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Term

Meaning and Explanation

Category

Abdomen Belly; lowest part of fish body. Fish Anatomy
Abyssal zone Region of the ocean floor between the depths of 4000 and 6000 meters. Habitat
Abyssopelagic Pelagic zone between the depths of 4000 and 6000 meters. Habitat
Actinosts Series of bones at the base of the pectoral rays. Fish Anatomy
Acuminate Tapering gradually to a point. Description
Acute Pointed; Sharp. Description
Adipose eyelid Transparent fleshy tissue covering part or all of the eye in some fishes. Fish Anatomy
Adipose fin Small fleshy fin-like projection on the back between the dorsal fin and the caudal fin. Only some fishes have it. Fish Anatomy
Adnate Joined together. Description
Adpressed Pressed close to or lying close against body. Description
Aestivate Dormant or inactive during dry period. Biology
Affluent A stream or river that flows into a larger one; a tributary. Habitat
Airbladder Also referred to as swimbladder or gasbladder. A gas-filled sac lying under the backbone in the abdominal cavity, used in buoyancy. Fish Anatomy
Amphidromous Fish that migrate from fresh water to the seas, or vice versa, but not for the purpose of breeding. Biology
Anadromous Living mostly in salt water and migrating to spawn in fresh water. Biology
Anal Pertaining to the anus or anal fin. Fish Anatomy
Anal fin Lower fin on the belly behind the anus. Fish Anatomy
Angler A person that uses a fishing rod and reel to catch fish. Fishing
Angling Recreational catching of fish with hook, bait, line and fishing rod or pole. Fishing
Ankylosed Grown firmly together. Description
Antennae Paired feelers on the head of crustaceans. Other
Anterior Pertaining to the front portion. Description
Anti-reverse Fishing reel mechanical system that prevents the reel from spinning in reverse rotation and causing tangles. Fishing
Antrorse Turned forward. Description
Anus Vent; opening of the intestine through which wastes are excreted. Fish Anatomy
Archipelago A group of islands; an expanse of water with scattered islands. Habitat
Arthropods Member of Phylum Arthropoda having a hard exoskeleton and jointed legs; includes insects, crustaceans, and arachnids. Biology
Asperity Rough edge on a surface. Description
Asymetrical Not symmetry, uneven, of different shape or size. Description
Attenuate Tapering to a point. Description
Attenuate Elongate; extended or drawn out. Description
Attractant Scent additive applied to fishing lures to attract fish. Fishing
Axil Angular area between pectoral fin and body. Fish Anatomy
Axillary scale An elongate or modified scale at the insertion of the pelvic or pectoral fins. Only on some fishes. Fish Anatomy
Backlash A tangle or snarl in the fishing line cause by overrun spool. Fishing
Backwater An area of a river that is sometimes isolated. Habitat
Bail arm A semi circular part of a fishing reel that guides the line on the spool. Fishing
Baitrunner A fishing reel with more than one drag settings that can be switched. Fishing
Band An oblique or irregular marking. Description
Bar An elongate nearly straight vertical marking. Description
Barb A sharp projection on the fishing hook that holds a hooked fish. Fishing
Barbel Fleshy whisker-like projection, usually under the mouth. Fish Anatomy
Basal Pertaining to the base. Description
Base of fin The part of the fin that attaches to the body. Fish Anatomy
Bathyl Zone Region of the ocean floor between the depths of 1000 and 4000 meters. Habitat
Bathypelagic Pelagic zone between the depths of 1000 and 4000 meters. Habitat
Bay Indentation in the shoreline of a river, lake or other body of water. Habitat
Bayou A marshy outlet of a lake or river. Habitat
Benthic Refer to to the ocean bottom; bottom-dwelling; living on the sea bed. Habitat
Benthopelagic Living in the waters above but near the bottom. Habitat
Blind Side The side of a flatfish that does not have any eyes. Fish Anatomy
Blotch An enlarged area or patch that is different in colour from adjacent areas. Description
