Scientists advise not to anthropomorphize things like fish or marine animals. This term simply means to ascribe human charter or characteristics to wild instinctive animals.Lets face it, fish and corals are not human. Now corals are quite different than humans and we do not seem to label their behavior in a humanistic way; however we do compare their behavior to plants and they are not really plants at all.
Fish, dolphins, sea lions and sharks are in a different category among human minds. Because of their curiosity and sometimes instinctive behavior we tend to label and compare those behaviors to our own.
Many divers will testify that in one or two cases the fish they have come in contact with excerpted or ,displayed some type of human behavior. For example have you ever dove with some type of food in order to feed the countless tropical fish. These fish obviously welcomed you, you brought food.
Maybe you've seen one of the skippers' mates feed a Barracuda (Sphyraenidae) from his own hands. The fish approaches the food leaping out of the water to snag the tender morsel. All of these experiences raise thoughtful questions. Can these creatures see, hear or smell? Do they have feelings or do they rationalize.
I think it is important to remember that these living creatures are subject to some of the same ailments that we are. By keeping this in mind we can suggest that both fish and humans are afflicted with parasites, bacteria and viral infections. We do understand human anatomy and because we do, we understand how to sustain our health.
It is important that divers have a brief understanding and appreciation of what fish are made of and how their systems work.
Marine fish can be found at depths of the oceans bottom to 1 meter below the surface. Their weight can range from a few grams to several tons and they come in all shapes and sizes.
A tropical reef fish generally consist of nine major parts: head, gills, and eyes, lateral line, fins, nostrils pits, swim/air bladder and a tail.
For you and I the eyes are for seeing thus is also true for fish. Fishes in general can have one of two different type of eye sets in which will predict the manner that they will feed.
Eyes that are relatively close to one another and near the front are similar to man's. Fish that have an eye on each side of their head learn to zero in on prey that's before them. Most all fish use an adjustable lens that moves back and forth to focus, sort of like a camera lens would function.
Color is an issue I'm often asked about when it comes to the eye sight of a fish. It is true that most fish who live in shallow water can see in color. Fish who are generally larger (with the exception of bottom dwellers) that live in the deeper water do not distinguish between colors.
The later line is a organ that is often forgotten and does not receive much attention. However this is an important part to a fishes survival. The lateral line is normally located on the upper center of the fish stretching across the body vertically, often being described as a scratch.
This sensory organ is made of tubes pores and or receptors that provide information about water pressure changes and contributes to the proper balance or equilibrium of a fish.
Fins are often the most beautiful part of a fish. This is a varied category because there are all shapes, sizes and colors that make up this crucial limb. The dorsal, pelvic and pectoral all work together in aiding the direction and locomotion of the fish. The caudal fin is pushed from side to side or in a whales or dolphins case, up and down at various speeds to propel them selves through the water.
The most misunderstood organ is the gill. Located under the gill plate, this is the organ that pulls the dissolved oxygen from the water. When the water is contaminated this is the first organ that suffers due to its sensitivity.
Gills are red and are arranged in rows. If the gills are irritated by poison or infested with bacteria and/or parasites they do not function at full capacity therefor the fish accelerates its breathing in order to gain enough oxygen to sustain its life.
This exerts an enormous amount of stress on the fish and burns vital energy. Just for you to know, if you are shopping for fish at the market the gills are curtail in determining weather you buying fresh fish or a fish from an older catch. Lift the gill plate of the fish and judge the color, red means fresh, pink is not as fresh and gray is off limits for consumption.
A simple review of fish anatomy, especially an incomplete one such as this, will not turn you into a veterinarian-nor should it. However I hope you have an understanding and appreciation of what fish are and how they are put together.
Though fish and marine animals are not human, their behavior is instinctive. We should respect and refrain from demising their delicate echo system; no matter what our logic my be.
Beau Crowley
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