Anatomy of finfish and shellfish

Unit – 3 Study of oral region and Associated structures

3.3. Oral adaptation for feeding
Lips
Suctorial feeders have an “inferior mouth” and fleshy modification of lips. Notable among these are the sturgeons (Acipenseridac) and suckeres (catastomidae). The lips of strurgeons and suckers are mobile and described as “Plicate” (having folds) or papillose (having small tufts of skin or papillose). Many sectorial feeders also have well developed barbells bordering the mouth.

Sucker mouth : Moxostoma (Redhorse) suctorial lips of free – living fishes may also serve as holdfast organs in fast flowing mountain streams. For example (Glyptorternum). In loach – like Gyriocheilid (Gyrinocheilus) has an extreamly specialized suctorial adaptation, in addition to suctorial lips the opercular structure has separate inhalent and exhalent device for respiration.