Fashion A Fish Modified from Fashion a Fish

Fashion A Fish Modified from “Fashion a Fish, ” Project WILD Aquatic

Objectives p Students will be able to: n n Describe the adaptations of fish to their environments Describe how adaptations can help fish survive in their habitats Interpret the importance of adaptation in animals Construct a fish with a given set of adaptations

Background p Aquatic Animal adaptations have occurred over the course of several years p Adaptations increase likelihood of survival p Some have adapted to a point that they are vulnerable to slight changes

Mouth 1: p Sucker Mouth Shaped n Advantage: Feeds on very small plants and animals n Examples: Sucker, Carp

Mouth 2: p Elongated upper jaw n Advantage: feeds on prey it looks down on n Examples: Spoonbill, Sturgeon

Mouth 3: p Elongated Lower Jaw n Advantages: Feeds on prey it sees above n Examples: Barracuda, snook

Mouth 4: p Duckbill Jaws n Advantages: Grasps prey n Examples: Muskellunge, Pike

Mouth 5: p Extremely Large Jaws n Advantages: Surrounds Prey n Examples: Bass, Grouper

Body Shape 1: p Torpedo Shape n Advantages: Fast Moving n Examples: Trout, Salmon, Tuna

Body Shape 2: p Flat Bellied n Advantages: Bottom Feeder n Examples: Catfish, Sucker

Body Shape 3: p Vertical Disk n Advantages: Feeds above or below n Examples: Butterfish, Bluegill

Body Shape 4: p Horizontal Disk n Advantages: Bottom Dweller n Examples: Flounder, Halibut

Body Shape 5: p Hump Backed n n Advantages: Stable in fast-moving water Examples: Sockeye, Salmon, Chub, Razorback

Coloration 1: p Light-Colored Belly n Advantages: Predators have difficulty seeing it from below n Examples: Most minnows, Perch, Tuna, Mackerel

Coloration 2: p Dark Upper Side n Advantages: Predators have difficulty seeing it from above n Examples: Bluegill, Crappie, Barracuda, Flounder

Coloration 3: p Vertical Stripes n Advantages: Can hide in vegetation n Examples: Muskellunge, Pickerel, Bluegill

Coloration 4: p Horizontal Stripes n Advantages: Can hide in vegetation n Examples: Yellow and White Bass, Snook

Coloration 5: p Mottled Coloration n Advantages: Can hide in rocks and on bottom n Examples: Trout, Grouper, Rock Bass, Hogsucker

Reproduction 1: p Eggs deposited in bottom n Advantages: Hidden from Predators n Examples: Trout, Salmon, most minnows

Reproduction 2: p Eggs deposited in nests n Advantages: Protected by adults n Examples: Bass, Stickleback

Reproduction 3: p Floating Eggs n Advantages: Dispersed in high numbers n Examples: Striped Bass

Reproduction 4: p Eggs attached to vegetation n Advantages: Stable until hatching n Examples: Perch, Northern Pike, Carp

Reproduction 5: p Live Bearers n Advantages: High Survival Rate n Examples: Guppies