{ "version": "2026-11-04.1", "notice": "Individual image licences apply as listed. Article excerpts are CC BY-SA 4.0 adaptations of the linked Wikipedia revisions; their modifications are described per profile. Wikidata discovery metadata is CC0. No endorsement is implied.", "profiles": [ { "id": "Q2463763", "common_name": "Luderick", "scientific_name": "Girella tricuspidata", "aliases": [ "Blackfish", "Parore", "Black bream", "Girella tricuspidata", "luderick", "black bream", "blackfish" ], "summary": "Girella tricuspidata is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a sea chub from the family Kyphosidae, found off the southeastern coast of Australia and around northern New Zealand. The main common names are luderick in Australia and parore (Māori: [ˈpa.ɾo.ɾe]) in New Zealand.", "features": "Girella tricuspidata was first formally described as Boops tricuspidatus in 1824 by Jean René Constant Quoy & Joseph Paul Gaimard with the type locality given as \"Shark Bay, Western Australia\". G. tricuspidata has a moderately deep, compressed, oval-shaped body with a thin caudal peduncle, It has a small head which has a slightly convex forehead, and small eyes. The mouth is small and does not extend as far as the eye. The jaws have an outer row of overlapping, flattened, tricuspid teeth beside a wide band of teeth of similar shape but which are tiny. Much of the body is covered in moderately small ctenoid scales and there is an arched lateral line, made up of 48–51 pored scales, which is parallel to the dorsal profile. It has a continuous dorsal fin which has no demarcation between its spiny and rayed parts. The spiny part has 14–16 spines and is one and a half times to almost twice as long as the soft rayed part which contains 11–12 soft rays. The spines in the middle of the dorsal fin are the longest and are just a little bit shorter than the soft rays, which get shorter towards the tail. The anal fin is similar to the soft-rayed part of the dorsal fin, contains 3 spines and 11–12 soft rays and is situated opposite it. The caudal fin has 17 rays, is very large and broadly forked. The pectoral fins are small, with 16 rays the uppermost being the longest, and the pelvic fins are small, containing a spine and 5 rays. The maximum size recorded is a fork length of 71 centimetres (28 in), although total lengths around 35 centimetres (14 in) are more normal.", "habitat": "G. tricuspidata is found in shallow coastal and estuarine waters where the frequently congregate in large schools in the vicinity of rocky outcrops and jetties. The small juveniles use seagrass beds to hide from predators. The species use their small sharp, incisor-like teeth for grazing on seaweed and algae such as Enteromorpha intestinalis, Ulva lactuca, Ulva intestinalis and sea cabbage, and use a band of crushing teeth which are used to grind algae. While primarily consuming algae, the species is an opportunistic omnivore, feeding on other food items like small crustaceans, pipi, mussels and beach worms. As G. tricuspidata matures, they congregate in large shoals and the adults form 'runs' from estuarine waters and coastal lakes into the sea. The fish spawn in the surf zone and mouths of estuaries, spawning takes place in the winter. The species schools during the daytime, and at night hides in sheltered areas, camouflaging themselves by turning a brown colour.", "distribution": "G. tricuspidata occurs off the coasts of eastern Australia and New Zealand. In Australia it occurs from Mackay, Queensland, to east of Adelaide in South Australia and off most of Tasmania. In New Zealand it occurs on both the east and west coasts of the North Island from the North Cape to the Cook Strait.", "diet": "", "family": "Kyphosidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q2463763.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Girella tricuspidata", "author": "Richard Ling from NSW, Australia", "license": "CC BY-SA 2.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Girella_tricuspidata.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girella_tricuspidata", "revision": 1382589663, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1382589663", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "0160a498bf886908efb6a6cff3764509cba1c6e250525f82e46bc54f04e2a253" }, { "id": "Q74411", "common_name": "Barramundi", "scientific_name": "Lates calcarifer", "aliases": [ "Lates calcarifer" ], "summary": "The barramundi (Lates calcarifer), Asian sea bass, Asian sea lates, giant sea lates, or giant sea perch (also known as dangri, kalanji, apahap, siakap, or chonok) is a species of catadromous fish in the family Latidae of the order Carangiformes. The species is widely distributed in the Indo-West Pacific, spanning the waters of the Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania.", "features": "This species has a very elongated body form with a large, slightly oblique mouth and an upper jaw extending behind the eye. The lower edge of the preoperculum is serrated with a strong spine at its angle; the operculum has a small spine and a serrated flap above the origin of the lateral line. Its scales are ctenoid. In cross section, the fish is compressed and the dorsal head profile clearly concave. The single dorsal and ventral fins have spines and soft rays; the paired pectoral and pelvic fins have soft rays only; and the caudal fin has soft rays and is truncated and rounded. Barramundi are salt and freshwater sportfish, targeted by many. They have large, silver scales, which may become darker or lighter, depending on their environments. Their bodies can reach up to 1.8 m (5.9 ft) long, though evidence of them being caught at this size is scarce. The maximum weight is about 60 kg (130 lb). The average length is about 0.6–1.2 m (2.0–3.9 ft). Its genome size is about 700 Mb, which was sequenced and published in Animal Genetics (2015, in press) by James Cook University.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Latidae", "water_type": "Both", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q74411.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Lates calcarifer, 2014-09-19a", "author": "Mitch Ames", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lates_calcarifer,_2014-09-19a.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barramundi", "revision": 1383022113, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1383022113", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "f4e842c6faa6ced4a9edcb7ceee05c99945b12d2d22e71ca37bcca294b000f33" }, { "id": "Q1889210", "common_name": "Red snapper", "scientific_name": "Lutjanus campechanus", "aliases": [ "Lutjanus campechanus", "Northern red snapper" ], "summary": "The northern red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a snapper belonging to the family Lutjanidae. It is native to the western Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico, where it inhabits environments associated with reefs. This species is commercially important and is also sought after as a game fish. It is closely related to Lutjanus purpureus, the southern red snapper or Caribbean red snapper, and both have been considered to be the same species in the past.", "features": "The northern red snapper's body is very similar in shape to other snappers, such as the mangrove snapper, mutton snapper, lane snapper, and dog snapper. All feature a sloped profile, medium-to-large scales, a spiny dorsal fin, and a laterally compressed body. Northern red snapper have short, sharp, needle-like teeth, but they lack the prominent upper canine teeth found on the mutton, dog, and mangrove snappers. They are rather large and are red in color. This snapper reaches maturity at a length of about 39 cm (15 in). The common adult length is 60 cm (24 in), but may reach 100 cm (39 in). The maximum published weight is 50 lb, 4 oz (22.79 kg) and the oldest reported age is 57+ years. Coloration of the northern red snapper is light red, with more intense pigment on the back. It has 10 dorsal spines, 14 soft dorsal rays, three anal spines and eight to 9 anal soft rays. Juvenile fish (shorter than 30–35 cm) can also have a dark spot on their sides, below the anterior soft dorsal rays, which fades with age.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "The northern red snapper is found at a depth of 30 to 620 feet in the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, and the southeastern Atlantic coast of Mexico and the United States and much less commonly northward as far as Massachusetts. In Latin American Spanish, it is known as mero, huachinango, pargo, or chillo. This species commonly inhabits waters from 9–60 m (30–200 ft), but can be caught as deep as 90 m (300 ft) on occasion. They stay relatively close to the bottom, and inhabit rocky bottoms, ledges, ridges, and artificial reefs, including offshore oil rigs and shipwrecks. Like most other snappers, northern red snapper are gregarious and form large schools around wrecks and reefs. These schools are usually made up of fish of very similar size. The preferred habitat of this species changes as it grows and matures due to increased need for cover and changing food habits. Newly hatched red snapper spread out over large areas of open benthic habitat, then move to low-relief habitats, such as oyster beds. As they near one year of age, they move to intermediate-relief habitats as the previous year's fish move on to high-relief reefs with room for more individuals. Around artificial reefs such as oil platforms, smaller fish spend time in the upper part of the water column while more mature (and larger) adults live in deeper areas. These larger fish do not allow smaller individuals to share this territory. The largest red snapper spread out over open habitats, as well as reefs.", "diet": "", "family": "Lutjanidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1889210.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Red Snapper", "author": "Geeklikepi", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Red_Snapper.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_red_snapper", "revision": 1358236965, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1358236965", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "84c9594928103260a83e0bd1b1e6a53b60831eeb4369b47c2a44b29fc68791ff" }, { "id": "Q1233039", "common_name": "Coral trout", "scientific_name": "Plectropomus leopardus", "aliases": [ "common coral trout", "Plectropomus leopardus", "leopard coralgrouper", "leopard coral grouper", "leopard coral trout" ], "summary": "The leopard coral grouper (Plectropomus leopardus), also known as the common coral trout, leopard coral trout, blue-dotted coral grouper or spotted coral grouper, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grouper from the family Epinephelidae. It is found in the Western Pacific Ocean. Coral trout are the favourite target fish for all sectors of the fishery because they are a good food fish and command high market prices locally and overseas. The total commercial catch of coral trout was reported at over 1500 tonnes in 1998.", "features": "The leopard coral grouper has a body which is elongate and robust, with the standard length being 2.9 to 3.9 times the depth of the body. The preopercle is mostly rounded, with three large, downward pointing spines along the bottom half. The dorsal fin contains 7–8 spines and 10–12 soft rays while the anal fin contains 3 spines and 8 soft rays. The spiny part of the dorsal fin has a shorter base than the soft-rayed part. The caudal fin is a emarginate. The background colour is olive green to reddish brown or orange-red and its upper body is covered in regularly-spaced bright blue spots and there is a blue ring around the eye, this may be broken up. They are able to quickly change colour, and frequently take on a mottled pattern as they hunt. This species attains a total length of 120 centimetres (47 in), although they are commonly around 35 centimetres (14 in), and a maximum published weight of 23.6 kilograms (52 lb). although this is probably incorrect (and likely to be for P. leavis) as the Australian Spearfishing record for P. leopardus is 10.250 kilograms (22.60 lb).", "habitat": "The leopard coral grouper is found in coral reefs at depths of 3 to 100 metres (9.8 to 328.1 ft).", "distribution": "The leopard coral grouper is found in the western Pacific where it is distributed from southern Japan to Australia and from the east coast of Thailand and Malaysia east to the Solomon Islands, Caroline Islands and Fiji. In Australia it is found at Beacon Island in Western Australia, the Ashmore and Cartier Islands in the Timor Sea, around the tropical northcoast as far south as Sydney. This range includes reefs in the Coral Sea, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands and around Lord Howe Island in the Tasman Sea.", "diet": "Leopeard coral groupers are largely piscivores (fish-eating predators). Younger juvenile trout mostly eat crustaceans, especially prawns, which live on or near the reef bottom. However, adults feed upon a variety of reef fish. The most common type of fish eaten is damselfish (family Pomacentridae), particularly the spiny chromis damselfish (Acanthochromis polyacanthus). Adult coral trout also eat juveniles of their own species. Individual coral trout usually feed once every 1–3 days, although they may go for many days without feeding. About 90% of a prey item will be digested within 24 hours. This species only feeds during daylight hours, most often at dusk and dawn. Coral trout hunt by ambush and by prowling. They use the ambush method to hunt fish that live among the coral on the reef bottom. The trout hide and remain very still and alert, ready to attack passing prey. The prowling method is used to hunt schooling fish higher up in the water. Here, the trout will move (prowl) slowly towards the prey and attack at great speed. Individual coral trout have different feeding behaviors, possibly explaining the variability in growth and maturity. Coral trout in the southern Great Barrier Reef feed mainly on parrot fish (family Scaridae) and hardyhead bait fish (family Atherinidae). The most common prey items further north are the damselfish (Pomacentridae) and fusiliers or banana fish (Caesionidae). One study showed coral trout eating schools of fusilers in summer, and scarids during the winter.", "family": "Epinephelidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1233039.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Leopard Coralgrouper, Thailand imported from iNaturalist photo 328446756", "author": "(c) portioid, some rights reserved (CC BY)", "license": "CC BY 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Leopard_Coralgrouper,_Thailand_imported_from_iNaturalist_photo_328446756.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leopard_coral_grouper", "revision": 1382959813, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1382959813", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "4637c61ebc4ab71d981519e51e8125e9b0bf2c288ff4965837e9bad40db3200c" }, { "id": "Q14443", "common_name": "Mahi-mahi", "scientific_name": "Coryphaena hippurus", "aliases": [ "common dolphinfish", "Coryphaena hippurus", "dorado", "mahi mahi", "arayo", "aliyo" ], "summary": "The mahi-mahi ( MAH-hee-MAH-hee), common dolphinfish, dolphinfish, dolphin or dorado (Coryphaena hippurus) is a surface-dwelling ray-finned fish found in off-shore temperate, tropical, and subtropical waters worldwide. It is one of two members of the family Coryphaenidae, the other being the pompano dolphinfish. These fish are most commonly found in the waters around the Gulf of Mexico, Costa Rica, Hawaii, and the Indian Ocean. In Italy it is called corifena, lampuga or pesce capone, and has even given its name to the caponata though eggplant has now taken the place of the fish.", "features": "Mahi-mahi have compressed bodies and one very long dorsal fin extending from the head almost to the tail fin. Mature males have distinctive \"foreheads\"; it grows as the fish matures and often protrudes well above the body proper, which is streamlined by the musculature of the back. This \"hump\" is a sexually dimorphic feature; females have a rounded head. Their caudal fins and anal fins are sharply concave. They are distinguished by dazzling colors – golden on the sides, and bright blues and greens on the sides and back. The pectoral fins of the mahi-mahi are iridescent blue. The flank is broad and golden. Out of the water, the fish often change color (giving rise to their Spanish name, dorado, 'golden'), going through several hues before finally fading to a muted yellow-grey upon death.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "Mahi-mahi are carnivorous, feeding on small, pelagic bony fish (such as flying fish, man-o-war fish, sargassum fish, and triggerfish), pelagic larvae of benthic bony fish (such as flying gurnards, triggerfish, pufferfish, and grunts), crabs, other crustaceans, squid, other epipelagic cephalopods, scyphozoans, and juveniles of large, teleost forage fish such as tuna, billfish, jack, mackerel, and other mahi-mahi. They have also been known to eat zooplankton. To pursue such varied pelagic prey, mahi-mahi are fast swimmers, swimming as fast as 50 knots (92.6 km/h; 57.5 mph).", "family": "Coryphaenidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q14443.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Common Dolphinfish Monterey Bay", "author": "gendereuphorbia", "license": "CC0", "license_url": "http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed.en", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Common_Dolphinfish_Monterey_Bay.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahi-mahi", "revision": 1382060515, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1382060515", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "242acaede03fd4c65fe15eee4ed2e55f80455d151e71f44b6cff84fe2a584594" }, { "id": "Q187986", "common_name": "Rainbow trout", "scientific_name": "Oncorhynchus mykiss", "aliases": [ "lake trout", "rainbow", "silver trout", "steelhead", "brook trout", "Oncorhynchus mykiss", "Golden rainbow trout", "steelhead trout" ], "summary": "The rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) is a species of trout native to cold-water tributaries of the Pacific Ocean in North America and Asia. The steelhead (sometimes called steelhead trout) is an anadromous (sea-run) form of the coastal rainbow trout (O. m. irideus) or Columbia River redband trout (O. m. gairdneri) that usually returns to freshwater to spawn after living two to three years in the ocean. Adult freshwater stream rainbow trout average between 0.5 and 2.5 kilograms (1 and 5 lb), while lake-dwelling and anadromous forms may reach 9 kg (20 lb). Coloration varies widely based on subspecies, forms, and habitat. Adult fish are distinguished by a broad reddish stripe along the lateral line, from gills to the tail, which is most vivid in breeding males. Wild-caught and hatchery-reared forms of the species have been transplanted and introduced for food or sport in at least 45 countries and every continent except Antarctica. Introductions to locations outside their native range in the United States, Southern Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and South America have damaged native fish species. Introduced populations may affect native species by preying on them, out-competing them, transmitting contagious diseases (such as whirling disease), or hybridizing with closely related species and subspecies. The rainbow trout is included in the list of the top 100 globally invasive species.", "features": "Resident freshwater rainbow trout adults average between 0.5 and 2.5 kg (1 and 5 lb) in riverine environments, while lake-dwelling, and anadromous forms may reach 9 kg (20 lb). Coloration varies widely between regions and subspecies. Adult freshwater forms are generally blue-green or olive green with heavy black spotting over the length of the body. Adult fish have a broad reddish stripe along the lateral line, from gills to the tail, which is most pronounced in breeding males. The caudal fin is squarish and only mildly forked. Lake-dwelling and anadromous forms are usually more silvery in color with the reddish stripe almost completely gone. Juvenile rainbow trout display parr marks (dark vertical bars) typical of most salmonid juveniles. In some redband and golden trout forms, parr marks are typically retained into adulthood. Some coastal rainbow trout (O. m. irideus) and Columbia River redband trout (O. m. gairdneri) populations and cutbow hybrids may also display reddish or pink throat markings similar to cutthroat trout. In many regions, hatchery-bred trout can be distinguished from native trout via fin clips. Fin clipping the adipose fin is a management tool used to identify hatchery-reared fish.", "habitat": "Rainbow trout, primarily hatchery-raised fish of the coastal rainbow trout subspecies (O. m. irideus) introduced into waters inhabited with cutthroat trout, will breed with cutthroats and produce fertile hybrids called cutbows. In the case of the westslope cutthroat trout (O. clarki lewisi), hybridization with introduced rainbow and Yellowstone cutthroat trout (O. clarki bouvieri) is threatening the westslope cutthroat trout with genomic extinction. Such introductions into the ranges of redband trout (O. m. gairdneri, newberrii, and stonei) have severely reduced the range of pure stocks of these subspecies, making them \"species of concern\" in their respective ranges. Within the range of the Kern River golden trout of Southern California, hatchery-bred rainbows introduced into the Kern River have diluted the genetic purity of the Kern River rainbow trout (O. m. gilberti) and golden trout (O. m. aguabonita) through intraspecific breeding. The Beardslee trout (O. m. irideus var. beardsleei), a genetically unique lake-dwelling variety of the coastal rainbow trout that is isolated in Lake Crescent (Washington), is threatened by the loss of its only spawning grounds in the Lyre River to siltation and other types of habitat degradation.", "distribution": "The native range of Oncorhynchus mykiss is in the coastal waters and tributary streams of the Pacific basin, from the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia, east along the Aleutian Islands, throughout southwest Alaska, the Pacific coast of British Columbia and southeast Alaska, and south along the west coast of the U.S. to northern Mexico. It is claimed that the Mexican forms of Oncorhynchus mykiss represent the southernmost native range of any trout or salmon (Salmonidae), though the Formosan landlocked salmon (O. masou formosanus) in Asia inhabits a similar latitude. The range of coastal rainbow trout (O. m. irideus) extends north from the Pacific basin into tributaries of the Bering Sea in northwest Alaska, while forms of the Columbia River redband trout (O. m. gairdneri) extend east into the upper Mackenzie River and Peace River watersheds in British Columbia and Alberta, Canada, which eventually drain into the Beaufort Sea, part of the Arctic Ocean. Since 1875, the rainbow trout has been widely introduced into suitable lacustrine and riverine environments throughout the United States and around the world. Many of these introductions have established wild, self-sustaining populations.", "diet": "Rainbow trout are predators with a varied diet and will eat nearly anything they can capture. They are not as piscivorous or aggressive as brown trout or chars, though adults still feed heavily on other fish. Rainbow trout, including juvenile steelhead in fresh water, routinely feed on larval, pupal, and adult forms of aquatic insects (typically caddisflies, stoneflies, mayflies and aquatic diptera). They also eat fish eggs and adult forms of terrestrial insects (typically ants, beetles, grasshoppers, and crickets) that fall into the water, as well as algae. Other prey includes small fish up to one-third of their length, crayfish, shrimp, and other crustaceans. As rainbow trout grow, the proportion of fish consumed increases in most populations. Some lake-dwelling forms may become planktonic feeders. In rivers and streams populated with other salmonid species, rainbow trout eat varied fish eggs, including those of salmon, brown and cutthroat trout, mountain whitefish, and the eggs of other rainbow trout. Rainbows also consume decomposing flesh from the carcasses of other fish. They have even been observed to have consumed hatchling snakes, such as the barred grass snake (Natrix helvetica). Adult steelhead in the ocean feed primarily on other fish, squid and amphipods. Other prey can occasionally include small rodents, amphibians, and birds.", "family": "", "water_type": "Both", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q187986.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Close up of rainbow trout fish underwater oncorhynchus mykiss", "author": "Engbretson Eric, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Close_up_of_rainbow_trout_fish_underwater_oncorhynchus_mykiss.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow_trout", "revision": 1382397319, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1382397319", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "d110ca63d9d6a6104ae226f4a2782450c695057e2b23d2482f3d6f39b20411c3" }, { "id": "Q755105", "common_name": "Largemouth bass", "scientific_name": "Micropterus nigricans", "aliases": [ "largemouth", "bigmouth bass", "big-mouth bass", "large-mouth bass", "widemouth bass", "black bass", "Grystes salmoide", "Grystes salmoide Cuvier 1829 gen. nov comb. nov", "Micropterus salmoides" ], "summary": "The largemouth bass (Micropterus nigricans) is a carnivorous, freshwater, ray-finned fish in the Centrarchidae (sunfish) family, native to the eastern and central United States, southeastern Canada and northern Mexico. It is known by a variety of regional names, such as the widemouth bass, bigmouth bass, black bass, largie, potter's fish, Florida bass or Florida largemouth, green bass, bucketmouth bass, green trout, growler, Gilsdorf bass, Oswego bass, southern largemouth, northern largemouth, Alabama bass or Alabama largemouth, marsh bass, and swamp bass. The largemouth bass, as it is known today, was first described by French naturalist Georges Cuvier in 1828. A 2022 study concluded that the correct scientific name for the Florida bass is Micropterus salmoides, while the largemouth bass is Micropterus nigricans. It is the largest species of the black bass, with a maximum recorded length of 29.5 inches (75 cm) and an unofficial weight of 25 pounds 1 ounce (11.4 kg). Reports from Cuba speculate bass as large as 13.5 kg (30 lb), where invasive largemouth thrive. The largemouth bass is the state fish of Georgia and Mississippi, and the state freshwater fish of Florida and Alabama. It is a highly prized sport fish among anglers for their vigorous resistance when caught, and have been introduced to many regions due to their popularity in bass fishing and tolerance to urban streams.", "features": "The largemouth bass is an olive green to greenish-gray fish, marked by a series of dark, sometimes black, blotches forming a jagged horizontal stripe along each flank. The upper jaw (maxilla) of a largemouth bass extends beyond the rear margin of the orbit. The largemouth bass is the largest of the black basses, reaching a maximum recorded overall length of 29.5 in (75 cm) and a maximum unofficial weight of 25 lb 1 oz (11.4 kg). Sexual dimorphism is found, with the female larger than the male. Largemouth bass prefer habitats with abundant littoral vegetation and generally maintain relatively small home ranges in lakes. They have an average lifespan of 10 to 16 years in the wild.