Ichthyologist______

Date______Hour: ______

Something Fishy Is Going On Here Student Data Sheet

IGGY’S SCHOOL OF ICHTHYOLOGY

  1. Fishes perceive the world around them by the usual senses of sight, smell, hearing, touch, taste, and a special lateral line that detects changes in the water (pressure, current). What advantage would lateral line senses be for schooling fish?______
  1. How do the movements of the mouth and the operculum co-ordinate?

______

  1. As water enters the gill chambers from the mouth, what gases are being exchanged between the gill filament capillaries and the water?

______

  1. What gas is contained in the water leaving the gill chamber? ______
  1. Look carefully at the different kinds of fins. Not the size, number, and shape of each type. Refer to Iggy’s picture of Frank the Fish to identify the names of the fins. As you watch the fish swim, determine the function of each type of find (steering & movement in a straight line, movement & balance, movement in a straight line, helps propel fish forward, etc.) and complete the Fin Chart.

FISHY FYSICAL FEATURES

Fin Chart

Name of Fin / Location / Paired/Unpaired / Function
Dorsal Fin
Pectoral Fin
Pelvic Fin
Anal Fin
Caudal Fin

IGGY’S INFIRMARY or “OPEN WIDE” – It’s Time To Take Your Temperature

Admitting

  1. Temperature of the aquarium water in the small beaker with the goldfish. ______
  2. Respiration rates for each trial for 30 seconds.

Trial 1:______Trial 2:______Trial 3:______

  1. The average respiration rate for the three trials at room/aquarium temperature.______

The Hospital Room

  1. Temperature of the water in the small beaker in the ice bath.______
  2. Respiration rates for each trial for 30 seconds.

Trial 1:______Trial 2:______Trial 3:______

  1. The average respiration rate for the three trials in the ice bath.______
  1. How does the respiration rate differ from that at room temperature? ______

The Emergency Room

  1. Temperature of the water in the small beaker in the hot-water bath.______
  2. Respiration rates for each trial for 30 seconds.

Trial 1:______Trial 2:______Trial 3:______

  1. The average respiration rate for the three trials in the hot-water bath.______
  1. How does this respiration rate differ from that at room temperature? ______

Temp. of Water °C / Average Resp./30 sec. / Average Resp./min. / Observations
Room Temp.
Ice Bath
Hot-water Bath


IGGY’S ICHTHYOLOGY EXAM – Analysis and Interpretations

  1. Were the rates of movement for the operculum the same for each temperature? ______
  1. How did the respiration rate change as temperature changed? ______
  1. What does the change in the operculum rate indicate about the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water? Slower rate: Faster rate:

______

  1. At what temperature did the fish need the most food and oxygen? How can you tell?

______

  1. At what temperature was the fishes metabolic rate highest? Explain.

______

  1. What do you think happens to the activity of fish in cold climates during the winter months? Explain.

______

  1. Using your data as a guide, what can you say about the ability of cold or warm water to hold dissolved oxygen?

______

  1. When your Coke or Pepsi tastes flat or has lost that “fizz” it has lost dissolved CO2. Which is a better place to keep that opened Coke/Pepsi so that it retains its “fizz,” the refrigerator or the pantry?

______

  1. The rate at which fish consume oxygen can be affected by a number of factos. Examine the graphs below and answer the following questions.

INSERT GRAPHS HERE

  1. Examine graph A. How does the oxygen consumption vary with swimming velocity?
  1. How does oxygen consumption vary with water temperature in graph B?
  1. Explain why oxygen consumption varies with body weight.

Fishy Fact: Most species of fish will die if the temperature of the H2O reaches 24-37°C. The goldfish is an exception. It has a high tolerance for warm water, up to 42°C. Thermal death for trout and Pacific salmon occur at 25 °C.