Ichthyological terms, not general ones.
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
A strand-like structure found in the nucleus of cells that contains DNA and associated proteins. Carries the genes determining heredity.
Used in 5 profiles
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.
Any member of the predominantly aquatic arthropod grouping Crustacea which currently contains almost 70,000 recognised species, including all crabs, lobsters, crayfish, shrimp, krill and barnacles. It's difficult to define their characteristics since the group is of arguable hierarchical status, generally regarded to represent either a Phylum or Subphylum.
Used in 421 profiles
Phylum of generally blue-green coloured bacteria, often confused with algae, that obtain their energy via photosynthesis and include unicellular and colonial species. Some species occur commonly in aquaria where they're normally regarded as pests.
Used in 21 profiles
A phenotype resulting from environmental or ecological conditions rather than genetic inheritance.
Abbreviation of the Latin ex grege, meaning 'from the herd, of the group'. Sometimes used between the generic and specific parts of a binomial name when the precise species is not known but the organism can be identified as belonging to a named group of species.
Used in 2 profiles
Taxonomic rank below order and above genus. Contains one or more genera.
Used in 686 profiles
In biology, Darwinian fitness or simply fitness of a biological trait describes how successful an organism has been at passing on its genes. The more likely that an individual is able to survive and live longer to reproduce, the higher is the fitness of that individual.
Taxonomic group into which a family is divided and which contains one or more species characterised by a shared trait or traits. The generic name is used, either alone or followed by one or two specific epithets, to form a binomen or trinomen.
Used in 1,386 profiles
Abbreviation for general hardness.
Used in 53 profiles
The passing of characteristics or traits from parent or ancestor to offspring or later generations; the sum of such inherited features or their characteristics.
Instrument used to measure the density of a liquid, normally in the form of specific gravity. Can be inaccurate should calcium deposits form on the swing arm, for example, and generally less reliable than a refractometer.
Large, highly diverse invertebrate phylum. Members are difficult to define but generally possess a soft, unsegmented body, and often a shell or shell-like structure secreted by a mantle. Includes all bivalves, cephalopods, and gastropods.
In zoological nomenclature, the first combination of a generic and previously-published specific name.
Also known as the 'Palakkad Gap', a low mountain pass representing the major break in the Western Ghats mountain range. The Nilgiri Hills rise to around 1100 m AMSL north of the gap and the Anaimalai Hills approximately 2000 m AMSL to the south, with average elevation within the gap 144 m AMSL. The gap has been shown to represent a biogeographic barrier restricting gene flow between populations of numerous species including Indian elephant and various birds.
Used in 1 profile
Measure of the acidity or basicity of an aqueous solution. Pure water is said to be neutral, with a pH around 7.0, solutions with pH of less than 7.0 acidic and greater than 7.0 basic or alkaline. Measured on a logarithmic scale of 0.0-14.0 whereby a change of a single unit represents a ten-fold increase in acidity or basicity/alkalinity, i.e., a solution with a pH of 4.0 is ten times more acidic than one of 5.0., and 100 times more acidic than one of 6.0. Some fishes require a relatively specific pH in aquaria, while others are more generalised, with the former requirement often-reduced in captive-bred examples.
Used in 397 profiles
The observable physical and biochemical traits of an organism, such as its behaviour, external morphology, colour pattern, phenology, etc. Influenced by both genetic and environmental factors.
Used in 7 profiles
Tiny aquarium of arguable definition, but generally considered to have a volume between 2.5-5 US gallons (2.08-4.16 UK gallons; 9.46-18.93 litres). Also known as a pico tank.
Generic term applied to numerous non-parasitic flatworms of the class Turbellaria. Also a genus within that class, Planaria. Various species occur in aquaria where they're most often associated with accumulation of uneaten food or organic material and normally considered pests.