Comparison of the Growth and Structure of the Pseudobranchs of Two Carangid Fishes

The growth and structure of the pseudobranchs of
Trachinotus carolinus and Oligoplites saurus is
described, illustrated, and discussed with respect to
their histology and gross morphology.
Morphological and histological differences between
the pseudobranchs of the two species occur in the
associated arteries, filament growth, mitochondrial
form, and in the epithelium bordering the pseudobranchs.
The pseudobranch of T. carolinus is contrasted with a
typical carangid pseudobranch, characterized by O. saurus
is thick and heavily vascularized and shows a tendency to
atrophy with growth of the fish.
The results of bilateral pseudobranchectomy
differed between adults and juveniles. All the fish
became blind; however, only the adults displayed
buoyancy problems and permanent chromatophore expansion.