Bobber A float attached to the line to hold the bait or lure at a predetermined depth and act as a strike indicator. Fishing
Bottom fishing Fishing with the hook placed close to the water bed for benthic fish. Fishing
Brackish Mixed fresh and marine water. Habitat
Branchiae The gills of fish and some invertebrate animals. Fish Anatomy
Branchial aperture Gill opening. Fish Anatomy
Branchiostegal rays Bony rays supporting the membranes inside the lower part of the gill cover, behind the lower jaw. Fish Anatomy
Breast Ventral surface of body between the gill opening and pectoral or pelvic fins. Fish Anatomy
Bristle Stiff projection. Description
Canine teeth Slender conical, often enlarged and elongated teeth. Fish Anatomy
Carapace Shell or exoskeleton encasing the body. Crustacean Anatomy
Carnivorous Feeding on animals; flesh eating. Biology
Cartilage A gristle-like material that is more flexible than bone, but serving a similar structural purpose. Fish Anatomy
Caruncle A fleshy outgrowth. Fish Anatomy
Casting The act of throwing bait or lure over the water,using a fishing rod. Fishing
Catadromous Living mostly in fresh water and migrating to the sea to spawn. Biology
Caudal Pertaining to the tail. Fish Anatomy
Caudal fin Tail fin. Fish Anatomy
Caudal keel A lateral ridge found just forward of the tail fin on the caudal peduncle of some fast-swimming fish. Fish Anatomy
Caudal peduncle The base of the tail between the end of anal fin and the base of caudal fin; caudal wrist. Fish Anatomy
Caudal wrist The base of the tail between the end of anal fin and the base of caudal fin; caudal peduncle. Fish Anatomy
Cephalopods Member of the molluscan class Cephalopoda characterized by bilateral body symmetry, a prominent head, and a set of arms or tentacles converge at the head. Typically octopuses and squids. Biology
Cheek Side of head below and slightly behind the eye. Fish Anatomy
Cirri Plural of cirrus. Fish Anatomy
Cirrus A small, fleshy protuberance, often subdivided into branches. Fish Anatomy
Claspers External reproductive organs of male sharks, rays and chimaeras. Fish Anatomy
Cleaner fish Refer to cleaning stations. Habitat
Cleaning stations Places on the reef where where various species of fish and shrimps, known as cleaners live. These small fish and shrimp pick off bacteria, parasites and dead skin from the skin, scales, gills and even the mouths of fish. Habitat
Cleithral spine Spine at the dorsal end of the cleithrum, usually prominent when present and directed backwards. Fish Anatomy
Cleithrum Major bone providing basal support for the pectoral girdle and fin. Fish Anatomy
Compressed body Body flattened laterally. Description
Concave Curved inwards. Opposite of convex. Description
Continental rise The gentle slope at the base of the continental slope. Habitat
Continental shelf The flattened edge of the continental land mass between the coast and the continental slope. Generally from the subtidal zone to about 200 meters depth. Habitat
Continental slope The sloping edge of the continental land mass. Generally beginning from about 200 meters to 4000 meters depth. Habitat
Convex Curved outwards. Opposite of concave. Description
Corselet A scaly covering forms behind the head, encircling the pectoral region and continues along the lateral line of some fishes. Present on some scombrids. Fish Anatomy
Cranial Pertaining to the skull. Fish Anatomy
Cranium Skull. Fish Anatomy
Crenulate Scalloped or wavy edge. Description
Crustacean Member of the subphylum Crustacea which include crabs, lobsters, crayfish, shrimp, krill and barnacles. Biology
Ctenoid scale Scale with a spiny or toothed posterior margin. Description
Cutaneous Pertaining to the skin. Fish Anatomy
Cycloid scale Scale with smooth posterior margin. Description
Deciduous scales Easily shed or rubbed off scales. Description
Deep ocean current Current driven by density and temperature gradients. Habitat
Demersal Living on or near the sea bottom. Habitat
Dendritic Resembling a tree or shrub. Description
Denticle Small tooth-like structures. Fish Anatomy
