Fish Biology: Perch Pre-lab Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Perch belong to what class of fish?

Osteichthyes

Are perch ray-finned or lobe-finned fish? Explain.

Ray-finned, because the fins consist of a combination of stiff and soft spines of cartilage connected by thin membranes.

Give the function for the swim bladder.

The swim bladder serves as buoyancy control, allowing movement up, down or being stationary in midwater.

What is the scientific name for the yellow perch?

Perca flavescens Signup and view all the answers

Since the perch lays so many eggs, why is there not a population explosion at mating season?

Many of the eggs are not fertilized and are eaten, those that survive being eaten may also be eaten as small or adult fish. Signup and view all the answers

Name the organs that belong to the digestive system of the perch.

Mouth (teeth & tongue), esophagus, pyloric cecum, stomach, liver, gall bladder, pancreas, intestine, and anus. Signup and view all the answers

How many chambers of the heart does the perch have and how does this affect blood circulation?

The heart has one atrium and one ventricle, resulting in a single loop circulatory system. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the lateral line in fish?

The lateral line detects motion of other animals nearby in the water. Signup and view all the answers

How does the shape of the perch help it to maneuver in the water?

The body shape is streamlined to reduce drag and is dorsolaterally flattened for maneuverability in narrow places. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of dorsal fins?

Stabilizing and defense Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of pectoral fins?

Stabilizing and directional forward movement Signup and view all the answers

What are the functions of pelvic fins?

Stabilizing Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of anal fins?

Stabilizer and defense Signup and view all the answers

What is the habitat of perch?

Perch are carnivorous fish most commonly found in small ponds, lakes, streams, or rivers. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the appearance of perch.

Yellow and brass-colored body with five to nine olive-green, vertical bars and lighter fins with orange hue on the margins. Signup and view all the answers

What is the spawning behavior of perch?

Adult perch move to shallow, weedy areas and lay eggs in strands, which are fertilized by males. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Class and Anatomy

Perch belong to the class Osteichthyes, also known as bony fish.
They are classified as ray-finned fish, characterized by fins made of stiff and soft spines of cartilage covered by thin membranes.

Buoyancy and Adaptations

The swim bladder of the perch aids in buoyancy control, allowing for vertical movement in water and stabilization in midwater.

Species Identification

The scientific name for yellow perch is Perca flavescens.

Reproduction and Population Control

Despite laying thousands of eggs, population control occurs because many eggs go unfertilized or are consumed by predators, including other fish.

Digestive System Organs

Main organs in the perch's digestive system include: mouth (with teeth and tongue), esophagus, pyloric cecum, stomach, liver, gall bladder, pancreas, intestine, and anus.

Circulatory System

Perch have a single loop circulatory system with one atrium and one ventricle, directing blood first to the gills for oxygenation and then throughout the body.

Sensory System

The lateral line system detects nearby movement in water, allowing perch to sense other animals in their environment.

Body Shape and Maneuverability

Perch have a streamlined, dorsolaterally flattened body, reducing drag and enhancing maneuverability in tight spaces.

Fins and Their Functions

Dorsal fins: two fins for stabilization and defense.
Pectoral fins: two fins for stabilization and directional forward movement.
Pelvic fins: two fins that act primarily as stabilizers.
Anal fin: a single fin that provides stabilization and defense.

Habitat Preferences

Yellow perch are carnivorous and typically inhabit small ponds, lakes, streams, and rivers, favoring shallow waters at temperatures of 17 to 25 °C (63 to 77 °F).

Physical Appearance

Characterized by a yellow and brass-colored body adorned with distinct olive-green, triangular vertical bars (five to nine in number). Their fins are lighter with orange margins, and they feature a laterally compressed body.

Spawning Behavior

During spawning, adult perch migrate to shallow, weedy areas. Females release their eggs in an accordion-like strand over vegetation, with males fertilizing them. A single female can lay between 10,000 and 200,000 eggs.
Eggs hatch in about two weeks, and the young migrate to open water until reaching approximately 25 mm (1 inch), then shifting to weedy coastal areas.

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Description

Test your knowledge of perch fish with these flashcards focusing on their classification and anatomy. Learn about the class Osteichthyes, ray-finned characteristics, and the function of the swim bladder. Perfect for pre-lab preparation in fish biology courses.