Characteristics of Bony Fish Class Osteichthyes are jawed fish with bone skeletons. Most have a swim bladder, scales, fins, gills and a tail. Most control buoyancy by adding or releasing gas to/from their swim bladder
Swim Bladders They control the swim bladders with oxygen gas exchanged to and from blood circulation. Many have a special organ called the gas gland and the rete mirabile that take up gases from the bloodstream for the swim bladder. This allows many species to hover nearly motionless in midwater.
Fish Reproduction Most bony fish reproduce externally. The female lays her eggs, the male immediately fertilizes them. Their strategy is to produce a vast number of off-spring with only a few expected to survive to maturity.
Characteristics of Bony Fish (continued) Bony fish have characteristics for life on the reef and for life in the open ocean: Bony fish have lateral lines that detect water motion and vibrations. Most open ocean and schooling fish have a torpedo-like streamlined shape that minimizes drag and turbulence. This fusiform shape is spindle-like, slightly broader at the head and a V-shaped tail. This makes them fast swimmers
Coloration of Fish Most open-ocean and schooling fish have a lighter underside and dark topside for concealment. This is called Counter Shading. Bony fish living in reefs and on the bottom use survival strategies more diverse and include concealment and armor instead of swimming. For this reason, you see far more diversity in color, shape, and size among reef and bottom fish.
Figure 8.08b
Figure 8.12b
Figure 8.14b
Figure 8.15 Fish Circulation
Figure 8.17c
Figure 8.17e
Figure 8.18a
Figure 8.18b
Figure 8.19
Figure 8.21a
Figure 8.21b
Figure 8.21c
Figure 8.21d
Figure 8.22
Pg. 164
Figure 8.24
Figure 8.25
Figure 8.28
Figure 8.13a
Figure 8.09a
Figure 8.09b
Figure 8.09c
Figure 8.09d
Figure 8.09e
Figure 8.09f
Figure 8.09g
Figure 8.09h
Figure 8.09i
Figure 8.11a
Figure 8.11b
Figure 8.11c
Figure 8.11d
Figure 8.13b
Figure 8.13c
Figure 8.13d
Figure 8.13e