Reef Fish ID Flashcards
What are invertebrates?
Vertical spine and skeleton
What is the difference between bony and cartilagenous?
Fishes with bones vs Sharks, Skates, and Rays
What is endemics? How does it become more dominant?
Endemic is unique species that come to be due to isolation and survival from predators.
What is it called when there is a big difference between male and females of the same species?
Sexual Dimorphism
What are the different fins on a fish and where are they located?
Dorsal Fin: Top Pelvic Fin: Before the anus Anal Fin: After the anus Pectoral Fin: Sides Caudal Fin: Tail
Why do some fish stay in schools?
Guarantees a mate
Predation avoidance
Food Security
What is territoriality?
Guarding food, shelter, nests, and mates
What are three distinguishing characteristics of groupers and basslets?
Carnivorous, Continuous Dorsal Fin, Large upturned mouths
What are four features of Blennies?
Elongated bodies, long doral and anal fins, small pelvic fins, and blunt foreheads.
How do box fishes swim?
They have small dorsal, anal, and pectoral fins that works independently. The caudal fin is only used for quick escapes.
How do Box fishes reproduce
They are sequential hermaphrodites. They are born female and only a few turn into males when they become adults.
What is a distinct feature of Box Fish?
They secrete a toxic mucus when they are under stress
When do moray eels hunt for food?
At night, they are nocturnal
Are there many prey for Moray Eels?
No, they are rarely eaten because of ciguatera.
What kind of features do Moray Eels have?
They have a continuous marginal fin and a lack of pectoral fins. They also have crushing or cutting type of teeth.
