Fish Flashcards
(35 cards)
What is the central role of fish in marine ecosystems?
Fish are a vital component of marine food webs, acting as both predators and prey.
What do fish consume and what consumes them?
Fish consume zooplankton and smaller organisms and are a food source for larger animals.
What stage do many fish begin their lives in?
Many fish begin their lives as larvae in the plankton (meroplankton).
What are some challenges in sampling fish larvae?
Some groups of zooplankton, including fish larvae, are not well represented in net samples due to high escapability.
What is the feeding behavior of some carnivorous fish?
Some fish species are carnivores, feeding on other animals, including smaller fish.
Which specific marine virus can affect fish populations?
Infectious Hematopoietic Necrosis Virus (IHN) and Piscine orthoreovirus (PRV).
What types of habitats do fish inhabit?
Fish inhabit a wide range of habitats, from shallow coastal areas to the deep sea.
What are hadal fishes?
Hadal fishes are found in deep-sea trenches.
How can changes in zooplankton indicate ecosystem disturbances?
Changes in zooplankton, a key food source for fish, can indicate ecosystem disturbances.
What are benthic interactions in fish?
Some fish are part of the benthos, living on or near the seabed and feeding on benthic organisms.
What adaptations do deep-sea fish have?
Deep-sea fish have unique adaptations for high pressure and absence of sunlight.
What is the impact of overexploitation of food sources on fish?
Overexploitation of food sources can affect fish populations.
How do nutrient levels affect fish populations?
Changes in nutrient levels and ocean warming can impact fish populations.
How many fish species are currently recognized?
There are currently over 34,000 fish species.
What are the three main classes of fish?
Agnathans (jawless), Chondrichthyes (cartilaginous fishes), Osteichthyes (bony fishes).
What are the characteristics of the phylum Chordata?
Possess a notochord, dorsal nerve cord, and visceral clefts and arches.
What does the body shape of a fish indicate?
The shape of a fish’s body is indicative of its lifestyle.
What is a fusiform body shape?
Torpedo-shaped; fast-swimming predators with high cruise and burst speeds.
What do laterally compressed fish do?
They are exceptionally maneuverable and can utilize cracks and crevices.
What is a depressiform body shape?
Flattened from top to bottom, typically bottom-dwelling fish that are often camouflaged.
What is a globiform body shape?
Smooth or warty skin, tadpole-shaped bodies, deep-water dwellers.
What is a saggitiform body shape?
Long streamlined bodies designed to strike quickly.
What is an anguilliform body shape?
Eel-like; can wiggle into small crevices and are typically slow swimmers.
What is the primary function of fins in fish?
Fins are primarily for swimming but can also serve for protection.
