Acanthopterygian Fishes

Question 1

Discuss the defining characteristic of Acanthopterygian
fishes

Answer 1

Characterized by hard, sharp spines in the dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins. “spiny finned”

Question 2

Explore and identify species in the
Order Stephanoberyciformes

Answer 2

Stephanoberyciformes: marine, some deep sea, big scale fish or rigid heads (melanphaide)
(gibberfish, pricklefish, red mouth fish, flabby fish whalefishes),

Question 3

Explore and identify species in the
Order Zeiformes

Answer 3

Zeiformes: widespread in tropic/ temperate seas, found near continental shelves and slopes
(St. Peter fish, bore fish, dories, boarfishes),

Question 4

Explore and identify species in the
Order Beryciformes

Answer 4

Beryciformes: marine fish (fang fish and flashlight fish)
(flashlightfishes, fangtooths, pineconefishes, orange
roughies, soldierfishes, squirrelfishes)

Question 5

Familiarize yourself with the phylogeny and species in the
Orders Synbranchiformes (swamp eels),

Answer 5

Synbranchiformes (swamp eels (can extract O2 from atmosphere), spiny back eels)-
elongate fish of tropical and subtropical waters;

Question 6

Familiarize yourself with the phylogeny and species in the
Gasterosteiformes

Answer 6

Gasterosteiformes (sticklebacks (bony fin), pipefishes, seahorses,trumpetfishes, cornetfishes)-
elongate snout, mostly marine (except stickleback)

Question 7

Familiarize yourself with the phylogeny and species in the Atheriniformes (silversides),

Answer 7

Atheriniformes (silversides)
small, most marine, prominent silver band each side, lacks lateral line

Question 8

Familiarize yourself with the phylogeny and species in the
Beloniformes

Answer 8

Beloniformes (Flying fish + Needle fish)
Flyingfishes- short pectoral fins, limit gliding, some with 4 wings
Needlefishes- active surface dwellers of warm seas

Question 9

Familiarize yourself with the phylogeny and species in the
Cyprinodontiformes

Answer 9

Cyprinodontiformes (killifishes)
usually freshwater/ estuaries, found everywhere, embryos can enter stage of developmental arrest
(Diapause usually for dry seasons)

Question 10

Sticklebacks strange reproduction adaptation

Answer 10

stickleback- intensive bouts of nest building and courtship by males secrete glue like substance from kidneys used by males to construct nest from plant material.

Question 11

Seahorse strange reproduction adaptation

Answer 11

Seahorses- males equipped with brooding pouches where eggs are incubated, practice monogamy during breeding season.

Question 12

Medakas strange reproduction adaptation

Answer 12

medakas- fertilized eggs held for some time in clusters near genital pores of females before eventually brushed off onto suitable substrates

Question 13

Sub Order: Holocentroidedi

Answer 13

(soldier fishes and squirrel fishes)
Large eyes
Nocturnal
Produce sound

Question 14

Family: Syngnathoidei

Answer 14

(Pipefishes & Seahorses)

Question 15

Family: Mugilidae

Answer 15

Mullets
Important for cast net fishing for stripped mullet bait fish

Question 16

Superfamily: Atherinopsoidea

Answer 16

Silversides (Atlantic Silver side)
Form a base of food chain for larger organisms
school together as a big souch of biomass
Menidia Menidia

Question 17

Family: Exocoetidae

Answer 17

Flying fishes
limited gliding (larger wings longer they can glide)
Fast covergent evolution

Question 18

Suborder: Cyprinodontoidei

Answer 18

life-bearing tooth carps guppies, mollies, swordtails
Sexual dimorphism adaptation
Males have larger dorsal fins