Fish Mouth Types
Fish mouths come in a variety of sizes, shapes and orientations, each of which tells a great deal about what and where the fish eats, as well as something about its behavior. Predatory fish generally have the largest mouths, often sporting large, sharp teeth. Some species have mouths that can be extended, allowing the fish to lengthen its effective reach to catch tasty morsels of foods as they swim. Other species have specialized mouth parts that allow them to rasp algae off rocks and branches. Still other species have mouths with teeth in the back, nearly in their throat. These pharyngeal teeth assist in grasping and swallowing prey.
Most fish mouths fall into one of three general types. Superior, or sometimes called supra-terminal, mouths are upturned. Terminal mouths point straight forward, and are the most common mouth type. Inferior, or sub-terminal, mouths are turned downward. The inferior mouth type is often found in bottom dwelling species, such as the catfish family. Below are images and descriptions of the primary mouth types, and what they tell us about the fish.
The superior mouth is oriented upwards, with the lower jaw being longer than the upper jaw. Usually, fish with this type of mouth feed at the surface. They lay in wait for prey to appear above them, then strike suddenly from below.
Many species of fish with a superior mouth feed largely on insects, however some may feed on other fish that swim near the surface. Some species with a superior mouth have an elongated lower jaw that functions much like a scoop. Archers, Half-beaks and Hatchetfish are all examples of species of aquarium fish that have an superior mouth.
Terminal mouths are located in the middle of the head, pointed straight forward, with both jaws being the same length. More fish have this mouth type than any other. Fish having a terminal mouth are generally mid water feeders, however they can feed at any location. These species of fish are often omnivores, eating anything that is available. They typically feed on the move, either grabbing bits of food that they pass close to, or prey on other fish that they chase down.
It is quite common for fish with a terminal mouth to also have a protrusile mouth, which allows them to thrust the jaw forward when grabbing food. Most fish that feed on other fish have terminal mouths, which are often hinged to allow them to accommodate the action of snatching and swallowing another fish. They may also possess specialized teeth, and in some cases an additional jaw. Moray eels are one such species, that has a pharyngeal jaw placed well back in their throat.
Most Barbs, Cichlids, Gouramis and Tetras, have terminal mouths.
Also called a sub-terminal or ventral mouth, the inferior mouth is turned downward. The lower jaw is shorter than the upper jaw, and the jaw will often be protrusile. Fish with inferior mouths are bottom feeders that often possess barbels that assist in locating food particles.
Most members of the catfish family have inferior jaws, and many of them also have a sucker mouth as well. The diet of fish with inferior mouths include algae, invertebrates such as snails, as well as detritus and any food that falls to the bottom.
Often fish will have a protrusile mouth feature, which allows them to extend their reach when attempting to snatch prey or food particles. This feature can be seen in all mouth types. Fish with a protrusile and hinged terminal mouth can actually create a vacuum when they open their mouth, thus sucking in their prey. Some species use their protrusile mouth on the fly while chasing down their prey, while others quietly lie in wait for prey to pass by, then rapidly extend their mouth to snatch the hapless victim.
Some species use this feature to engage in non-feeding activities. An example of such behavior is the Kissing Gourami, who uses his protrusile mouth to defend his territory. Although it may appear to be kissing, it is in fact, a combative move to show his opponent who owns that space. Other species, such as some members of the catfish family, use their protrusile mouth to stay in place by attaching themselves to a rock or other stationary object.
Sucker mouths are a common feature in fish with inferior mouths. Catfish such as the popular pleco, use their sucker mouth to rasp algae off driftwood or rocks. Some species may also use the sucker to help them combat currents. By attaching themselves to a rock via their sucker mouth, they are able to stay where they wish, even in a strong current.
These sucker mouths are also protrusile, which allows them to extend their reach when sifting through the substrate for food particles. As previously stated, sucker mouths can also be used when defending territory or quarreling with another fish.
Another type of mouth adaptation is a greatly elongated snout. This type of mouth allows the fish to poke into small crevices and holes to find food. They may also use such a mouth to dig through the substrate to reach buried food treasures. Some surface feeding fish also have an elongated mouth that allows them to scoop insects and food particles from the surface.
Freshwater species with elongated mouths include the Halfbeaks, Gars, and Pencilfish. Saltwater species include the Needlefish and the Wrasse family.
An interesting, but less common, mouth variation is the beak mouth, also known as a rostrum. In this cases the mouth consists of two very hard pieces that are hinged and come together in a scissor-like fashion. This allows them to crush hard shells on invertebrates.
