1. Fish

2. Fish are Vertebrates
All fish have a backbone and belong to the phylum Chordata
Backbone protects the spinal chord and support the rest of the body
Fish have a well developed head protected by a skull
Fish are made of cartilage, a tough flexible materials or bones
Fish have been around for 500 million years and are considered to be the first vertebrates

3. Staying Warm Mammals and birds have a stable body temperature.
They are known as endotherms and are warm blooded
Fish do not control their body temperature and are known as ectotherms.
Their body temperatures depends on the temperature of their environment
Fish are considered cold blooded

4. Characterisitics Strong muscle network for quickness and power
Fins to help steer, stop, and balance
Scales protect the fish and help them move through the water more easily
A brain and the senses of sight, hearing and smell
A lateral line that helps a fish detect nearby vibrations in the water

5. Gills – Allow a fish to breathe by removing oxygen from the water
Use fertilization both external and internal for reproduction. ( female eggs and male sperm)

6. Classes of Fish
Jawless fish – Eel like fish that either eat dead fishes on the ocean floor or suck blood from other animals flesh
Examples are Hagfish or Lampreys

7. Cartilaginous Fish do not have any bones
Defined jaw, strong swimmers and expert predators
Must keep swimming to stay afloat and to move water over their gills
Examples would be sharks

8. Bony Fish are typical fish. 95% of all fish belong in this class
Have a skeleton with bones
They can rest in one place because of an organ called a swim bladder that keeps them afloat
Examples would be goldfish, tuna, trout, bass