Field Guides for Kids: Fish

Field Guides for Kids: Fish — page 3
WHAT IS A FISH Fish is a general term used to identify more than 27,000 species of animals that inhabit fresh water and salt water Fish are diverse and they come in all shapes and sizes For instance the smallest fish are 0.3 inches 0.76 cm long while the largest fish span 39 feet 12 m CLASSIFYING FISH Classifying fish into species can be difficult because they are very diverse However most fish have some common characteristics All fish spend at least some time in water They have heads with obvious eyes sense organs and teeth Fish also have brains that are protected by braincases Fish are classified as vertebrates which means they have backbones A fish's skin often contains scales that help protect it from injuries and predators Many fish have fins that come in pairs These limbs help to propel fish through the water Most fish are cold blooded This means they cannot regulate their own body temperatures They depend on their environments and movements to generate heat Fish have gills that can be used to get oxygen from water Many fish species have a sense organ called a lateral line system This system helps fish find prey or sense predators Fish may also have swim bladders that help them remain buoyant 4