Homework.

[Luketendo]

Ok well I have homework set by my science teacher. He wants a piece of writing and a labelled diagram and an unusual animal that is adapted to it's habitat. I.E Cheetahs and the like are streamlined, camoflauged, have eyes on the front of their head, sharp claws and teeth.

So naturally I want to do a freshwater fish like a tetra, catfish or barb, cichlid and the like. But if that's not possible marine animals and other aquatic life (invertebrates and amphibians.)

So basically I just need an unusual aquatic life form that adapts to it's surroundings.

If anyone has an ideas on what I should do please help, this has to be in by Thursday, it's nothing big and can be done in like an hour max, so by 3:00 (gmt) Thursday I'd need a name of an animal otherwise I'll have to do something boring...

Thanks.

 

[ollyhtafc]

HIllstream loach would be perfect.

 

[CrashingWaves]

I'm a loach kind of person, and they're a type of fish not as commonly kept as some others, so it might be a little more unique. Personally I'd pick some species of loach.

God Bless,
Joshua

 

[poopsydrew]

Really almost any fish or animal will work as they are all designed for the envirmonent in which they live in, just steer clear of very inbred fish like guppies and bettas. Why not do some killifish? or some MBUNA? really nearly any fish will work, just take your pick.

Drew

 

[CrashingWaves]

Personally I think you shouldn't do one on fish. I absolutely love fish keeping, but I have to admit my interests in the animal world go far beyond fish. I personally would suggest doing a report on the Thorny Devil.

The most interesting, and I find to be a highly fascinating adaptation is that its scales all channel toward the mouth. A thorny devil can actually be standing in a shallow puddle, and the water will channel up the scales on his legs, and go into his mouth. Very interesting to say the least.

God Bless,
Joshua

 

[shroob]

Amazon leaf fish - adapted to look like a leaf so it can get close to prey, almost invisible fins so it looks like its drifting int he current and snot swimming and a HUUUUGGGEEE mouth for anything that swims by.
http/www.fishforums.net/content/Oddballs...ican-Leaf-Fish/

Freshwater flounders- flattened body to be able to bury itself, camoflagued to match the sand, eyes on top of its head to see above it.
http/www.fishforums.net/content/Oddballs...ater-flounders/
Could do same for stingrays
http/www.fishforums.net/content/Oddballs...eacup-Stingray/

Suppose you could also do some sort of puffer - can inflate to intimidate/not being able to be swallowed, some like marine have spines on them.

Pike (both native and other 'aquarium pikes'- streamlined, nasty set of teeth, camoflagued
Just some I thought off, if I think of more I'll post them

 

[Ryan_R]

Or you could do convergent evolution thingy on how very distantly related critters find the same adaptive solution to a certain lifestyle: Tuna, dolphins, white sharks, and ichthyosaurs all use the same (fusiform) body shape for fast swimming in open water. Interestingly, white sharks and tuna also evolved warmbloodedness (Dolphins inherited it from the hoofed mammals they evolved from, and who's to say what ichthyosaurs did).

-Ryan

 

[kribensis12]

Discus.

 

[fish-aholic]

Or a Texas horned lizard which can shoot blood out of its eyes at predators. No joke!

 

[paul_219]

Hillstream loach they are gr8.

 

[chrisdoesntmiss]

Bline Cave fish,

Completely dark so no need for eyes and higher senses in other regions.

Blind cave fish/mexican tetra

Chris

 

[Dorkhedeos]

Blind cave tetra are pretty good, but i think that archerfish are an even better choice. Ill just give you a list of interesting things off the top of my head and you can just look them up and pick one if you like any.

arowana
chaca chaca
gulper catfish
hatchet fish
flying fish
octopus
blue ringed octopus
hermit crab
cleaner wrasse
pistol shrimp/goby combo
mantis shrimp
walking catfish
wolffish
cone shell/cone snail

 

[Mr._Fishy]

Something like an upside down catfish would be great. Or spiny eels, bichirs, and knife fish. As stated before, pretty much any fish will work.

 

[caboose_122]

i think tanganyikan cichlids would be best

 

[TylerFerretLord]

If I had this assignment I would probably choose either a clownfish and their associated symbiotic anemone(which could lead to a good sized report, a page or two on the fish, the same with the anemone and then a page about their symbiotic reltionship), gnathonemus petersii, or any other fish with significant electrical senses.

Other than fish, the spiders and ants that reside in pitcher plants would be a great choice, I just can't think of their scientific name at the moment. Ants in general would be good too, especially myrmecocystus and army ant species.

I want my teacher to give me this assignment now.