FISH

Requirements:

1. Name ten families of fishes.

a) Engraulidae
b) Syngnathidae
c) Percichtydae
d) Centrarchidae
e) Percidae
f) Pleuronectidae
g) Poeciliidae
h) Salmonidae
i) Acipenseridae
j) Cypinidae
2. Identify from pictures or personal observation ten tropical fishes.
A. Explain their breeding habits.
B .Give the habitat or country in which they are found.
3. Name and identify ten fishes native to your own country. Explain
their feeding and breeding habits.
4. Define the following parts of a fish:
 Dorsal fin: a flat thin part on the back of some fish (such as
sharks.)
 Pectoral fin: either of the fins of a fish that correspond to the
forelimbs of a quadruped.
 Pelvic fin: one of the paired fins of a fish that are homologous
with the hind limbs of a quadruped.
  Anal fin: The anal fin is located on the ventral surface behind the
anus. This fin is used to stabilize the fish while swimming.
 Caudal fin: The caudal fin is the tail fin, located at the end of the
caudal peduncle.
 Lateral line: The lateral line is a sense organ used to detect
movement and vibration in the surrounding water. It consists of a
line of receptors running along each side of the fish.
 Operculum: The operculum of a bony fish is the hard bony flap
covering and protecting the gills.
 Barbells: A barbel on a fish is a slender, whiskerlike sensory organ
near the mouth.
 Swim bladder: The gas bladder, or swim bladder, is an internal
organ that contributes to the ability of a fish to control its
buoyancy, and thus to stay at the current water depth, ascend, or
descend without having to waste energy in swimming. It is often
absent in fast swimming fishes such as the Tuna and Mackerel
families.
 Gills: The gills, located under the operculum, are a respiratory
organ for the extraction of oxygen from water and for the
excretion of carbon dioxide. They are not usually visible, but can
be seen in some species e.g. the frilled shark.
5. State briefly the proper care and feeding of fishes of:
 Tropical zone
 Temperate zone
6. Fill at least a five? Gallon aquarium, well balanced with plants and
fishes, either tropical or native, and maintain the same for at least six
months.
7. Note the effect on the fishes and aquarium in general:
 Too much light: During the time that aquarium plants are exposed
to light, carbon dioxide is absorbed and oxygen is expelled. The
gases enter the plant mainly through the leaves. The carbon
dioxide and water are chemically combined with the chlorophyll
in the plant to produce simple sugars. The sugars are converted to
starch and oxygen is produced as the by-product. The light in your
tank is most important with respect to the chlorophyll. The
chlorophyll is what absorbs the light to create the process of
photosynthesis. The aquarium plant naturally absorbs more
nutrients through the roots during this time.
 Too little light: Respiration is the opposite of photosynthesis.
When the lights are out, the photosynthesis process ceases but
the respiration continues. The aquarium plant will use oxygen to
break down food substances, which is released as energy in the
form of heat. Carbon dioxide is produced and expelled as a result
of this process. So, when the lights are on the plants absorb
carbon dioxide and expel oxygen. When the lights are out the
aquarium plants absorb oxygen and expel carbon dioxide.
 Overfeeding: Overfeeding is one of the major causes of fish loss.
Overfeeding promotes fish waste (ammonia) to build up to a
harmful level. It is best to feed your betta only enough food that it
can eat in five minutes. If food is seen sitting on the bottom of the
aquarium or bowl, the fish have been overfed.
 Drop in temperature of water: Rapid changes in water
temperatures stress your fish. When fish are stressed they are
more susceptible to disease and sickness.
 Too few plants and too many fishes: Fish need plants in the wild
for shelter, food, filtration, and oxygen. In an aquarium you supply
their main source of food.