Fish ID Quiz

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Key Vocabulary

Agnatha: a group of primitive jawless vertebrates that includes the lampreys, hagfishes, and many fossil fishlike forms.

Chondrichthyes: a class of fishes that includes those with a cartilaginous skeleton.

External Anatomy: relating to the outside or outer bodily structures found on an organism

Fish: any of various cold-blooded, aquatic vertebrates, having gills, commonly fins, and typically an elongated body covered with scales

Gills: the paired respiratory organ of fishes and some amphibians, by which oxygen is extracted from water flowing over surfaces within or attached to the walls of the pharynx.

Invertebrate: not vertebrate; without a backbone.

Operculum: the bony flap of skin over the gills that protects the gills and helps the fish breath when it is not swimming

Osteichthyes: a class of fishes that includes those with a bony skeleton.

Species: a group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding.

Swim Bladder: gas-filled sac that helps keep fish buoyant

Taxonomic Class: a taxonomic rank, as well as a taxonomic unit, a taxon, in that rank that fits between phylum and order.

Vertebrate: having vertebrae; having a backbone or spinal column
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Which of the following are characteristics of a fish?select all that apply.
Cold-blooded
Warm-blooded
They have fur
They have scales and fins
They usually have live birth
They usually lay eggs
Breath underwater using gills
Breath above water using lungs
Dry skin
Moist skin
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There are four characteristics listed that apply to (most) fish: cold-blooded, they have scales, they usually lay eggs, and they breath underwater using gills. The other traits listed apply to the other classifications of animals! use the info graphics below to explore what traits belong to which classification.Images: http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/content/animals/kidscorner/classification/kc_class_again.htm
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How many species of fish are there estimated to be in the taxonomic class of Osteicthyes (bony fish)?
100 species
5,000 species
25,000 species
40,000 species
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There is estimated 25,000 species under the taxonomic class of Osteicthyes. Scientist are still discovering new species as the explore more of the ocean! Photo credit: https://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/article/fishtree_02
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Which of the following animals is an Osteichthyes?Images: WWF - Symbolic Species Adoptions
Great White Shark
Octopus
Duck-Billed Platypus
Sturgeon
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A sturgeon is an Osteichthyes! Sturgeons have a backbone, swim bladder, operculum and paired fins which are all characteristics of the class Osteichthyes! The Great White Shark have a cartilaginous skeleton, Octopus' are invertebrates, and Duck-Billed Platypus' are mammals!Image: WWF - Symbolic Species Adoptions
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Sharks and Rays are considered as fish.
TrueFalse
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True! Sharks and Rays are considered to be fish, they just fall under the taxonomic class Chondrichthyes. Their skeletal structure is made of cartilage and they normally lack a swim bladder. Photo Credit: Kelsey Oseid
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What external anatomical structures do biologist look at when trying to identify fish?
Fins (caudal, pectoral, dorsal, etc)
Mouth shape
Body shape
All the above
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All the above! The structure of the external body parts listed above can tell us a lot about a species. For example, it can tell us how they move, where it lives in the water, how it finds food, and so much more! Photo credit: https://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/article/fishtree_02
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