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Describe the biology of a fin fish
Level
3
Credits
5
Purpose
People credited with this unit standard are able to: describe a fin fish species;
locate and identify anatomical features of the fin fish species and determine
the sex of the fin fish species; describe the feeding, reproduction and life
cycle of the fin fish species; describe factors that influence growth of the fin
fish species; and describe abnormal features and/or behaviours that indicate
potential fin fish health issues.
Subfield
Seafood
Domain
Aquaculture
Status
Registered
Status date
18 September 2009
Date version published
18 September 2009
Planned review date
31 December 2014
Entry information
Open.
Accreditation
Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA and
industry.
Standard setting body (SSB)
Primary Industry Training Organisation
Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP) reference
0123
This AMAP can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Special notes
Candidates must choose a species of fin fish and provide evidence for the same species
of fin fish for each element.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
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Elements and performance criteria
Element 1
Describe the fin fish species and its habitat.
Performance criteria
1.1
The description identifies the fin fish species.
Range
1.2
The description includes the habitat and distribution of the species around
New Zealand.
Range
1.3
common and scientific names;
may include Māori name where appropriate.
freshwater and seawater, depth and location, relative to season.
The description includes the distinguishing features of the fin fish species.
Range
may include but not is limited to – size, shape, colour, fins;
evidence is required for four features.
Element 2
Locate and identify anatomical features and determine the sex of the fin fish species.
Range
gills, dorsal and pectoral fins, vent, lateral line, gut, pyloric caeca, heart, liver,
gonads, kidney, swim bladder, scales, brain.
Performance criteria
2.1
The anatomical features are located and named and the sex is determined.
2.2
The description includes an outline of the function of each of the anatomical
features.
Element 3
Describe the feeding, reproduction and life cycle of the fin fish species.
Performance criteria
3.1
The description includes an outline of the life cycle of the fin fish.
3.2
The description includes an outline of the feeding method and food source at
each life cycle stage.
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3.3
The description includes an outline of the reproductive cycle.
Range
gonad development, natural triggers for spawning, internal and
external features of maturation, spawning cycle.
Element 4
Describe factors that influence the growth of a fin fish species.
Range
may include but is not limited to – water quality, weather patterns, food type,
food availability, water flow, predators, growing density, stress of handling;
evidence is required for four factors.
Performance criteria
4.1
The description includes an outline of the impact of each factor on the growth of
the fin fish species.
4.2
The description includes an outline of the optimum growth conditions for each
factor.
Element 5
Describe abnormal features and/or behaviours that indicate potential fin fish health issues.
Performance criteria
5.1
The description outlines abnormal features and/or behaviours that indicate a
potential health issue with the fin fish.
Range
abnormal behaviours may include but are not limited to –
swimming, schooling, feeding;
abnormal features may include but are not limited to – deformities,
colouration, lesions, fungal growth;
evidence is required for two abnormal behaviours and two
abnormal features.
5.2
The description includes the action to take if abnormal features and/or
behaviours are identified in the fin fish.
5.3
The description includes the importance of ensuring this action is taken.
Please note
Providers must be accredited by NZQA, or an inter-institutional body with delegated
authority for quality assurance, before they can report credits from assessment against
unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be accredited by NZQA before they can register
credits from assessment against unit standards.
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Accredited providers and Industry Training Organisations assessing against unit standards
must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Accreditation requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this
standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The
AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations
wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for
tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact the Primary Industry Training Organisation standards@primaryito.ac.nz if
you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016