Name:___________________________________
Anatomy of a Fish (Coloring)
Use your book to reference the anatomy of the fish. Find each of the organs below and color code them to the
fish according to the key below. If you cannot see a particular part on one fish, be sure to color it on the
second fish.
Lateral Line System (black)
Gills (red)
Scales (purple)
Intestine (light blue)
Heart (pink)
Vertebrae (yellow)
Reproductive Organs (orange)
Stomach (green)
Swim Bladder (dark blue)
Caudal Fin (blue)
Dorsal Fin (yellow)
Pectoral Fin (orange)
Anal Fin (pink)
Pelvic Fin (green)
Operculum (brown)
Fish Scales Tell the Age of a Fish
Look at the image of the fish scale, like a tree, scales show rings that indicate periods of growth. Rings that are farther apart
occur when the fish grows well and there is lots of food - in the summer season. Rings that are close together occur when the
fish does not get much food and grows slowly. On the scale you can identify the summer growth and the winter growth. (There
will be several rings in each).
The core represents the fish when it was first born, as a fry. The rings near the edge are the most recent periods of growth.
Color the summer growth periods yellow (cross out an replace if you use another color).
Color the winter growth periods blue (indicate if you use another color). How old is this fish (in years)? ______
Fish
Anatomy & Function
Match the anatomy terms with their functions listed below.
______ Caudal fin
A. A cover that protects the gills.
______ Pectoral fin
B. Organ that regulates buoyancy and aids in hearing for some fish.
______ Swim bladder (air sac)
C. Flattened, stiff structures made of bone, often covering the skin.
______ Lateral line
D. Organ that distributes O2 in the body.
______ Gills
E. Used for movement – primarily balance and staying upright.
______ Operculum
F. Used for movement – primarily steering.
______ Anal fin
G. Used for movement – primarily in the forward direction.
______ Two-chambered heart
H. Structure that extracts oxygen from the surrounding water.
______ Scales
I. Used for movement – primarily balance and located near the
rear.
______ Dorsal fin
J. Sensory organ that runs along the fish to help detect movement.