WFC120 Lab

Purpose of Adipose Fin

Unclear (only present in 4 families). Does not have rays or spines. Fleshy, small.

Purpose of Anal Fin

Increase swimming ability. Single.

Purpose of Caudal Fin

Propulsion; affects speed and buoyancy.

Purpose of Dorsal Fin

Stabilizes fish against rolling and assists with maneuverability. Large.

Purpose of Pectoral Fin.

For direction or “steering;” occasionally for slow swimming. Paired fins.

Purpose of Pelvic Fin

Swimming ability. Paired fins.

How many fins does a regular fish have?

Six

What are the six main fish tins?

Anal, adipose, caudal, dorsal, pectoral, pelvic

How many types of pelvic fins are there?

Four

What are the four types of pelvic fins?

Abdominal, jugular, thoracic, mental

Where is an abdominal pelvic fin located?

Inserted well posterior to pectoral fins

Where is a thoracic pelvic fin located?

Inserted slightly posterior or directly under pectoral fins

Where is a jugular pelvic fin located?

Inserted slightly anterior to pelvic fins

Where is a mental pelvic fin located?

Inserted far anterior of pectoral fins, often near the lower jaw

How many caudal fin types are there?

Nine

What are the nine caudal fin types?

Pointed, Truncate, Rhomboid, Emarginate, Heterocercal, Lunate, Rounded, Hypocercal, Forked

How many body types are there?

Seven

What are the seven body types?

Fusiform, Compressiform, Depressiform, Anguilliform, Taeniform, Sagittiform, Globiform

What is a Fusiform body?

Fast swimming, very streamlined, open water fishes. Tail tends to be crescent shaped.

What is a Sagittiform body?

Arrow like appearance often with fins placed far posterior on fish’s body.

What is a Compressiform body?

Laterally flatted fishes that are able to swim very quickly in short bursts.

What is a Anguilliform body?

Long and slender fishes that are highly flexible and move through undulation over in a half sinusodial wave

What is a Depressiform body?

Dorso-ventrally flattened fish. Fight like swimming and often live on or near the bottom

What is a Taeniform body?

Laterally compressed and elongated (ribbon-like fishes). Often hide in crevices.

What is a Globiform body?

Round, globe-like body with short fins and large round eyes. Some can increase their body size in 2-4x to avoid predation.