Ichthyological terms, not general ones.
Severe physical condition of unconfirmed origin occurring in certain fishes which appears related to poor water quality and/or nutrition. The primary symptom is necrosis of the tissue surrounding neuromasts on both the head and body and if left unchecked the disorder can result in death. Similar to, but not analagous with, head and lateral line erosion, and does not appear to occur in nature.
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Piece of aquarium equipment that can be thought of as an anaerobic filter. Provides a means by which large enough populations of anaerobic bacteria can be maintained so that nitrates are actively removed from the water in the form of nitrogen gas, a process normally facilitated by regular partial water changes. Also known as a nitrogen filter.
Genus of bacteria previously thought to reduce nitrIte to nitrAte in an aquarium, but which does not occur, or occurs in negligible quantities, in aquaria.
Genus of bacteria which reduces ammonia to nitrIte in an aquarium.
Genus of bacteria which reduces nitrIte to nitrAte in an aquarium.
Naked name; a scientific name unavailable for use because it does not have a corresponding description, reference or indication. Can be made available if published in a fashion sufficient to meet the ICZN criteria of availability, in which case the name is attributed to the person making it available rather than the original author.
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Post-spawning behaviour in which parental duties are shared by both male and female.
Used in 6 profiles
Muscular tube through which food passes from mouth to stomach in vertebrates; the gullet. Also spelled 'esophagus'.
Cell from which an egg or ovum develops.
Either of two dermal, bony structures in the skull, each of which houses an eye; eye socket.
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Fish of the superorder Ostariophysi, members of which are characterised by possession of a Weberian apparatus, i.e., the anterior four or five vertebrae are modified as a protective casing for the bony ossicles which connect the inner ear and swim bladder. The order contains such orders as Cypriniformes, Characiformes, Gymnotiformes, and Siluriformes.
Calcareous structures contained within the inner ear of most fishes, functioning to provide a sense of balance in a similar way to the inner ear in humans, as well as aiding in hearing. Also known as ear bones, ear stones or statoliths. Accumulate layers of calcium carbonate and gelatinous matrix as a fish ages, these forming structures comparable to tree rings which can be used to ascertain the age of an individual, even to the precise day.
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Producing eggs which hatch outside the body, as in most fishes.
Reproductive strategy in which fertilisation occurs internally and the eggs develop inside the body of the mother until hatched, at which point live offspring are born. There is no placental connection between mother and embryo unlike in viviparous species.
Phylogenetic state in which juvenile or larval characters are retained in and throughout the adult stage. May arise via neoteny or progenesis.
The pectoral and pelvic/ventral fins, both of which occur in pairs and are analogous to the fore and hind limbs in higher animals.
Used in 58 profiles
Genus of unicellular ciliate protozoa with a shape resembling a grain of rice, a number of species of which are cultured as live food for small fishes and fry.
Used in 117 profiles
In phylogenetics, a paraphyletic taxon is, loosely, an artificial grouping that does not include all descendants from the common ancestor of its members; monophyletic group from which one or more of clades is omitted in order to form an additional group.
Used in 42 profiles
In zoological nomenclature, a specimen other than the holotype upon which a description is based, i.e., each specimen of a type series other than the holotype.
Used in 9 profiles
Behaviour in which both parents equally share the duties of broodcare.