FISH HAVE NUMEROUS SPECIALIZED SENSE ORGANS MADE FOR AQUATIC LIFE, THESE INCLUDE EYES, INNER EARS, NOSTRILS, TASTE BUDS, AND THEIR LATERAL LINE SYSTEM. THESE ORGANS ALLOW THEM TO PICK UP LIGHT, SOUND, ODORS, VIBRATIONS, AND ELECTRICAL FIELDS TO NAVIGATE, HUNT, AVOID PREDATORS, AND COMMUNICATE. 

KEY FISH SENSE ORGANS

1. LATERAL LINE :THIS SENSE RUNS ALONG THE SIDE OF THE BODY AND IS MADE UP OF FLUID-FILLED CANALS (COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE RED MEAT). WHICH DETECTS WATER CURRENTS, PRESSURE CHANGES, VIBRATIONS, PREY MOVEMENT WHICH HELPS WHEN THEIR SCHOOLING, KEEPING THEM SEPERATED.
2. EYES:GENERALLY WELL-DEVELOPED FOR VISION, OFTEN WITH COLOR VISION. FISH LACK EYELIDS, AS THE WATER KEEPS THEIR EYES CONSTANTLY MOIST.
3. INNER EARS:BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO EXTERNAL EARS. THEY HAVE INNER EARS, ALLOWING THEM TO DETECT SOUND AND MAINTAIN BALANCE.
4. NOSTRILS): USED FOR SMELLING, NOT BREATHING. THESE SAC-LIKE STRUCTURES HAVE SCENT RECEPTORS TO DETECT CHEMICALS IN THE WATER.
5. TASTE BUDS:LOCATED IN THE MOUTH, ON THE TONGUE, AND OFTEN ON THE LIPS, BARBELS (ON CATFISH WHISKERS), OR EVEN THE FINS.

FUNCTION AND ADAPTATIONS

 VISION: IS USED TO LOCATE PREY AND IDENTIFY PREDATORS, LIMITED BY WATER CLARITY.

 HEARING/VIBRATION: THE LATERAL LINE AND INNER EAR ALLOW FISH TO “HEAR” AND FEEL VIBRATIONS, ALLOWING THEM TO SCHOOL AND AVOID OBSTACLES WITHOUT SEEING THEM.

(SMELL/TASTE):ESSENTIAL FOR FINDING FOOD, OFTEN USED BY FISH IN MUDDY WATER (E.G., CATFISH) TO DETECT PREY. 

SUCCESFUL ANGLERS USE LURES & BAITS THAT TRIGGER AS MANY OF THESE SENSES AS POSSIBLE!