What do hatchet fish look like?

What is a hatchetfish called?

The Common Hatchetfish Gasteropelecus sternicla is a most unusually shaped fish. Its body looks like the head of a hatchet, thus the common name “hatchetfish.” The term Gasteropelecus actually means “hatchet-shaped belly.”

Why is the hatchetfish always looking for food?

The hatchetfish is always looking up for food. In order to survive in the “twilight zone” of the seas, where the amount of light varies according to the depth, the hatchetfish is always adjusting the light in its body.

What type of fish is a hatchetfish?

Hatchetfish may refer to three groups of fishes: Marine hatchetfishes, small deep-sea bioluminescent fishes (Stomiiformes) of the family Sternoptychidae, subfamily Sternoptychinae. Freshwater hatchetfishes, small South and Central American characins of the family Gasteropelecidae.

What does the mouth of a hatchetfish look like?

Mouth Off: The mouth is also tilted upward, and opens wide to scoop up meals as the hatchetfish finds prey. The hatchetfish is always looking up for food.

What type of fish has a wide mouth?

In general, fishes such as groupers, which prey primarily upon other fishes, have a wide mouth while herbivorous fishes, such as tangs and surgeonfishes, and omnivorous species, such as clownfishes and anemonefishes, tend to have smaller mouths relative to their body size.

What does a fish look like with a small mouth?

This is a freshwater fish, which has a rather small mouth that points upwards, with a series of dark lines that runs all over his body. The fins of the chest are transparent, and they develop in a way that they resemble small pointed wings which grow oriented towards its back. Their dorsal fin is located rather delayed and they lack adipose fin.

Where is the dorsal fin on a marbled hatchet fish?

The literally flat form of its back and its dorsal fin located almost at the beginning of the caudal one, (Marbled Hatchet fish lacks fat fin), clearly show us the area of ​​the water column that inhabits it.

Which fins are held stiffly to the side of fish?

The pectoral fins are held stiffly to the side of the fish and have thickened spiny leading rays.

Where is the mouth located on a hatchetfish?

The mouth is located at the tip of the snout and directed almost straight downwards. Their scales are silvery, delicate and easily abraded. In some species, such as the highlight hatchetfish ( Sternoptyx pseudobscura ), large sections of the body at the base of the anal fin and/or caudal fin are transparent.

What are the characteristics of an ideal fish?

The ideal fish has a deep, round but shortish body with a high Dorsal fin and a long broad Caudal fin falling in graceful folds with a square cut lower edge. The fin is fully divided to form two matching fins. The anal fins are also long and paired.

How do fish jump out of the water?

When the fish leaps out of the water the pectorals are beaten onto the surface of the water with a powerful downward stroke so that the fish passes across the surface of the water with just it’s tail and anal fin in the water and it’s keel cutting the water surface. This action is more in the nature of aquaplaning rather than real flight.

What is the keeled lobe of a fish?

This blade is formed into a large keeled lobe by the expansion of the lower shoulder blades along the lower surface of the thorax to support the enlarged powerful fin muscles that operate the long pectoral fins. These muscles account for up to a quarter of the weight of the fish.

Where do hatchetfish go at night?

It’s the perfect cover, because it allows the hatchetfish to conceal themselves wherever they go, from the darkness of the deep sea to the brighter environment further up, where they migrate at night to find food.

What do scales look like on a fish?

Scales and Skin. The scales of a fresh fish are tight on the skin, not loose or falling off or dried out. They are also bright, reflecting light easily, and have a metallic look.

What do all fish have in common?

All fish share two traits: they live in water and they have a backbone—they are vertebrates. One reason fish are so diverse is that 70 percent of the planet is covered in water. The animals in this group live in a variety of habitats ranging from coral reefs and kelp forests to rivers, streams, and the open ocean.

Can koi fish jump?

While koi fish can jump, they will typically remain in the water unless something is wrong. Of course, if they are pushed up by a different fish, they may do a small jump. If they are jumping significantly enough to land outside the pond, though, something is wrong. There are several reasons that this may happen. 1. Poor Water Quality

What are the vertebrae of lobe finned fish made of?

The vertebrae of lobe-finned fishes consist of three discrete bony elements. The vertebral arch surrounds the spinal cord, and is broadly similar in form to that found in most other vertebrates. Just beneath the arch lies the small plate-like pleurocentrum, which protects the upper surface of the notochord.

How long do hatchetfish live in the aquarium?

In the aquarium. The river hatchetfish is a schooling species best kept in groups of five or more that spends most of its time in the top-level of the water where it searches for food. These fish are peaceful towards other fishes, but frequently bicker among themselves. Typical lifespan in captivity is around five years, but can live longer.

What are the two classifications of fish?

The fishes are divided into two superclasses: Gnathostomata, or vertebrates with jaws, and the Agnatha, or jawless fishes. Class Actinopterygii, the ray-finned fishes: fish with skeletons made of bone, and spines in their fins (e.g., cod, bass, clownfish/anemonefish, seahorses)

Why do fish jump out of the water when fishing?

Jumping out of the water is a defense mechanism of the fish. They want to get away from the hook and line and will try to dislodge it by jumping. They will shake and flop around violently in an effort to remove the hook from their lips. The largemouth bass is known to do this.

Do koi fish jump out of the pond?

If your choice is between jumping out of the pond (and potentially landing in another pool) or getting eaten, you’ll probably choose the first one. Koi fish typically aren’t aggressive. However, they may dart energetically around when they are breeding. While being chased, the fish may jump out of the water and end up outside of the pond. 4.

What type of vertebrae do fish have?

Vertebral Column in Fishes (With Diagram) | Chordata | Zoology. The vertebral column of fishes has two types of vertebrae, trunk vertebrae and caudal vertebrae; the anus marks the point of transition between the two types of vertebrae. The vertebrae are amphicoelous.

Can a hatchetfish jump out of the water?

Deep sea hatchetfish is able to jump out of the water. It can catch small insects, such as mosquitoes and flies, during the jumps. Deep sea hatchetfish spends day hidden on the bottom of the ocean.

What are the characteristics of amphibians similar to fish?

While caecilians have scales similar to fish, most other amphibians have moist, permeable skin. Carnivorous Adults. Distribution. Courtship Rituals.

What makes an animal a fish?

One of the basic criteria for an animal to be classified as a fish is the presence of gills throughout its life cycle. Gills are a necessity for underwater life: gills allow fish to absorb oxygen from water and release carbon dioxide, which allows them to “breathe” underwater.

What is the first class of fish?

The first class is the more primitive of the two classes and is called the Sarcopterygii. This class contains fish such as the coelacanths and the lungfishes along with all terrestrial vertebrates from cows to humans.

What is the main group of fish?

Sharks and rays; sturgeon and gars; herring-like fishes; trout and salmon; eels, minnows, suckers, and catfish; flying fish and relatives; cod-like fish; flatfish; seahorses and relatives; mullets, silversides, and barracuda; and mackerels and tunas are the main group of fishes. Agnathan. Phylum: chordate.