Fish Shapes

A fish is shaped for where it lives and how it feeds. A fish with a torpedo shape can swim quickly through the water. A fish that is flat can easily hide on the bottom of the water. Some fish are shaped like eels. Some fish have long shovel-shaped or paddle-shaped snouts. Other fish such as gar are spear-nosed. Some fish are rounded or disk-shaped.

A fish's mouth shape is adapted to the food it eats. A fish with a mouth that slants upward might attack prey from underneath. A fish with a lower jaw that is flat probably feeds on or near the bottom.

Take a look at these fish:

1. Which of these fish might be bottom feeders? How can you tell?
2. Which of these fish generally attack prey up in the water column? How can you tell?
3. Which of these fish probably swim fastest? How can you tell?
4. Which of these fish live on the bottom? How can you tell?
5. Which of those fish are saltwater fish? Draw a picture of those fish in their habitat.
6. Which of those fish are freshwater fish? Draw a picture of those fish in their habitat.
7. The Shadow Knows -- Match the Fish!
8. See more fish shapes.