1. Introduce yourself 2. Introduce day’s activities: a. Fish identification, external body parts of a fish, classification system b. Create your own fish; lemon fish worksheet c. Go Fish! Card game Fish Anatomy 1. Ask students why is it important to be able to tell fish apart: a. To identify a fish b. To follow rules and regulations c. For personal safety, and safety for the fish i. Teeth/spines and other protective structures d. For consumption i. Poisonous, toxin accumulation 2. Ask students how we tell fish apart. a. Analogize by asking students how they tell their friends apart. Have them be specific regarding differences in hair color, eye color, height, etc. b. Say: We have vocabulary to talk about human anatomy. Scientists and anglers need vocabulary to describe different parts of fish. These body parts are common to most fish. You can use differences in these body parts to help distinguish one fish from another. 3. Identify external anatomy features. a. Using a fish model or picture go over fish body parts and their function. b. Hand out Lemon Fish worksheet. c. Draw a lemon fish on the board. Depending on your students’ level of knowledge, label external anatomy features. d. Have students create their own lemon fish using the external anatomy features that they just learned. Be sure students label features. e. Have a few students share their worksheet f. Collect worksheet 4. Ask students what a species is. a. Fish have the most species of any vertebrate on earth; there are over 29,000 different species of fish. b. Review the concept of families with students. i. Guide students to understand that family is one way to group species with similar traits. c. Certain fish families have specific traits. i. Flounders have both eyes on one side of their head ii. Sunfish have a spiny dorsal fin Go Fish! Card Game 1. Bring out the Go Fish! cards. 2. Ask students how many have ever played Go Fish! 3. Explain the rules. 4. Show a card and mention that the fish are in a family of 4 and, that when playing, students must collect all 4 fish before laying cards down as a set. Fish Identification 1. Time permitting, identify other local fish species using models. 2. Review safety information for each fish. a. Discuss slime layer and proper handling techniques with each fish. Wrap up Relation to fishing End with a brief discussion on why it is important to be able to tell fish apart • to be able to identify them • to follow fishing rules and regulations • for our safety and the safety of the fish • for human consumption • • • between species in that family. Ask the students to explain why it is important to be able to tell fish apart Have the students name several different families of fish indigenous to New York Pointing out specific body parts of a fish, have students identify the name and function of the anatomy feature Questions for Discussion Q: How do scientists classify fish into groups? A: based on their structural similarities (fin shape, body shape, etc.) Q: Can you name a family of fish that is native to NY? A: Answers can vary: Salmon, Flounder, Sunfish, Pike, etc. Q: Can you name a species of fish that is native to NY? A: Answers can vary: Brook trout, largemouth bass, bluegill sunfish, striped bass, bluefish Q: Can you name two fish that belong to the same family of fish? A: Answers can vary: rainbow trout and brook trout, largemouth bass and bluegill sunfish, redfin pickerel and chain pickerel, four spot flounder and summer flounder Q: What is the function of a dorsal fin? A: Protection and balance Q: What organ do fish use to sense vibrations in the water? A: Lateral line Q: How many species of fish are there on Earth? A: over 29,000 Q: How many species of fish can you name? Q: How many families of fish can you name?