Depressed body Body flattened from top to bottom. Description
Depth of body The height of the body or head from top to bottom. Description
Dermal Pertaining to the skin. Fish Anatomy
Diadromous Fish that migrate between the sea and fresh water for breeding purpose. Biology
Dimorphic Body shape and colour varies between the sexes. Biology
Disc The flattened head and body of batoid fishes. Fish Anatomy
Distal Near outer edge; far end from point of attachment. Description
Diurnal Active during daylight. Biology
Dorsal Pertaining to the back. Fish Anatomy
Dorsal fin Upper body fin. Sometimes consist of 2 or more separated fins. Fish Anatomy
Dorsum The upper surface of the head or body. Fish Anatomy
Drift fishing Fishing while the boat drifts with the current. Fishing
Ebb tide A falling tide, the phase of the tide between high water and the succeeding low water. Habitat
Ecosystem A community of organisms interacting with one another and the physical environment. Habitat
Edentulous Without teeth. Description
Elasmobranchs Cartilaginous fishes. Biology
Electrocyte Cell that generates electricity. Fish Anatomy
Elongate Extended in length. Description
Emarginate caudal fin Caudal fin shape with margin slightly concave. Description
Endangered species A population of an organism which is at risk of becoming extinct. Other
Endemic Native and restricted to a particular region or area. Habitat
Epibenthic Living on the bottom surface. Habitat
Epipelagic Pelagic zone from the surface to the depths of 200 meters. Also photic zone, euphotic zone, sunlit zone or sunlight zone. Habitat
Esca The lure on the end of the illicium of some fishes. Fish Anatomy
Estuarine Living mainly in estuaries. Habitat
Estuary The tidal reaches of rivers; partly enclosed body of mixed sea water and fresh water. Habitat
Euryhaline Organisms that are able to adapt to a wide range of salinities. Habitat
Eyed Side The side of a flatfish that has both eyes. Fish Anatomy
Falcate Shape of sickle or scythe. Description
Falciform Curve like a sickle. Description
Family A group term for classifying organisms, containing one or more related genera. Biology
Farmed fish Fish farmed using aquaculture techniques. Other
Filiform Threadlike. Description
Fimbriate Fringed at the margin. Description
Fin insertion The anterior or posterior point of attachment of a fin to the body. Fish Anatomy
Finlets Series of small fins arranged along the back and belly usually close to the caudal fin. Fish Anatomy
Fish finder Electronic sonar device which indicates the presence of fish. Fishing
Flexion The action of bending or the condition of being bent. Description
Fluviatile Living in river. Habitat
Fly fishing A fishing technique using artificial fly or lure. Fishing
Forked caudal fin Caudal fin shape with distinct upper and lower lobes and the posterior margin of each lobe relatively straight or gently curved. Description
Fork length (FL) The length of a fish as measured from the tip of the snout to the center of the fork in the caudal fin. Measurement for fishes with forked tails and which it is difficult to tell where the vertebral column ends. Fish Anatomy
Frontal ridge A ridge running along the top of the head along the midline. Fish Anatomy
Furcate Forked. Description
Fusiform body Body shape that is cylindrical and tapering at both ends. Description
Game fish Fish caught for sport. Fishing
Gasbladder A gas-filled sac lying under the backbone in the abdominal cavity, used in buoyancy. Also referred to as airbladder or swimbladder. Fish Anatomy
Gastropods Member of the molluscan class Gastropoda consisting of snails and slugs. Biology
Genera Plural of genus. Biology
Genus A group term for classifying organisms, containing one or more related species. Biology
Gill Organ for exchange of dissolved gasses between water and the blood stream. Fish Anatomy
Gill arches The bony arches to which the gills are attached. Fish Anatomy
Gill cover The plate at the posterior end of the head that covers the gills; also called operculum. Fish Anatomy
Gill filaments Principal site of gas exchange in the gill. Fish Anatomy
