Dictionary of Ichthyology
This dictionary of ichthyology contains specialist terms used in the teaching of undergraduate students. The terms are arranged alphabetically for ease of reference.
In addition to ichthyology, terms from hydrobiology, zoology, anatomy, fish farming and other related disciplines are included.
Where terms have different interpretations, we have assigned the most common interpretation in our view.
This dictionary is constantly being added to and modified.
If you do not agree with the above interpretation of the Terms, please explain your understanding in the comments to these Terms.
We invite you to participate in the development of a modern ichthyological vocabulary.
We will consider any criticism and take it into account when describing dictionary terms.
Chimaeridae
Chimaeridae is a family of fishes in the order Chimaeriformes. The body is valvate, tapering to the ..
Chinook salmon
Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) is a member of the Pacific salmon family. It is a very lar..
Chionophile
From the Greek word chion, meaning "snow", and -phile, meaning "lover".Chionophiles are organisms th..
Chironomidae
Chironomidae are benthic organisms (larvae and pupae) living in muddy sediments of slow-flowing and ..
Choana
From ancient Greek χοάνη "funnels, funnel-shaped openings".Choana - internal nostrils, by which the ..
Chondrichthyes
Chondrichthyans are a class of aquatic vertebrates. The skeleton is cartilaginous, calcified, withou..
Chondrostei
Chondrostei is a superorder of Actinopterygii in the class Osteichthyes. Fish with a spindle-shaped ..
Chromatophores
From Greek χρῶμα - color and Greek φορός - bearing.Chromatophores are pigment cells located in the c..
Chum salmon
One of the most abundant among salmonids (second only to pink salmon) and the most widespread of the..
Ciguatera fish poisoning
Ciguatera fish poisoning is a severe food poisoning caused by eating the meat of some marine fish (b..
Ciliophora
Ciliophora is a type of the subkingdom Protozoa. Size from 12 microns to 3 mm. The shape of the body..
Circulatory system
The circulatory system is a closed system of vessels through which the blood circulates. The main fu..
Cloaca
From the Latin cloaca, an underground channel for sewage.The cloaca is an enlarged part of the rectu..
Clupea
Clupea is a genus of fish in the family Clupeidae. Length is usually 33-35 cm, rarely up to 50 cm. T..
Clupeidae
Clupeidae is a family of fishes of the order Clupeiformes. Do not have barbed rays in the fins, scal..