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "Juvenile largemouth bass consumes mostly small bait fish, scuds, water fleas, copepods, small shrimp, and insects. Adults consume smaller fish (bluegill, banded killifish, minnows, juvenile bass), shad, worms, snails, crawfish, frogs, snakes, and salamanders. In larger lakes and reservoirs, adult bass occupy slightly deeper water than younger fish, and shift to a diet consisting almost entirely of smaller fish like shad, yellow perch, ciscoes, suckers, shiners, other cyprinids, freshwater silversides, and sunfish (such as bluegill and green sunfish). It also consumes younger members of larger fish species, such as catfish, trout, walleye, carp, white bass, striped bass, and even smaller black bass. Among the crayfish species preyed upon include Faxonius difficilis, F. harrisonii, F. hartfieldi, and Procambarus clarkii. Prey items can be as large as 50% of the bass's body length or larger. Studies of prey utilization by largemouths show that in weedy waters, bass grow more slowly due to difficulty in acquiring prey. Less weed cover allows bass to more easily find and catch prey, but this consists of more open-water baitfish. With little or no cover, bass can devastate the prey population and starve or be stunted. Fisheries managers must consider these factors when designing regulations for specific bodies of water. Under overhead cover, such as overhanging banks, brush, or submerged structure, such as weedbeds, points, humps, ridges, and drop-offs, the largemouth bass uses its senses of hearing, sight, vibration, and smell to attack and seize its prey.", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q755105.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) June 2023 (cropped)", "author": "USFWS Mountain Prairie", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Largemouth_Bass_(Micropterus_salmoides)_June_2023_(cropped).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Largemouth_bass", "revision": 1381603113, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1381603113", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "c8405b7efe8f4982f761f3d7a618b1a0c1f7083a94be544f66f8b9d9d02d0703" }, { "id": "Q81110", "common_name": "Common carp", "scientific_name": "Cyprinus carpio", "aliases": [ "European carp", "Eurasian carp", "carp", "common carp", "Cyprinus carpio" ], "summary": "The common carp (Cyprinus carpio), also known as European carp, Eurasian carp, or simply carp, is a widespread freshwater fish of eutrophic waters in lakes and large rivers in Europe and Asia. The native wild populations are considered vulnerable to extinction by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), but the species has also been domesticated and introduced (see aquaculture) into environments worldwide, and is often considered an invasive species, being included in the list of the world's 100 worst invasive species. It gives its name to the carp family, Cyprinidae.", "features": "", "habitat": "Although tolerant of most conditions, common carp prefer large bodies of slow or standing water and soft, vegetative sediments. As schooling fish, they prefer to be in groups of five or more. They naturally live in temperate climates in fresh or slightly brackish water with a pH of 6.5–9.0 and salinity up to about 0.5%, and temperatures of 3 to 35 °C (37–95 °F). The ideal temperature is 23 to 30 °C (73–86 °F), with spawning beginning at 17 to 18 °C (63–64 °F); they easily survive winter in a frozen-over pond, as long as some free water remains below the ice. Carp are able to tolerate water with very low oxygen levels, by gulping air at the surface. Common carp have been introduced to most continents and some 59 countries. In absence of natural predators or commercial fishing, they may extensively alter their environments due to their reproductive rate and their feeding habit of grubbing through bottom sediments for food. In feeding, they may destroy, uproot, disturb and eat submerged vegetation, causing serious damage to food sources and habitats of native duck (such as canvasbacks) and fish populations. In 2020, scientists demonstrated that a small proportion of fertilized common carp eggs ingested by waterfowl survive passing through the digestive tract and hatch after being retrieved from the feces. Birds exhibit strong preference for fish eggs, while cyprinids produce hundreds of thousands of eggs at a single spawning event.", "distribution": "", "diet": "Common carp are omnivorous. They can eat a herbivorous diet of aquatic plants, plant tubers, and seeds, but prefer to scavenge the bottom for insects, crustaceans (including zooplankton and crawfish), molluscs, benthic worms, fish eggs, and fish remains. Common carp feed throughout the day, with the most intensive feeding at night and around sunrise.", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q81110.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Cyprinus carpio 2008 G1 (cropped)", "author": "George Chernilevsky", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cyprinus_carpio_2008_G1_(cropped).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_carp", "revision": 1381951282, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1381951282", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "50f2e51e5436940be55c9c6c7e611d3a2c9d2f483dd708829bf5deb068f4d9c0" }, { "id": "Q165278", "common_name": "Northern pike", "scientific_name": "Esox lucius", "aliases": [ "Northern pike", "true pike", "haked", "hacot", "ged", "luce", "wolf", "jack", "pickerel", "freshwater shark", "Esox lucius" ], "summary": "The northern pike (Esox lucius), also known as jack, northern or simply pike, is a species of carnivorous fish of the genus Esox (pikes). It is commonly found in fresh waters of the Northern Hemisphere (i.e. it has a holarctic distribution). Pike can grow to a relatively large size. Their average length is about 40–55 cm (16–22 in), with maximum recorded lengths of up to 150 cm (59 in) and maximum weights of 28.4 kg (63 lb). The IGFA currently recognises a 25 kg (55 lb) pike caught by Lothar Louis on Greffern Lake, Germany, on 16 October 1986, as the all-tackle world-record holding northern pike. Northern pike grow to larger sizes in Eurasia than in North America, and in coastal Eurasian regions than inland ones.", "features": "Northern pike are most often olive green, shading from yellow to white along the belly. The flank is marked with short, light bar-like spots and a few to many dark spots on the fins. Sometimes, the fins are reddish. Younger pike have yellow stripes along a green body; later, the stripes divide into light spots and the body turns from green to olive green. The lower half of the gill cover lacks scales, and it has large sensory pores on its head and on the underside of its lower jaw which are part of the lateral line system. Unlike the similar-looking and closely related muskellunge, the northern pike has light markings on a dark body background and fewer than six sensory pores on the underside of each side of the lower jaw. A hybrid between northern pike and muskellunge is known as a tiger muskellunge (Esox masquinongy × lucius or Esox lucius × masquinongy, depending on the sex of each of the contributing species). In the hybrids, the males are invariably sterile, while females are often fertile, and may back-cross with the parent species. Another form of northern pike, the silver pike, is not a subspecies but rather a mutation that occurs in scattered populations. Silver pike, sometimes called silver muskellunge, lack the rows of spots and appear silver, white, or silvery-blue in color. When ill, silver pike have been known to display a somewhat purplish hue; long illness is also the most common cause of male sterility.", "habitat": "Pike are found in sluggish streams and shallow, weedy places in lakes and reservoirs, as well as in cold, clear, rocky waters. They are typical ambush predators; they lie in wait for prey, holding perfectly still for long periods, and then exhibit remarkable acceleration as they strike. They inhabit any water body that contains fish, but suitable places for spawning are also essential. Because of their cannibalistic nature, young pike need places where they can take shelter between plants so they are not eaten. In both cases, rich submerged vegetation is needed. Pike are seldom found in brackish water, except for the Baltic Sea area, here they can be found spending time both in the mouths of rivers and in the open brackish waters of the Baltic Sea. It is normal for pike to return to fresh water after a period in these brackish waters. They seem to prefer water with less turbidity, but that is likely related to their dependence on the presence of vegetation.", "distribution": "Esox lucius is found in fresh water throughout the Northern Hemisphere, including Russia, Europe, and North America. It has also been introduced to lakes in Morocco, and is even found in brackish water of the Baltic Sea, but they are confined to the low-salinity water at the surface of the sea, and are seldom seen in brackish water elsewhere..", "diet": "The young, free-swimming pike feed on small invertebrates starting with Daphnia, and quickly move on to bigger prey, such as Asellus and Gammarus. When the body length is 4 to 8 cm (1.6 to 3.1 in), they start feeding on small fish. A pike has a very typical hunting behaviour; it is able to remain stationary in the water by moving the last fin rays of the dorsal fins and the pectoral fins. Before striking, it bends its body and darts out to the prey using the large surface of its caudal fin, dorsal fin, and anal fin to propel itself. The fish has a distinctive habit of catching its prey sideways in the mouth, immobilising it with its sharp, backward-pointing teeth, and then turning the prey headfirst to swallow it. It eats mainly fish and frogs, but also small mammals and birds fall prey to pike. Young pike have been found dead from choking on a pike of a similar size, an observation referred to by the English poet Ted Hughes in his poem \"Pike\". Northern pike also feed on insects, crayfish, and leeches. They are not very particular and eat spiny fish like perch, and will even take fish as small as sticklebacks if they are the only available prey.", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q165278.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Esox lucius ZOO 1", "author": "Jik jik", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Esox_lucius_ZOO_1.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_pike", "revision": 1383063255, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1383063255", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "f535eb1191bdf531a1b87577bc1f3edb430cde6f0d7925f6b9fd8cca3a65267b" }, { "id": "Q188879", "common_name": "Atlantic salmon", "scientific_name": "Salmo salar", "aliases": [ "Salmo salar" ], "summary": "The Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) is a species of ray-finned fish in the family Salmonidae. It is the third largest of the Salmonidae, behind Siberian taimen and Pacific Chinook salmon, growing up to 1 m (3.3 ft) in length. Atlantic salmon are found in the northern Atlantic Ocean and in rivers that flow into it. Most populations are anadromous, hatching in streams and rivers but moving out to sea as they grow where they mature, after which the adults seasonally move upstream again to spawn. When the mature fish re-enter rivers to spawn, they change in colour and appearance. Some populations of this fish only migrate to large lakes, and are \"landlocked\", spending their entire lives in freshwater. Such populations are found throughout the range of the species. Unlike Pacific species of salmon, S. salar is iteroparous, which means it can survive spawning and return to sea to repeat the process again in another year with 5–10% returning to the sea to spawn again. Such individuals can grow to extremely large sizes, although they are rare. The different life stages of the fish are known by several different names in English; alevin, fry, parr and smolt. Atlantic salmon meat is a particularly nutritious food and is considered one of the more refined types of fish meat in many cultures. As such it features in numerous popular traditional cuisines and can fetch a higher price than some other fish.", "features": "Atlantic salmon are the largest species in the genus Salmo. After two years at sea, the fish average 71 to 76 cm (28 to 30 in) in length and 3.6 to 5.4 kg (7.9 to 11.9 lb) in weight. Specimens that spend four or more winters feeding at sea, or are repeat spawners, can be much larger. An Atlantic salmon netted in 1960 in Scotland, in the estuary of the river Hope, weighed 49.44 kg (109.0 lb), the heaviest recorded in all available literature. Another netted in 1925 in Norway measured 160.65 cm (63.25 in) in length, the longest Atlantic salmon on record. The colour of young Atlantic salmon does not resemble the adult stage. While they live in fresh water, they have blue and red spots. At maturity, they take on a silver-blue sheen. The easiest way of identifying them as an adult is by the black spots predominantly above the lateral line, though the caudal fin is usually unspotted. When they reproduce, males take on a slight green or red colour. The salmon has a fusiform body, and well-developed teeth. All fins, except the adipose fin, are bordered with black.", "habitat": "The natural breeding grounds of Atlantic salmon are rivers in Europe and the northeastern coast of North America. In Europe, Atlantic salmon are still found as far south as Spain, and as far northeast as the Pechora River in Russia. Atlantic salmon have spread north to colonise Svalbard (78°N) from 2002–2006 onward, due to the warming of the climate there. Because of sport-fishing, some of the species' southern populations in northern Spain are growing smaller. The species distribution is easily influenced by changes in freshwater habitat and climate. Atlantic salmon are a cold-water fish species and are particularly sensitive to changes in water temperature. The Housatonic River, and its Naugatuck River tributary, hosted the southernmost Atlantic salmon spawning runs in the United States. However, there is a 1609 account by Henry Hudson that Atlantic salmon once ran up the Hudson River. In addition, fish scale evidence dating to 10,000 years BP places Atlantic salmon in a coastal New Jersey pond. Two publications from 1988 and 1996 questioned the notion that Atlantic salmon were prehistorically plentiful in New England, when the climate was warmer as it is now. This argument was primarily based on a paucity of bone data in archaeological sites relative to other fish species, and the assertion that historical claims of abundance may have been exaggerated.", "distribution": "The natural breeding grounds of Atlantic salmon are rivers in Europe and the northeastern coast of North America. In Europe, Atlantic salmon are still found as far south as Spain, and as far northeast as the Pechora River in Russia. Atlantic salmon have spread north to colonise Svalbard (78°N) from 2002–2006 onward, due to the warming of the climate there. Because of sport-fishing, some of the species' southern populations in northern Spain are growing smaller. The species distribution is easily influenced by changes in freshwater habitat and climate. Atlantic salmon are a cold-water fish species and are particularly sensitive to changes in water temperature. The Housatonic River, and its Naugatuck River tributary, hosted the southernmost Atlantic salmon spawning runs in the United States. However, there is a 1609 account by Henry Hudson that Atlantic salmon once ran up the Hudson River. In addition, fish scale evidence dating to 10,000 years BP places Atlantic salmon in a coastal New Jersey pond. Two publications from 1988 and 1996 questioned the notion that Atlantic salmon were prehistorically plentiful in New England, when the climate was warmer as it is now. This argument was primarily based on a paucity of bone data in archaeological sites relative to other fish species, and the assertion that historical claims of abundance may have been exaggerated.", "diet": "Young salmon begin a feeding response within a few days. After the yolk sac is absorbed by the body, they begin to hunt. Juveniles start with tiny invertebrates, but as they mature, they may occasionally eat small fish. During this time, they hunt both in the substrate and in the current. Some have been known to eat salmon eggs. Plankton such as euphausiids are important food for pre-grilse but amphipods and decapods are also consumed. The most commonly eaten foods include caddisflies, blackflies, mayflies, stoneflies, and chironomids, as well as terrestrial insects. As adults, the salmon prefer capelin as their meal of choice. Capelin are elongated silvery fish that grow up to 20–25 centimetres (8–10 in) long. Other fish consumed include herring, alewives, smelts, scomberids, sand lance, and small cod.", "family": "Salmonidae", "water_type": "Both", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q188879.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Wst atlantischer lachs stoer 001", "author": "User:Wolfgang Striewski", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wst_atlantischer_lachs_stoer_001.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_salmon", "revision": 1377885658, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1377885658", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "980e0ac67fb485cbc696ea2645413c3267276bbc06d0635f275fb123f20da5b0" }, { "id": "Q1126155", "common_name": "Clown anemonefish", "scientific_name": "Amphiprion ocellaris", "aliases": [ "ocellaris clownfish", "Common clownfish", "Amphiprion ocellaris" ], "summary": "The ocellaris clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris), also known as the false percula clownfish or common clownfish, is a marine fish belonging to the family Pomacentridae, which includes clownfishes and damselfishes. A. ocellaris are found in different colors, depending on where they are located. For example, black A. ocellaris with white bands can be found near northern Hawaii, USA, North America, Australia, Southeast Asia, and Japan. Orange or red-brown A. ocellaris also exist with three similar white bands on the body and head. A. ocellaris can be distinguished from other Amphiprion species based on the number of pectoral rays and dorsal spines. A. ocellaris are known to grow about 11 cm (4.3 inches) long. Females are larger than males. The life cycle of A. ocellaris varies in whether they reside at the surface or bottom of the ocean. When they initially hatch, they reside near the surface. However, when A. ocellaris enter into the juvenile stage of life, they travel down to the bottom to find shelter in a host anemone. Once they find their anemone, they form a symbiotic relationship with them.", "features": "The common clownfish is a small fish which grows up to 11 cm (4.3 inches). Its body has a stocky appearance and oval shape. It is compressed laterally, with a round profile. The coloration of its body is orange to reddish-brown, but it can also be black in some particular areas such as the Northern Territory in Australia. It has three vertical white stripes outlined with a fine black line. The first passes just behind the eye, the second in the middle of the body widens forward to the head centrally and the third one circles the caudal peduncle. All the fins are also outlined with a fine black line. A. ocellaris is often confused with Amphiprion percula, which possesses exactly the same colours and patterns at first sight but distinguishes itself by the thickness of the black outlines. Additionally, A. ocellaris has a taller dorsal fin, and typically possesses 11 dorsal-fin spines vs. 10 spines in Amphiprion percula.", "habitat": "This species is found in the Eastern Indian Ocean and in the western Pacific Ocean. As mentioned earlier, they can also be found in Hawaii, USA, North America, Northern Australia, Southeast Asia and Japan. Amphiprion ocellaris typically lives in small groups on outer reef slopes or in sheltered lagoons at a maximal depth of 15 meters. It inhabits three different species of sea anemones: Heteractis magnifica, Stichodactyla gigantea and Stichodactyla mertensii and have symbiotic relationships with the anemone.", "distribution": "This species is found in the Eastern Indian Ocean and in the western Pacific Ocean. As mentioned earlier, they can also be found in Hawaii, USA, North America, Northern Australia, Southeast Asia and Japan. Amphiprion ocellaris typically lives in small groups on outer reef slopes or in sheltered lagoons at a maximal depth of 15 meters. It inhabits three different species of sea anemones: Heteractis magnifica, Stichodactyla gigantea and Stichodactyla mertensii and have symbiotic relationships with the anemone.", "diet": "", "family": "Pomacentridae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1126155.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Clown fish in the Andaman Coral Reef", "author": "Ritiks", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Clown_fish_in_the_Andaman_Coral_Reef.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocellaris_clownfish", "revision": 1371007271, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1371007271", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "f41ac9c157e98b5f7f876730801a067e48a5bff0ce8f5dde2e1686e491ad4828" }, { "id": "Q278307", "common_name": "Blue tang", "scientific_name": "Paracanthurus hepatus", "aliases": [ "Paracanthurus hepatus" ], "summary": "Paracanthurus hepatus is a species of Indo-Pacific surgeonfish. A popular fish in marine aquaria, it is the only member of the genus Paracanthurus. A number of common names are attributed to the species, including palette surgeonfish, blue surgeonfish, blue tang (leading to confusion with the Atlantic species Acanthurus coeruleus), flagtail surgeonfish, hepatus tang, Indo-Pacific bluetang, regal blue surgeonfish, wedge-tailed tang, wedgetail blue tang, royal blue tang, hippo tang, blue hippo tang, regal tang, and regal blue tang. It is most closely related to genus Zebrasoma, with which it forms a sister group.", "features": "Paracanthurus hepatus has a royal blue body, yellow tail, and black \"palette\" design. Its length at first sexual maturity is 149.2 mm. Adults typically weigh around 600 g (21 oz) and males are generally larger than females. The back has a broad black area that encloses at the tip of the pectoral, creating a blue oval on each side of the fish that extends in the direction of the eye. The tail has a bright yellow triangle with its apex anterior to the caudal spine and its base at the posterior end of the caudal fin. Black surrounds the triangle on the upper and lower lobes of the caudal fin, in the same hue as the back area. Paracanthurus has small scales, each with short ctenii on the upper surface. Scales on the caudal spine possess ctenii approximately three times as long as scales on the rest of the body. Scales anteriorly placed on the head between the eye and the upper jaw are larger with tuberculated, bony plates. This fish has a compressed, elliptical body shape, and a terminal snout. It has nine dorsal spines, 26–28 dorsal soft rays, three anal spines, and 24–26 anal soft yellow rays, and 16 principal caudal rays with slightly projecting upper and lower lobes. Its pelvic fin is made up of one spine and three rays; this characteristic is considered a synapomorphy of the Naso and Paracanthurus genus. The caudal peduncle has a spine located in a shallow groove, which is also a characteristic of its sister taxa Zebrasoma. It has 22 vertebrae. Paracanthurus has teeth that are small, close-set, denticulated, and described as incisor-like.", "habitat": "Paracanthurus is a diurnal marine species that occupies marine neritic habitats along coastlines. It is found in clear water on exposed outer reef areas or in channels with a moderate or strong current. It primarily utilizes coral reef habitats, but is also known to utilize seagrass beds, mangroves, algal beds, and rocky reefs . It has an upper and lower depth limit of 2 meters and 40 meters, respectively . They live in pairs or small groups of 8 to 14 individuals. They can also be found near cauliflower corals on the seaweed side of coral reefs. Juveniles can be found in schools using Acropora for shelter. Numbers of males and females tend to maintain a 1:1 ratio. The fish is important for coral health, as it eats algae that may otherwise choke it by overgrowth.", "distribution": "The regal blue tang can be found throughout the Indo-Pacific. It is seen in the reefs of the Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, the Great Barrier Reef of Australia, New Caledonia, Samoa, East Africa, and Sri Lanka. A single specimen was photographed in 2015 in the Mediterranean Sea off Israel. Vagrants were found on two occasions in Hawaii, and are assumed to be aquarium releases. Paracanthurus is an extant resident in the following territories: American Samoa; Australia; British Indian Ocean Territory; Brunei Darussalam; Christmas Island; Cocos (Keeling) Islands; Comoros; Cook Islands; Disputed Territory (Paracel Is., Spratly Is.); Fiji; French Southern Territories (Mozambique Channel Is.); Guam; India (Nicobar Is., Andaman Is.); Indonesia; Japan; Kenya; Kiribati (Kiribati Line Is., Phoenix Is., Gilbert Is.); Madagascar; Malaysia; Maldives; Marshall Islands; Mauritius; Mayotte; Micronesia, Federated States of ; Myanmar; Nauru; New Caledonia; Niue; Northern Mariana Islands; Palau; Papua New Guinea; Philippines; Réunion; Samoa; Seychelles; Singapore; Solomon Islands; Somalia; South Africa; Sri Lanka; Taiwan, Republic of China; Tanzania, United Republic of; Thailand; Timor-Leste; Tokelau; Tonga; Tuvalu; United States (Hawaiian Is.); United States Minor Outlying Islands (US Line Is., Howland-Baker Is.); Vanuatu; Viet Nam; Wallis and Futuna.", "diet": "As a juvenile, its diet consists primarily of plankton. Adults are omnivorous and feed on zooplankton, but will also graze on filamentous algae, microalgae and other marine plants.", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q278307.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Paletten-Doktorfisch Münster", "author": "DerHans04", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Paletten-Doktorfisch_M%C3%BCnster.JPG", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paracanthurus", "revision": 1381207776, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1381207776", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "61c1b1fabd8bfa1ed1e0edef7395def9e5202f9197fc763e40d165c8c123949b" }, { "id": "Q2128274", "common_name": "Dusky flathead", "scientific_name": "Platycephalus fuscus", "aliases": [ "Flathead", "Platycephalus fuscus" ], "summary": "Platycephalus fuscus, the dusky flathead or black flathead, (literally translating from Ancient Greek as \"flat-head dusky\") is a large predatory fish and the largest member of the family Platycephalidae. Dusky flathead are a largely estuarine species and are found in estuaries, estuarine lakes and coastal bays on the east coast of Australia, from Cairns in Queensland to the Gippsland Lakes in Victoria. They occur over sand, mud, gravel and seagrass and can inhabit estuarine waters up to the tidal limit.", "features": "Flathead are notable for their unusual body shape, upon which their hunting strategy is based. Flathead are dorsally compressed, meaning their body is wide but flattened and very low in height. Both eyes are on the top of the flattened head, giving excellent binocular vision in order to attack overhead prey. The effect is somewhat similar to flounder. In contrast to flounder however, flathead are much more elongated, the tail remains vertical, and the mouth is large, wide and symmetrical. Flathead use this body structure to hide in sand (their body colour changes to match their background), with only their eyes visible, and explode upwards and outwards to engulf small fish and prawns as they drift over the hidden flathead. Dusky flathead colour varies from sandy with brown spots and blotches to dark brown/black with white spots. They have a distinctive black spot on their caudal fins. Dark bars are often visible across the rear of the body. The preopercular spines on each side of the head are very sharp and slightly venomous, and should be avoided when handling the fish.", "habitat": "Dusky flathead are the largest of the many species of flathead found in Australia, and the most commonly caught. Dusky flathead have very rarely been caught at sizes up to 12–15 kg and lengths up to 1.3 metres, but average size is 0.5–1.5 kg and 40–50 cm. Typically a fish of estuaries and estuarine lakes, dusky flathead are rarely found in other habitats. The diet of dusky flathead is typically composed of smaller fish and prawns. According to NSW DPI Fisheries research, dusky flathead grow relatively quickly. In fact, dusky flathead can reach 40cm total length after just three years. Female dusky flathead mature at around 55cm total length while males mature much earlier at about 22cm total length. Only female fish attain the larger sizes. Breeding is reported to occur in mid to late summer around estuary mouths. A recent study (Pollock 2014) shows that the sex of dusky flathead is determined at the juvenile stage, and that there is no sex inversion from male to female.", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Platycephalidae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q2128274.