Gill membrane membranes along the posterior and ventral margin of the gill cover. Fish Anatomy
Gill opening Opening behind the operculum. Fish Anatomy
Gill rakers A series of bony projections along the anterior edges of the gill arches. Help prevent food from escaping through the gill opening. Fish Anatomy
Gill slits Slit-like gills openings in fishes such as sharks, rays, and skates. Fish Anatomy
Gizzard An organ for grinding food; also called ventriculus. Fish Anatomy
Glossohyal Tongue bone. Fish Anatomy
Gonad An organ that produces gametes; a testis or ovary. Fish Anatomy
Gonopodium A modification of the anal fin of some male fish species to serve as a copulatory organ. Fish Anatomy
Gular plate Bony plate covering the underside of the head, behind the chin and between the sides of the lower jaw. Fish Anatomy
Gulf A large area of water bordered by land on three sides. Habitat
Habitat The place or environment where an organism naturally or normally lives and grows. Habitat
Hadalpelagic Pelagic zone between the depths of 6000 and 10300 meters. Habitat
Hadal Zone Region of the ocean floor between the depths of 6000 and 10300 meters. Habitat
Halocline A zone in which salinity changes rapidly. Habitat
Handline Fishing line used without a rod or reel. Fishing
Haremic A mating system where a group of female animals share a single mate. Biology
Herbivorous Feeding on plant. Biology
Heterocercal caudal fin The shape of a tail fin with a long upper lobe and a shorter lower lobe. Description
Hyaline Translucent or transparent. Description
Hypoxia Depletion of dissolved oxygen to a level which is harmful to aquatic organisms. Habitat
Hypural The spines or bones of the last few vertebrae that supports the caudal fin rays. Fish Anatomy
Hypural bone Plate-like bone supporting the caudal fin. Fish Anatomy
Ichthyologist Scientist who studies fish. Other
Ichthyoplankton Fish eggs and larvae. Biology
Illicium The modified isolated first ray of the dorsal fin that forms the “fishing rod" in anglerfishes. Fish Anatomy
Imbricate Overlapping arrangement as in roof tiles and fish scales. Description
Incised fin Fin membranes with a notched margin. Description
Incisor The front and flattened chisel-shaped tooth. Fish Anatomy
Inferior mouth Mouth position on underside of head with snout projecting in front of mouth. Description
Infraorbital canal The canal running from behind mid-eye, courses down and under the eye, and continues forward nearly to the snout. Fish Anatomy
Infraorbital pores Pores in infraorbital canal located along upper jaw below and slightly before eye. Fish Anatomy
Initial phase Colour phase of some fish comprising non-juvenile females and immature males. Biology
Interbreed Hybrid offspring produced by two different species. Biology
Interdorsal The space on the back between the bases of the first and second dorsal fins. Fish Anatomy
Interopercle The lower anterior bone of the gill cover. Fish Anatomy
Interorbital The space on top of the head between the eyes. Fish Anatomy
Intertidal The area of the shore covered at high tide and exposed at low tide. Habitat
Intromittent organ A male copulatory organ in some internally fertilizating species. Fish Anatomy
Isthmus The fleshy projection part of the underside of the head separating the gill openings. Fish Anatomy
Jaws The part of the mouth supporting the teeth. Fish Anatomy
Jigging A technique of fishing using jigs or lures on a vertical line that moved up and down. Fishing
Jugular Pertaining to the throat region. Fish Anatomy
Juvenile Young; immature life stage. Description
Juxtaposed Placed close together. Description
Keel A fleshy ridge. Fish Anatomy
Labial Pertaining to the lips. Fish Anatomy
Labial furrows Shallow grooves around the lips of many cartilaginous fish. Fish Anatomy
Labial papillae Fleshy projections around the lips. Fish Anatomy
Lagoon A body of shallow water separated from the deeper sea by a shallow or exposed sandbank, coral reef, or similar feature. Habitat
Lanceolate Spear-shaped or lance-shaped. Description
