Fishy Fish

Summary
An introduction to the two classes of modern fish and their defining characteristics.

Objectives
• Students will differentiate between fishes with cartilage and bony skeletons.

• Students will recognize key features of cartilaginous and bony fish.

• Students will recognize features unique to bony fish.

Suggested Grades
4th Grade
5th Grade
6th Grade

Excerpt
The evolutionary development of fish introduced new characteristics such as jaws and paired fins that had not been seen in the other animal groups that came before them. Paired fins along with a tail allow fish to maneuver through the water very accurately. Modern day fish are divided into two main categories:

a) cartilaginous fish
b) bony fish

Continued...