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Platycephalus fuscus 1", "author": "Richard Ling from NSW, Australia", "license": "CC BY-SA 2.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Platycephalus_fuscus_1.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platycephalus_fuscus", "revision": 1375701509, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1375701509", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "b1cef3a4f66fa2d551040214a5e2fb750fdec6142b83cd02e7997a15337aba19" }, { "id": "Q14245820", "common_name": "Eastern Australian salmon", "scientific_name": "Arripis trutta", "aliases": [ "kahawai", "Australian salmon", "Eastern Australian salmon", "bay trout", "black back", "blackback salmon", "buck", "buck salmon", "cocky salmon", "colonial salmon", "newfish", "salmon trout", "Arripis trutta" ], "summary": "Arripis trutta, known as the Australian salmon in Australia and as kahawai in New Zealand, is a South Pacific marine fish and one of the four extant species within the genus Arripis, native to the cooler waters around the southeastern Australian coasts and the New Zealand coastline. Other common names for this species include Eastern Australian salmon, Eastern Australian mackerel, bay trout, blackback salmon (or just \"black back\"), buck salmon (or \"buck\"), cocky salmon, colonial salmon, woolley Judith, newfish and salmon trout. Although it is referred to as \"salmon\" in Australian English and its species epithet trutta is Latin for trout, it is not related to true salmons or trouts, which belong to the family Salmonidae of the order Salmoniformes. All Arripis species belong to the family Arripidae of the order Scombriformes.", "features": "Arripis trutta is a streamlined fish with a long and slender body. There is a bony ridge edge of bone beneath and in front of each eye which has obvious serrations in smaller individuals. In larger fish the scales feel smooth. The lobes of the caudal fin are equivalent in length to the head. These fish are dark bluish-green dorsally and silvery white ventrally. The juveniles have golden bars on their upper flanks and these break up into large spots as the fish matures. The pectoral fin is vivid yellow and the caudal and spiny part of the dorsal fin both have a blackish margin. There are 9 spines and 15–17 soft rays in the dorsal fin and 3 spines and 9–10 soft rays in the anal fin. The maximum total length recorded is 89 centimetres (35 in) although they are commonly a total length of around 47 centimetres (19 in) and the maximum recorded weight is 9.4 kilograms (21 lb). The most consistent difference between this species and Arripis truttacea is the gill raker count, A. truttacea has 25–31 gill rakers and A trutta has 33–40. Arripis trutta can differentiated from Arripis xylabion, as the former has a larger tail.", "habitat": "Arripis trutta is a migratory fish that may swim long distances, sometimes thousands of kilometres. The adults congregate and form very large schools off oceanic beaches and exposed coasts coastal areas, and will enter rivers. The juveniles live in smaller schools in more sheltered areas such as bays and estuaries, and these mostly occur in the more southerly areas in which this species occurs. It is carnivorous and feeds mainly on small pelagic fish and crustaceans such as krill. They are highly visual predators, preying on a diverse variety which eat a variety of crustaceans and polychaetes during their juvenile phase, however, adults shift their preferred prey to small schooling baitfish such as pilchards, sprats and anchovies. There is some evidence that the diet of A. trutta has undergone a marked shift since the late 20th century, studies conducted during 1950s and 1960s found that the adults fed largely on krill and squid, which are animals associated with cooler waters. Studies during the early 21st century have shown that the main prey taken is small pelagic baitfish. It is thought that this shift is a result of long-term changes in the East Australian Current which brings warmer waters from the Coral Sea and has extended farther south since the 1990s. It is further thought that this \"multi-decadal southward penetration of the EAC\" is one of the more obvious indications of global warming and the recorded change in the diet of A trutta forms a biological record of oceanic warming.", "distribution": "Arripis trutta is found in the southwestern Pacific Ocean mostly around the littoral waters of the Tasman Sea and Bass Strait. In Australia, they are found from Moreton Bay in Queensland to western Victoria and northern Tasmania, with infrequent records at Kangaroo Island in South Australia. They are also found around Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island in the open waters of the Tasman Sea. In New Zealand, they are distributed around the coasts but are more common north of Kaikōura on the South Island. They are also found around the Chatham Islands and Kermadec Islands east of New Zealand.", "diet": "", "family": "Salmonidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q14245820.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Arripis trutta", "author": "Andrew J. Green", "license": "CC BY 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Arripis_trutta.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arripis_trutta", "revision": 1354732303, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1354732303", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "822ea00d6e8aeebc3ba8e8895824016f9776e35d047774e7090d1bf6b012dc16" }, { "id": "Q2157453", "common_name": "Yellowtail amberjack", "scientific_name": "Seriola lalandi", "aliases": [ "Seriola lalandi", "great amberjack" ], "summary": "The yellowtail amberjack, yellowtail kingfish, hiramasa or great amberjack (Seriola lalandi) is a large fish found in the oceans of the Southern Hemisphere. Although previously thought to be found in all oceans and seas, recent genetic analysis restricts S. lalandi proper to the Southern Hemisphere waters. However, they are found in Northern Hemisphere waters during certain times of the year. The fish was given its name by Pierre Antoine Delalande, a naturalist who first informed zoologist Achille Valenciennes of the existence of this species. His reason for the use of the word Seriola (feminine diminutive form of seria, a large earthenware pot) to name the fish is uncertain, but the epithet lalandi was derived from his surname.", "features": "", "habitat": "The yellowtail amberjack occurs in tropical and temperate waters of the Southern Hemisphere and the northern Pacific. In Australia, it is recorded from North Reef, Queensland, (23° 11′ S) to Trigg Island, Western Australia, (31° 52′ S), and as far south as Tasmania. The yellowtail amberjack (or yellowtail kingfish as it is known in Australia) is a highly mobile pelagic species, and tends to either form single-species schools, or combine with southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii) and silver trevally (Pseudocaranx dentex). They prefer water temperatures of 17‒24 °C. In general, they inhabit rocky reefs and adjacent sandy areas in coastal waters and occasionally enter estuaries. They are found from shallow water down to depths around 50 m (160 ft), although have been caught from over 300 m (980 ft). Young fish up to 7 kg (15 lb) are known to form shoals of several hundred fish. They are generally found close to the coast, while larger fish are more common around deep reefs and offshore islands. Juvenile yellowtail amberjack are rarely seen, as they are often found far from land associated with floating debris or weed which provide camouflage. Juveniles are yellow with black bands. This colouration fades as the fish ages, and by about 30 cm (12 in) in length, the fish has assumed its adult colouration.", "distribution": "The yellowtail amberjack occurs in tropical and temperate waters of the Southern Hemisphere and the northern Pacific. In Australia, it is recorded from North Reef, Queensland, (23° 11′ S) to Trigg Island, Western Australia, (31° 52′ S), and as far south as Tasmania. The yellowtail amberjack (or yellowtail kingfish as it is known in Australia) is a highly mobile pelagic species, and tends to either form single-species schools, or combine with southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii) and silver trevally (Pseudocaranx dentex). They prefer water temperatures of 17‒24 °C. In general, they inhabit rocky reefs and adjacent sandy areas in coastal waters and occasionally enter estuaries. They are found from shallow water down to depths around 50 m (160 ft), although have been caught from over 300 m (980 ft). Young fish up to 7 kg (15 lb) are known to form shoals of several hundred fish. They are generally found close to the coast, while larger fish are more common around deep reefs and offshore islands. Juvenile yellowtail amberjack are rarely seen, as they are often found far from land associated with floating debris or weed which provide camouflage. Juveniles are yellow with black bands. This colouration fades as the fish ages, and by about 30 cm (12 in) in length, the fish has assumed its adult colouration.", "diet": "Being a pelagic fish, yellowtail amberjack are highly active predators, usually in schools or in pairs. Their main diet consists of baitfish including yellowtail mackerel, squid, prawns, garfish, pilchards and kahawai. Yellowtail amberjacks are one of the major predator species in New Zealand waters, and have been recorded eating seabirds.", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q2157453.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Yellowtail amberjack", "author": "brian gratwicke", "license": "CC BY 2.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Yellowtail_amberjack.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellowtail_amberjack", "revision": 1379070031, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1379070031", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "7e63a478674479c3ba676405fad5fa497788475eb78dcb95685c344568b56c06" }, { "id": "Q783248", "common_name": "Golden perch", "scientific_name": "Macquaria ambigua", "aliases": [ "Macquaria ambigua" ], "summary": "The golden perch (Macquaria ambigua) is a medium-sized, yellow or gold-coloured species of Australian freshwater fish found primarily in the Murray-Darling River system. A subspecies is found in the Lake Eyre-Cooper Creek system, and another subspecies, suspected to be ancestral to all other populations, is found in the Fitzroy River system in Queensland. Other common names for golden perch are \"goldens\", \"yellowbelly\" and \"callop\", the last generally used only in South Australia. Golden perch are not a true perch, which belongs to the genus Perca from the family Percidae, but a member of the Percichthyidae (temperate perch) family. This relatively widespread and widely stocked species is an important angling sport fish in Australia.", "features": "Golden perch are medium-sized fish, commonly 30–40 cm and 1–2 kg in rivers. Fish from rivers are smaller and somewhat streamlined — fish in man-made impoundments are much deeper-bodied and show much greater average and maximum sizes. In rivers, has been recorded to 9 kg, in impoundments to 15 kg. A 24-kg fish caught from Kow Swamp, Victoria in the early 1900s, and labelled and sold as a \"Murray perch\", is often referred to as the largest recorded golden perch, but this record is doubtful — this record grossly exceeds all other size records for golden perch, and the specimen in question is far more likely to have been a Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii), which grow to far larger sizes than golden perch. Golden perch have an elongated, deep but laterally compressed body, with a sizeable mouth, small to moderate-sized eyes, a distinct curve to the forehead, and a distinct \"hump\" above the head. The opercula or gill covers possess a small, flat spine sharp enough to cut unwary fishermen's fingers. The caudal fin, soft dorsal fin, and anal fin are rounded. The spiny dorsal fin is short to moderate in length and strong. Golden perch vary from in colour from pale silvery-gold (turbid waters) to deep yellow/gold or bronze-black (very clear waters).", "habitat": "", "distribution": "Golden perch are native primarily to lowland reaches of the Murray–Darling River system, but also extend far into slope habitats and occasionally even lower upland reaches. In the Murray–Darling system golden perch are often found in sympatry with Murray cod. The Macquaria perches, of which golden perch are one, continue the trend present in Murray–Darling native fish genera of diversification into more generalist lowland species and more specialist upland species. Golden perch, M. ambigua, represent the lowland species, while the closely related Macquarie perch, M. australasica, is the more specialised upland species which used to inhabit the upland reaches of the southern Murray–Darling basin, although this endangered species has now been almost wholly displaced by introduced trout species, dams, and associated effects such as cold-water pollution, and habitat degradation/modification. Like many Murray–Darling native fish, golden perch have crossed river catchments through natural river capture/connection events. Golden perch are found naturally in the Fitzroy–Dawson River in central Queensland and the internal Lake Eyre–Cooper Creek drainage system of Central Australia. The fish has also been successfully introduced to other river systems in the Northern Territory, Queensland, and New South Wales, confusing studies of the natural range. Introductions into Western Australia have been unsuccessful. Both of these separate populations are at least subspecies, possibly separate species, due to isolation from Murray–Darling populations, genetic drift, and natural selection.", "diet": "Adult golden perch are carnivores, feeding on smaller fish and macrocrustaceans, including yabbies, shrimp, frogs, small fish, and aquatic invertebrates.", "family": "Percidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q783248.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Golden perch", "author": "Codman", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Golden_perch.JPG", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_perch", "revision": 1355294640, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1355294640", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "73367909e94a7baf19ecdb7014778c98260f3e01fe22ae089ad7e6839f508129" }, { "id": "Q3272668", "common_name": "Yellowfin Bream", "scientific_name": "Rhabdosargus sarba", "aliases": [ "Rhabdosargus sarba", "Tarwhine", "Natal Stumpnose", "Goldlined Seabream", "Silver Bream", "Tropical Stumpnose" ], "summary": "Rhabdosargus sarba, also known as the goldlined seabream, silver bream, tarwhine, or yellowfin bream, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, which includes the seabreams and porgies. This fish has a wide Indo-Pacific distribution.", "features": "Rhabdosargus sarba has a deep and compressed body, the body has a depth which fits into its standard length 2 to 2.3 times. with a large head. The dorsal profile is convex, most strongly arched between the snout and the origin of the dorsal fin. The moderately sized eyes are relatively smaller in adults. There are 11 spine and 12 or 13 soft rays supporting the dorsal fin while the anal fin is supported by 3 spines and 11 soft rays. The largest molar-like teeth are those at the rear of the third outer row. The overall colour of this fish is greyish with a silvery-gold hue, the ventral surface is silvery-white, and there are thin yellowish to golden horizontal stripes along the flanks. The pelvic and anal fins yellowish to brownish-yellow in colour. This species has a maximum published total length of 80 cm (31 in), although 45 cm (18 in) is more typical, and a maximum published weight of 12 kg (26 lb).", "habitat": "Rhabdosargus sarba has a wide Indo-Pacific distribution from the Red Sea and the eastern coast of Africa as far south as the southern coast of South Africa east across the Indian Ocean and into the Pacific Ocean as far as the South China Sea and Japan and south to Australia. In Australia it is found along the Western Australian coast from Bremer Bay to Exmouth and along the east coast between Townsville, Queensland south to Mallacoota, Victoria. There is a single records from the Mediterranean off Syria, and this is thought likely to have been a Lessepsian migrant from the Red Sea through the Suez Canal. The tarwhine is found at depths between 0 and 60 m (0 and 197 ft), juveniles and young fishes are found in estuaries but the adults move out to deeper coastal waters.", "distribution": "Rhabdosargus sarba has a wide Indo-Pacific distribution from the Red Sea and the eastern coast of Africa as far south as the southern coast of South Africa east across the Indian Ocean and into the Pacific Ocean as far as the South China Sea and Japan and south to Australia. In Australia it is found along the Western Australian coast from Bremer Bay to Exmouth and along the east coast between Townsville, Queensland south to Mallacoota, Victoria. There is a single records from the Mediterranean off Syria, and this is thought likely to have been a Lessepsian migrant from the Red Sea through the Suez Canal. The tarwhine is found at depths between 0 and 60 m (0 and 197 ft), juveniles and young fishes are found in estuaries but the adults move out to deeper coastal waters.", "diet": "", "family": "Sparidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q3272668.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Flickr - uShaka Sea World 2157", "author": "Peter Black", "license": "CC BY-SA 2.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Flickr_-_uShaka_Sea_World_2157.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhabdosargus_sarba", "revision": 1362807992, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1362807992", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "e0d3e77c5187e1b6dc44271c8b8b870bfc36a0e6234b4e025c43ad5027606ebc" }, { "id": "Q2121687", "common_name": "Rock blackfish", "scientific_name": "Girella elevata", "aliases": [ "Black drummer", "Drummer", "Girella elevata" ], "summary": "Girella elevata, the rock blackfish, Eastern rock blackfish, black rockfish or Eastern rock blackfish drummer is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a sea chub from the family Kyphosidae. It is found in the southwestern Pacific Ocean around eastern Australia and northern New Zealand.", "features": "Girella elevata has a moderately deep, compressed oval shaped body with a narrow caudal peduncle and a small head which has a slightly bulging forehead. It has a small mouth which does not extend as far as the eye. Each jaw is equipped with a two rows of teeth, an outer row of flattened three-crowned teeth which do not overlap and an inner row of similar but much smaller teeth. It has ctenoid scales which cover much of the body and it has a continuous lateral line which is arched in parallel with the body's dorsal profile. The dorsal fin is continuous and there is almost no difference in form between the spiny and rayed parts of the dorsal fin. The spiny part is about a third longer than the rayed portion. The spines become longer towards the trail and the soft rays are noticeably longer than the spines. The soft-rayed part of the dorsal fin is rounded. The anal fin is similar in shape to and lies opposite to the soft-rayed part of the dorsal fin. It has a very large and deeply forked caudal fin It has small pectoral fins in which the upper rays are the longest and small pelvic fins, located below, and just to the rear of the base of the pectoral fins. The dorsal fin has 14-16 spines and 11-12 soft rays while the anal fin has three spines and 11-12 soft rays. It can reach a length of 62 centimetres (24 in) standard length and average weight of 1 kilogram (2.2 lb) standard weight to 2 kilograms (4.4 lb) standard weight, but can exceed 3 kilograms (6.6 lb).", "habitat": "Girella elevata show a preference as adults for areas of rocky reef in exposed situations where they can be found from the surf zone down to around 25 metres (82 ft). They are frequently observed by divers in caves or below ledges. The juveniles occur in rockpools, estuaries and areas of rocky reef in shallow waters. This species may live as long as 45 years. It is omnivorous and feeds on a range of invertebrates and algae.", "distribution": "Girella elevata is found in the south-western Pacific Ocean in coastal eastern Australia and northern New Zealand. In Australia it occurs from Noosa Heads, Queensland south to Apollo Bay in Victoria and northern Tasmania, although it is rare west of Wilsons Promontory in Victoria. It is also found around Lord Howe Island in the Tasman Sea. Rock blackfish have been reported in waters off Japan, although these were most likely Girella leonina or punctata, both having “blackfish” as part of their Japanese names (both of which are primary targets of Japanese ISO fishers, who sometimes charter helicopters for day trips to offshore islands to fish for them). Another related species that can be mistaken for elata is the dusky sea chub, Girella freminvillii, which has been seen in the Galápagos Islands.", "diet": "", "family": "Kyphosidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q2121687.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "FMIB 36163 Girella elevata, Macleay", "author": "Allan Riverstone McCulloch", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:FMIB_36163_Girella_elevata,_Macleay.jpeg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girella_elevata", "revision": 1355367076, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1355367076", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "4035a652eb54de1b7620990d1d8e864fbc201f4277a6ffe0dd852df0937b59e5" }, { "id": "Q123141", "common_name": "Goldfish", "scientific_name": "Carassius auratus", "aliases": [ "Carassius auratus" ], "summary": "The goldfish (Carassius auratus) is a freshwater fish in the family Cyprinidae of the order Cypriniformes. It is commonly kept as a pet in indoor aquariums, and is one of the most popular aquarium fish. Goldfish released into the wild have become an invasive pest in parts of North America and Australia. Native to China, the goldfish is a relatively small member of the genus Carassius (which also includes the Prussian carp and the crucian carp). It was first selectively bred for color in imperial China more than 1,000 years ago, where several distinct breeds were developed. Goldfish breeds vary greatly in size, body shape, fin configuration, and coloration. Various combinations of white, yellow, orange, red, brown, and black are known.", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "In the wild, the diet of goldfish consists of crustaceans, insects, and various plant matter. Like most fish, they are opportunistic feeders and do not stop eating on their own accord. Overfeeding can be deleterious to their health, typically by blocking the intestines. This happens most often with selectively bred goldfish, which have a convoluted intestinal tract. When excess food is available, they produce more waste and feces, partly due to incomplete protein digestion. Overfeeding can sometimes be diagnosed by observing feces trailing from the fish's cloaca. Goldfish-specific food has less protein and more carbohydrate than conventional fish food. Enthusiasts may supplement this diet with shelled peas (with outer skins removed), blanched green leafy vegetables, and bloodworms. Young goldfish benefit from the addition of brine shrimp to their diet. As with all animals, goldfish preferences vary.", "family": "Cyprinidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q123141.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Gold fish1", "author": "לינה אבוגוש", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gold_fish1.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goldfish", "revision": 1383591171, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1383591171", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "f5457d348cc663802250ee08ad323003f47d2dee3932b5fe6a2ea08ad3ed6a0d" }, { "id": "Q129026", "common_name": "Great white shark", "scientific_name": "Carcharodon carcharias", "aliases": [ "Carcharodon carcharias", "C. carcharias", "white pointer", "white shark", "white death", "great white" ], "summary": "The great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias), also known as the white shark, white pointer, or great white, is a large shark. It is closely related to the mako sharks, the porbeagle, and the salmon shark. It is a robustly built species with a grayish upperside and a white underside. The white shark is one of the largest living shark and fish species, though it is still smaller than the whale shark and basking shark. It has about 300 triangular, serrated teeth that are continuously replaced. Its massive, fatty liver can reach over a quarter of its body weight, providing buoyancy and storing energy. The species is partially warm-blooded, an adaptation that allows it to remain active in colder waters. White sharks inhabit tropical and temperate ocean waters around the world and can be found both near coasts and in the open ocean. Populations are most concentrated at the Pacific and Atlantic of North America and in the waters of southern Africa and Oceania. They are a highly migratory species, traveling between the coast and the open ocean and even between continents. The white shark preys on marine mammals such as seals and dolphins, as well as squid and fish, including other sharks. It also scavenges whale carcasses. Though normally an apex predator, the species is sometimes preyed on by orcas. White sharks are generally solitary, but may gather in aggregations, particularly at feeding sites. They may communicate and establish dominance hierarchies with body language.", "features": "", "habitat": "White sharks range from tropical to temperate and even colder waters around the world with major populations in northwestern and northeastern Pacific, western North Atlantic, the Mediterranean, southern African waters and Oceania. It is also present near the coasts of South America but appears to be uncommon. Shark expert Greg Skomal lists the Farallon Islands, California; Guadalupe Island, Mexico; Cape Cod, Massachusetts; Western Cape, South Africa; Neptune Islands, Australia; and both Stewart Island and the Chatham Islands, New Zealand, as major coastal feeding aggregations. Researchers have also identified an offshore feeding aggregation between western North America and Hawaii dubbed the White Shark Café. White sharks can be found both along the coast and in the open ocean. They are typically close to the surface but may dive to depths of up to 1,300 m (4,300 ft). Deeper dives are more common in the open ocean. Coastal habitats used include nearshore archipelagos, offshore reefs, banks and shoals, and headlands. A 2018 study indicated that white sharks will congregate in patches of warm water in the open ocean. Juvenile white sharks are more limited to shallow coastal waters with temperatures between 14 and 24 °C (57 and 75 °F). Increased sightings of young sharks in areas where they were not previously common, such as Monterey Bay on the central California coast, suggest climate change may be forcing juveniles closer to the poles. White sharks are estimated to swim 2.88–4.86 km/h (1.79–3.02 mph) but can sprint up to 24.12 km/h (14.99 mph).", "distribution": "White sharks range from tropical to temperate and even colder waters around the world with major populations in northwestern and northeastern Pacific, western North Atlantic, the Mediterranean, southern African waters and Oceania. It is also present near the coasts of South America but appears to be uncommon. Shark expert Greg Skomal lists the Farallon Islands, California; Guadalupe Island, Mexico; Cape Cod, Massachusetts; Western Cape, South Africa; Neptune Islands, Australia; and both Stewart Island and the Chatham Islands, New Zealand, as major coastal feeding aggregations. Researchers have also identified an offshore feeding aggregation between western North America and Hawaii dubbed the White Shark Café. White sharks can be found both along the coast and in the open ocean. They are typically close to the surface but may dive to depths of up to 1,300 m (4,300 ft). Deeper dives are more common in the open ocean. Coastal habitats used include nearshore archipelagos, offshore reefs, banks and shoals, and headlands. A 2018 study indicated that white sharks will congregate in patches of warm water in the open ocean. Juvenile white sharks are more limited to shallow coastal waters with temperatures between 14 and 24 °C (57 and 75 °F). Increased sightings of young sharks in areas where they were not previously common, such as Monterey Bay on the central California coast, suggest climate change may be forcing juveniles closer to the poles.