Fishes
PHYLUM CHORDATA: SUBPHYLUM VERTEBRATA: “FISH”
TYPES OF Fishes
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ANATOMY OF Fishes
Be careful what you call a “fish”!
Many animals which we usually call “fish” are not really fishes at all! For example, some people call sea stars “starfish”, and sea jellies are also known as “jellyfish”. These animals are not true fishes because they don’t have a backbone, unlike true fishes!
Fish have “spidey-sense”?!
Fishes have a system of sensory organs arranged in a horizontal line, running down their body lengthwise. This is the lateral line system, which works like a “spidey-sense”, helping the fish to sense vibrations, movements and pressure changes in the water!
Gills, not lungs!
Most fishes have gills, which enable them to breathe in water. For most fishes, their gills are covered by a protective gill covering. But cartilaginous fishes such as sharks and rays don’t have a gill covering, so you can see their open gill slits!