Glossary

171 terms beginning with S · showing 81–120

1. specific gravity

   Ratio of the density of a liquid to the density compared with pure water. Often used to deduce the salinity of aquarium water and measured using a hydrometer or refractometer.

   Used in 6 profiles

2. specific name

   See specific epithet.

3. specimen

   Individual organism regarded as typical of the group or class to which it belongs; the whole or part of such an organism collected and preserved for scientific purposes.

   Used in 1,087 profiles

4. speciose

   Containing a high number of species. Normally applied to a taxonomic group or specified geographical area.

   Used in 177 profiles

5. speckled

   Covered in small marks of colour.

   Used in 6 profiles

6. sphenoid

   Wedge-shaped; a bone at the base of the skull; of or relating to the sphenoid bone.

7. spine

   See fin spine; also a hard, pointed, protective outgrowth or process elsewhere on the body, e.g., a preopercular spine; the spinal column of a vertebrate.

   Used in 414 profiles

8. spinelet

   A small spine.

   Used in 9 profiles

9. spiniform

   Shaped like a spine.

10. spinous

    Possessing or resembling a spine.

    Used in 82 profiles

11. spiracle

    An external respiratory opening, located between the eye and gill opening in certain, usually primitive, fishes.

    Used in 13 profiles

12. sponge filter

    A basic air-powered filter which draws water through a sponge before returning it to the aquarium. Typically used in small aquaria where gentle water flow is required, or when raising fry.

    Used in 277 profiles

13. sport

    In biology, to result in or undergo a mutation; an individual having undergone this process.

    Used in 25 profiles

14. sport fish

    Fish targeted by recreational anglers.

    Used in 16 profiles

15. spot

    In fishes, a small, usually roundish marking that differs in colouration or texture compared with the surrounding surface.

    Used in 789 profiles

16. spp.

    Abbreviation used when two or more species are being referred to.

17. spur

    In fishes, normally refers to a a stiff sharp spine or bony outgrowth.

18. squamation

    The arrangement of scales on the body; the condition of possessing scales; scaled; scalation.

    Used in 12 profiles

19. standard length

    Measurement taken from the tip of the snout to the midlateral, posterior edge of the hypural plate or posterior edge of the last vertebra, thus excluding the caudal fin. May also exclude the length of the lower jaw should it project beyond the snout. It is the standard scientific measurement used for most fish species because the caudal fin easily becomes damaged in preserved specimens. Abbreviated to SL.

    Used in 48 profiles

20. standing water

    Water not actively-moving; stagnant; still.

    Used in 30 profiles

21. stellate

    Star-shaped; arranged in a radiating form resembling that of a star.

22. steno-

    Prefix meaning narrow or restricted.

23. stenophagy

    Feeding on only a limited range of food types.

24. stenotypic

    Able to live only under a certain, narrow range of environmental conditions.

    Used in 19 profiles

25. sting

    Sharp, pointed, piercing organ normally formed from a modified spine and secreting venom from glands at its base when present in fishes; the act of stinging; the wound or pain caused by stinging.

    Used in 110 profiles

26. stolon

    A horizontal connection between organisms, e.g., the branching, stem-like structure seen in some lower animals and more commonly, higher plants.

27. strain

    In ornamental fishes, a group of related individuals developed via selective breeding and sharing common features not present in other strains of the same species.

    Used in 44 profiles

28. streak

    A long, normally thin line, marking, or band differing in colour from the surrounding surface.

    Used in 18 profiles

29. streaked

    Possessing one or more streaks.

    Used in 1 profile

30. streamlined

    Contoured to reduce resistance to motion through a fluid.

    Used in 10 profiles

31. stressor

    Chemical or biological agent, environmental condition, external stimulus or event that causes stress to an organism.

    Used in 1 profile

32. stria

    A linear mark, line, ridge, or groove on a surface.

33. striae

    Plural of stria.

34. striate

    To mark with striae.

35. striated

    Marked with or otherwise possessing striae or striations, especially when arranged in a parallel series.

    Used in 4 profiles

36. striation

    Arrangement or pattern formed by a series of striae; being striate or marked with striae.

37. stridulate

    To produce sound by rubbing body parts together.

38. stridulation

    Production of sound by rubbing body parts together; the sound thus produced.

    Used in 4 profiles

39. strip

    To artificially remove gametes from for captive breeding; to forcefully remove eggs or fry from the buccal cavity of a mouthbrooding fish in order to hatch/raise them elsewhere.

    Used in 140 profiles

40. stripe

    Narrow band of colour or tissue distinguished from the surrounding surface by colour or texture. Often arranged in a parallel series.

    Used in 437 profiles