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q129026.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "White shark", "author": "Pterantula (Terry Goss) at en.wikipedia", "license": "CC BY 2.5", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:White_shark.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_white_shark", "revision": 1380372675, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1380372675", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "6d17f8838a59a514f93707ab7d8444eb103ac21f9e7c7e1123fde6ece943c756" }, { "id": "Q164327", "common_name": "Swordfish", "scientific_name": "Xiphias gladius", "aliases": [ "Xiphias gladius", "broadbill", "broadbills" ], "summary": "The swordfish (Xiphias gladius), also known as the broadbill in some countries, are large, highly migratory predatory fish characterized by a long, flat, sword-like, pointed bill. They are the sole member of the family Xiphiidae. They are a popular sport fish of the billfish category. Swordfish are elongated, round-bodied, and lose all teeth and scales by adulthood. These fish are found widely in tropical and temperate parts of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, and can typically be found from near the surface to a depth of 550 m (1,800 ft), and exceptionally up to depths of 2,878 m (9,442 ft). They commonly reach 3 m (10 ft) in length, and the maximum reported is 4.55 m (14 ft 11 in) in length and 650 kg (1,430 lb) in weight.", "features": "They commonly reach 3 m (10 ft) in length, and the maximum reported is 4.55 m (14 ft 11 in) in length and 682 kg (1,500 lb) in weight. The International Game Fish Association's all-tackle angling record for a swordfish was a 536 kg (1,182 lb) specimen taken off Chile in 1953. Females are larger than males, and Pacific swordfish reach a greater size than northwest Atlantic and Mediterranean swordfish. They reach maturity at 4–5 years of age, and the maximum age is believed to be at least 9 years. The oldest swordfish found in a recent study were a 16-year-old female and 12-year-old male. Swordfish ages are derived, with difficulty, from annual rings on fin rays rather than otoliths, since their otoliths are small in size.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Xiphiidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q164327.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Xiphias gladius Linnaeus, 1758 2599925021", "author": "Naturalis Biodiversity Center", "license": "CC0", "license_url": "http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed.en", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Xiphias_gladius_Linnaeus,_1758_2599925021.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swordfish", "revision": 1380373339, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1380373339", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "6d2e9d29ed76fa9461fa8ee1bd63c6d38ad113e8aed1dc694c7f4e0453f20476" }, { "id": "Q26387", "common_name": "European eel", "scientific_name": "Anguilla anguilla", "aliases": [ "silver eels", "Anguilla anguilla", "Leptocephalus brevirostris" ], "summary": "The European eel (Anguilla anguilla) is a species of eel. Their life history was a mystery for thousands of years, and mating in the wild has not yet been observed. The five stages of their development were originally thought to be different species. They are critically endangered due to hydroelectric dams, overfishing by fisheries on coasts for human consumption, and parasites.", "features": "European eels undergo five stages of development in their lifecycle: larva (leptocephalus), glass eel, elver, yellow eel, and silver eel. Adults in the yellow phase are typically around 45–65 centimetres (18–26 in) and rarely reach more than 1.0 metre (3 ft 3 in), but they can reach a length of up to 1.33 metres (4 ft 4 in) in exceptional cases. They have 110 to 120 vertebrae. They tend to live approximately 15–20 years in the wild, although some captive specimens have lived for over 80 years. One such specimen known as \"the Brantevik Eel\" lived for 155 years in the well of a family home in Brantevik, a fishing village in southern Sweden.", "habitat": "Eels tend to range 0–700 metres (0–2,297 ft) underwater. After spawning in the Sargasso Sea, they disperse northwards throughout the Atlantic Ocean, its coasts, and the rivers that empty into it. Feeding occurs mainly at night via scent, with prey consisting of worms, fish (including ones too big to eat without biting off chunks), mollusks such as slugs, crustaceans such as crayfish, and occasionally plankton, when available in large quantities. European eels are preyed upon by larger eels, herons, cormorants, and pike. Seagulls also prey on elvers. Eels usually find and compete for shelter by hiding in plants or in tube-shaped crevices in rocks. They also hide in muddy fields when inland.", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q26387.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Anguilla anguilla", "author": "GerardM", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Anguilla_anguilla.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_eel", "revision": 1383584341, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1383584341", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "68dfd443ba0dec278563b8acba57943dee9762904d76392ecbd9117bf1747612" }, { "id": "Q178202", "common_name": "Guppy", "scientific_name": "Poecilia reticulata", "aliases": [ "millionfish", "millionsfish", "the guppy", "rainbow fish", "peacock fish", "guppy", "Poecilia reticulata" ], "summary": "The guppy (Poecilia reticulata), also known as the peacock fish, millionfish or rainbow fish, is a member of the family Poeciliidae and, akin to most New World members of the family, is classified as a livebearer. Male guppies, which are smaller than females, have ornamental caudal and dorsal fins. Wild guppies generally feed on a variety of food sources, including benthic algae and the larvae of aquatic insects. Native to northeast South America, it has been introduced to many environments and are now found all over the world; guppies are now one of the world's most widely distributed tropical fish and one of the most popular freshwater aquarium fish species. They are highly adaptable and thrive in many different environmental and ecological conditions. Guppies are used as a model organism in the fields of ecology, evolution, and behavioural studies.", "features": "Guppies exhibit sexual dimorphism. While wild-type females are grey in body colour, males have splashes, spots, or stripes that can be any of a wide variety of colours. The development and expression of colour patterns in male guppies is influenced by thyroid hormone levels. The thyroid hormones not only influence colour pattern, but control endocrine function in response to their environment. The size of guppies varies by gender, but males are typically 1.5–4 cm (0.6–1.6 in) long, while females are 3–7 cm (1.2–2.8 in) long. A variety of fancy guppy strains are produced by breeders through selective breeding, characterised by different colours, patterns, shapes, and sizes of fins, such as snakeskin and grass varieties. Many domestic strains have morphological traits that are very distinct from the wild-type antecedents. Males and females of many domestic strains usually have larger body size and are much more lavishly ornamented than their wild-type antecedents.", "habitat": "Guppies are native to Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Brazil, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela. However, guppies have been introduced to many different countries on every continent except Antarctica. Sometimes this has occurred accidentally, but most often as a means of mosquito control. The guppies were expected to eat the mosquito larvae and help slow the spread of malaria, but in many cases, these guppies have had a negative impact on native fish populations. Field studies reveal that guppies have colonised almost every freshwater body accessible to them in their natural ranges, especially in the streams located near the coastal fringes of mainland South America. Although not typically found there, guppies also have tolerance to brackish water and have colonised some brackish environments. They tend to be more abundant in smaller streams and pools than in large, deep, or fast-flowing rivers. They also are capable of being acclimated to full saltwater like their molly cousins. Wild guppies feed on algal remains, diatoms, invertebrates, zooplankton, detritus, plant fragments, mineral particles, aquatic insect larvae, and other sources. Algal remains constitute the biggest proportion of wild guppy diet in most cases, but diets vary depending on the specific conditions of food availability in the habitat.", "distribution": "Guppies are native to Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Brazil, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela. However, guppies have been introduced to many different countries on every continent except Antarctica. Sometimes this has occurred accidentally, but most often as a means of mosquito control. The guppies were expected to eat the mosquito larvae and help slow the spread of malaria, but in many cases, these guppies have had a negative impact on native fish populations. Field studies reveal that guppies have colonised almost every freshwater body accessible to them in their natural ranges, especially in the streams located near the coastal fringes of mainland South America. Although not typically found there, guppies also have tolerance to brackish water and have colonised some brackish environments. They tend to be more abundant in smaller streams and pools than in large, deep, or fast-flowing rivers. They also are capable of being acclimated to full saltwater like their molly cousins.", "diet": "", "family": "Poeciliidae", "water_type": "Both", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q178202.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Guppy pho 0048", "author": "Per Harald Olsen", "license": "CC BY 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Guppy_pho_0048.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guppy", "revision": 1383124279, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1383124279", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "da61ceb0e59a437fc9996c9162f0bf96e90b43d31dcbb6b17c0ea6404aaccb55" }, { "id": "Q2857311", "common_name": "Brown trout", "scientific_name": "Salmo trutta", "aliases": [ "brown trout", "Salmo trutta" ], "summary": "The brown trout (Salmo trutta) is a species of carnivorous ray-finned fish and the most widely distributed species of the salmonid genus Salmo, endemic to most of Europe, West Asia and parts of North Africa, and has been widely introduced globally as a game fish, even becoming one of the world's worst invasive species outside of its native range. Brown trout are highly adaptable and have evolved numerous ecotypes/subspecies. These include three main ecotypes: a riverine ecotype S. trutta morpha fario, commonly called river trout; a lacustrine ecotype S. trutta morpha lacustris, also called the lake trout (not to be confused with the lake trout in North America, which is a species of char); and an euryhaline ecotype S. trutta morpha trutta, also known as the sea trout. Sea trout in Ireland and Great Britain have many regional names: sewin in Wales, finnock in Scotland, peal in the West Country, mort in North West England, and white trout in Ireland. Like all salmonids, all three brown trout ecotypes spawn in fresh water among the gravel beds of headstreams, where the water is colder and better aerated. Sea trout is anadromous, meaning it will spend the juvenile life stages in freshwater, but upon reaching adulthood will migrate downstream to the oceans for much of its life, and only returns to fresh water for reproduction. In contrast, the lacustrine and riverine morphs are both potamodromous, meaning they are also migratory but only between different freshwater bodies.", "features": "Defining characteristics of brown trout include a slender body with a long, narrow head. The mouth is large, and on its roof, vomerine teeth are developed in a zig-zag pattern. The caudal fin is deltaform without forking, unlike that of the related Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Dark and red spots are often present on the sides, but do not extend to the tail. Parr trout (juvenile) often have a red margin on their adipose fin, with dark blotches along their sides that also become inconspicuous with age. Freshwater brown trout range in colour from largely silver with relatively few spots and a white belly, to the more well-known brassy reddish-brown cast fading to creamy white on the fish's belly, with medium-sized spots surrounded by lighter halos. The more silver forms can be mistaken for rainbow trout. Regional variants include the so-called \"Loch Leven\" trout, distinguished by larger fins, a slimmer body, and heavy black spotting, but lacking red spots. The continental European strain features a lighter golden cast with some red spotting and fewer dark spots. Notably, both strains can show considerable individual variation from this general description. Early stocking efforts in the United States used fish taken from Scotland and Germany. Brown trout is a medium-sized fish, growing to 20 kg (44 lb) or more and a length of about 100 cm (39 in) in some localities, although in many smaller rivers, a mature weight of 1.0 kg (2.2 lb) or less is common. S. t.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "The native range of brown trout extends from northern Norway and White Sea tributaries in Russia in the Arctic Ocean to the Atlas Mountains in North Africa. The western limit of their native range is Iceland in the north Atlantic, while the eastern limit is in Aral Sea tributaries in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Brown trout have been widely introduced into suitable environments around the world, including North and South America, Australasia, Asia, and South and East Africa. Introduced brown trout have established self-sustaining, wild populations in many introduced countries. The first introductions were in Australia in 1864 when 300 of 1500 brown trout eggs from the River Itchen survived a four-month voyage from Falmouth, Cornwall to Melbourne on the sailing ship Norfolk. By 1866, 171 young brown trout were surviving in a Plenty River hatchery in Tasmania. Thirty-eight young trout were released in the river, a tributary of the River Derwent in 1866. By 1868, the Plenty River hosted a self-sustaining population of brown trout which became a brood source for continued introduction of brown trout into Australian and New Zealand rivers. Successful introductions into the Natal and Cape Provinces of South Africa took place in 1890 and 1892, respectively. By 1909, brown trout were established in the mountains of Kenya. The first introductions into the Himalayas in northern India took place in 1868, and by 1900, brown trout were established in Kashmir and Madras.", "diet": "Field studies have demonstrated that brown trout fed on several animal prey species, aquatic invertebrates (such as crustaceans and molluscs) being the most abundant prey items. However, brown trout also feed on other taxa such as terrestrial invertebrates (e.g. Hymenoptera) or other fish (e.g. small suckers, minnows, sculpin, and darters). Moreover, in brown trout, as in many other fish species, a change in the diet composition normally occurs during the life of the fish, and piscivorous behaviour is most frequent in large brown trout. These shifts in the diet during fish lifecycle transitions may be accompanied by a marked reduction in intraspecific competition in the fish population, facilitating the partitioning of resources. Brown trout that live in lakes and reservoirs normally eat zooplankton on the lake bed, detritus, and in some cases have a diet that only consists of algae. Piscivorous brown trout in rivers and streams will commonly eat trout eggs during the fall and early winter, as well as eating terrestrial insects. Anadromous brown trout diet is similar to freshwater brown trout with the inclusion of polychaetes. As anadromous trout migrate to the sea, diet change is gradual from freshwater to marine. First feeding of newly emerged fry is very important for brown trout survival in this phase of the lifecycle, and first feeding can occur even prior to emergence. Fry start to feed before complete yolk absorption and the diet composition of newly emerged brown trout is composed of small prey such as chironomid larvae or baetid nymphs.", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q2857311.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Brown Trout (Salmo trutta) (53678765394)", "author": "USFWS Mountain Prairie", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Brown_Trout_(Salmo_trutta)_(53678765394).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_trout", "revision": 1381337937, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1381337937", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "0da32bcc3aa62aad057fee87ca2aebed61272102cd64b28b566c1e0688a9bc53" }, { "id": "Q76280", "common_name": "Tench", "scientific_name": "Tinca tinca", "aliases": [ "Tinca tinca" ], "summary": "The tench or doctor fish (Tinca tinca) is a fresh- and brackish-water fish of the order Cypriniformes found throughout Eurasia from Western Europe including Britain and Ireland east into Asia as far as the Ob and Yenisei Rivers. It is also found in Lake Baikal. It normally inhabits slow-moving freshwater habitats, particularly lakes and lowland rivers.", "features": "Tench have a stocky, carp-like shape and olive-green skin, darker above and almost golden below. The tail fin is square in shape. The other fins are distinctly rounded in shape. The mouth is rather narrow and provided at each corner with a very small barbel. Maximum size is 70 cm (28 in), though most specimens are much smaller. A record fish caught in 2001 in England had a weight of 15 lb 3.4 oz (6.899 kg). The eyes are small and red-orange in colour. Females can reach weights of around 7 kg (15 lb), although 4 kg (8.8 lb) is considered large. Males rarely reach over 3 kg (6.5 lb). Sexual dimorphism is strong, males can be recognised by having larger, more curved pelvic fins extending beyond the anus and noticeable muscles around the base of these fins generally absent in females. Males also possess a very thick and flattened outer ray to the ventral fins. Adult females may have a more convex ventral profile when compared with males. The tench has very small scales, which are deeply embedded in a thick skin, making it as slippery as an eel. Folklore has it that this slime cured any sick fish that rubbed against it, and from this belief arose the name doctor fish.", "habitat": "The tench is most often found in still waters with a clay or muddy substrate and abundant vegetation. This species is rare in clear waters across stony substrate, and is absent altogether from fast-flowing streams. It tolerates water with a low oxygen concentration, being found in waters where even the carp cannot survive. Tench feed mostly at night with a preference for animals, such as chironomids, on the bottom of eutrophic waters and snails and pea clams in well-vegetated waters. Breeding takes place in shallow water usually among aquatic plants where the sticky green eggs can be deposited. Spawning usually occurs in summer, and as many as 300,000 eggs may be produced. Growth is rapid, and fish may reach a weight of 0.11 kg (0.25 lb) within the first year.", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q76280.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Tinca tinca Natural History Museum University of Pisa", "author": "Mattia Nocciola", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tinca_tinca_Natural_History_Museum_University_of_Pisa.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tench", "revision": 1360740969, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1360740969", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "43b54db1e8bdb7f9e88929386bb68d3db504391fc85ef21a732c6bb9070fac0c" }, { "id": "Q166812", "common_name": "European perch", "scientific_name": "Perca fluviatilis", "aliases": [ "Perca fluviatilis", "perch", "redfin perch", "big-scaled redfin", "English perch", "Eurasian perch", "Eurasian river perch", "common perch" ], "summary": "The European perch (Perca fluviatilis), also known as the common perch, redfin perch, big-scaled redfin, English perch, Euro perch, Eurasian perch, Eurasian river perch, Hatch, poor man's rockfish or in Anglophone parts of Europe, simply the perch, is a predatory freshwater fish native to Europe and North Asia. It is the type species of the genus Perca. The perch is a popular predatory game fish for recreational anglers, and has been widely introduced beyond its native Eurasian habitats into Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Known locally simply as \"redfin\", they have caused substantial damage to native fish populations in Australia and have been proclaimed a noxious species in New South Wales.", "features": "European perch are greenish with red pelvic, anal and caudal fins. They have five to eight dark vertical bars on their sides. When the perch grows larger, a hump grows between its head and dorsal fin. European perch can vary greatly in size between bodies of water. They can live for up to 22 years, and older perch are often much larger than average; the maximum recorded length is 60 cm (24 in). The British record is 2.806 kg (6 lb 3.0 oz), but they grow larger in mainland Europe than in Britain. As of May 2016, the official all tackle world record recognised by the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) stands at 2.9 kg (6 lb 6 oz) for a Finnish fish caught September 4, 2010. In January 2010 a perch with a weight of 3.75 kg (8 lb 4 oz) and a length of 58 cm (23 in) was caught in the river Meuse, Netherlands. Due to the low salinity levels of the Baltic Sea, especially around the Finnish archipelago and Bothnian Sea, many freshwater fish live and thrive there. Perch especially are in abundance and grow to a considerable size due to the diet of Baltic herring.", "habitat": "The range of the European perch covers fresh water basins all over Europe, excluding the Iberian Peninsula. Their range is known to reach the Kolyma River in Siberia to the east. It is also common in some of the brackish waters of the Baltic Sea. The European perch lives in slow-flowing rivers, deep lakes and ponds. It tends to avoid cold or fast-flowing waters but some specimens penetrate waters of these type, although they do not breed in this habitat. They are most abundant in relatively shallow lakes and lakes with deep light penetration, and less abundant in deep lakes and those with low light penetration.", "distribution": "The range of the European perch covers fresh water basins all over Europe, excluding the Iberian Peninsula. Their range is known to reach the Kolyma River in Siberia to the east. It is also common in some of the brackish waters of the Baltic Sea. The European perch lives in slow-flowing rivers, deep lakes and ponds. It tends to avoid cold or fast-flowing waters but some specimens penetrate waters of these type, although they do not breed in this habitat. They are most abundant in relatively shallow lakes and lakes with deep light penetration, and less abundant in deep lakes and those with low light penetration.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q166812.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Perca fluviatilis - Perche commune - European perch (cropped)", "author": "Gilles San Martin", "license": "CC BY-SA 2.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Perca_fluviatilis_-_Perche_commune_-_European_perch_(cropped).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_perch", "revision": 1382440599, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1382440599", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "d8ef7ba387dc6a664fb8873dae45d244925bdb79572dee4e2bca2dd3a2830e55" }, { "id": "Q144534", "common_name": "Common bream", "scientific_name": "Abramis brama", "aliases": [ "Abramis brama" ], "summary": "The common bream (Abramis brama), also known as the freshwater bream, bream, bronze bream, carp bream or sweaty bream, is a European species of freshwater fish in the family Leuciscidae. It is now considered to be the only species in the genus Abramis.", "features": "The bream is usually 30 to 55 cm (12 to 22 in) long, though some specimens of 75 cm (30 in) have been recorded; it usually weighs 2 to 4 kg (4.4 to 8.8 lb). Its maximum length is 90 cm (35 in), the record weight exceeds 9 kg (20 lb). The common bream has a laterally flattened and high-backed body and a slightly undershot mouth. It has a bright silver colouration, though older fish can be bronze-coloured, especially in clear waters. The fins are greyish to black, but never reddish.", "habitat": "The common bream's home range is Europe north of the Alps and Pyrenees, as well as the Balkans. They are found as far east as the Caspian Sea, the Black Sea, and the Aral Sea. The common bream lives in ponds, lakes, canals, and slow-flowing rivers. The common bream generally lives in rivers (especially in the lower reaches) and in nutrient-rich lakes and ponds with muddy bottoms and plenty of algae. It can also be found in brackish sea waters.", "distribution": "The common bream's home range is Europe north of the Alps and Pyrenees, as well as the Balkans. They are found as far east as the Caspian Sea, the Black Sea, and the Aral Sea. The common bream lives in ponds, lakes, canals, and slow-flowing rivers. The common bream generally lives in rivers (especially in the lower reaches) and in nutrient-rich lakes and ponds with muddy bottoms and plenty of algae. It can also be found in brackish sea waters.", "diet": "The common bream lives in schools near the bottom. At night, common bream can feed close to the shore, and in clear waters with sandy bottoms, feeding pits can be seen during daytime. The fish's protractile mouth helps it dig for chironomid larvae, Tubifex worms, bivalves, and gastropods. The bream eats water plants and plankton, as well. In very turbid waters, common bream can occur in large numbers, which may result in a shortage of bottom-living prey such as chironomids. The bream are then forced to live by filter feeding with their gill rakers, Daphnia water fleas being the main prey. As the fish grows, the gill rakers become too far apart to catch small prey and the bream will not then grow bigger than 40 cm (16 in). If a common bream is malnourished, it can develop a so-called \"knife back\", a sharp edge along its back.", "family": "Leuciscidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q144534.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Carp bream1", "author": "Микова Наталия", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Carp_bream1.