Fig. 1 Lutjanus xanthopinnis. Total length= 12.6 cm. Body weight= 20.25g.

(A) Lateral
view of the specimen. (B) view of the internal anatomy of the specimen.
Anatomy and physiology of fish

Introduction
Fish have existed for 480 million years and thrived in abundant aquatic habitats across
the earth (Weitzman & Parenti, 2022). Thus they are able to survive in several different
environments by evolving body parts varying in shape, size, and structure. Most fish are
ectothermic, scaled, and have gills, with streamlined and spindle-shaped. Fish share
similar body structures to other vertebrates, such as nerve, muscle, connective and
epithelial tissues, as well as similar organs, such as the heart, brain, kidneys, and
stomach.

The objective of this study is to study the external and internal anatomy of a fish
specimen. The specimen dissected in this study is a type of snapper found in the local
area, Lutjanus xanthopinnis. Lutjanus xanthopinnis are reddish pink and silvery grey in
color, with the exception of the pelvic fins which are grey all other fins are yellow in
color. Lutjanus xanthopinnis inhabit the coastal coral reefs in subtropical waters of the
Indo-West Pacific (Iwatsuki et al., 2015).

Method
The specimen is first measured and weighed. The specimen then had its fins unfolded
and pinned to allow for a better view of the fins, and a photograph from the lateral view
was taken. The pins were then removed and all of the fins except for the pelvic fins
were cut off. A 1:1 cm chunk of skin and the underlying muscles was cut out, and it and
the fins were then stored in a bottle of ethanol. On the ventral side of the specimen, the
anus was cut along towards the anterior end. the cut is then opened up and the flesh
walls are pinned to allow better viewing of the internal organs. A photograph from the
ventral side was taken to show the internal organs.

Results and discussion

The fish specimen has a body weight of 20.25g and a total length of 12.6cm.

Fins help the fish with locomotion (Figure 1A). The dorsal fin is located on the dorsal
side and runs along from the middle of the dorsal side towards the posterior end. It
helps to stabilize the fish while swimming and assists them when making sudden turns.
The pointed, vertical pectoral fins are found just behind the operculum on both lateral
sides. They help create dynamic lifts to allow the fish to maintain depth. The caudal fin
is located at the posterior end and its base is attached to the caudal peduncle. The
caudal fin is used by the fish to propel itself. The anal fin is located behind the anus on
the ventral side, it stabilizes the fish while swimming. The horizontal pair of pelvic fins
are located on the ventral side directly below the pectoral fins. They help in vertical
movement, sharp turning, and stopping quickly. Pectoral fins are homologous to the
frontlimbs while pelvic fins are homologous to the hindlimbs of tetrapods.

The specimen possesses an orange gonad, which means that the specimen was a
female (Figure 1B). The pair of gonads produce eggs which will then be fertilized
externally. Pyloric caeca are found at the junction between the stomach and the
intestine. Although its true function is not known it is suggested that its finger-like
projection shape increases surface area for digestion and secretes enzymes (Weitzman
& Parenti, 2022). The heart of a fish has two chambers, an atrium, and a ventricle, that
transports blood in one continuous loop. Oxygen and nutrients are transported to the
cells and waste is transported to the kidney and liver. The liver is a large organ that is
responsible for the detoxification of waste and the synthesis of protein and biochemicals
used for digestion. The stomach is responsible for the digestion of food and absorption
of nutrients. The silver, hollow, and gas-filled organ is the swim bladder, it allows the
fish to maintain buoyancy and conserve energy rather than swimming.

Conclusion
Fish have evolved unique body parts to survive in their aquatic habitats as well as
having similar ones to other vertebrates, giving us insight into their taxonomy.

References
Iwatsuki, Y., Tanaka, F., & Allen, G. R. (2015). Lutjanus xanthopinnis, a new species of

snapper (Pisces: Lutjanidae) from the Indo-west Pacific, with a redescription of

Lutjanus madras (Valenciennes 1831). J. Ocean Sci. Found. 17:22-42. (Ref.

106991)

Menke, L. A., Spitsbergen, M .J., Wolterbeek, P. M. A., & Woutersen, A. R. (2011). Normal

anatomy and histology of the adult zebra fish. Toxicological pathology. 39(5),

759-775.

Weitzman, S. H., & Parenti, L. R. (2022). fish. Encyclopedia Britannica.

https://www.britannica.com/animal/fish