Ichthyological terms, not general ones.
Gas-filled sac with 1-3 chambers, situated just below the vertebral column in most ray-finned fishes. Its primary function is to aid in buoyancy by offsetting the weight of heavier structures such as bone, but is also used for respiration or sound production in some species. Often reduced in benthic fishes and sometimes absent altogether. Also known as the air or swim bladder.
Used in 104 profiles
Severe physical condition relatively common to certain fishes in captivity and also known as hole-in-the-head. Sometimes attributed to protozoan parasites of the genus Hexamita or an autoimmune disorder though these theories remains unconfirmed. Certainly associated with and exacerbated by poor water quality and/or nutrition, however. Initially manifests itself as small lesions, normally on the head of an affected individual, but may also extend along the lateral line and into the unpaired fins. If left unchecked these lesions can develop into larger, whitish pits and the condition may prove fatal. Often abbreviated to HLLE and similar to, but not analagous with, neuromastic pitting. Does not appear to occur in nature.
Used in 35 profiles
Bony process extending posteriorly from the pectoral girdle, above the base of the pectoral fin. Present only in certain fishes.
Used in 8 profiles
A marking on the body in the area analogous to the humerus, or shoulder. In fishes it's normally located above the pectoral-fin and behind the opercle. There may be more than a single such spot in some species.
Used in 42 profiles
Of, relating to, forming or being one of the partially-fused hemal spines that support the caudal fin rays in most teleosts.
Used in 19 profiles
Series of bones to which the caudal fin rays are attached.
Used in reference to a structure, e.g., a fin, with a small notch in the middle. Similar to emarginate.
Used in 1 profile
Point on the body of a fish at which emerges the front or rear edge of a fin.
Used in 42 profiles
Located between two fin rays or spines.
Used in 2 profiles
The membrane connecting fin rays and spines in fishes.
Used in 15 profiles
Used in reference to a modified fin of a male which aids in transfer of gametes to the female during reproduction.
Used in 4 profiles
Ridgelike structure located on the ventral surface, caudal peduncle or caudal fin base in certain fishes.
Used in 35 profiles
Bony process or plate at the base of the first ( unbranched ) and second ( first branched ) ray of the pectoral-fin in most male specimens of the family Cobitidae. It is also known as 'Canestrini's scale'.
Used in 24 profiles
Lance or spear-shaped; gradually tapering to a point. Used to describe the shape of a caudal fin with long central rays.
Used in 19 profiles
The number of more-or-less vertically-arranged scale rows present between the upper end of the gill opening and the caudal fin base. Sometimes referred to as vertical scale rows and used in meristic counts when the lateral line is absent, incompletely pored or otherwise difficult to distinguish.
Used in 9 profiles
Bony structures that form segments of the soft fin rays in Osteichthyes.
Used in 1 profile
Crescent-shaped. Sometimes used to describe a caudal fin with a deeply emarginate shape.
Used in 8 profiles
A countable trait, e.g., the number of rays in a fin, gill rakers, lateral line scales, etc..
Used in 4 profiles
In fishes, the part of the dorsal surface between the posterior edge of the skull and dorsal fin insertion.
Used in 37 profiles
Used in reference to a caudal fin with a tapering shape.