Larva Early life stage of some animals which often looks very different than the adult. Biology
Lateral The side or toward the side. Description
Lateral line Series of sensory pores opening to the exterior located along the side of fish. Fish Anatomy
Lateral-line pores Pores in lateral-line canal, usually beginning behind eye and ending near tail tip. Fish Anatomy
Leader A wire or real strong fishing line that attaches to the end of the main line. Fishing
Lepidophagous Scale-eater. Behaviour
Lepidophagy Specialised feeding behaviour in fish that involves eating of scales of other fish. Biology
Littoral The intertidal area of the shore. Habitat
Longline A line bearing numerous baited hooks, typically set horizontally in water column. Fishing
Lunate caudal fin Caudal fin shaped like a crescent moon; caudal-fin shape that is deeply emarginate with long and narrow lobes. Description
Mandible Lower jaw. Fish Anatomy
Margin Edge or rim. Fish Anatomy
Maxilla The bone in the upper jaw behind the premaxilla. Fish Anatomy
Maxillary teeth Upper jaw teeth. Fish Anatomy
Median The middle or toward the midline. Description
Median fins Fins that lie on the midline which include the dorsal, anal, and caudal fins. Fish Anatomy
Melanophore Melanin bearing cell carrying black or greyish pigments. Fish Anatomy
Mesopelagic Pelagic zone between the depths of 200 and 1000 meters. Habitat
Midwater The middle stratum of water, well below the surface and well above the seabed. Habitat
Molar Low,blunt,rounded tooth for crushing and grinding. Fish Anatomy
Molariform teeth Broad, rounded teeth adapted for grinding. Fish Anatomy
Mollusk Member of Phylum Mollusca having a soft body and usually a shell. Biology
Mud flat Coastal wetlands that form when mud is deposited by the tides or rivers, sea and oceans. Habitat
Multiserial teeth Teeth arranged in multiple rows. Fish Anatomy
Nape The dorsal part of the body just behind the hard dorsal region of the skull and before the dorsal fin. Fish Anatomy
Nasoral Region between the nostrils and mouth. Fish Anatomy
Neap tide The tide with the least difference between the high and low level water. During first quarter and last quarter moon. Habitat
Neritic Nearshore; the zone of water above the continental shelves. Habitat
Nictitating membrane Inner eyelid. Fish Anatomy
Nocturnal Active during nighttime. Biology
Nuchal Pertaining to the nape. Fish Anatomy
Oblique Slanting or sloping. Description
Obtuse Blunt. Description
Occipital Pertaining to the upper back part of the head or skull. Fish Anatomy
Occiput Upper back part of the head or skull. Fish Anatomy
Oceanic Living in the open ocean. Habitat
Oceanodromous Fish that migrate only within marine waters. Biology
Ocelli Plural of ocellus. Description
Ocellus A round eye-like spot or marking with a marginal ring. Description
Ocular Pertaining to the eye. Fish Anatomy
Olfactory Pertaining to the sense of smell. Fish Anatomy
Omnivorous Feeding on both animals and plants. Biology
Opercle The large posterior upper bone of the gill cover. Fish Anatomy
Opercular Pertaining to the operculum. Fish Anatomy
Opercular spine Spine projecting from the gill gover. Fish Anatomy
Operculum Gill cover; the plate at the posterior end of the head that covers the gills. Fish Anatomy
Orbital bones The bones surrounding the eye. Fish Anatomy
Origin of fin The anterior point of attachment of the fin to the body. Fish Anatomy
Osseus Bone. Fish Anatomy
Otolith A small bone or earstone in the inner ear of fishes. Fish Anatomy
Ovate Egg-shaped. Description
Ovigerous Carrying or bearing eggs. Biology
Oviparous Producing eggs that hatch outside the body of the mother. Biology
Oxbow A U-shaped bend in a river or stream. Habitat
Paired fins Fins found on both sides of the body which include the pectoral and pelvic fins. Fish Anatomy
Palate The roof of the mouth. Fish Anatomy
Palatine The paired bones on each side of the palate. Fish Anatomy
Papilla A small fleshy projection. Fish Anatomy
Papillae Plural of Papilla Fish Anatomy
Papillose Covered with papillae. Fish Anatomy
