adaptive radiation
Speciation of a taxonomic group into several forms, each specialised to fill a previously vacant ecological niche, as exemplified by Rift Lake cichlids, for example.
Used in 60 profiles
Results for “ich”
Ichthyological terms, not general ones.
adsorption
The process by which molecules of a substance are attracted to and accumulate on the surface of another substance, such as a solid, but do not enter it. Activated carbon is highly adsorptive.
albino
A person or animal lacking or deficient in normal pigmentation due to an absence of melanin. Albino animals typically possess red eyes, unlike leucistic forms which typically have normally-coloured eyes.
Used in 50 profiles
alimentary canal
The passage (including the oesophagus, stomach, and intestines when present) along which food passes through the body from mouth to anus.
alkali
A substance which neutralises an acid.
Used in 2 profiles
allelopathy
A biological phenomenon by which an organism produces one or more biochemicals that affect the growth, survival, and reproduction of others. Typical in certain plants, algae, bacteria, coral, and fungi.
altruistic behaviour
Behaviour which benefits other organisms. May be expressed at the level of the individual, group, or more extensive social system.
Used in 2 profiles
ammonia
The chemical compound NH3, which is toxic to fish. The main source in aquaria is the breakdown of protein by a fish's metabolism.
Used in 4 profiles
amphidromy
A form of diadromy in which fishes migrate between fresh and marine water as part of their life cycle for some purpose other than spawning, e.g., newly-hatched, arvae may be swept downstream into the sea where they spend a period of time before migrating back into fresh water to mature and eventually reproduce.
Used in 15 profiles
amphipod
A crustacean of the order Amphipoda, most of which are small and have a laterally-compressed shape. The suborder Gammaridea contains all freshwater species.
Used in 1 profile
anal-fin origin
Anteriormost point at which the anal fin base is attached to the body.
Used in 108 profiles
anastomosis
The connection of separate parts of a branching system to form a network. Sometimes used to describe the process by which a relatively regular, e.g. striped, patterning in juveniles of certain fishes breaks up as they mature.
Used in 6 profiles
annelid
Member of the phylum Annelida which comprises a large group of segmented, usually elongate, worm-like invertebrates. Contains both earthworms and leeches among others.
Used in 1 profile
annual fish
A fish species which naturally completes its life cycle within a year at the end of which it dies leaving behind fertile eggs which typically survive in the soil and hatch during the next rainy season. Often used in reference to certain South American and African killifishes.
Used in 4 profiles
anus
Opening at the lower end of the alimentary canal through which solid waste is excreted.
Used in 90 profiles
aplacental viviparity
Also known as ovoviviparity. Method of reproduction employed by certain fishes in which the eggs are fertilised and develop inside the female but there is no placental connection. The juveniles are free-swimming and able to feed as soon as they leave the female's body.
aquascape
To arrange plants and other décor in an aquarium, the art of which is a hobby itself for many people. Also refers to the completed display once all décor has been added.
Used in 6 profiles
armoured
Used in reference to certain fishes which have protective, typically bony, plates or scutes on the body, e.g., armoured catfishes.
Used in 107 profiles
artesian well
A well, normally deep-drilled through impermeable material through which water is then rises via natural hydrostatic pressure.
Used in 1 profile
arthropod
Any member of the phylum Arthropoda, these being characterised by a (usually) chitinous exoskeleton and segmented body to which jointed appendages are attached in pairs. Arthropods include the insects, crustaceans, arachnids, myriapods, and extinct trilobites, and comprise the largest phylum in the animal kingdom.
Used in 3 profiles