Glossary

97 terms beginning with B · showing 81–97

1. breeding tubercle

   Raised, epidermal structures developing on the head, body or fin rays during the spawning season in some fishes. Usually occur only in males, and sometimes referred to as 'nuptial tubercules'.

2. brine

   Water containing high amounts of a salt or salts.

3. brine shrimp

   See Artemia.

4. broadcast spawner

   A fish which releases its gametes into open water for external fertilisation, with no subsequent parental care. The strategy is more commonly-seen in marine than freshwater species.

5. brood

   Offspring of fishes, especially a single group hatching together and/or being cared for by the same parent(s); the act of tending and protecting eggs or offsping.

   Used in 360 profiles

6. broodcare

   The tending, caring for, and protection of a brood by one or both parents.

   Used in 299 profiles

7. broodstock

   A group of sexually mature fish maintained specifically for production of fry.

8. brook

   A small, fast-flowing, normally first-order stream. Often emerge from springs.

   Used in 14 profiles

9. brown algae

   Vernacular term commonly used in zoology when referring to the largely marine class Phaeophyceae which includes many seaweeds, and in the aquarium hobby to describe growths of brown, diatomic algae.

   Used in 1 profile

10. bryophyta

    The plant phylum comprising mosses and liverworts. Members have no true roots, stem or leaves.

11. bubble nest

    Aggregation of air-filled bubbles blown via use of an oral secretion constructed by males in some fish species. Such nests usually float and sometimes contain pieces of plant material for improved solidity. Fertilised eggs are deposited and incubated inside the nest and typically guarded by the male.

    Used in 27 profiles

12. buccal

    Of or relating to the mouth.

    Used in 3 profiles

13. buccal cavity

    Cavity located inside the mouth, above the gill arches. Also referred to as 'mouth cavity'.

    Used in 10 profiles

14. buffer

    A substance that reduces change in the acidity of a solution when an acid or base is added.

    Used in 8 profiles

15. buffering capacity

    See alkalinity.

16. buoyancy

    The tendency or capacity to rise, float or sink in water.

    Used in 6 profiles

17. bycatch

    Species other than the target caught incidentally when fishing with a net. Sometimes used when referring to aberrant specimens exported among shipments of wild-collected ornamental fishes.

    Used in 49 profiles