Fish Morphology& Shipwrecks

Prepared by Avery PaxtonFebruary 2014

CROSS-SECTIONAL BODY SHAPEFill out Fish Morphology, Part 1

Example 1: Yellow-fin Tuna

Example 1: Yellow-fin Tuna

Example 1: Yellow-fin Tuna

Fusiform

Example 1: Yellow-fin Tuna

Fusiform

• Streamlined• Fast-swimmer• Often in water

column

Example 1: Yellow-fin Tuna

Fusiform

• Streamlined• Fast-swimmer• Often in water

column

Where would a fish with a fusiform shape live on a shipwreck??

Example 2: Tautog

Example 2: Tautog

Example 1: Tautog

Compressed

Example 2: Tautog

Compressed

• Quick speeds for short distances

• Not always moving because uses bursts of speed

Example 2: Tautog

Compressed

• Quick speeds for short distances

• Not always moving because uses bursts of speed

Where would a fish with a compressed shape live on a shipwreck??

Example 3: Gulf Flounder

Example 3: Gulf Flounder

Depressed

Example 3: Gulf Flounder

Depressed

• Swims along bottom like a flying bird

• Bottom-dweller

Example 3: Gulf Flounder

Depressed

• Swims along bottom like a flying bird

• Bottom-dweller

Example 3: Gulf Flounder

Where would a fish with a depressed shape live on a shipwreck??

Example 4: Conger Eel

Example 4: Conger Eel

Anguilliform

Example 4: Conger Eel

• Not good swimmers

• Ribbon shaped

Example 4: Conger Eel

Anguilliform

• Not good swimmers

• Ribbon shaped

Example 4: Conger Eel

Anguilliform

Where would a fish with an anguilliform shape live on a shipwreck??

Image from Divernet.com

Cross-Sectional Body Shapes

Depressed

Anguilliform

Compressed

Fusiform

CAUDAL FIN SHAPEFill out Fish Morphology, Part 2

Example 1: Angelfish

Example 1: Angelfish

Rounded

Example 1: Angelfish

• Short bursts of speed

• High maneuverability

• Lots of dragRounded

Example 1: Angelfish

• Short bursts of speed

• High maneuverability

• Lots of dragRounded

Example 1: Angelfish

Where would a fish with a rounded caudal fin live on a shipwreck??

Image from BVIwelcome.net

Example 2: Yellowedge Grouper

Example 2: Yellowedge Grouper

Truncated

Example 2: Yellowedge Grouper

• Short bursts of speed

• Good maneuverability

• Not as much drag• Bottom-dwellersTruncated

Example 2: Yellowedge Grouper

• Short bursts of speed

• Good maneuverability

• Not as much drag• Bottom-dwellersTruncated

Example 2: Yellowedge Grouper

Where would a fish with a truncated caudal fin live on a shipwreck??

Image from arkive.org

Example 3: Sheepshead

Example 3: Sheepshead

Forked

Example 3: Sheepshead

• Good speed over longer distances

• Good maneuverability

• Not as much dragForked

Example 3: Sheepshead

• Good speed over longer distances

• Good maneuverability

• Not as much dragForked

Example 3: Sheepshead

Where would a fish with a forked caudal fin live on a shipwreck??

Example 4: Blue Runner

Example 4: Blue Runner

Lunate

Example 4: Blue Runner

• High speed over long distances

• Poor maneuverability• Rigid with less surface

area less dragLunate

Example 4: Blue Runner

• High speed over long distances

• Poor maneuverability• Rigid with less surface

area less dragLunate

Example 4: Blue Runner

Where would a fish with a lunate caudal fin live on a shipwreck??

Caudal Fin Shapes

Forked

Lunate

Truncated

Rounded

Assignment

• Complete part 3 of worksheet– NC Shipwrecks– Given 10 fish that are commonly found on

shipwrecks– Classify cross-sectional body shape, caudal fin

shape, and where it lives on a shipwreck