Ichthyological terms, not general ones.
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
Prefix meaning narrow or restricted.
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
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
Any of various yellowish or brownish solid compounds found in many plants and used for various commercial purposes. Derived from gallic acid and also known as tannic acid. Often present in water bodies with large amounts of decaying vegetation or where the underlying or surrounding soil contains peat and responsible for the typically brownish (tea-coloured) water in such environments and aquaria containing certain types of wood.
Used in 317 profiles
Refers to the portion of hardness in a water body arising from the presence of dissolved calcium hydrogencarbonate and magnesium hydrogencarbonate. These become less soluble as temperature increases so are removed when water is boiled, for example. Temporary hardness is sometimes referred to as, but is not equivalent to, carbonate hardness.
Used in 1 profile
Slender, elongate, flexible, unsegmented, usually tactile or prehensile, process extending from the body in certain organisms.
Used in 8 profiles
External, umbilical cord-like structure present in members of the family Goodeidae and some other fish groups responsible for transfer of nutrients between an adult female and her internally-developing young. May still be attached to fry at birth.
Used in 4 profiles
A small, rounded, epidermal projection or protuberance present on the head, body, or fins of some fishes. Often developing temporarily during the spawning season and/or in males only.
Used in 24 profiles
Found, appearing or present everywhere.
Used in 29 profiles
The dorsal, caudal, anal and, if present, adipose fins.
Used in 61 profiles
Slender, abundant, crowded teeth resembling villi or the bristles of a brush present in some fishes.
Used in 4 profiles
In biology, a minute, hairlike process present on certain membranes, such as the mucous membrane in the small intestine of many vertebrates. Typically has a sensory or absorptive function.
Hypothetical line, proposed by British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace that marks the transitional boundary between the Oriental and Australian zoogeographical regions. It passes between the islands of Borneo and Sulawesi to its northern limit, Bali and Lombok to the south. To the west of the line organisms descended from Asiatic ancestors predominate, while to the east there exist species of both Asian and Australian origin.
Used in 1 profile
Electrical, often programmable, timing device that alternates power supply to multiple, submerged powerheads at predetermined time intervals. Most often used in marine aquaria to simulate natural wave action.
Anatomical structure connecting the swim bladder to the inner ear found in members of the fish superorder Ostariophysi. Conveys sound and changes in pressure, and comprises four or five modified vertebrae.
Used in 5 profiles
Type of filter normally placed under the aquarium, and often home-made. The basic premise is that water trickles vertically downards through separated compartments containing mechanical and biological filter media with spaces inbetween so that it is also exposed to the air briefly. It then collects in a base chamber or sump from where it is pumped back to the main aquarium. There are many commercial designs available, some of which are more effective than others. Not popular in marine reef aquaria due to the associated accumulation of nitrates as by-product.
Collective term for the young of various fishes, especially herring and sprat. Sometimes used as food for predatory species in aquaria.
Used in 48 profiles