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.
Pelagophiles
Pelagophiles are an ecological group of fish that sweep eggs into the water column (herring, cod, so..
Pelecus cultratus
Pelecus cultratus is a fish of the genus Pelecus, family Cyprinidae. It is up to 60 cm long and weig..
Peled
Peled (Coregonus peled) is a lake-river fish of the genus whitefish. The body is high, the horn is t..
Pelvic fins
Paired fins that act as a bearing surface, rudder and stabiliser. They are located on the belly, in ..
Percidae
Percidae is a family of fishes of the order Perciformes. The body is covered with ctenoid scales. Th..
Periphyton
Periphyton - aquatic organisms that live on living and dead substrates in the water column (pilings,..
Perivitelline space
Perivitelline space - the space between the yolk and the shell, filled with fluid that provides meta..
Persistent
A persistent is a type of organism that has persisted for millions of years without noticeable chang..
Pests and enemies
Plants and animals that pose a threat to fish: viviparous plants (bubbles), invertebrates - weevils,..
Petromyzontidae
Petromyzontidae is a family of fishes of the class Cephalaspidomorphi. Jaws absent, mouth sucking in..
Pharyngeal teeth
Pharyngeal teeth - located on the modified fifth pair of gill arches, used for crushing, grinding, c..
Phenodeviants
From fen - discovering, revealing and Latin deviatio - deviation.Phenodeviants are inherited morphol..
Phenotype
From ancient Greek φαίνω "manifesting; revealing" + τύπος "pattern".Phenotype - the totality of all ..
Pheromone
Ancient Greek φέρω - "bearing" + ὁρμάω - "stirring, prompting."Pheromones are biologically active su..
Photophores
Photophores are luminescent organs consisting of clusters of photogenic glandular cells. Photophores..