Pectoral fins Paired fins on the sides behind the gill cover. Fish Anatomy
Pelagic Living on or in the open seas or oceans but not near the bottom. Habitat
Pelvic fins Paired fins behind or below the pectoral fins, and in front of the anal fin. Also called ventral fins. Fish Anatomy
Pharyngeal Pertaining to the back part of the throat, into which the gill slits open. Fish Anatomy
Piscivorous Feeding on fishes. Biology
Planktivorous Feeding on plankton. Biology
Polygonal Shape having more than four sides. Description
Pore A small secretory or sensory opening. Fish Anatomy
Posterior Pertaining to the rear portion. Description
Postorbital Region behind the eye. Fish Anatomy
Potamodromous Fish that migrate between upstream and downstream in freshwater. Habitat
Preanal length The horizontal distance from the snout tip to the mid-anus. Fish Anatomy
Predator Animal that captures its prey live. Biology
Premaxilla Anterior bone in the upper jaw. Fish Anatomy
Preopercle The upper anterior bone of the gill cover. Fish Anatomy
Preorbital Region under and in front of the eye. Fish Anatomy
Protractile Capable of being thrust out. Description
Protrusible Capable of being thrust out. Description
Proximal Nearest. Description
Pseudobranchium A small patch of gill-like filaments on the upper inner surface of the gill cover. Fish Anatomy
Ray Supporting element of fins. Fish Anatomy
Recruitment Entry of individuals into a particular category. Habitat
Red tide Proliferation of marine plankton that is toxic and often fatal to fish. This phenomenon is stimulated by phosphorus and other nutrients that are discharged into waterways by human beings. Habitat
Reticulum The colour pattern in which lines form a network pattern around and between spots. Description
Retrorse Turned or pointing backward. Description
Rhomboidal caudal fin Caudal fin having top and bottom unequal length/shape. Description
Roe Eggs of fishes. Biology
Rostrum Projecting snout or beak of the carapace of a crustacean. Other
Rounded caudal fin Caudal fin shape with the terminal border smoothly convex. Description
Rudiment A poorly developed structure. Description
Saddle A blotch extending across the dorsal surface from one side to another. Description
Salinity Saltiness of the water. Habitat
Scale A small, flattened, rigid, and circumscribed plate on the external body. Fish Anatomy
Scavenger Animal that feeds on dead organisms or organic matter. Biology
Scute A modified scale. Can be enlarged, horny, hardened, ridged, keeled, or spiny. Fish Anatomy
Seine A fishing net that hangs vertically in the water column and encircles fish when its ends are drawn together. Fishing
Semidemersal fish Fish living above the seafloor, feed mainly on zooplankton. Habitat
Serrate Saw-like notches along a margin. Description
Setae Bristles or hardened hair-like projections. Description
Sexual dimorphism Differences in physical appearance between the sexes. Biology
Sinker A weight used to sink the bait or lure. Fishing
Snout The part of the head in front of the eyes. Fish Anatomy
Soft dorsal The posterior portion of the dorsal fin which is composed of jointed rays. Fish Anatomy
Soft ray Laterally paired, segmented, and usually flexible and branched fin support element. Fish Anatomy
Spatial Pertaining to distribution, distance, direction, areas and other aspects of space. Habitat
Spatulate Spatula-like or shovel-like. Description
Spawn To lay eggs; to produce offspring in large numbers. Biology
Species Interbreeding populations that are reproductively isolated from other populations. Biology
Spine Unpaired laterally, unsegmented, unbranched and usually stiff and pointed fin support element. Fish Anatomy
Spinous dorsal The anterior portion of the dorsal fin that is supported by spines. Fish Anatomy
Spiracles Respiratory openings behind the eyes in sharks and rays. Fish Anatomy
Spot A regularly shaped or rounded area of a colour different from adjacent areas. Description
Spring tide The tide with the largest difference between the high and low level water. During new and full moon. Habitat
