4-H Fish Identification

A good way to learn how to identify a fish or any animal species is to learn their anatomy. When you learn the body parts of fish it will be easier to identify them.  Their body parts can be different shapes and colors and sometimes fins are found in different places.

This is a diagram of a bluegill.

• The fins of a fish are used to propel the animal through water.
• The placement of the fins on the body can help a fish swim fast or turn quick.
• An identifying characteristic of fins is whether or not the fins are soft or have spines. You can see that the dorsal fin of the bluegill has both spines and soft rays.
• The opercle is the covering over the gills, (gill cover).
• The lateral line helps a fish sense its surroundings.

Fish Identification Quiz

1. This fish is ___________

A. Large mouth bass B. Bluegill C. Pumpkinseed

2. Some people want this fish to be the state fish of Iowa

A. Channel Catfish B. Pike C. Flathead Catfish

 

3. The strange-looking primitive fish has been reduced in numbers, but still lives in the Mississippi Valley.

A. Tuna B. Sturgeon C. Paddlefish

 

4. This cold water fish, native to Iowa, is ___________

A. Rainbow trout B. Brook trout C. Brown trout

BONUS Question!!

5. What is the name of the tiny fin on the back of this fish?

A. Caudal fin B. Charlie C. Adipose fin

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