Pufferfish, both freshwater and saltwater varieties, possess a beak type mouth. Saltwater Parrotfish are another example of fish with a beak mouth. Octopus and squid also possess a beak.
Most fish mouths fall into one of three general types. Superior, or sometimes called supra-terminal, mouths are upturned. Terminal mouths point straight forward, and are the most common mouth type. Inferior, or sub-terminal, mouths are turned downward. The inferior mouth type is often found in bottom dwelling species, such as the catfish family. Below are images and descriptions of the primary mouth types, and what they tell us about the fish.
Superior Mouth
The superior mouth is oriented upwards, with the lower jaw being longer than the upper jaw. Usually, fish with this type of mouth feed at the surface. They lay in wait for prey to appear above them, then strike suddenly from below.
Many species of fish with a superior mouth feed largely on insects, however some may feed on other fish that swim near the surface. Some species with a superior mouth have an elongated lower jaw that functions much like a scoop. Archers, Half-beaks and Hatchetfish are all examples of species of aquarium fish that have an superior mouth.
Terminal Mouth
Terminal mouths are located in the middle of the head, pointed straight forward, with both jaws being the same length. More fish have this mouth type than any other. Fish having a terminal mouth are generally mid water feeders, however they can feed at any location. These species of fish are often omnivores, eating anything that is available. They typically feed on the move, either grabbing bits of food that they pass close to, or prey on other fish that they chase down.
It is quite common for fish with a terminal mouth to also have a protrusile mouth, which allows them to thrust the jaw forward when grabbing food. Most fish that feed on other fish have terminal mouths, which are often hinged to allow them to accommodate the action of snatching and swallowing another fish. They may also possess specialized teeth, and in some cases an additional jaw. Moray eels are one such species, that has a pharyngeal jaw placed well back in their throat.
Most Barbs, Cichlids, Gouramis and Tetras, have terminal mouths.
Inferior Mouth
Also called a sub-terminal or ventral mouth, the inferior mouth is turned downward. The lower jaw is shorter than the upper jaw, and the jaw will often be protrusile. Fish with inferior mouths are bottom feeders that often possess barbels that assist in locating food particles.
Most members of the catfish family have inferior jaws, and many of them also have a sucker mouth as well. The diet of fish with inferior mouths include algae, invertebrates such as snails, as well as detritus and any food that falls to the bottom.
Protrusile Mouth
Often fish will have a protrusile mouth feature, which allows them to extend their reach when attempting to snatch prey or food particles. This feature can be seen in all mouth types. Fish with a protrusile and hinged terminal mouth can actually create a vacuum when they open their mouth, thus sucking in their prey. Some species use their protrusile mouth on the fly while chasing down their prey, while others quietly lie in wait for prey to pass by, then rapidly extend their mouth to snatch the hapless victim.
Some species use this feature to engage in non-feeding activities. An example of such behavior is the Kissing Gourami, who uses his protrusile mouth to defend his territory. Although it may appear to be kissing, it is in fact, a combative move to show his opponent who owns that space. Other species, such as some members of the catfish family, use their protrusile mouth to stay in place by attaching themselves to a rock or other stationary object.
Sucker Mouth
Sucker mouths are a common feature in fish with inferior mouths. Catfish such as the popular pleco, use their sucker mouth to rasp algae off driftwood or rocks. Some species may also use the sucker to help them combat currents. By attaching themselves to a rock via their sucker mouth, they are able to stay where they wish, even in a strong current.
These sucker mouths are also protrusile, which allows them to extend their reach when sifting through the substrate for food particles. As previously stated, sucker mouths can also be used when defending territory or quarreling with another fish.
Elongated Mouth
Another type of mouth adaptation is a greatly elongated snout. This type of mouth allows the fish to poke into small crevices and holes to find food. They may also use such a mouth to dig through the substrate to reach buried food treasures. Some surface feeding fish also have an elongated mouth that allows them to scoop insects and food particles from the surface.
Freshwater species with elongated mouths include the Halfbeaks, Gars, and Pencilfish. Saltwater species include the Needlefish and the Wrasse family.
Beak Mouth
An interesting, but less common, mouth variation is the beak mouth, also known as a rostrum. In this cases the mouth consists of two very hard pieces that are hinged and come together in a scissor-like fashion. This allows them to crush hard shells on invertebrates.
Pufferfish, both freshwater and saltwater varieties, possess a beak type mouth. Saltwater Parrotfish are another example of fish with a beak mouth. Octopus and squid also possess a beak.
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