Standard length (SL) The distance from the anterior most point on the fish to the posterior extremity of the hypural plate, the expanded bones at the end of the backbone that support the caudal fin. Fish Anatomy
Striae Narrow bands of colour or a ridges, grooves, or similar linear marks, usually in parallel series. Description
Stripe An elongated nearly straight horizontal marking. Description
Subequal Almost equal. Description
Submarginal Adjacent to the margin. Description
Subopercle The lower rear bone in the gill cover. Fish Anatomy
Suborbital Region below the eye. Fish Anatomy
Subterminal mouth Mouth position that is oriented behind the snout and faces downward. Description
Subtidal The ocean floor below the low tide mark. Habitat
Superior Above or on the upper surface. Habitat
Superior mouth Mouth position with the snout behind the anterior opening of the mouth. Description
Supraorbital Region above the eye. Fish Anatomy
Surface ocean current Wind driven current. Habitat
Surfcasting Fishing from a shoreline using a rod to cast into the surf. Fishing
Swimbladder A gas-filled sac lying under the backbone in the abdominal cavity, used in buoyancy. Also referred to as airbladder or gasbladder. Fish Anatomy
Tackle Fishing equipment. Fishing
Taxonomy The science of classifying organisms. Biology
Teleost A member of the large group containing most of the bony fishes. Biology
Terminal Pertaining to at the end, or situated at the end. Description
Terminal mouth Mouth position with the opening of the mouth even with the tip of the snout. Description
Terminal phase Colour phase of adult male of some fish, usually more brightly coloured than initial phase. Biology
Terminal tackle The gear attached to the end of the fishing line. Fishing
Thoracic Pertaining to the chest. Fish Anatomy
Tidal current Alternating horizontal movement of water associated with the rise and fall of the tide as the earth rotates. Habitat
Tide The rise and falling of seas, oceans and rivers caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun. Habitat
Total length (TL) The distance from the anterior most point on the fish to the posterior edge of the caudal finfold. Fish Anatomy
Toxin Poisonous substance produced by a living organism. Biology
Trawling Fishing technique with the boat moving and the fishing net trailing behind. Fishing
Treble hook A hook with three sharp points. Fishing
Trolling Fishing technique with the boat moving and the fishing line trailing behind. Fishing
Truncate caudal fin Caudal fin terminating abruptly in a square end. Description
Tubercle A small lump or excrescence. Description
Turbidity current Current of rapidly moving, sediment-laden water that is heavier than clear water and therefore flows downslope along the bottom of the sea or a lake. Habitat
Undulated Having a wavy surface, edge, or markings. Description
Uniserial teeth Teeth in a single row. Fish Anatomy
Vent Anus; opening of the intestine through which wastes are excreted. Fish Anatomy
Ventral Pertaining to the abdominal or lower surface of the body. Fish Anatomy
Ventral fins Paired fins behind or below the pectoral fins, and in front of the anal fin. Also called pelvic fins. Fish Anatomy
Ventriculus Gizzard; an organ for grinding food. Fish Anatomy
Vertebrae The bones of the spinal column. Fish Anatomy
Vertical fins The median fins which include the dorsal, anal, and caudal fins. Fish Anatomy
Vestige Small or underdeveloped structure. Description
Villiform teeth Slender teeth forming velvety bands. Fish Anatomy
Viviparous Giving birth to living offspring that develop within the body of the mother. Biology
Vomer An unpaired median bone on the roof of the mouth. Fish Anatomy
Vomerine teeth Teeth on the vomer bone along the midline of the upper jaw. Fish Anatomy
Wetlands Areas of land where the soil is saturated with moisture, such as swamps and mangrove forests. Habitat
Yolk Sac A bag-like ventral extension of the gut containing nutrive materials. Fish Anatomy
Zooplankton Small aquatic animals that are suspended or swimming in water. Biology