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_bream", "revision": 1381602602, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1381602602", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "14027758626fc654f6e782304661c35c71ae99a1cacb57c3de676782f2cfd54e" }, { "id": "Q30153", "common_name": "Atlantic mackerel", "scientific_name": "Scomber scombrus", "aliases": [ "Scomber scombrus", "Boston mackerel", "Norwegian mackerel", "Scottish mackerel", "mackerel" ], "summary": "The Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus), also known as Boston mackerel, Norwegian mackerel, Scottish mackerel or just mackerel, is a species of mackerel found in the temperate waters of the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea, and the northern Atlantic Ocean, where it is extremely common and occurs in huge shoals in the epipelagic zone down to about 200 m (660 ft). It spends the warmer months close to shore and near the ocean surface, appearing along the coast in spring and departing with the arrival of colder weather in the fall and winter months. During the fall and winter, it migrates out into deeper and more southern water, seeking warmer temperatures. The Atlantic mackerel's body is elongate, steel-blue marked with wavy black lines dorsally and silvery-white ventrally, its snout long and pointed. It possesses two spiny dorsal fins, which are spaced far apart, two pectoral fins, and small caudal and anal fins, also spaced far apart. 4–6 dorsal finlets and 5 anal finlets are typical among members of this species. The fish's body tapers down its length, ending with a large tail fin. Typical size for a mature fish is 30 cm (0.98 ft), but individuals have been caught as large as 60 cm (2.0 ft). The maximum published weight is 3.4 kg (7.5 lb). Reproduction, which is oviparous, occurs near the shore in the spring and summer, during which a female can produce as many as 450,000 eggs. Juveniles reach sexual maturity at around 2 years of age and can live to be 17.", "features": "The Atlantic mackerel has an elongate, fusiform body with a long, pointed snout. The eyes are large and covered by an adipose eyelid, while the teeth are small, sharp, and conical. Scales are also small, with the exceptions of those immediately posterior to the head and around the pectoral fins. These small scales give the Atlantic mackerel a velvet-like feel. The two dorsal fins are large and spaced far apart. The second dorsal fin is typically followed by 5 dorsal finlets, though it can have 4 or 6. The anal fin, which originates slightly behind the second dorsal fin, is similar to it in size and shape and is also succeeded by 5 finlets. The fish's body tapers to a slim caudal peduncle, the end of the fish to which the short but broad tail fin is attached. Its body is steel-blue dorsally with wavy black lines running perpendicular to the fish's length. The rest of its body is silvery-white to yellow and may have darker splotches. It can reach sizes of up to 60 cm (24 in) and has a common length of 30 cm (12 in). Its maximum published weight is 3.4 kg (7.5 lb).", "habitat": "The Atlantic mackerel's native range in the western Atlantic extends from Labrador, Canada to Cape Lookout, North Carolina. In the eastern Atlantic, it can be found from Iceland and Norway to as far south as Mauritania. It is also found in the Mediterranean, Black, and Baltic Seas. Its latitudinal range is 70°N-25°N and its longitudinal range is 77°W-42°E. Its preferred water temperature is above 8 °C (46 °F), but Atlantic mackerel are common in waters as cold as 7 °C (45 °F) and have been found, albeit rarely, in 4.5 °C (40.1 °F) waters. The Atlantic mackerel's common depth range extends from the surface to 200 m (660 ft), but individuals can be found as deep as 1,000 m (3,300 ft). Atlantic mackerel are migratory fish, spending the spring and summer closer to shore about 32–161 km (20–100 mi) out, with juveniles moving closer in to shore than adults. Occasionally, fish will even enter harbors, and those that do are usually juveniles. In the fall and winter they move farther out and farther south to the warmer waters on the edge of the continental shelf. They first come in to land in North America in April at the southern end of their range, but are found along the coast through their entire range by July. They start moving back out to sea again in September and are completely gone from the coast by December. Food availability increases greatly during the summer, and fish reach a peak for fat tissue in August, a mere four months after their lowest point in April.", "distribution": "The Atlantic mackerel's native range in the western Atlantic extends from Labrador, Canada to Cape Lookout, North Carolina. In the eastern Atlantic, it can be found from Iceland and Norway to as far south as Mauritania. It is also found in the Mediterranean, Black, and Baltic Seas. Its latitudinal range is 70°N-25°N and its longitudinal range is 77°W-42°E. Its preferred water temperature is above 8 °C (46 °F), but Atlantic mackerel are common in waters as cold as 7 °C (45 °F) and have been found, albeit rarely, in 4.5 °C (40.1 °F) waters. The Atlantic mackerel's common depth range extends from the surface to 200 m (660 ft), but individuals can be found as deep as 1,000 m (3,300 ft). Atlantic mackerel are migratory fish, spending the spring and summer closer to shore about 32–161 km (20–100 mi) out, with juveniles moving closer in to shore than adults. Occasionally, fish will even enter harbors, and those that do are usually juveniles. In the fall and winter they move farther out and farther south to the warmer waters on the edge of the continental shelf. They first come in to land in North America in April at the southern end of their range, but are found along the coast through their entire range by July. They start moving back out to sea again in September and are completely gone from the coast by December. Food availability increases greatly during the summer, and fish reach a peak for fat tissue in August, a mere four months after their lowest point in April.", "diet": "When feeding on larger prey, schools tend to break down into shoals and individuals find food on their own. When consuming plankton, however, Atlantic mackerel form tight aggregations, open their mouths as wide as possible, and extend their operculums, swimming in a tightly packed school that acts like a series of miniature tow nets. Spaced only about the diameter of a single fish's mouth apart, this formation greatly reduces the ability of plankton to evade capture, as a plankton darting out of the way of one fish is likely to end up in the jaws of another. Copepods make up the majority of the Atlantic mackerel's diet, Calanus finmarchicus being the most abundant.", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q30153.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Scomber scombrus 217326414", "author": "Mikael Nyman", "license": "CC BY 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Scomber_scombrus_217326414.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_mackerel", "revision": 1381700614, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1381700614", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "73a4209ea2419e8fdf7582ba87275dd6eef339423feb98492f47dbff987110a5" }, { "id": "Q144700", "common_name": "Burbot", "scientific_name": "Lota lota", "aliases": [ "Lota lota" ], "summary": "The burbot (Lota lota), also known as bubbot, mariah, loche, cusk, freshwater cod, freshwater ling, freshwater cusk, the lawyer, coney-fish, lingcod, or eelpout, is a species of coldwater ray-finned fish native to the subarctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere. It is the only member of the genus Lota, and is the only freshwater species of the order Gadiformes. The species is closely related to marine fish such as the common ling and cusk, all of which belong to the family Lotidae (rocklings).", "features": "With an appearance like a cross between a catfish and an eel, the burbot has a serpent-like body, but is easily distinguished by a single barbel on the chin. The body is elongated and laterally compressed, with a flattened head and single, tube-like projection for each nostril. The mouth is wide, with both upper and lower jaws having many small teeth. Burbot have two soft dorsal fins, with the first being low and short, and the second being much longer. The anal fin is low and almost as long as the dorsal fin. The caudal fin is rounded, the pectoral fins are fan-shaped, and pelvic fins are narrow with an elongated second fin ray. Having such small fins relative to body size indicates a benthic lifestyle with low swimming endurance, unable to withstand strong currents. Although it appear scaleless, the burbot bears minute, nearly microscopic scales. They are relatively long-lived and slow-growing; in Alaska, it generally takes 5-7 years for the burbot to reach the length of 18 inches, individuals typically reach sexual maturity at 6-7 years of age and it is not uncommon to find individuals over 20 years old.", "habitat": "Burbot live in large, cold rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, primarily preferring freshwater habitats, but able to thrive in brackish environments for spawning. For some time of the year, the burbot lives under ice, and it requires frigid temperatures to breed. During the summer, they are typically found in the colder water below the thermocline. In Lake Superior, burbot can live at depths below 300 m (980 ft). As benthic fish, they tolerate an array of substrate types, including mud, sand, rubble, boulder, silt, and gravel, for feeding. Adults construct extensive burrows in the substrate for shelter during the day. Burbot are active crepuscular hunters. Burbot populations are adfluvial during the winter, and they migrate to near-shore reefs and shoals to spawn, preferring spawning grounds of sand or gravel.", "distribution": "Burbot have circumpolar distribution above 40° N. Populations are continuous from France across Europe and chiefly Russian Asia to the Bering Strait. In North America, burbot range from the Seward Peninsula in Alaska to New Brunswick along the Atlantic Coast. Burbot are most common in streams and lakes of North America and Europe. They are fairly common in Lake Erie, but are also found in the other Great Lakes. An anadromous population also lives in the brackish waters of the Baltic Sea. Recent genetic analysis suggests the geographic pattern of burbot may indicate multiple species or subspecies, making this single taxon somewhat misleading.", "diet": "", "family": "Lotidae", "water_type": "Both", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q144700.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Trüsche Walchensee", "author": "Achim R. Schloeffel", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tr%C3%BCsche_Walchensee.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burbot", "revision": 1382031627, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1382031627", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "fa929219601eb2987863364355312492bc0a6ca8ec73b3897f97ab55e80da225" }, { "id": "Q199788", "common_name": "Atlantic cod", "scientific_name": "Gadus morhua", "aliases": [ "Atlantic cod", "cod", "Gadus morhua" ], "summary": "The Atlantic cod (pl.: cod; Gadus morhua) is a fish of the family Gadidae, widely consumed by humans. It is also commercially known as cod or codling. In the western Atlantic Ocean, cod has a distribution north of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, and around both coasts of Greenland and the Labrador Sea; in the eastern Atlantic, it is found from the Bay of Biscay north to the Arctic Ocean, including the Baltic Sea, the North Sea, Sea of the Hebrides, areas around Iceland and the Barents Sea. Atlantic cod can live for up to 25 years and typically grow up to 100–140 cm (40–55 in), but individuals in excess of 180 cm (70 in) and 50 kg (110 lb) have been caught. They will attain sexual maturity between ages 2 and 8, but this varies between populations and has varied over time. Colouring is brown or green, with spots on the dorsal side, shading to silver ventrally. A stripe along its lateral line (used to detect vibrations) is visible. Its habitat ranges from the coastal shoreline down to 300 m (1,000 ft) along the continental shelf. Atlantic cod is one of the most heavily fished species. Atlantic cod was fished for a thousand years by north European fishers who followed it across the North Atlantic Ocean to North America. It supported the US and Canadian fishing economy until 1992, when the Canadian Government implemented a ban on fishing cod.", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Gadidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q199788.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Atlantic Cod, Atlantischer Kabeljau (Gadus morhua)", "author": "Wilhelm Thomas Fiege", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Atlantic_Cod,_Atlantischer_Kabeljau_(Gadus_morhua).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_cod", "revision": 1382128400, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1382128400", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "113ee06a061ae3bd2cb27ae29f347e4fb7811d9b73f40017cad557d90e4d3fd1" }, { "id": "Q201235", "common_name": "Electric eel", "scientific_name": "Electrophorus electricus", "aliases": [ "Electrophorus electricus" ], "summary": "Electrophorus electricus is the best-known species of electric eel. It is a South American electric fish. Until the discovery of two additional species in 2019, the genus was classified as the monotypic, with this species the only one in the genus. Despite the name, it is not an eel, but rather a knifefish. It is considered as a freshwater teleost which contains an electrogenic tissue that produces electric discharges.", "features": "", "habitat": "E. electricus is restricted to freshwater habitats in the Guiana Shield. Populations in the Amazon basin, Brazilian Shield, and other parts of the Guiana Shield are now thought to belong to E. varii and E. voltai. Juveniles of E. electricus feed on various invertebrates, although adult eels consume animals such as fish, frogs and small mammals. First-born hatchlings eat other eggs and embryos from later clutches.", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q201235.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Electric-eel", "author": "Steven G. Johnson", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Electric-eel.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrophorus_electricus", "revision": 1371810523, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1371810523", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "42783b07de21fcaa2ced5e3f375d1bf213c97ba5af2af56f34941e521e389fd3" }, { "id": "Q182976", "common_name": "Common roach", "scientific_name": "Rutilus rutilus", "aliases": [ "Roach", "common roach", "Rutilus rutilus" ], "summary": "The roach, or rutilus roach (Rutilus rutilus), also known as the common roach, is a fresh- and brackish-water fish of the family Cyprinidae, native to most of Europe and western Asia. Fish called roach can be any species of the genera Rutilus, Leucos and Hesperoleucus, depending on locality. The plural of the term is also roach.", "features": "The roach is a small fish, often reaching no more than about 35 centimetres (14 in); maximum length is 50 cm (20 in). Its body has a bluish-silvery colour and becomes white at the belly. The fins are red. The number of scales along the lateral line is 39–48. The dorsal and anal fins have 12–14 rays. Young specimens have a slender build; older specimens acquire a higher and broader body shape. The roach can often be recognized by the big red spot in the iris above and beside the pupil. Colours of the eye and fins can be very pale, however, in some environments. In Central and Northern Europe, the common roach can most easily be confused with the common rudd (Scardinius erythropthalmus), the dace (Leuciscus leuciscus), or the ide (Leuciscus idus). They can be distinguished by these characteristics: The common rudd has a more yellow/greenish or golden colour. The backfin is placed more backwards and between the tip of the ventral scales and the first ray of the anal fin are only one or two scales. The roach has four or five scales there. The mouth of the rudd is more upturned and the head appears sharper. The dace has a greenish body, colorless eyes and fins, and a distinct 'nose'. The ide has a higher number of scales along its lateral line (55–61), a rounder body, and a bigger mouth and head.", "habitat": "The common roach is very adaptable and can be found in any freshwater ecosystem, ranging from small ponds to the largest rivers and lakes. It feeds at any depth, although its preferred food sources tend to be in shallower water. It tolerates organic pollution and is one of the last species to disappear in polluted waters; it is also often the most numerous cyprinid in nutrient-poor waters. It also tolerates brackish water. Roach survive in temperatures from close to freezing 4 °C (39 °F) up to around 31 °C (88 °F). In most parts of its distribution, it is the most numerous fish, but it can be surpassed by the common bream in biomass in water bodies with high turbidity and sparse vegetation. The roach is a shoaling fish and is not very migratory with the exception of the oceangoing subspecies. In the cold season, they migrate to feed in deeper waters, whereas they prefer to feed near the surface during warmer weather. Roach mostly inhabit freshwater ecosystems that are somewhat vegetated, because larval and young fish are protected by the vegetation and the mature fish can use it for food. The common roach eats a wide range of foods, from plant material, bottom-dwelling (benthic) invertebrates, to worms and maggots. Young fish feed mainly on plankton, until they are of a size to use a wider diet. Roach can adapt to environments where invertebrates are scarce by slowing their growth, maintaining slender body shapes, and maturing early. Roach may live for 15 years or more.", "distribution": "The common roach is found throughout Europe except for the area around the Mediterranean, and its distribution reaches eastward into Siberia. Eastern Europe and Asia have several subspecies, some with an oceangoing life cycle living around the Caspian and Black Seas. Around the Mediterranean and in northwestern parts of Spain and Portugal, several closely related species occur with no overlap in their distribution. It was introduced in Australia in the Murray River and coastal drainages of southern New South Wales and Victoria from Europe during the 1860s and 1880s for sport purposes.", "diet": "", "family": "Cyprinidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q182976.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Rutilus rutilus by Algirdas cropped", "author": "Scardinius_erythropthalmus1_resize.jpg: Original uploader was Algirdas at lt.wikipedia derivative work: George Chernilevsky talk", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rutilus_rutilus_by_Algirdas_cropped.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_roach", "revision": 1371005227, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1371005227", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "dcb4943ba0ad8af0b139bd0a1d357a8c417c6842f01342ebcfaaee86facdaf2b" }, { "id": "Q234014", "common_name": "Flathead grey mullet", "scientific_name": "Mugil cephalus", "aliases": [ "sea mullet", "flathead mullet", "flathead grey mullet", "Mugil cephalus" ], "summary": "The striped mullet (Mugil cephalus) is an important food fish species in the mullet family Mugilidae. It is found in coastal temperate, subtropical, and tropical waters worldwide. Its length is typically 30 to 75 centimetres (12 to 30 in). It is known with numerous English names, including the flathead mullet, flathead grey mullet, striped mullet, black mullet, bully mullet, common mullet, grey mullet, sea mullet, and mullet. The striped mullet is a mainly diurnal coastal species that often enters estuaries and rivers. It usually schools over sand or mud bottoms, feeding on zooplankton, dead plant matter, microalgae, and detritus. The adult fish normally feed on algae in fresh water. The species is euryhaline, meaning they can acclimate to different levels of salinity.", "features": "The back of the fish is olive-green; the sides are silvery and shade to white towards the belly. The fish may have six or seven distinctive, lateral, horizontal stripes. Lips are thin. The mullet has no lateral line. A common length is about 50 cm (20 in) and its maximum length is 100 cm (39 in). It can reach a maximum weight of 8 kg (18 lb).", "habitat": "", "distribution": "The striped mullet is cosmopolitan in coastal waters of the tropical, subtropical, and temperate zones of all seas, as far north as the Bay of Biscay and Nova Scotia in the Atlantic Ocean. It occupies fresh, brackish and marine habitats in depths ranging from 0–120 metres (0–394 ft) and with temperatures between 8 and 24 °C (46 and 75 °F). In Australia, this fish is widespread, from Far North Queensland, around southern Australia to the Kimberley region of Western Australia. It also occurs in the Bass Strait area of Tasmania. It lives in tropical and temperate, coastal marine and estuarine waters, but are also often found in the lower reaches of rivers. It is able to live in a wide range of salinity, so may also be found in lagoons, lakes, and far into estuaries, but migrate back to the sea to spawn. In fresh waters of the western United States, striped mullets historically ranged far up the Colorado River to the vicinity of Blythe and up the Gila River to perhaps Tacna. Because of the dams and restricted flows to the Gulf of California, their range in Arizona is restricted to the Colorado River below Laguna Dam and the lower end of the Gila River when water is present. They are often abundant in the mainstream and lateral canals in the Gila River region. In the Colorado River, mullet are pelagic in larger pools, sometimes moving into currents below dams, and generally occurring in small groups. Striped mullet populations are currently declining in Arizona, due to periods when the Colorado River does not reach the Gulf of California.", "diet": "", "family": "Mugilidae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q234014.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Mújol (Mugil cephalus), Parque natural de la Arrábida, Portugal, 2021-09-09, DD 25", "author": "Diego Delso", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:M%C3%BAjol_(Mugil_cephalus),_Parque_natural_de_la_Arr%C3%A1bida,_Portugal,_2021-09-09,_DD_25.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flathead_grey_mullet", "revision": 1381868647, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1381868647", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "85d443988653843a82cee93e5405525e4f687096b8ebc33a68f474d2c47ebc96" }, { "id": "Q208600", "common_name": "European pilchard", "scientific_name": "Sardina pilchardus", "aliases": [ "Sardina pilchardus" ], "summary": "The European pilchard (Sardina pilchardus) is a species of ray-finned fish in the monotypic genus Sardina. The young of the species are among the many fish that are sometimes called sardines. This common species is found in the northeast Atlantic, the Mediterranean, and the Black Sea at depths of 10–100 m (33–328 ft). It reaches up to 27.5 cm (10.8 in) in length and mostly feeds on planktonic crustaceans. This schooling species is a batch spawner where each female lays 50,000–60,000 eggs.", "features": "The European pilchard is a small to medium-sized (15–25cm in length) somewhat elongated, herring-like fish. The origin of the pelvic fins is well behind that of the dorsal fin, and the last two soft rays on the anal fin are larger than the remainder. The upper parts are green or olive, the flanks are golden and the belly is silvery. Not to be confused with its American counterpart, the California pilchard, Sardinops sagax, the European sardine Sardina pilchardus does not have a row of dark blotches. They also have scales that are in an irregular order. Ventral scutes on the European species have sturdier keels that are also more keeled. Gillrakers are significantly different from those on Sardinops sagax.", "habitat": "The European pilchard occurs in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea. Its range extends from Iceland and the southern part of Norway and Sweden southwards to Senegal in West Africa. In the Mediterranean Sea it is common in the western half and the Adriatic Sea, but uncommon in the eastern half and the Black Sea. It is a migratory, schooling, largely coastal species but sometimes travels as far as 100 km (62 mi) out to sea. During the day it is mostly in the depth range 25 to 55 m (80 to 180 ft) but can go as deep as 100 m (330 ft). At night it is generally from 10 to 35 m (33 to 115 ft) beneath the surface. In the Mediterranean, the European pilchard moves offshore in the autumn, preferring the deeper cooler waters and constant salinity out at sea to the variable temperatures and salinities of inshore waters. Spawning for S. pilchardus occurs in open waters with long larval periods. S. pilchardus is a capital breeder — it stores energy during a specific period (i.e. spring-summer) and then uses it for reproduction. Spawning starts to take place in winter, and in early spring, juveniles, larvae and some adults move towards the coast, while other adults migrate inshore later in the year. Multiple batches of eggs are produced over a long breeding period, total fecundity being 50,000 to 60,000. Most juveniles become sexually mature at about a year old and a length of 13 to 14 cm (5.1 to 5.5 in); pilchards are fully grown at about 21 cm (8.3 in) when aged about eight years. The diet consists of both zooplankton and phytoplankton.", "distribution": "The European pilchard occurs in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea. Its range extends from Iceland and the southern part of Norway and Sweden southwards to Senegal in West Africa. In the Mediterranean Sea it is common in the western half and the Adriatic Sea, but uncommon in the eastern half and the Black Sea. It is a migratory, schooling, largely coastal species but sometimes travels as far as 100 km (62 mi) out to sea. During the day it is mostly in the depth range 25 to 55 m (80 to 180 ft) but can go as deep as 100 m (330 ft). At night it is generally from 10 to 35 m (33 to 115 ft) beneath the surface.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q208600.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Sardina pilchardus 2011", "author": "This illustration was made by Citron You must credit this : Citron / CC-BY-SA-3.0", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sardina_pilchardus_2011.