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.
Larvae hatching
The outward sign of egg development is the accumulation of plasma at the animal pole and the formati..
Lateral keel
A skin appendage covered with scales on either side of the tail of sharks, mackerels, jacks and swor..
Lateral line
The lateral line is a sensitive organ in fish that detects movement and vibrations in the surroundin..
Lenok
From Ancient Greek βρᾰχύς μύσταξ "short upper lip".The Lenok (Brachymystax) is a freshwater fish of ..
Lepidotrichia
Lepidotrichia - bony skin rays supporting the fin blade, usually soft, branched, can be shaped like ..
Lepisosteidae
Lepisosteidae is a family of fishes of the order Lepisosteiformes. Arrow-shaped body with an elongat..
Leptocephalus
Leptocephalus is the larval developmental stage of angvilloid fishes. The leptocephalus larva has a ..
Leuciscus leuciscus
A species of ray-feeding fish of the carp family. The type species is distributed in the rivers of E..
Levee
From the Dutch dam.A levee is an earthen embankment made of earth, stone and concrete that prevents ..
Liming
From the Greek isos - equal and bathos - depth.Isobath - a closed curve on the map passing through p..
Limnobionts
Greek limne lake + bios life.Limnobionts are organisms (invertebrates, fish, mammals) that live in l..
Limnoculture
Limnoculture is the industrial cultivation of hydrobionts in fresh water bodies. A distinction is ma..
Lips
Latin labium.Lips are soft folds around the mouth. They are well developed in gobfish, carp, and stu..
Lithophiles
From the Greek lithos - stone and phileo - love.Lithophiles are an ecological group of fish that rep..
Live birth
Live birth is a method of reproduction in which the embryo develops in the maternal organism, feeds ..