Class: Osteichthyes 23,000 species Notes:Bony Fish Class: Osteichthyes 23,000 species
Basic Facts Have a swim bladder which can be inflated or deflated to change position in the water. They have a terminal mouth. The gills are covered by an operculum (gill covering). Oviparous, external fertilization.
Oxygen exchange
Body Shape the body plan of a fish directly relates to its lifestyle. 1. Streamlined – fast swimmers 2. Laterally flattened – bottom dweller Tuna Flounder
Body Shape, cont’d 3. Eel-like bodies-live among rocks or vegetation 4. Vertical plane fish – sea horse (slow swimming) Morea eel Yellow Sea horse
Coloration colored pigments are found in special cells called chromatophores. 1. Warning coloration – using color to advertise that you are dangerous. (lionfish spines ) 2. Cryptic coloration – blending with the environment to deceive predators. (Rockfish)
Coloration, cont’d. 3. Disruptive coloration – the presence of color, stripes, bars or spots to break up the outline of a fish. 4. Countershading – light on the bottom/dark on top