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_pilchard", "revision": 1353947921, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1353947921", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "c019e6d9d2b13c345a21042e38b8dd3281134026a781f232498261107feeef1d" }, { "id": "Q192285", "common_name": "Ocean sunfish", "scientific_name": "Mola mola", "aliases": [ "common mola", "Mola mola", "Sunfish" ], "summary": "The ocean sunfish (Mola mola), also known as the common mola, is one of the largest ray-finned fish in the world. It is the type species of the genus Mola, and one of five extant species in the family Molidae. It was formerly misidentified as the heaviest bony fish, which is actually a different and closely related species of sunfish, Mola alexandrini. Adults typically weigh between 247 and 1,000 kg (545 and 2,205 lb). It is native to tropical and temperate waters around the world. It resembles a fish head without a tail, and its main body is flattened laterally. Sunfish can be as tall as they are long, between 175 and 180 centimetres (5.74 and 5.91 ft), when their dorsal and ventral fins are extended. Many areas of sunfish biology remain poorly understood, including mating practices and spawning locations, early life stages, movement and migration patterns, population structure and status, diet and trophic ecology, and post-release survival rates. Various research efforts are underway, including aerial surveys of populations, satellite surveillance using pop-off satellite tags, genetic analysis of tissue samples, and collection of amateur sighting data. Adult sunfish are vulnerable to few natural predators, but sea lions, orcas, and sharks will consume them. Sunfish are considered a delicacy in some parts of the world, including Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. In the European Union, regulations ban the sale of fish and fishery products derived from the family Molidae.", "features": "The ocean sunfish shares many traits common to members in the order Tetraodontiformes, including pufferfish, porcupinefish, and filefish, like having a beak formed from four fused teeth; sunfish fry resemble spiky pufferfish more than they resemble adult molas. The caudal fin of the ocean sunfish is replaced by a rounded clavus, creating the body's distinct truncated shape. The body is flattened laterally, giving it a long oval shape when seen head-on. The pectoral fins are small and fan-shaped, while the dorsal fin and the anal fin are lengthened, often making the fish as tall as it is long. Specimens up to 3.3 m (10 ft 10 in) in height have been recorded. The mature ocean sunfish has an average length of 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in) and a fin-to-fin length of 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in). The weight of mature specimens can range from 247 to 1,000 kg (545 to 2,205 lb), but even larger individuals are not unheard of. The maximum size recorded, a specimen washed ashore in New Zealand in 2006, was 3.3 m (10 ft 10 in) in length, weighing 2,300 kg (5,100 lb). The spinal column of M. mola contains fewer vertebrae and is shorter in relation to the body than that of any other fish. Although the sunfish descended from bony ancestors, its skeleton contains largely cartilaginous tissues, which are lighter than bone, allowing it to grow to sizes impractical for other bony fishes. Its teeth are fused into a beak-like structure, which prevents them from being able to fully close their mouths, while also having pharyngeal teeth located in the throat.", "habitat": "Ocean sunfish are native to the temperate and tropical waters of every ocean in the world. Mola genotypes appear to vary widely between the Atlantic and Pacific, but genetic differences between individuals in the Northern and Southern hemispheres are minimal. Although early research suggested sunfish moved around mainly by drifting with ocean currents (which has resulted in the sunfish sometimes being characterized as a megaplankton), individuals have been recorded swimming 26 km (16 mi) in a day at a cruising speed of 3.2 km/h (1.7 kn). Contrary to the perception that the fish spend much of their time basking at the surface, M. mola adults actually spend a large portion of their lives actively hunting at depths greater than 200 m (660 ft), occupying both the epipelagic and mesopelagic zones. Sunfish are most often found in water warmer than 10 °C (50 °F); prolonged periods spent in water at temperatures of 12 °C (54 °F) or lower can lead to disorientation and eventual death. Surface basking behavior, in which a sunfish swims on its side, presenting its largest profile to the sun, may be a method of \"thermally recharging\" following dives into deeper, colder water in order to feed. Sightings of the fish in colder waters outside of its usual habitat, such as those southwest of England, may be evidence of increasing marine temperatures. Sunfish are typically observed in solitary environments, though infrequently they may be encountered in pairs.", "distribution": "Ocean sunfish are native to the temperate and tropical waters of every ocean in the world. Mola genotypes appear to vary widely between the Atlantic and Pacific, but genetic differences between individuals in the Northern and Southern hemispheres are minimal. Although early research suggested sunfish moved around mainly by drifting with ocean currents (which has resulted in the sunfish sometimes being characterized as a megaplankton), individuals have been recorded swimming 26 km (16 mi) in a day at a cruising speed of 3.2 km/h (1.7 kn). Contrary to the perception that the fish spend much of their time basking at the surface, M. mola adults actually spend a large portion of their lives actively hunting at depths greater than 200 m (660 ft), occupying both the epipelagic and mesopelagic zones. Sunfish are most often found in water warmer than 10 °C (50 °F); prolonged periods spent in water at temperatures of 12 °C (54 °F) or lower can lead to disorientation and eventual death. Surface basking behavior, in which a sunfish swims on its side, presenting its largest profile to the sun, may be a method of \"thermally recharging\" following dives into deeper, colder water in order to feed. Sightings of the fish in colder waters outside of its usual habitat, such as those southwest of England, may be evidence of increasing marine temperatures. Sunfish are typically observed in solitary environments, though infrequently they may be encountered in pairs.", "diet": "The diet of the ocean sunfish was formerly thought to consist primarily of various jellyfish and other gelatinous zooplankton, such as ctenophores, salps, and medusae. However, genetic analysis reveals that sunfish are actually generalist predators that consume mostly small fish (such as flounder), fish (eel) larvae, squid, other molluscs, crustaceans, and other soft-bodied invertebrates, with jellyfish and salps making up only around 15% of the diet. Occasionally, they will ingest eel grass. This range of food items indicates that the sunfish feeds at many levels, from the surface to deep water, and occasionally down to the seafloor in some areas.", "family": "Molidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q192285.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Mola mola", "author": "U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mola_mola.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocean_sunfish", "revision": 1382375250, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1382375250", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "1474f4996333ef1452276a1cc1b22c75056018748aff54953984e7e923225044" }, { "id": "Q188212", "common_name": "Tiger shark", "scientific_name": "Galeocerdo cuvier", "aliases": [ "Galeocerdo cuvier" ], "summary": "The tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) is a species of ground shark, and the only extant member of the genus Galeocerdo and family Galeocerdonidae. It is a large predator, with females capable of attaining a length of over 5 m (16 ft 5 in). Populations are found in many tropical and temperate waters, especially around central Pacific islands. Its name derives from the dark stripes down its body, which resemble a tiger's pattern and fade as the shark matures. The tiger shark is a solitary, mostly nocturnal hunter. It is notable for having the widest food spectrum of all sharks, with a range of prey that includes crustaceans, fish, seals, birds, squid, octopuses, sea turtles, sea snakes, dolphins, and even smaller sharks. It also has a reputation as a \"garbage eater\", consuming a variety of inedible, man-made objects that linger in its stomach. Tiger sharks have only one recorded natural predator, the orca. It is considered a near-threatened species because of finning and fishing by humans. The tiger shark is second only to the great white in recorded fatal attacks on humans, but these events are still exceedingly rare.", "features": "The tiger shark commonly attains an adult length of 3.5 to 4.7 m (11 ft 6 in – 15 ft 5 in) and weighs between 300 and 900 kg (700 and 2,000 lb). The International Game Fish Association's all-tackle record is 810 kg (1,790 lb). It is sexually dimorphic, with females being the larger sex. Mature females are often over 3.7 m (12 ft 2 in) while mature males rarely get that large. Exceptionally large females reportedly can measure over 5 m (16 ft 5 in), and the largest males 4 m (13 ft 1 in). Weights of particularly large female tiger sharks can exceed 1,300 kg (2,900 lb). One pregnant female caught off Australia reportedly measured 5.5 m (18 ft 1 in) long and weighed 1,524 kg (3,360 lb). Even larger unconfirmed catches have been claimed. Some papers have accepted a record of an exceptional 7.4-metre (24 ft 3 in), 3,110-kilogram (6,860 lb) tiger shark, but since this is far larger than any scientifically observed specimen, verification would be needed. A 2019 study suggested that Pliocene tiger sharks could have reached 8 m (26 ft) in maximum length. There is variation in the speed of growth rates of juvenile tiger sharks depending on the region they inhabit, with some growing close to twice as fast as others. Among the largest extant sharks, the tiger shark ranks in average size only behind the whale shark (Rhincodon typus), the basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus), and the great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias). This makes it the second-largest predatory shark, after the great white.", "habitat": "The tiger shark is often found close to the coast, mainly in tropical and subtropical waters throughout the world. Its behavior is primarily nomadic, but is guided by warmer currents, and it stays closer to the equator throughout the colder months. It tends to stay in deep waters that line reefs, but it does move into channels to pursue prey in shallower waters. In the western Pacific Ocean, the shark has been found as far north as Japan and as far south as New Zealand. It has also been recorded in the Mediterranean Sea, but rarely, off Malaga (Spain), Sicily (Italy) and Libya. Fuvahmulah, an island in the Maldives, has been identified as home to the world's largest known aggregation of tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier). The finding is based on a long-term scientific study using non-invasive methods such as photo identification and laser photogrammetry, which recorded at least 239 individual tiger sharks in the waters around the island. The aggregation is considered unique due to its size and the high level of site fidelity shown by the sharks, particularly adult females. Researchers suggest that the waters surrounding Fuvahmulah provide favourable conditions for gestation, including warm temperatures and a consistent food supply, making the area an important habitat for tiger shark reproduction and conservation. The discovery has also been highlighted in regional reporting as a significant ecological feature of the Maldives, further establishing Fuvahmulah as a global hotspot for tiger shark aggregation.", "distribution": "The tiger shark is often found close to the coast, mainly in tropical and subtropical waters throughout the world. Its behavior is primarily nomadic, but is guided by warmer currents, and it stays closer to the equator throughout the colder months. It tends to stay in deep waters that line reefs, but it does move into channels to pursue prey in shallower waters. In the western Pacific Ocean, the shark has been found as far north as Japan and as far south as New Zealand. It has also been recorded in the Mediterranean Sea, but rarely, off Malaga (Spain), Sicily (Italy) and Libya. Fuvahmulah, an island in the Maldives, has been identified as home to the world's largest known aggregation of tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier). The finding is based on a long-term scientific study using non-invasive methods such as photo identification and laser photogrammetry, which recorded at least 239 individual tiger sharks in the waters around the island. The aggregation is considered unique due to its size and the high level of site fidelity shown by the sharks, particularly adult females. Researchers suggest that the waters surrounding Fuvahmulah provide favourable conditions for gestation, including warm temperatures and a consistent food supply, making the area an important habitat for tiger shark reproduction and conservation. The discovery has also been highlighted in regional reporting as a significant ecological feature of the Maldives, further establishing Fuvahmulah as a global hotspot for tiger shark aggregation.", "diet": "The tiger shark is an apex predator and has a reputation for eating almost anything. These predators swim close inland to eat at night, and during the day swim out into deeper waters. Young tiger sharks are found to feed largely on small fish, as well as various small jellyfish, and mollusks including cephalopods. Around the time they attain 2.3 m (7.5 ft), or near sexual maturity, their selection expands considerably, and much larger animals become regular prey. Numerous fish, mollusks (including gastropods and cephalopods), crustaceans, sea birds, sea snakes, marine mammals (e.g. bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops), common dolphins (Delphinus), spotted dolphins (Stenella), dugongs (Dugong dugon), seals, and sea lions), and sea turtles (including the three largest species: the leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), the loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and the green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas)), are regularly eaten by adult tiger sharks. In fact, adult sea turtles have been found in up to 20.8% of studied tiger shark stomachs, indicating somewhat of a dietary preference for sea turtles where they are commonly encountered. They also eat other sharks (including adult sandbar sharks (Carcharhinus plumbeus)), as well as rays, and even sometimes other tiger sharks. Due to high risk of predation, dolphins often avoid regions inhabited by tiger sharks. Injured or ailing whales may also be attacked and eaten. A group was documented killing an ailing humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) in 2006 near Hawaii.", "family": "Galeocerdonidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q188212.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Tiger shark", "author": "Albert kok", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tiger_shark.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiger_shark", "revision": 1382520128, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1382520128", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "a1f35ede6d96bdb4a1b6e420199b51ae4902520a67d15205c704cbc68d5f2332" }, { "id": "Q76098", "common_name": "Grass carp", "scientific_name": "Ctenopharyngodon idella", "aliases": [ "Ctenopharyngodon idella" ], "summary": "The grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) is a species of large herbivorous freshwater fish in the family Cyprinidae, native to the Pacific Far East, with a native range stretching from northern Vietnam to the Amur River on the Sino-Russian border. This Asian carp is the only species of the genus Ctenopharyngodon. Grass carp are resident fish of large turbid rivers and associated floodplain lakes/wetlands with a wide range of temperature tolerance, and spawn at temperatures of 20 to 30 °C (68 to 86 °F). It has been cultivated as a food fish in China for centuries, being known as one of the \"Four Great Domestic Fish\" (Chinese: 四大家鱼), but was later introduced to Europe and the United States for aquatic weed control, becoming the fish species with the largest reported farmed production globally, over five million tonnes per year.", "features": "Grass carp have elongated, chubby, torpedo-shaped body forms. The terminal mouth is slightly oblique with non-fleshy, firm lips, and no barbels. The complete lateral line contains 40 to 42 scales. Broad, ridged pharyngeal teeth are arranged in a \"2, 4-4, 2\" formula. The dorsal fin has eight to 10 soft rays, and the anal fin is set closer to the tail than most cyprinids. The body color is dark olive, shading to brownish-yellow on the sides, with a white belly and large, slightly outlined scales. Grass carp grow very rapidly. Young fish stocked in the spring at 20 cm (7.9 in) will reach over 45 cm (18 in) by fall. The typical length is about 60–100 cm (23.5–39.5 in). The maximum length is 2.0 m (6.6 ft) and they grow to 45 kg (99 lb).", "habitat": "Grass carp inhabit lakes, ponds, pools and backwaters of large rivers, preferring large, slow-flowing or standing water bodies with abundant vegetation. In the wild, grass carp spawn in fast-moving rivers, and their eggs, which are slightly heavier than water, develop while drifting downstream, kept in suspension by turbulence. Grass carp require long rivers for the survival of the eggs and very young fish, and the eggs are thought to die if they sink to the bottom. Adult grass carps feed primarily on aquatic plants, both higher aquatic plants and submerged terrestrial vegetation, but may also eat detritus, insects and other invertebrates. They eat up to three times their own body weight daily, and thrive in small lakes and backwaters that provide an abundant supply of vegetation. According to one study, grass carp live 5–9 years, with the oldest surviving 11 years. In Silver Lake, Washington, a thriving population of grass carp is passing the 15-year mark.", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Cyprinidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q76098.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "2x amur bílý", "author": "Dezidor", "license": "CC BY 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2x_amur_b%C3%ADl%C3%BD.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grass_carp", "revision": 1376204552, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1376204552", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "0302501e48cc7135ee3a36a1f53406dc53f855e663cd6ac578c15207ee31b408" }, { "id": "Q217129", "common_name": "European seabass", "scientific_name": "Dicentrarchus labrax", "aliases": [ "Dicentrarchus labrax" ], "summary": "European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax), also known as branzino, European bass, sea bass, common bass, white bass, capemouth, white salmon, white mullet, sea dace, levrek or loup de mer, or lavraki (λαβράκι) is a primarily ocean-going fish native to the waters off Europe's western and southern and Africa's northern coasts, though it can also be found in shallow coastal waters and river mouths during the summer months and late autumn. It is one of only six species in its family, Moronidae, collectively called the temperate basses. It is fished and raised commercially and is considered the most important fish currently cultured in the Mediterranean. In Ireland and the United Kingdom, the popular restaurant fish sold and consumed as sea bass is exclusively the European bass. In North America, it is widely known by one of its Italian names, branzino. European seabass is a slow-growing species that takes several years to reach adulthood. An adult European seabass usually weighs around 2.5 kg (5 lb 8 oz). European seabass can reach measurements of up to 1 m (3 ft 3 in) in length and 12 kg (26 lb) in weight, though the most common size is only about half of that at 0.5 m (1 ft 8 in). Individuals are silvery grey and sometimes a dark-bluish color on the back. Juveniles form schools and feed on invertebrates, while adults are less social and prefer to consume other fish.", "features": "", "habitat": "European seabass habitats include estuaries, lagoons, coastal waters, and rivers. It is found in a large part of the eastern Atlantic Ocean, from southern Norway to Senegal. It can also be found in the entire Mediterranean Sea and in the southern Black Sea but is absent from the Baltic Sea. It has entered the Red Sea through the Suez Canal as an anti-Lessepsian migrant. It is a seasonally migratory species, moving further winter spawning grounds during at least one month before moving towards their summer feeding areas.", "distribution": "European seabass habitats include estuaries, lagoons, coastal waters, and rivers. It is found in a large part of the eastern Atlantic Ocean, from southern Norway to Senegal. It can also be found in the entire Mediterranean Sea and in the southern Black Sea but is absent from the Baltic Sea. It has entered the Red Sea through the Suez Canal as an anti-Lessepsian migrant. It is a seasonally migratory species, moving further winter spawning grounds during at least one month before moving towards their summer feeding areas.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q217129.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Sealife, Bray, Ireland. (6985874908)", "author": "Miguel Mendez from Malahide, Ireland", "license": "CC BY 2.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sealife,_Bray,_Ireland._(6985874908).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_seabass", "revision": 1382119544, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1382119544", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "ace02a0c1f4bcf439faaf2282d1c076c78a83fe94f47b51d653fdbbf451292ad" }, { "id": "Q549", "common_name": "Siamese fighting fish", "scientific_name": "Betta splendens", "aliases": [ "Betta splendens", "Macropodus pugnax" ], "summary": "The Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens), commonly known as the Siamese fighter, or locally as the betta, is a freshwater fish native to Mainland Southeast Asia, namely Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. It is one of more than 70 species of the genus Betta, but the only one eponymously called \"betta\", owing to its global popularity as a pet; Betta splendens are among the most popular aquarium fish in the world, due to their diverse and colorful morphology and relatively low maintenance. Betta fish are endemic to the central plain of Thailand, where they were first domesticated more than 1,000 years ago, among the earliest of any fish. They were initially bred for aggression and subject to gambling matches akin to cockfighting. Bettas became known outside Thailand through King Rama III (1788–1851), who is said to have given some to Theodore Cantor, a Danish physician, zoologist, and botanist. They first appeared in the West in the late 19th century, and within decades became popular as ornamental fish. B. splendens's long history of selective breeding has produced a wide variety of coloration and finnage, earning it the moniker \"designer fish of the aquatic world\". Bettas are well known for being highly territorial, with males frequently engaging in aggressive interactions when kept together; without a means of escape, this usually results in the death of one or both fish.", "features": "B. splendens usually grows to a length of about 6–8 cm (2.4–3.1 in). Although aquarium specimens are widely known for their brilliant colors and large, flowing fins, the natural coloration of B. splendens is generally green, brown and grey, while the fins are relatively short; wild fish exhibit strong colors only when agitated. In captivity, Siamese fighting fish have been selectively bred to display a vibrant array of colors and tail types. The variety of colors we see now in pet stores is a result of the domestication of the Betta splendens. Because pet stores are more likely to sell the visually striking bettas, those are the types of bettas the breeders continue to prioritize. The more natural colored bettas like green, brown, and grey may rarely be seen now in pet stores due to the overshadowing of the more visually appealing colors. Male and female Betta splendens can look similar, but one way to distinguish between the two is to identify the ovipositor tube that's located in females used for egg delivery.", "habitat": "According to Witte and Schmidt (1992), Betta splendens is native to Southeast Asia, including the northern Malay Peninsula, central and eastern Thailand, Kampuchea (Cambodia), and southern Vietnam. According to Vidthayanon (2013), a Thai ichthyologist and senior researcher of biodiversity at WWF Thailand, the species is endemic to Thailand, from the Mae Khlong to Chao Phraya basins, the eastern slope of the Cardamom mountains (Cambodia), and from the Isthmus of Kra. Similarly, a report from Froese and Pauly (2019) identifies Betta splendens as native to Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. They are also found throughout the neighbouring Malay Peninsula and in adjacent parts of Sumatra, likely due to human introduction. Wherever they are found, Betta splendens generally inhabit shallow bodies of water with abundant vegetation, including marshes, floodplains, and paddy fields. The historic prevalence of rice farming across Southeast Asia, which provided an ideal habitat for bettas, led to their discovery and subsequent domestication by humans. The combination of shallow water and high air temperature causes gases to rapidly evaporate, leading to a significant deficit of oxygen in the betta's natural habitat. This environment likely led to the evolution of the lung-like labyrinth organ, which allows Siamese fighting fish—like all members of the suborder Anabantoidei—to breathe directly from the air. Subsequently, bettas can live and even thrive in harsher environments than other freshwater fish, which in turn leaves them with fewer natural predators and competitors.", "distribution": "According to Witte and Schmidt (1992), Betta splendens is native to Southeast Asia, including the northern Malay Peninsula, central and eastern Thailand, Kampuchea (Cambodia), and southern Vietnam. According to Vidthayanon (2013), a Thai ichthyologist and senior researcher of biodiversity at WWF Thailand, the species is endemic to Thailand, from the Mae Khlong to Chao Phraya basins, the eastern slope of the Cardamom mountains (Cambodia), and from the Isthmus of Kra. Similarly, a report from Froese and Pauly (2019) identifies Betta splendens as native to Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. They are also found throughout the neighbouring Malay Peninsula and in adjacent parts of Sumatra, likely due to human introduction. Wherever they are found, Betta splendens generally inhabit shallow bodies of water with abundant vegetation, including marshes, floodplains, and paddy fields. The historic prevalence of rice farming across Southeast Asia, which provided an ideal habitat for bettas, led to their discovery and subsequent domestication by humans. The combination of shallow water and high air temperature causes gases to rapidly evaporate, leading to a significant deficit of oxygen in the betta's natural habitat. This environment likely led to the evolution of the lung-like labyrinth organ, which allows Siamese fighting fish—like all members of the suborder Anabantoidei—to breathe directly from the air. Subsequently, bettas can live and even thrive in harsher environments than other freshwater fish, which in turn leaves them with fewer natural predators and competitors.", "diet": "Betta splendens is naturally carnivorous, feeding on zooplankton, small crustaceans, and the larvae of aquatic insects such as mosquito as well as insects that have fallen into the water and algae. Contrary to some marketing materials in the pet trade, bettas cannot subsist solely on vegetation or the roots of plants. Although Betta splendens is carnivorous, there are factors that affect juvenile health, such as limited ability for carbohydrate digestion. This can occur in young Betta splendens because their intestines are a lot shorter and their carbohydrate digestive enzymes are not as active as adult bettas. Bettas can also adhere to a diet including rotifers, infusorians, and water fleas, but some of these organisms are derived from avian and porcine farms that can cause diseases, potentially harming the bettas. Even though carbohydrates from a carnivorous diet are essential for maturation in bettas, research on betta health has provided alternatives for food other than their typical diet. Some of these alternatives include microwave cooking, digestive enzyme supplementation, and probiotics, some of which may be found in betta fish food in pet stores.", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q549.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "HM Orange M Sarawut", "author": "Daniella Vereeken", "license": "CC BY 2.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HM_Orange_M_Sarawut.