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1. Why Do Fish Have Scales?
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Biology for Kids
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2. Copyright 2012 Mocomi & Anibrain Digital Technologies Pvt. Ltd. All Rights Reserved.©
Why Do Fish Have Scales?
Fish have scales to protect their otherwise soft
bodies. Scales are bony in structure and overlap
each other. Scales have some versitality in them and
can bend and slide over one another so that the fish
can move.
LOOK AT THESE FISH
PINECONE FISH
This fish has large and thick scales that overlap each
other to make it look like a pine cone.
UNF FOR ME!

3. TRUNKF ISH
This fish's scale cover most parts of the body and is
very hard. A trunkfish therefore can only move its
eyes, mouth, fins and tail.
SHARK
A shark has small pointed scales that are teeth like
teeth
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Why Do Fish Have Scales?
UNF FOR ME!

4. Copyright 2012 Mocomi & Anibrain Digital Technologies Pvt. Ltd. All Rights Reserved.©
Boyancy
SCALES CAN SHOW HOW OLD A FISH IS
Rings on every scale can tell us about a fish's age
ARE THERE ANY FISH THAT DO NOT HAVE
SCALES?
The catfish and the lamprey do not have scales.
Why Do Fish Have Scales?
UNF FOR ME!
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5. M
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Fish have two layers of skin. The epidermis, which is
the outer layer secretes mucus like substances that
protects the fish's skin from bacteria and fungi. The
dermis forms the inner layer of its skin and is made
of a tough bony material.
PROJECT
Go with your mother to the fish market and closely
observe how each fish's scales are different from the
other.
Name 3 fishes which have colourful scales.
Why Do Fish Have Scales?
UNF FOR ME!
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