Perch (Bony Fish) Dissection || Teach A Man To Fish [EDU]

Anatomy of the Perch

In this section, we will explore the anatomy of the perch, a type of bony fish.

Basic Features of Bony Fish

• Bony fish are the largest class of vertebrates and can be found in various freshwater and ocean environments. They have a wide variety of shapes and behavioral habits.

• The perch is a classic example of a bony fish with generic features that serve as a good baseline for learning about bony fish anatomy.

Jaw and Teeth

• The perch has an upper jaw called the maxilla and a lower jaw called the mandible. It also has teeth along its jaws to catch prey.

• The mouth is located close to vital organs such as the heart, making it risky for the fish to swallow prey with long and sharp spines.

Eyes and Nostrils

• The perch has well-adapted eyes for underwater vision. Interestingly, its eyes can also function as bait for other fish.

• It has nostrils that help it smell, with each nostril consisting of two openings.

Operculum and Gills

• The operculum is a bony flap covering the gills, providing protection. It plays a role in respiration by opening and closing to pump water over the gills.

• Unlike most sharks, bony fish can breathe even when they are not swimming by using their mouths to suck in water and letting it flow out over their gills.

Fins

• The perch has paired fins such as pectoral fins, pelvic fins, anal fin, caudal fin (tail), interior dorsal fin, and posterior dorsal fin.

• Some fins have spines for protection against predators.

Lateral Line and Scales

• The lateral line is a system of sense organs found in aquatic vertebrates that can detect movement, vibration, and pressure gradients in the water.

• Scales cover the fish's body, providing protection against predators and injuries. The scales slide against each other, allowing for flexibility and mobility.

Internal Anatomy

• The liver is responsible for detoxification, protein synthesis, and bile salt production.

• The swim bladder helps the fish stay buoyant in water.

Internal Anatomy of the Perch

In this section, we will examine the internal anatomy of the perch.

Dissection and Organ Removal

• A cut is made from the anus to the operculum along with another cut along the lateral line. These cuts are connected from bottom to top.

• Careful removal of skin and muscle layers reveals internal structures.

Liver

• The liver is a prominent structure responsible for detoxification, protein synthesis, and bile salt production.

Swim Bladder

• The swim bladder helps maintain buoyancy in water. It allows fish to float without constantly swimming.

Anus and Urogenital Opening

• The anus serves as an exit for waste material from the digestive tract.

• The urogenital opening functions as an exit for both urine and gametes (reproductive cells).

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In this section, the speaker discusses the differences between male and female fish based on their reproductive organs.

Male vs Female Fish

• Males have two testes, while females only have one ovary.

• By counting the number of testes or ovaries, we can determine the sex of a fish.

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This section focuses on the spleen and intestine of the fish.

Spleen and Intestine

• The spleen acts as a blood filter and is considered a non-vital organ.

• The intestine is responsible for absorbing nutrients from food.

• Without the intestine, the fish would starve to death.

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The swim bladder is discussed in this section.

Swim Bladder

• The swim bladder is an organ that helps with buoyancy control in fish.

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The speaker talks about the kidney of the fish.

Kidney

• The dark line across the back of the fish is its kidney.

• Fish kidneys are different from those found in mammals but still serve important functions.

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The gills are examined in this section.

Gill Structure

• There are several gill arches present.

• Gill rakers help filter water and prevent large particles of food from entering the gills.

• Each gill arch is separated by tooth-like structures called gill rakers.

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The speaker continues discussing the gill arches.

Gill Arches

• The speaker points out the presence of multiple gill arches.

• Each gill arch is numbered and can be observed in the fish.

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The tissue between the gills and window is cut to expose more structures.

Exposing Structures

• The tissue between the gills and window is cut to provide a better view of internal structures.

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The heart and circulatory system of fish are discussed in this section.

Fish Heart and Circulation

• Fish have a two-chambered heart, consisting of one atrium and one ventricle.

• Blood from the body enters the atrium, then the ventricle pumps it to the gills for oxygenation before it goes back to the body.

• Fish use skeletal muscles to help move blood back to the heart since their circulatory system operates on a single loop.

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Differences between fish and land-based mammals' circulatory systems are explained.

Comparison with Land-Based Mammals

• Land-based mammals have four-chambered hearts, allowing for more efficient circulation.

• Fish rely on physical movement to assist blood flow, while land-based mammals have a more complex system due to gravity's effects.

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The speaker moves structures aside to reveal the stomach.

Stomach Examination

• The stomach is identified and observed.

• The speaker points out the esophagus, which connects to the stomach.

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Finger-like projections along the intestine are discussed.

Pyloric Zeca

• Finger-like projections called pyloric zeca increase the surface area available for absorption in digestion.

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The digestive tract is removed to get a better look at the intestine.

Removing Digestive Tract

• The speaker removes the end of the esophagus and intestine to expose the structure of the intestine.

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Interesting fact about fish friendships is shared, concluding the dissection video.

Fun Fact: Fish Friendships

• There is a species of fish called rabbit fish that forms friendships and cooperates while foraging for food.

• This behavior is unique among fish, and if a fish wants to be your friend, make sure it's a rabbit fish!

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