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siamese_fighting_fish", "revision": 1379924212, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1379924212", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "5afc4dada11e448ef43bc38a04337ed6ff827f1153e2ad87078202ffa2aab257" }, { "id": "Q202406", "common_name": "Haddock", "scientific_name": "Melanogrammus aeglefinus", "aliases": [ "mezgit", "Melanogrammus aeglefinus", "Merlangius euxmus" ], "summary": "The haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) is a saltwater ray-finned fish from the family Gadidae, the true cods. It is the only species in the monotypic genus Melanogrammus. It is found in the North Atlantic Ocean and associated seas, where it is an important species for fisheries, especially in northern Europe, where it is marketed fresh, frozen and smoked; smoked varieties include the Finnan haddie and the Arbroath smokie. Other smoked versions include long boneless, the filleted side of larger haddock smoked in oak chips with the skin left on the fillet.", "features": "The haddock has the elongated, tapering body shape typical of members of the cod family. It has a relatively small mouth which does not extend to below the eye; with the lower profile of the face being straight and the upper profile slightly rounded, this gives its snout a characteristic wedge-shaped profile. The upper jaw projects beyond the lower more so than in the Atlantic cod. There is a rather small barbel on the chin. There are three dorsal fins, the first being triangular in shape and these dorsal fins have 14 to 17 fin rays in the first, 20 to 24 in the second, and 19 to 22 in the third. There are also two anal fins and in these there are 21 to 25 fin rays in the first and 20 to 24 fin rays in the second. The anal and dorsal fins are all separated from each other. The pelvic fins are small with an elongated first fin ray. The upper side of the haddock's body varies in colour from dark grey brown to nearly black while the lower part of the body is dull silvery white. It has a distinctive black lateral line contrasting with the whitish background colour and which curves slightly over the pectoral fins. It also has a distinctive oval black blotch or 'thumbprint', sometimes called the \"Devil's thumbprint\", which sits between the lateral line and the pectoral fin, a feature which leads to the name of the genus Melanogrammus which derives from Greek \"melanos\" meaning \"black\" and \"gramma\" meaning letter or signal.", "habitat": "The haddock is a demersal species which occurs at depths from 10 to 450 m (33 to 1,500 ft; 5.5 to 250 fathoms), although it is most frequently recorded at 80 to 200 m (300 to 700 ft; 40 to 100 fathoms). It is found over substrates made up of rock, sand, gravel or shells and it prefers temperatures of between 4 and 10 °C (39 and 50 °F). Off Iceland and in the Barents Sea, haddock undergo extensive migrations, but in the north western Atlantic its movements are more restricted, consisting of movements to and from their spawning areas. They reach sexual maturity at 4 years old in males and 5 years old in females, except for the population in the North Sea which matures at ages of 2 years in males and 3 years in females. The overall sex ratio is roughly 1:1, but in shallower areas, females predominate, while the males show a preference for waters further offshore. The fecundity of the females varies with size: a fish of 25 cm (10 in) length bears 55,000 eggs while a fish at 91 cm (36 in) has 1,841,000 eggs. Spawning takes place from depths of around 50 to 150 m (200 to 500 ft; 30 to 80 fathoms). In the northwestern Atlantic spawning lasts from January to July, although it does not occur simultaneously in all areas, and in the northeastern Atlantic the spawning season runs from February to June, peaking in March and April. The eggs are pelagic with a diameter of 1.2 to 1.7 millimetres (3⁄64 to 9⁄128 in), and they take one to three weeks to hatch.", "distribution": "The haddock has populations on either side of the north Atlantic but it is more abundant in the eastern Atlantic than it is on the North American side. In the north-east Atlantic it occurs from the Bay of Biscay north to Spitzbergen; however, it is most abundant north of the English Channel. It also occurs around Novaya Zemlya and the Barents Sea in the Arctic. The largest stocks are in the North Sea, off the Faroe Islands, off Iceland and the coast of Norway but these are discrete populations with little interchange between them. Off North America, the haddock is found from western Greenland south to Cape Hatteras, but the main commercially fished stock occurs from Cape Cod and the Grand Banks of Newfoundland.", "diet": "", "family": "Gadidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q202406.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Haddock, Boston Aquarium", "author": "Steven G. Johnson", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Haddock,_Boston_Aquarium.JPG", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haddock", "revision": 1382673297, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1382673297", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "c7ccf5c17a6fdcd21d272d900d18f36633cf2ec8fee6445faed3b77c7bc55c07" }, { "id": "Q185260", "common_name": "Basking shark", "scientific_name": "Cetorhinus maximus", "aliases": [ "Cetorhinus maximus", "Basking shark" ], "summary": "The basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus) is the second-largest living shark and fish, after the whale shark. It is one of three plankton-eating shark species, along with the whale shark and megamouth shark. Typically, basking sharks reach 7.9 m (26 ft) in length, but large individuals have been known to grow more than 10 m (33 ft) long. It is usually greyish-brown, with mottled skin, with the inside of the mouth being white in colour. The caudal fin has a strong lateral keel and a crescent shape. Other common names include bone shark, elephant shark, sailfish, and sunfish. The basking shark is a cosmopolitan migratory species found in all the world's temperate oceans. A slow-moving filter feeder, its common name derives from its habit of feeding at the surface, appearing to be basking in the warmer water there. It has anatomical adaptations for filter-feeding, such as a greatly enlarged mouth and highly developed gill rakers. Its snout is conical, and the gill slits extend around the top and bottom of its head. The gill rakers, dark and bristle-like, are used to catch plankton as water filters through the mouth and over the gills. The teeth are numerous, often numbering 100 per row. The teeth are very small, have a single conical cusp, are curved backwards, and are the same on both the upper and lower jaws. This species has the smallest weight-for-weight brain size of any shark, reflecting its relatively passive lifestyle.", "features": "", "habitat": "The basking shark is a coastal-pelagic shark found worldwide in boreal to warm-temperate waters. It lives around the continental shelf and occasionally enters brackish waters. It is found from the surface down to at least 910 m (2,990 ft). It prefers temperatures of 8 to 14.5 °C (46.4 to 58.1 °F) but has been confirmed to cross the much warmer waters at the equator. It is often seen close to land, including in bays with narrow openings. The shark follows plankton concentrations in the water column, so it is often visible at the surface. It characteristically migrates with the seasons.", "distribution": "The basking shark is a coastal-pelagic shark found worldwide in boreal to warm-temperate waters. It lives around the continental shelf and occasionally enters brackish waters. It is found from the surface down to at least 910 m (2,990 ft). It prefers temperatures of 8 to 14.5 °C (46.4 to 58.1 °F) but has been confirmed to cross the much warmer waters at the equator. It is often seen close to land, including in bays with narrow openings. The shark follows plankton concentrations in the water column, so it is often visible at the surface. It characteristically migrates with the seasons.", "diet": "The basking shark is a ram feeder, filtering zooplankton, very small fish, and invertebrates from the water with its gill rakers by swimming forwards with its mouth open. A 5-metre-long (16 ft) basking shark has been calculated to filter up to 500 short tons (450 t) of water per hour swimming at an observed speed of 0.85 metres per second (3.1 km/h; 1.9 mph). Basking sharks are not indiscriminate feeders on zooplankton. Samples taken in the presence of feeding individuals recorded zooplankton densities 75% higher than adjacent non-feeding areas. Basking sharks feed preferentially in zooplankton patches dominated by small planktonic crustaceans called calanoid copepods (on average 1,700 individuals per cubic metre of water). They will also feed on copepods of the genera Pseudocalanus and Oithona. Basking sharks sometimes congregate in groups of up to 1,400 spotted along the northeastern U.S. Samples taken near feeding sharks contained 2.5 times as many Calanus helgolandicus individuals per cubic metre, which were also found to be 50% longer. Unlike the megamouth shark and whale shark, the basking shark relies only on the water it pushes through its gills by swimming; the megamouth shark and whale shark can suck or pump water through their gills.", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q185260.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Cetorhinus maximus by greg skomal", "author": "Greg Skomal / NOAA Fisheries Service", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cetorhinus_maximus_by_greg_skomal.JPG", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basking_shark", "revision": 1382355240, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1382355240", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "9e7ff084c3a257e552c6d5f7e9de30064a36080dd6d9bf0e40cc06869938737f" }, { "id": "Q188387", "common_name": "European anchovy", "scientific_name": "Engraulis encrasicolus", "aliases": [ "Engraulis encrasicolus", "Hamsa" ], "summary": "The European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) is a forage fish somewhat related to the herring. It is a type of anchovy; anchovies are placed in the family Engraulidae. It lives off the coasts of Europe and Africa, including in the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea, and the Sea of Azov. It is fished by humans throughout much of its range.", "features": "It is easily distinguished by its deeply cleft mouth, the angle of the gape being behind the eyes. The pointed snout extends beyond the lower jaw. The fish resembles a sprat in having a forked tail and a single dorsal fin, but the body is round and slender. The record weight for a single fish is 49 g (1.7 oz). The maximum recorded length is 21 cm (8+1⁄8 in). 13.5 cm (5.3 in) is a more typical length. It has a silver underbelly and blue, green or grey back and sides. A silver stripe along the side fades away with age.", "habitat": "The European anchovy is a coastal pelagic species; in summer, it usually lives in water less than 50 m deep (although, in the Mediterranean, it goes to depths of 200 m in winter), and it may go as deep as 400 m. As it is euryhaline, it can live in water with a salinity of 5–41 PSU (sea water salinity is usually 35 PSU). It can therefore live in brackish water in lagoons, estuaries, and lakes. European anchovies eat plankton, mostly copepods and the eggs and larvae of fish, molluscs, and cirripedes. They are migratory, often travelling northwards in summer and south in winter. They form large schools, and may form bait balls when threatened (see image, below). European anchovies are eaten by many species of fish, birds and marine mammals.", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Engraulidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q188387.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Ansjovis", "author": "Jschop", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ansjovis.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_anchovy", "revision": 1346662559, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1346662559", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "9a760c0c12c1bbb56ae3c73fc118065557a76ce32594adf6118517f6aaeff14c" }, { "id": "Q200594", "common_name": "Common rudd", "scientific_name": "Scardinius erythrophthalmus", "aliases": [ "Scardinius erythrophthalmus", "rudd", "Leuciscus erythrophthalmus", "shallow", "red-eye" ], "summary": "The common rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus) is a bentho-pelagic freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Leuciscidae. This species is widely spread in Europe and central Asia, around the basins of the North, Baltic, Black, Caspian and Aral seas.", "features": "Morphologically, this species is very similar to the roach (Rutilus rutilus), with which it can be easily confused. It can be identified by the yellow eye colour. The eye of the roach has a big red spot above the pupil, that can be more or less conspicuous. The rudd has an upturned mouth allowing it to feed easily at the top of the water. The placement of the dorsal fin is more to the rear which is even visible in very young fish. There are normally only one or two scales between the tip of the pelvic fins and the anal fins, while on the roach there are five. Also the skin of the rudd is yellowish green, while the roach is bluish on the flanks. Also the upturned mouth is visible even in young fish. Furthermore, the rudd's number of soft rays in the dorsal fin (8–9 compared to 10–12). There can be confusion with the ide also, which has smaller scales however. There is a variety of the common rudd, popular among pond-keepers, known as the golden rudd, which has a gold-coloured body. The rudd can grow to a size of about 45–50 cm with an average of about 25 cm. The dorsal fin and pectoral fins are greyish with a reddish tint and all the other fins are bright red. This coloring of the fins is the feature to which the seventeenth century name 'rudd' refers.", "habitat": "Rudd prefer clear waters rich in plants. They also feed on aquatic vegetation when the temperature exceeds 18 °C. They hunt for living prey in the upper levels. They prefer mesotrophic waters, while the roach is sometimes found together with the perch in waters that are nutrient poor. Rudd appear to prefer non-acidic water. It prefers shallow weedy areas in lakes and river backwaters, where mature females lay up to 200,000 eggs on submerged vegetation. Young rudd eat zooplankton, aquatic insects, and occasionally other small fish. Mature rudd, which are about 18\" in length and weigh about 3 pounds, eat mostly aquatic vegetation. The rudd can consume up to 40% of their body weight in vegetation per day, as much as 80% of which is discharged as waste, releasing nutrients into the water column. They can tolerate a wide range of temperatures and water conditions, including eutrophic or polluted waters. In the laboratory rudd readily hybridize with the U.S. golden shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas). They come in both silver and gold, and are sometimes sold as pond ornamentals. Maximum lifespan has been reported as 17 years. Sexual maturity has been reported at 2–3 years.", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Leuciscidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q200594.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Scardinius erythropthalmus 2009 G1", "author": "George Chernilevsky", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Scardinius_erythropthalmus_2009_G1.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_rudd", "revision": 1355115569, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1355115569", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "58b64be4c19e7f6e4717cd75db96a94dcee5c9861738ece255b3e230cb3a229c" }, { "id": "Q194031", "common_name": "Crucian carp", "scientific_name": "Carassius carassius", "aliases": [ "Carassius carassius" ], "summary": "The crucian carp (Carassius carassius) is a medium-sized member of the carp family Cyprinidae. It occurs widely in northern European regions. Its name derives from the Low German karusse or karutze, possibly from Medieval Latin coracinus (a kind of river fish).", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "The crucian carp is a widely distributed European species, its range spanning from England to Russia; it is found as far north as the Arctic Circle in the Scandinavian countries, and as far south as central France and the region of the Black Sea. Its habitat includes lakes, ponds, and slow-moving rivers. It has been established that the fish is native to England and not introduced. The crucian carp is a medium-sized cyprinid, typically 15 centimetres (5.9 in) in body length, and rarely exceeds in weight over 2 kilograms (4.4 lb), but a maximum total length of 64 centimetres (25 in) has been reported for a male, and the heaviest published weighed 3 kilograms (6.6 lb). They are broadly described as having a body of \"golden-green shining color\", but a more precise source states that young fish are golden-bronze but darken with maturity, until they gain a dark green back, deep bronze upper flanks, and gold on the lower flanks and belly, and reddish or orange fins, although other colour variations exist. One distinguishing characteristic is a convexly rounded fin, as opposed to goldfish (or C. gibelio) hybrids which have concave fins. The crucian carp is also the type species for the genus, which has led to confusion in the taxonomy of species native to East Asia. There are reports of hybridisation between the crucian and domestic or feral goldfish, which has been verified by production of viable hybrids in laboratory conditions.", "diet": "", "family": "Cyprinidae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q194031.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "CarassiusCarassius8", "author": "Viridiflavus", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:CarassiusCarassius8.JPG", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crucian_carp", "revision": 1377097513, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1377097513", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "1b5193681f374c7ca9f4e2692abebe406d2620aa7aa0f84be060472cabba5a01" }, { "id": "Q187981", "common_name": "Ruffe", "scientific_name": "Gymnocephalus cernua", "aliases": [ "Eurasian ruffe", "pope", "Gymnocephalus cernua" ], "summary": "The ruffe (Gymnocephalus cernua), also known as the Eurasian ruffe or pope, is a freshwater fish found in temperate regions of Europe and northern Asia. It has been introduced into the Great Lakes of North America as an invasive species and is causing unfortunate results as it is reproducing faster than other species. Its common names are ambiguous – \"ruffe\" may refer to any local member of its genus Gymnocephalus, which as a whole is native to Eurasia.", "features": "The colours and markings are similar to those of the walleye, an olive-brown to golden-brown colour on its back, paler on the sides with yellowish white undersides. The ruffe can reach up to 25 cm (9.8 in) in length, but is usually around half that size. It is a very aggressive fish for its size. The ruffe also has a large, spiny dorsal fin which is likely distasteful to its predators. It also has two fins on top, the front fin has hard and sharp spines, the back fin has soft spines called rays. The most obvious features to recognize a ruffe are the ruffe's large, continuous dorsal fin and its slightly downturned mouth.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "The species occurs in the basins of the Caspian, Black, Aral, Baltic and North Sea, and is also found in Great Britain, parts of Scandinavia and some regions of the Arctic Ocean basin eastward to the drainage of the Kolyma. It has been introduced to parts of Western Europe (France, northern Italy) and Greece, as well as to the North American Great Lakes.", "diet": "In Eurasia, the ruffe diet mainly consists of zoobenthos: chironomids, small aquatic bugs and larvae, which are all found in the benthic zone of the water column. As far as researchers have been able to learn, it has kept the same diet in its transfer to the Great Lakes.", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q187981.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Gymnocephalus cernuus Pärnu River Estonia 2010-01-06", "author": "Tiit Hunt", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gymnocephalus_cernuus_P%C3%A4rnu_River_Estonia_2010-01-06.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruffe", "revision": 1361060134, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1361060134", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "974a77edfd6f154b50da6b991ef7d46a1cfc00fd7f4ab755a4d069faac7384ae" }, { "id": "Q190469", "common_name": "Bull shark", "scientific_name": "Carcharhinus leucas", "aliases": [ "Bull shark", "Zambezi shark", "Nicaragua shark", "Bolivian shark", "Carcharhinus leucas" ], "summary": "The bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas), also known as the Zambezi shark (informally zambi) in Africa and Lake Nicaragua shark in Nicaragua, is a species of requiem shark commonly found worldwide in warm, shallow waters along coasts and in rivers. It is known for its aggressive nature, and presence mainly in warm, shallow brackish and freshwater systems including estuaries and (usually) lower reaches of rivers. Their aggressive nature has led to ongoing shark-culling efforts near beaches to protect beachgoers, which is one of the causes of bull shark populations continuing to decrease. Bull sharks are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Bull sharks are euryhaline and can thrive in both salt and fresh water. They are known to travel far up rivers, and have been known to travel up the Mississippi River as far as Alton, Illinois, about 1,100 kilometres (700 mi) from the ocean, but few freshwater interactions with humans have been recorded. Larger-sized bull sharks are responsible for a large part of nearshore shark attacks, and may be responsible for many attacks involving unidentified species. Unlike the river sharks of the genus Glyphis, bull sharks are not true freshwater sharks, despite their ability to survive in freshwater habitats. This shark appears in the image of the 2000 colones banknote from Costa Rica.", "features": "", "habitat": "The bull shark is commonly found worldwide in coastal areas of warm oceans, in rivers and lakes, and occasionally salt and freshwater streams if they are deep enough. It is found to a depth of 150 m (490 ft), but does not usually swim deeper than 30 m (98 ft). In the Atlantic, it is found from Massachusetts to southern Brazil, and from Morocco to Angola. Populations of bull sharks are also found in several major rivers, with more than 500 bull sharks thought to be living in the Brisbane River. One was reportedly seen swimming the flooded streets of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, during the 2010–11 Queensland floods. Several were sighted in one of the main streets of Goodna, Queensland, shortly after the peak of the January 2011, floods. A large bull shark was caught in the canals of Scarborough, just north of Brisbane within Moreton Bay. Still greater numbers are in the canals of the Gold Coast, Queensland. In the warmer months of the year, bull sharks frequent Sydney Harbour. In the Pacific Ocean, it can be found from Baja California to Ecuador. The bull shark has traveled 4,000 km (2,500 mi) up the Amazon River to Iquitos in Peru and north Bolivia. It also lives in freshwater Lake Nicaragua, in the Ganges and Brahmaputra Rivers of West Bengal, and Assam in Eastern India and adjoining Bangladesh. It can live in water with a high salt content as in St. Lucia Estuary in South Africa. Bull sharks have been recorded in the Tigris River since at least 1924 as far upriver as Baghdad, and has been rumored to also inhabit the Cahora Bassa lake upstream of the Zambezi.", "distribution": "The bull shark is commonly found worldwide in coastal areas of warm oceans, in rivers and lakes, and occasionally salt and freshwater streams if they are deep enough. It is found to a depth of 150 m (490 ft), but does not usually swim deeper than 30 m (98 ft). In the Atlantic, it is found from Massachusetts to southern Brazil, and from Morocco to Angola. Populations of bull sharks are also found in several major rivers, with more than 500 bull sharks thought to be living in the Brisbane River. One was reportedly seen swimming the flooded streets of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, during the 2010–11 Queensland floods. Several were sighted in one of the main streets of Goodna, Queensland, shortly after the peak of the January 2011, floods. A large bull shark was caught in the canals of Scarborough, just north of Brisbane within Moreton Bay. Still greater numbers are in the canals of the Gold Coast, Queensland. In the warmer months of the year, bull sharks frequent Sydney Harbour. In the Pacific Ocean, it can be found from Baja California to Ecuador. The bull shark has traveled 4,000 km (2,500 mi) up the Amazon River to Iquitos in Peru and north Bolivia. It also lives in freshwater Lake Nicaragua, in the Ganges and Brahmaputra Rivers of West Bengal, and Assam in Eastern India and adjoining Bangladesh. It can live in water with a high salt content as in St. Lucia Estuary in South Africa. Bull sharks have been recorded in the Tigris River since at least 1924 as far upriver as Baghdad, and has been rumored to also inhabit the Cahora Bassa lake upstream of the Zambezi.", "diet": "The bull shark is a marine apex predator, capable of taking a variety of prey. The bull shark's diet consists mainly of bony fish and small sharks, including other bull sharks, and stingrays. Their diet can also include turtles, birds, dolphins, terrestrial mammals, crustaceans, and echinoderms. They hunt in murky waters where it is harder for the prey to see the shark coming. Bull sharks have been known to use the bump-and-bite technique to attack their prey. After the first initial contact, they continue to bite and tackle prey until the prey is unable to flee. The bull shark is a solitary hunter, though may briefly pair with another bull shark to make hunting and tricking prey easier. Sharks are opportunistic feeders, and the bull shark is no exception to this, as it is part of the Carcharhinus family of sharks. Normally, sharks eat in short bursts, and when food is scarce, sharks digest for a much longer period of time in order to avoid starvation. As part of their survival mechanism, bull sharks will regurgitate the food in their stomachs in order to escape from a predator. This is a distraction tactic; if the predator moves to eat the regurgitated food the bull shark can use the opportunity to escape.", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q190469.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas)", "author": "João D'Andretta", "license": "CC BY 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bull_shark_(Carcharhinus_leucas).