Ichthyological terms, not general ones.
Collective term for certain members of the protozoan Phylum Ciliophora, of which it is considered a subclass in certain classification systems. Members naturally inhabit infusions of decomposing organic material and some are cultured by aquarists in order to feed very small fish fry. The name was formerly applied to a much larger group of aquatic microorganisms which also included some other protist groups and unicellular algae.
Used in 186 profiles
Organism that can be seen only with the aid of a microscope. Typically unicellular, e.g., baceria, protozoa, some algae.
Used in 94 profiles
Sessile, aquatic organisms that live attached to submerged surfaces in aquatic environments. Often complex in form and may comprise organisms from several groups including algae, cyanobacteria, other microbes, and detritus.
Used in 8 profiles
Any salt or ester of phosphoric acid. The presence or addition of excessive phosphates in aquatic ecosystems can have significant ecological effects such as eutrophication, and they are one of the primary contributors to algal growth in aquaria if allowed to accumulate. Conversely, they may be actively added to heavily-planted set-ups in the form of liquid or other supplements in order to encourage plant growth.
Chemical process occurring in the cells of plants, algae and certain other organisms by which carbon dioxide is converted into organic compounds, especially sugars, using the energy from sunlight.
The photosynthesizing constituent of a planktonic community, consisting of algae, cyanobacteria and other microorganisms.
Used in 28 profiles
Any organism, or more typically, collection of organisms drifting freely in a body of water. Used in reference to both microscopic, e.g. algae, fish larvae, and larger, e.g. jellyfish, organisms.
Used in 15 profiles
Rootlike, filamentous structure used for attachment to a substrate and uptake of nutrients in mosses, ferns, and related plants, plus certain algae and fungi.
Division of eukaryotic algae containing thousands of species, most of which are multicellular and inhabit marine environments, e.g., many seaweeds.
Used in 3 profiles
Any member of the yellow-green algae genus Symbiodinium, comprising unicellular, flagellate protozoa that exist within the cells of other protozoa and some invertebrates, especially corals. They thus form an endosymbiosis in which they can provide up to 90% of the host's energy requirements.
Carotenoid pigment found naturally in some fishes, crustaceans, microalgae and yeasts. Known to improve conditioning/colouration and used in some fish foods.
Used in 2 profiles