Fish Species Identification Project
Patrick Stephens
Fish Species Identification Title: Channel Catfish
Species #:
Common Name: Channel Catfish Scientific Name: Ictaluras punctatus Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Siluiformes
Family: Icatulride
Genus: Ictalurus
Species: punctatus Geography/ Habitat: Channel Catfish are native to North America, being well distributed throughout Canada, the United States, and northern Mexico. They thrive in rivers, ponds, estuaries, and reservoirs. They have very acute senses that allow for them to sense a lot deep where it is dark and hard to see. Life Strategy: Channel Catfish lay eggs, and are what are known as cavity nesters, meaning they lay their eggs in crevices, hollows or debris in order to protect their eggs from swift moving current. Food/Feed Strategy: Catfish are omnivores, and are opportunistic feeders. They can actively seek food, but will also troll the bottom in search of food. They can and will eat just about anything, including Ivory Soap!
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Common Name/ Scientific Name: Channel Catfish/ Ictaluras punctatus
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Body Form or Style: Subcarrangiform
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Swim/Locomotion Style: Compressiform
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Mouth Position: Inferior
Fish Species Identification Title: Common Goldfish
Species #:
Common Name: Common Goldfish Scientific Name: Carassius auratus Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cypriniformes
Family: Cyprinidae
Genus: Carassius
Species: Auratus Geography/ Habitat: Goldfish originated from Asia, but do not appear for the most part in the wild. Instead they are commercially bred for ponds and aquaria throughout the world. Life Strategy: Goldfish are eggs layers. Males bump and nudge females to prompt them to release eggs. Eggs hatch after being laid within 72 hours. It can take up to a year for them to develop mature coloration, and fry run the risk of being eaten by adults. Food/Feed Strategy: Goldfish will eat plant matter, crustaceans and other small organisms as well as commercially prepared food. They are opportunistic feeders and will not stop eating, so long as food is present.
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Common Name/ Scientific Name: Common Goldfish/ Carassius auratus
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Body Form or Style: Compressiform
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Swim/Locomotion Style: Subcarangiform
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Mouth Position: Inferior
Fish Species Identification Title: Largemouth Bass Species Data Sheet
Species #:
Common Name: Largemouth Bass Scientific Name: Micropterus salmoides Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Centrachidae
Genus: Micropterus
Species: M. salmoides Geography/ Habitat: Largemouth Bass can thrive in all types of water environment, but prefer weeds,
plants, logs or other cover in which to forage and live. Water motion isn’t that big of a factor as Bass can thrive in most anything, as a hardy fish, but prefer clear non moving water. Life Strategy: Males build a nest, and inhabit it until a fertile female joins it. Both the male and the female circle around the nest simultaneously releasing eggs and sperm. Fry hatch 2-4 Days later and feed on zooplankton near the surface of the water while being closely guarded by the male. Three to ten days after this, the fry disperse to begin solitary lives, and continue the cycle. Food/Feed Strategy: Bass eat fish and other living organisms whole, rather than biting off chunks. They are opportunistic feeders, and strike just about anything that moves. Because of this and the way that they tend to fight, is the reason largemouth bass are considered to one of the greatest game fish.
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Common Name/ Scientific Name: Largemouth Bass/ Micropterus salmoides
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Body Form or Style: Compressiform
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Swim/Locomotion Style: Carangiform
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Mouth Position: Superior
Fish Species Identification Title: Neon Tetra
Species #:
Common Name: Scientific Name: Paracheirodon innesi Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Characiformes
Family: Characidae
Genus: Paracheirodon
Species: P. innesi Geography/ Habitat: Found within black water and clear water streams in Southeastern Columbia, Eastern Peru, and Western Brazil. Water tends to be both slightly soft and acidic, though the Neon Tetra has the ability to adapt to almost any habit as a result of the Neon Trade being bred for the aquarium trade. Life Strategy: Neon Tetras are extremely prolific and can double populations in short spans of time. However they are egg scatters, and do not care for and watch over their young. They can lay up to 130 eggs, however a significantly smaller number will actually hatch. Parents will actually eat their young if given the opportunity. Food/Feed Strategy: Neon Tetras are omnivores and will eat plant matter as well as a variety of prepared foods such as flakes, brine shrimp and other crustaceans.
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Common Name/ Scientific Name: Neon Tetra/ Paracheirodon innesi
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Body Form or Style: Compressiform
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Swim/Locomotion Style: Subcarangiform
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Mouth Position: Terminal
Fish Species Identification Title: Oscar
Species #:
Common Name: Oscar Scientific Name: Astrontus ocellatus Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Perciformes
Family: Cichlidae
Genus: Astronotus
Species: Ocellatus Geography/ Habitat: Oscars are native to Peru, Ecuador, Brazil, Colombia and French Guiana. They can usually be found in slow moving white water habitats. They also will shelter under submerged branches. Life Strategy: It has been suggested that Male Oscars grow faster than Females. They can be observed as to clearing spots and building nests where they can lay between 1000 and 3000 eggs at a time. Oscars practice brood care, but for an indeterminate amount of time. Food/Feed Strategy: Captive Oscars can be fed prepared fish food, crayfish, worms, and other insects. They can also eat fruit, as they do in the wild. Feeder Fish can be used, but common goldfish and rosy minnows are not suggested to do vitamin deficiencies that they can cause.
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Common Name/ Scientific Name: Oscar/
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Body Form or Style: Compressiform
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Swim/Locomotion Style: Carangiform
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Mouth Position: Superior