Focus on Fish Gallery Guide Focus on Fish Final | Page 11

Eyes: Used for sight, fish can detect colors and see short
distance with their eyes. They use their vision to escape
predators and find food.
Mouth: The mouth is used to consume food.
Operculum: The operculum is the bony flap that protects
the gills from harm. It opens and closes to allow water to
pass over the gills.
Pectoral Fin: The pectoral fin allows for abrupt changes in
side-to-side direction and speed. It also acts as a brake to
decrease speed while swimming.
Pelvic Fin: The pelvic fin stabilizes the fish while swimming
and allows for up-and-down movement in the water..
Anal Fin: The anal fin stabilizes the fish while swimming.
Caudal Fin: The caudal fin moves, propels or pushes the
fish through the water.
Dorsal Fin: The dorsal fin helps maintain balance while
swimming.
Scales: Scales protect the fish from injury.
Barbels: Barbels are not pictured. They are the "whiskers"
found on the head area of fish such as catfish or bullheads.
On the catfish and bullheads, barbels are thought to be a
sensory organ to help track down prey or food. Sturgeon
also have barbels.