LAB REPORT

PROGRAM:

AT117

COURSE:

AQU247 (DISEASE AND HEALTH AQUATIC ORGANISM)

PRACTICAL NUMBER:

02

PRACTICAL TITLE:

FISH ANATOMY, COLLECTION AND DISSECTION OF FISH SPECIMENS

STUDENT NAME (ID):

SYAFIZ IQMAL BIN RAMLAN

LECTURER NAME:

DR. SHARIFAH RAINA BINTI MANAF

FP FRONT PAGE 2

F FONT & FONT SIZE 1

S SPACING 1
A ALIGNMENT 1
O ORGANIZATION 1
I INTRODUCTION 2
P PROCEDURE 2
R RESULTS 3
D DISCUSSION 3
C CONCLUSION 2
CITATIONS &
Ref 2
REFERENCES
TOTAL MARKS 20
Introduction:
Every fish is unique in its own ways but in the end, most of the bony fishes have about the
same body anatomy. And every part of the fish body plays an important role internally and
externally. Fish anatomy is where we study deeper about the morphology and form of fishes.
In other words, we are talking about the study of fish physiological state and how does the
component of each part inside and outside of fish works together inside the living fish
(Prosser, 1991). As we learn and study more, we will know that their physiological state and
anatomy accompaniment one another in dealing the structure of the fish the fish component
parts or so called organs and how they are combined together can be observed by
dissecting the fish in order to see and learn more about their internal anatomy and knowing
on how these important components work together as a whole in living fish.
As we can see in fish body externally, we can spot their eyes, their operculum, lateral line,
caudal peduncle and fin parts such as dorsal fin, adipose fin, caudal fin, anal fin, pairs of
pectoral and pelvic fins. These external parts of the body each has it own function and
importance for them to live and move around easily. In many respects, this animal still
shares the same body plan from which every vertebrates evolving which is a notochord, a
rudimental vertebrae and well defined head and tail (McGinnis, 2006) (Waggoner, 2011).
When talking about bony fish that have some interesting external and internal features. This
include having a bony skeleton, their body are mostly compressed having an operculum that
is used to protect the fish gills and having gills between 3 to 5 on each side for enough
amount of respiration and they function as the two heart chambers pumps blood through the
surface at respiratory of gills and then spread across the body in a single loop of circulation.
Besides that, they also have a dermis that hides within the overlapping scales. They also
have swim bladder that helps them maintain at a constant depth at the waters. Last but not
least they also spawn a large number of eggs with little yolk which they channel into the
waters. (Kotpal, 2010)
There is a tremendous diversity of fish in the world. Each species is adapted to life in a
specific habitat. By examining the body shape of the fish, we can learn about the habitat of
the fish. For the fish specimen, the advantage of using the light microscope is that it allows
the observation of microscopic living things. Before observation, a specimen must be
prepared according to a scientific procedure. In this lab we are doing our best in identifying
the bony fish we caught and observe the internal and external morphology and
characteristics of the fish.
OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this laboratory session, I would be able to
i. Identify various parts available in fish
ii. Describe about the concept of fish morphology
iii. Observe deeper about the structures of the internal organ of fish

APPARATUS:
Scalpel, forceps, probe, scissors, cutting board, labels.
MATERIALS:
Fish specimen (red tilapia)
METHODS:
1.0 Preparation of fish
A medium sized bony fish which is a red tilapia was bought from nearby market in live form.
1.1 Preparing the dissection
1.1.1 The working place was cleaned before working starts and equipment was rinsed
between each sample.
1.1.2 Sampling equipment was cleaned to be used for dissection:

 In order to not let the samples contaminated with an analyte of interest, like nickel or
chromium, tools and work surface with sample containers were cleaned.
 After fish was dissected, it was cleaned and rinsed.
1.1.3 Area was cleared and dissection was conducted.
1.1.4 Clean aluminium foil (for organics/pesticides analysis) or plastic (for metal analysis or
other) on cutting board or tray prior to place fish on the work area.
1.1.5 The work area was set up ensuring all equipment was accessible easily when
dissection began.
1.1.6 in order to easily accessible to person conducted dissection, a waste bin was placed
nearby.
1.1.7 Procedure was identified in naming each sample/replicate/organ, related to the
individual sample. Preparation for sampling document for information regarded naming site
and samples was observed.
1.2 Fish dissection
1.2.1 Fish was weighed and measured in accordance with fish holding, identification, and
measurement of length (total length and standard length) and weight document. Details was
recorded.
1.2.2 Powder free gloves were put on and was stored in a clean environment before used.
1.2.3 Fish was laid flat on one side with dorsal fin faced away from you.
1.3 Gill samples
1.3.1 Operculum was lifted (gill cover) and was cut off at its base and gill was exposed.
Make sure gills are not damaged when doing this.
1.3.2 The gills were carefully cut out at their base. No damage was occurred when doing
this.
1.3.3 Gills were rinsed with de-ionised water.
1.3.4 Gills were placed in labelled storage container/bag.
1.4 Other internal organ samples
1.4.1 The anus (vent) was cut small to open the abdominal cavity.
1.4.2 Blunt-ended scissors used to cut along the belly (ventral midline) of the fish, up to the
middle of the lower jaw.
1.4.3 Flap of skin that was used to cover the abdominal cavity was removed by cutting small
cut in front off thee anus upwards, across fish body and towards fish head exposing the
heart and abdominal organs for examination and removal.
1.4.4 Internal organ of fish was drawn.
1.4.5 To examine, the organ was cut out carefully and making sure no damage in organs
occurred
1.4.6 Organs removed was rinsed with de-ionised water.
1.4.7 The organs removed was placed in labelled storage container/bag.
RESULT/OBSERVATIONS:

Diagram 1: Red tilapia fish body

Diagram 2: Caudal fin with fin rays

Diagram 3: Fish gills

Diagram 4: Red tilapia

Diagram 5: Caudal fin with fin rays

Diagram 6: the gills of fish

DISCUSSION
As we can see in Diagram 1 and Diagram 4, we can see the complete side of the red tilapia
and as we observe the body, the shape is normal and their body anatomy has no presence
of pathogen harming the external part. We can also see the eye of the fish that has no
swollen eyes or so called exophthalmia meaning the absence of any dangerous pathogen.
We can also see the fins of the red tilapia such as the spiny dorsal fins, the soft dorsal fin,
pectoral fins, anal fin, and also caudal fin. All of these fins have various function according to
their locations. They can help in moving forward, turning, keeping in a static position or
upright position, and also thrusting forward. This fish is considered as an Actinopterygii or
ray-finned fishes because their fins may contain spiny ray or soft ray or both combination on
one fish. The ray segmentation is what differs them from spines because spines are usually
flexible on some fishes but for sure they are not segmented. This spiny ray act as a defense
mechanism for some fishes and some can help in locking and holding them in crevices. As
we can see in Diagram 2 and Diagram 5 whereby the caudal fin of red tilapia is equipped
with soft rays to make the movement smoother. We can see that in Diagram 3 and Diagram
6 the color of the gills is bright red meaning that the fish is healthy and the transfer of oxygen
in the gill filaments is well. But as we see closer in Diagram 6, we can see that a little part of
the fish gills is somehow gone or torn off. This may be due to the presence of pathogen on
the fish gills causing some discoloration.

POST-LAB QUESTIONS
1) What is the type of fish body form?
The fish body form is compressiform as their body is flattened vertically
2) How many gills do you find?
I found 3 gills on each side with the total of 6 gills on both side
3) List the internal organs that has been suggested to use for bacterial isolation
The suggested organs are gills because it is the easiest to see as we open the
operculum.
CONCLUSION
As for now, I can end this lab report with a conclusion that now, I can identify various parts of
fish and knowing more about the importance of every parts in fish anatomy. I can now
describe easily about the concept of fish morphology and its importance too. Last but not
least is now I know how to observe deeper about the structures of internal organs too. These
are all important in the future and in determining the presence of pathogen in fish external
and internal body parts and to easily identify which part of body is danger and what can be
done too prevent from spreading or passed to another fishes.

REFERENCES

Kotpal, R. L. (2010). Modern Text Book Of zoology: Vertebrates. Rastogi Publications, 193.
McGinnis, S. M. (2006). Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes of California. University of
California Press, 45.
Prosser, C. L. (1991). Comparative Animal Physiology, Environmental and Metabolic Animal
Physiology. 1-12.
Waggoner, B. (2011). Vertebrates: Fossil Record. UCMP.