Results for “species”

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.

broodstock

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

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

C number

Coding system used to organise and refer to unidentified catfishes, though not necessarily undescribed or distinct species, of the genus Corydoras. Works in tandem with the similar CW number system. The system was invented by German aquarist Hans-Georg Evers and first appeared in the magazine 'DATZ' but is now in popular use worldwide.

Used in 67 profiles

cardiform

Arranged like a series of combs or the wire bristles on a wool card. In ichthyology used most commonly to describe the form and arrangement of teeth in certain species.

caudal peduncle scale count

Count often used in species descriptions and comparisons, made by counting the number of scales present around the narrowest part of the caudal peduncle.

cavity brooder

Reproductive strategy characteristic of certain fishes, e.g., many cichlids, in which eggs in a cavity, cave or similar. The clutch is normally guarded aggressively by one or both parents. Such species may also be referred to as 'cave brooders/breeders'.

cement gland

Temporary organ normally located on the head in fry of some fish species. Excretes an adhesive substance and used to attach to solid surfaces.

cenote

A water-filled limestone sinkhole. The term is normally used to refer to such features located specifically in the Yucatán Peninsula, southeastern Mexico.

Used in 2 profiles

character

In ichthyology, any characteristic or its attributes used for recognising, describing, defining, or differentiating species, genera or higher taxa. Also used in phylogenetic analyses whereby ancestral (primitive) characters are termed plesiomorphic and derived (novel) characters apomorphic.

Used in 843 profiles

checklist

List of species, sometimes annotated.

Used in 2 profiles

Chilonodella

Genus of unicellular, ciliated protozoa; some species are parasites of the skin and gills in freshwater fishes.

chironomid

Any member of the Chironomidae, a family of nonbiting midges with larvae normally found in freshwater. The larvae of some species are produced commercially for fish food and commonly referred to as 'bloodworm'.

Used in 342 profiles

cladistics

Taxonomical method used to classify species of organisms into clades, each of which contains an ancestor organism and all its descendants, based on synapomorphies (shared derived characters). Cladistic classifications are usually presented in the form of a cladogram.

cladogram

Branching, tree-like diagram used in cladistics to represent the evolutionary tree of life. Used to depict phylogenetic relationships and show points at which species diverged from their common ancestral forms.

clone

Specimen descended from and genetically identical to a single common ancestor with natural examples normally resulting from asexual reproductive events. Produced via parthenogenesis in some fishes.

Cnidaria

Phylum of aquatic organisms that includes the corals, jellyfishes, sea anemones, hydrae, etc., and characterised by possession of specialised venomous cells known as cnidocytes. Formerly included in the now-defunct phylum Coelenterata.

commensal

Of, relating to, characterised by or participating in a symbiotic relationship in which one species gains some benefit while the other is unaffected.

conspecific

Of or belonging to the same species.

Used in 556 profiles

costiasis

Disease of freshwater fishes caused by species of parasitic flagellate protozoa from the genus Ichthyobodo and more accurately referred to as ichthyobodiosis. It attacks the gills, fins and skin with symptoms including an increase body mucus secretion giving rise to the vernacular term 'skin slime disease'. Can be treated using proprietary products but frequently fatal otherwise.