About Aquatic adaptations of fish

Aquatic adaptations of fish

                So far we have discussed how plants get themselves adapted with abundance of water, with normal supply of water and with scarcity of water. Animals are also subjected to the problems of abundance of water as well as scarcity of water. Animals of aquatic conditions are called hydrocoles. e.g. fish. 

Let us discuss the adaptations of a fish in its habitat.

1. The head, body and tail of the fish are compressed to give an elongated spindle shaped body. It helps the fish to swim without hardship. 

2. Presence of fins facilitates the movements. Pectoral and pelvic fins are paired whereas median, dorsal, anal and caudal fins are unpaired. The pectoral and dorsal fins act as balancers and the caudal fin provides a forward push to the body.

3. The muscle fibres are arranged in the form of bundle to give spindle shape to the body. 

4. Respiration takes place through gills which separate the dissolved oxygen from water. 

5. Air-bladders filled with air act as organs of hydrostatic.

6. Neurosense organs are present on the lateral line system of fish and they are helpful in locating the objects in water. Hence they are called rheoreceptors.

7. Integument is rich in mucous glands and the body is protected by scales.