How Do Fish

How do fish eat? Fish eat mostly other smaller water creatures, including small fish and shellfish. Some fish and many shellfish called bivalve mollusks filter food by sifting nutrients out of the water.

How do fish see? The eyes of a fish are very similar to human eyes, and a fish sees best at close range.

How do fish smell? A fish's nose is actually two openings on the head. The sense of smell is very important to fish because it helps them find their food.

How do fish hear? Fish hear through ear bones, called otoliths, which vibrate when sound waves pass through the fish. Fish also have a lateral line along each side of their body which picks up water movement. The lateral line helps a fish find and capture food and avoid enemies.

How do fish reproduce? Reproduction is different according to the species but generally follows three basic methods. In most cases, the female drops eggs in the water, which are immediately fertilized by sperm from the male. Another way is for fertilization to occur within the female's body before she drops the eggs into the water. The third and final method happens when the female retains the fertilized eggs within her body and the young are born alive. Some sharks, rockfish, guppies and most surfperch give birth this way.

Label the: gill cover, caudal fin, eyes, nose, mouth, lateral line