Diving Into Perch
Objectives
2) Observe the placement of organs and their relationships to one another
Background Information
Habitat: Small ponds, lakes, streams, rivers
Predators: larger fish, birds, herons, eagles, turtles
Prey: live insects, crustaceans, small fish
Adaptations: large eyes to aid in feeding; spines for protection; stiffness in fins and a thin shortened disc-shaped body so it's harder for a predator to swallow
Dissection!
Live Dissection:
Cladogram:
System Focus:
Swim Through the Circulatory System
The circulatory system of a fish is similar to that of many mammals, it consists of a heart, blood, and blood vessels. What is unique about a Perch's circulatory system is that it is a single circle circulation that is considerably low pressure. You can think of the system going through three easy steps.
1. Oxygen deprived blood goes to the heart to then be pumped through the gills.
2. In the gills, it gathers oxygen molecules, to where it is pumped through the body and its tissues.
3. The now deoxygenized blood circulates back to the heart to start the process over again.
In fish, before the deoxygenized blood reaches the heart, it is carried by the veins into a cavity called the Sinus Venosus.
Cross Content:
Human Impact
In the case of the Nile river perch, humans are having a positive effect on the overwhelming perch population there. The perch eggs hatch in the millions in just 20 hours, and they're inhibiting too much of the water, not allowing for equilibrium in the biome. African fishers weeding out some of the perch is moving the Nile back towards it's normal standing.
Taxonomy
Evolution
Interesting Information
- the meat of this species is low in fats and rich in phosphorous, manganese, selenium and vitamin B12
- Perch spawn at the temperature of about (43 to 48) degree Fahrenheit
- Perch are found in Britain, Europe, South Africa, Asia and Australia
Punderful Perch Jokes
Dam.
Where do fish keep their money?
In the river bank.
What's the difference between between a fish and a piano?
You can't tuna fish.