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bull_shark", "revision": 1378453392, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1378453392", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "4c0c842df9ad079d1049e4eb3745d51621db044dc5a71b4ab2ceea733bc0e0e8" }, { "id": "Q203572", "common_name": "Three-spined stickleback", "scientific_name": "Gasterosteus aculeatus", "aliases": [ "Gasterosteus aculeatus", "jack sharp", "threespine stickleback", "threespined stickleback", "banstickle", "barnystickle", "barnytickle", "branchy", "common stickleback", "cushy", "Eastern stickleback", "European stickleback", "jacksharp", "New York stickleback", "pinfish", "prickley", "prickly", "prickly back", "Santa Ana stickleback", "saw-finned stickleback" ], "summary": "The three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) is a fish native to most inland and coastal waters north of 30°N. It has long been a subject of scientific study for many reasons. It shows great morphological variation throughout its range, ideal for questions about evolution and population genetics. Many populations are anadromous (they live in seawater but breed in fresh or brackish water) and very tolerant of changes in salinity, a subject of interest to physiologists. It displays elaborate breeding behavior (defending a territory, building a nest, taking care of the eggs and fry) and it can be social (living in shoals outside the breeding season) making it a popular subject of inquiry in fish ethology and behavioral ecology. Its antipredator adaptations, host-parasite interactions, sensory physiology, reproductive physiology, and endocrinology have also been much studied. Facilitating these studies is the fact that the three-spined stickleback is easy to find in nature and easy to keep in aquaria.", "features": "This species can occasionally reach lengths of 8 cm (3.1 in), but lengths of 3–4 centimetres (1.2–1.6 in) at maturity are more common. The body is laterally compressed. The base of the tail is slender. The caudal fin has 12 rays. The dorsal fin has 10–14 rays; in front of it are the three spines that give the fish its name (though some individuals may have only two or four). The third spine (the one closest to the dorsal fin) is much shorter than the other two. The back of each spine is joined to the body by a thin membrane. The anal fin has eight to eleven rays. The pelvic fins consist of just a spine and one ray. All spines can be locked in an erect position, making the fish extremely hard to swallow by a predator. The pectoral fins are large, with 10 rays. The body bears no scales, but is protected by bony plates on the back, flanks, and belly. Only one ventral plate is present, but the number of flank plates varies greatly across the distribution range and across habitat types (see below); it is normally higher in marine populations (some freshwater populations may in fact lack lateral plates altogether). Dorsal coloration varies, but tends towards a drab olive or a silvery green, sometimes with brown mottling. The flanks and belly are silvery. In males during the breeding season, the eyes become blue and the lower head, throat, and anterior belly turn bright red. The throat and belly of breeding females can turn slightly pink. A few populations, however, have breeding males which are all black or all white.", "habitat": "The three-spined stickleback is found only in the Northern Hemisphere, where it usually inhabits coastal waters or freshwater bodies. It can live in either fresh, brackish, or salt water. It prefers slow-flowing water with areas of emerging vegetation. It can be found in ditches, ponds, lakes, backwaters, quiet rivers, sheltered bays, marshes, and harbours. In North America, it ranges along the East Coast from Chesapeake Bay to the southern half of Baffin Island and the western shore of Hudson Bay, and along the West Coast from southern California to the western shore of Alaska and the Aleutian Islands. It can be found throughout Europe between 35 and 70°N. Locally present in the Volga River basin. In Asia, the distribution stretches from Japan and the Korean peninsula to the Bering Straits. Its distribution could be said to be circumpolar were it not for the fact that it is absent from the north coast of Siberia, the north coast of Alaska, and the Arctic islands of Canada.", "distribution": "The three-spined stickleback is found only in the Northern Hemisphere, where it usually inhabits coastal waters or freshwater bodies. It can live in either fresh, brackish, or salt water. It prefers slow-flowing water with areas of emerging vegetation. It can be found in ditches, ponds, lakes, backwaters, quiet rivers, sheltered bays, marshes, and harbours. In North America, it ranges along the East Coast from Chesapeake Bay to the southern half of Baffin Island and the western shore of Hudson Bay, and along the West Coast from southern California to the western shore of Alaska and the Aleutian Islands. It can be found throughout Europe between 35 and 70°N. Locally present in the Volga River basin. In Asia, the distribution stretches from Japan and the Korean peninsula to the Bering Straits. Its distribution could be said to be circumpolar were it not for the fact that it is absent from the north coast of Siberia, the north coast of Alaska, and the Arctic islands of Canada. Three subspecies are recognized by the IUCN: G. a. aculeatus is found in most of the species range, and is the subspecies most strictly termed the three-spined stickleback; its common name in Britain is the tiddler, although \"tittlebat\" is also sometimes used. G. a. williamsoni, the unarmored threespine stickleback, is found only in North America; its recognised range is southern California, though isolated reports have been made of it occurring in British Columbia and Mexico; G. a. santaeannae, the Santa Ana stickleback, is also restricted to North America.", "diet": "In its different forms or stages of life, the three-spined stickleback can be a bottom-feeder (most commonly chironomid larvae and amphipods) or a planktonic feeder in lakes or in the ocean; it can also consume terrestrial prey fallen to the surface. It can cannibalize eggs and fry.", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q203572.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Dreistachliger Stichling unterwasser", "author": "Lorenz Seebauer", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dreistachliger_Stichling_unterwasser.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three-spined_stickleback", "revision": 1383212545, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1383212545", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "0d053e624d70e3f38ddbb76a98c3a5db6fea36e68d098603c67dbf3a03dd03b9" }, { "id": "Q643373", "common_name": "Garfish", "scientific_name": "Belone belone", "aliases": [ "Belone belone", "sea needle" ], "summary": "The garfish (Belone belone), also known as the garpike, needlefish or sea needle, is a pelagic, oceanodromous needlefish found in brackish and marine waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Black, and Baltic Seas.", "features": "The garfish is a long and slender fish with a laterally compressed body, and grows to about 50 to 75 cm (20 to 30 in) in length. The jaws are elongated and armed with sharp teeth. The pectoral, dorsal, and anal fins are situated well back on the body and the latter two are similar in appearance. Positioning the fins so far back gives greater flexibility to the body. The lateral line is set low on the flanks. The colour of the body is bluish green with a silvery grey belly and the bones are green.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q643373.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Garfish, Peloponnese, Peloponnese, Western Greece and the Ionian Islands, GR imported from iNaturalist photo 222165464", "author": "(c) Sarah Faulwetter, some rights reserved (CC BY)", "license": "CC BY 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Garfish,_Peloponnese,_Peloponnese,_Western_Greece_and_the_Ionian_Islands,_GR_imported_from_iNaturalist_photo_222165464.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garfish", "revision": 1380233200, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1380233200", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "a3eea261a86ca6e961fe2c5fae87620c92bdc136925c9555e193f5cdf3ba687d" }, { "id": "Q205015", "common_name": "Angler", "scientific_name": "Lophius piscatorius", "aliases": [ "Anglerfish", "monkfish", "Lophius piscatorius" ], "summary": "Lophius piscatorius, commonly known as the angler, toadfish, sea frog, fishing frog, frogfish, or sea devil, is a species of Lophius in the family Lophiidae. It occurs in coastal and shelf waters of the northeast Atlantic, ranging from the Barents Sea south to the Strait of Gibraltar, and is also present in the Mediterranean and Black Sea. In parts of its range, including the Irish Sea, it supports an important commercial fishery.", "features": "The average size of European anglers is 40–60 centimetres (16–24 in), with larger specimens exceeding this range. Precise ranges in body size tend to vary between different localities and populations. Average size also tends to increase with depth; populations living in deeper waters are larger-bodied overall than shallow-water ones. It has a very large head which is broad, flat, and depressed; the rest of the body appears to be a mere appendage. The wide mouth extends all the way around the anterior circumference of the head, and both jaws are armed with bands of long, pointed teeth. These are inclined inwards and can be closed so as to offer no impediment to an object gliding towards the stomach, but to prevent its escape from the mouth. The pectoral and pelvic fins are articulated as to perform the functions of feet, so the fish is able to walk along the bottom of the sea, where it generally hides in the sand or amongst seaweed. Around its head and also along the body, the skin bears fringed appendages resembling short fronds of seaweed, a structure which, combined with the ability to match the colour of the body to its surroundings, assists this fish in camouflaging itself in the places which it selects on account of the abundance of prey. It has no scales. The ovaries of female anglers take the form of two long, ribbon-like lobes connected at their posterior ends. One side consists of an egg-producing layer, while the other produces a gelatinous secretion that fills the ovarian lumen during egg maturation.", "habitat": "The European angler inhabits muddy and sandy bottoms up to depths of 1,000 metres (3,300 ft). It is occasionally found on rocky bottoms as well. They rarely occur below the continental slope.", "distribution": "", "diet": "The fish has long filaments along the middle of its head, which are, in fact, the detached and modified three first spines of the anterior dorsal fin. The filament most important to the angler is the first, which is the longest, terminates in a lappet, and is movable in every direction. The angler is believed to attract other fish by means of its lure, and then to seize them with its enormous jaws. While it is considered probable that smaller fish are attracted in this way experiments have shown that the actions of the jaw is automatic and depends on the contact of the prey with the tentacle. Its stomach is expandable and it is not unheard of for these fish to swallow prey of their own size. Adult anglers feed primarily on fish, while juveniles prey mainly on marine invertebrates. Norway pout is the most common prey item in Northern European waters, while blue whiting is more common among southern population. Whiting and Norway lobster are among the main prey of adult anglers in the Irish Sea. Lesser sandeel is a seasonally common prey item around the Shetland Islands. Cephalopods are an important food source in the Cantabrian Sea. In 1940, an angler was discovered with a herring gull in its stomach, and it is known to surface and attempt to capture waterbirds.", "family": "Lophiidae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q205015.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Lophius piscatorius in situ off of northern Ireland", "author": "Libby Keatley", "license": "CC BY 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lophius_piscatorius_in_situ_off_of_northern_Ireland.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lophius_piscatorius", "revision": 1354486329, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1354486329", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "7a326a7d668507ac1c89e7ae58b3b4738d1c7810a15b4d896529df6908c7ef6f" }, { "id": "Q146641", "common_name": "Zander", "scientific_name": "Sander lucioperca", "aliases": [ "Sander lucioperca", "Stizostedion lucioperca" ], "summary": "The zander (Sander lucioperca), sander, pikeperch, or Eurasian pikeperch, is a species of ray-finned fish from the family Percidae (which also includes perch, ruffe and darter). It is found in freshwater and brackish habitats in western Eurasia. As a popular game fish, it has been introduced to a variety of localities outside its native range. It is the type species of the genus Sander.", "features": "The zander is the largest member of the Percidae. It usually has a long and muscular body which bears some resemblance to a Northern pike (Esox lucius), hence the alternative English common name of pikeperch. The upper part of its body is green-brown in colour, and this extends onto the sides as dark vertical bars, in a pattern not dissimilar to that of the European perch (Perca fluviatilis), while the lower part of the body is creamy-white. The caudal fin is dark, and the pectoral, pelvic and anal fins are paler off-white. The dorsal and caudal fins are marked with rows of black spots on the membranes between the spines and rays; these are largest and most obvious on the first dorsal fin. The juveniles are silvery in colour, becoming darker as they age. They have powerful jaws armed with many sharp teeth, with two long canines in the front of each jaw. They have large, bulbous eyes which are opaque when the fish is living in particularly turbid conditions, an adaptation to low light. There is a single flat spine on the operculum. Like other members of the perch family, the zander has a split dorsal fin, with the first dorsal fin having 13–20 spines and 18–24 soft rays, while the anal fin has 2–3 rays and 10–14 soft rays. The caudal fin is long and forked. The zander has a maximum published standard length of 100 centimetres (39 in), although they are more commonly found at around 50 centimetres (20 in). This species can weigh up to 15 kg (33 lb), although typical catches are considerably smaller.", "habitat": "Zander inhabit freshwater bodies, especially large rivers and eutrophic lakes. They can tolerate brackish water and will make use of coastal lakes and estuaries. Individuals living in brackish water habitats migrate upriver, as far as 250 kilometres (160 miles) for spawning.", "distribution": "The zander is very widely distributed across Eurasia, occurring in the drainages of the Caspian, Baltic, Black, Aral, North and Aegean Sea basins. The northern boundary of its distribution is in Finland. It has been introduced to Great Britain, southern Europe, and continental Europe west of the Elbe, Ebro, Tagus and Jucar drainages, as well as to Anatolia, North Africa, Siberia, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. In the UK, zander was originally introduced in 1878 by Francis Russell, 9th Duke of Bedford, into lakes on his Woburn Abbey estate and soon after that into the Great Ouse Relief Channel in The Fens. British Waterways included zander among a \"dirty dozen\" non-native species most likely to harm native wildlife along rivers in Great Britain. Their success in establishing themselves owes to a number of factors, one of which is that they are particularly well adapted to life in the slow-flowing, sparsely vegetated, rather murky waters that comprise so many of the British lowland rivers. Zander thrive in water with rather low visibility, unlike pike, which often dominate the predator fish niche in clear water. However, zander need plenty of oxygen and soon disappear from eutrophic areas. Zander were stocked in Spiritwood Lake, North Dakota in 1989 and have remained ever since. Ecologists believe that if establishment occurs in the Great Lakes they will compete with game fish such as the closely related walleye or yellow perch for food and habitat. Therefore the Government of Ontario is preemptively treating zander as a future invasive species.", "diet": "Zander are carnivorous and the adults feed on smaller schooling fish. Studies around the Baltic Sea have found them to prey on the European smelt (Osmerus eperlanus), ruffe (Gymnocephalus cernua), European perch, vendace (Coregonus albula) and the common roach (Rutilus rutilus). They cannibalize smaller zanders. They have also been recorded feeding on smolts of sea trout (Salmo trutta morph. trutta) and Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). In the United Kingdom, zander thrive in canals, where the water is turbid due to boat traffic. Although their favoured prey in these waters is the common roach, they have a high impact on the population of gudgeon (Gobio gobio).", "family": "Percidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q146641.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Sander lucioperca 1", "author": "eLNuko", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sander_lucioperca_1.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zander", "revision": 1379208850, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1379208850", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "65391e0bd6faccd308beb31d06bfa071cd6be2e2667adf31cac8afe956c2b57e" }, { "id": "Q217329", "common_name": "Turbot", "scientific_name": "Scophthalmus maximus", "aliases": [ "Scophthalmus maximus" ], "summary": "The turbot ( TUR-bət), Scophthalmus maximus, is a relatively large species of flatfish in the family Scophthalmidae. It is a demersal fish native to marine or brackish waters of the Northeast Atlantic, Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. It is an important food fish. Turbot in the Black Sea were often included in this species, but are now generally regarded as separate: the Black Sea turbot or kalkan (S. maeoticus). True turbot are not found in the Northwest Atlantic; the \"turbot\" of that region, which was involved in the so-called \"Turbot War\" between Canada and Spain, is the Greenland halibut or Greenland turbot (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides). The name turbot can refer to any member of the family Scolopthalmidae, and some other flatfish have similar common names (e.g., spiny turbots of the genus Psettodes).", "features": "The turbot is a large left eyed flatfish found primarily close to shore in sandy shallow waters throughout the Mediterranean, the Baltic Sea, the Black Sea, and the North Atlantic. The European turbot has an asymmetric disk-shaped body, and has been known to grow up to one metre (40 inches) long and 25 kilograms (55 pounds) in weight.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Scophthalmidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q217329.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Psetta maxima Luc Viatour", "author": "Luc Viatour", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Psetta_maxima_Luc_Viatour.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turbot", "revision": 1355114984, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1355114984", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "8145a71f0c2b2eeb58fb011d34a3398fb7e31303ae763f280751132f8d6b280c" }, { "id": "Q200473", "common_name": "Common bleak", "scientific_name": "Alburnus alburnus", "aliases": [ "Alburnus alburnus", "A. alburnus", "tailor", "ablet", "ablette" ], "summary": "The bleak or common bleak (Alburnus alburnus) is a small freshwater coarse fish of the family Leuciscidae, which includes the minnows, daces and bleaks. The common bleak is found in Europe and Western Asia.", "features": "The body of the bleak is elongated and flat. The head is pointed and the relatively small mouth is turned upwards. The anal fin is long and has 18–23 fin rays. The lateral line is complete. The bleak has a shiny silvery colour, and the fins are pointed and colourless. Its maximum length is about 25 cm (10 in). In Europe, the bleak can easily be confused with many other species. In England, young common bream and silver bream can be confused with young bleak, though the pointed, upward-turned mouth of the bleak is already distinctive at young stages. Young roach and ruffe have wider bodies and short anal fins.", "habitat": "The bleak lives in great schools and feeds upon small molluscs, insects that fall in the water, insect larvae, worms, small shellfish, and plant detritus. It is found in streams and lakes. The bleak prefers open waters and is found in large numbers where an inflow of food from pumping stations or behind weirs occurs.", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Leuciscidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q200473.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "AlburnusAlburnus1", "author": "Piet Spaans", "license": "CC BY-SA 2.5", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:AlburnusAlburnus1.JPG", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_bleak", "revision": 1355294890, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1355294890", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "4ece01f43dc6dd60d9a035e1f2f1c82a2fe2f270400ef47c18c3a27bcadfeffe" }, { "id": "Q211316", "common_name": "Sterlet", "scientific_name": "Huso ruthenus", "aliases": [ "Acipenser ruthenus" ], "summary": "The sterlet (Huso ruthenus) is a relatively small species of sturgeon from Eurasia native to large rivers that flow into the Black Sea, Azov Sea, and Caspian Sea, as well as rivers in Siberia as far east as Yenisei. Populations migrating between fresh and salt water (anadromous) have been extirpated. It is also known as the sterlet sturgeon. Due to overfishing (for its flesh, caviar, and isinglass), pollution, and dams, the sterlet has declined throughout its native range and is considered endangered by the IUCN. Restocking projects are ongoing, and it has been introduced to some regions outside its native range, but the latter have generally not become self-sustaining. Today, the majority of the international trade involves sterlets from aquaculture.", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "The sterlet's main source of food is benthic organisms; they commonly feed on crustaceans, worms, and insect larvae.", "family": "", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q211316.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Acipenser ruthenus Prague Vltava 1", "author": "Karelj", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Acipenser_ruthenus_Prague_Vltava_1.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sterlet", "revision": 1378850286, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1378850286", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "cb1f1203a0942e50cfa5d3c4fc42b7e3b566caab59343fda7726d4b82e8a5bf8" }, { "id": "Q191816", "common_name": "Beluga (sturgeon)", "scientific_name": "Huso huso", "aliases": [ "European sturgeon", "Huso huso" ], "summary": "The beluga (), also known as the beluga sturgeon or great sturgeon (Huso huso), is a species of sturgeon, which are anadromous fish of the family Acipenseridae of the order Acipenseriformes. It is found primarily in the Caspian and Black Sea basins, and formerly in the Adriatic Sea. Based on maximum size, it is the third-most-massive living species of bony fish. Heavily fished for the female's valuable roe, known as beluga caviar, wild populations have been greatly reduced by overfishing and poaching, leading IUCN to classify the species as critically endangered.", "features": "Huso huso shows typical characteristics of other sturgeon, such as an elongated body, heterocercal tail, partially cartilaginous skeleton, naked skin and longitudinal series of scutes. The dorsal fin has 48 to 81 soft rays, and the anal fin, much shorter, has 22 to 41 soft rays. There are five in a series of longitudinal scutes: dorsal (one series, 9–17 scutes), lateral (two series, one per side, 28–60 scutes each) and ventral series (two series, one per side, 7–14 scutes each). The surface of the skin is covered by fine denticles. The rostrum is conical and contains numerous sensory pits on both ventral and dorsal surfaces. The mouth is large, crescent-shaped and protractile, with the upper lip continuous while the lower lip is interrupted by a large gap. The barbels are laterally compressed with foliate appendages, arranged in two pairs, originating midway or closer to the mouth than to the tip of the snout. However, during growth, the beluga sturgeons show evident morphologic changes: Juveniles are slender, and the head is quite narrow with a mouth ventrally placed but projecting upward. The snout is thin and pointed (almost half of the head), scutes are evident, back and flancs are dark grey or black and the belly is white. Adults are heavy-set, spindle-shaped, large and humpbacked. The head is massive with a very large protractile mouth that gradually moves in an almost frontal position during growth. The snout is quite short (one-third to one-quarter of the head), and scutes gradually undergo absorption and decrease in number with age.", "habitat": "Beluga sturgeon are considered euryhaline, capable of moving freely between freshwater and estuaries, and thus can live in waters of varying saline content. Sturgeons have proven to be a durable species, able to survive some of the most altered and polluted rivers in the world. Historically, beluga sturgeon were found in the Caspian Sea, Black Sea, Adriatic Sea, Sea of Azov, and all rivers interconnecting these waterways. Unfortunately, this range has been greatly reduced in modern times to the Caspian Sea, the Black Sea, and a few rivers such as the Danube, with attempts to reintroduce Belugas into various historic locations. The construction of dams, such as the Iron Gate in the Danube and the Volgograd Dam, has severely reduced the beluga sturgeon's available spawning grounds. These dams have blocked access to crucial river habitats, leading to a significant reduction in the species' ability to reproduce. Similar habitat loss has occurred in other rivers due to dam construction, greatly impacting the species' survival.", "distribution": "", "diet": "Huso huso is a pelagic predator whose local distribution is not influenced by the nature of the substrates, unlike with most of the sturgeons that show demersal attitude. The prey is sucked into the mouth opening extremely quickly. Juveniles feed on benthic invertebrates in rivers and shallow coastal waters, where they grow quickly. At the length of 8–10 cm (3.1–3.9 in), they become largely piscivorous. Different diets have been observed throughout the distribution range of beluga sturgeon, as well as according to spawners' migration stage. Adults mainly eat a great diversity of large fish (73% of the diet). Additional food items may include molluscs and crustaceans, aquatic birds and young seals (Caspian seals, Pusa caspica). The piscivorous diet of beluga sturgeon tends to change with age: in the Caspian Sea, it mainly consists of Clupeonella sp. for juveniles smaller than 40 cm, different species of Gobiidae for fish ranging between 40 and 280 cm and then mullets, Alosa sp. and other sturgeons for the largest. In brackish environments of the Ponto-Caspian basin, the genera Alosa, Aspius and Engraulis are the preferred prey. In estuaries and rivers of the same area, migrating spawners eat various cyprinids, mainly Cyprinus carpio and Rutilus rutilus, Sander lucioperca and, among sturgeons, Acipenser ruthenus is the main prey. Little is known about the diet of the extinct Adriatic population. It has been reported that in marine and brackish environments, adult Adriatic H.", "family": "Acipenseridae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q191816.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Білуга (Huso huso)", "author": "Максим Яковлєв", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%D0%91%D1%96%D0%BB%D1%83%D0%B3%D0%B0_(Huso_huso).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beluga_(sturgeon)", "revision": 1375739305, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1375739305", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "95fca5f8319a3db325c4daefb716e4ec1aac79a891247dc4559e64c6918cc812" }, { "id": "Q370444", "common_name": "Greenland shark", "scientific_name": "Somniosus microcephalus", "aliases": [ "gurry shark", "grey shark", "Somniosus microcephalus" ], "summary": "The Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus), also known as the grey shark or gurry shark, is a large shark of the family Somniosidae (\"sleeper sharks\"), closely related to the Pacific and southern sleeper sharks. Inhabiting the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, they are notable for their exceptional longevity, although they are poorly studied because of the depth and remoteness of their natural habitat. Greenland sharks have the longest lifespan of any known vertebrate, estimated to be between 272 and 510 years. They are among the largest extant shark species, reaching a maximum confirmed length of 6.4 m (21 ft) and weighing more than 1,000 kg (2,200 lb). They reach sexual maturity around 150 years of age and their pups are born alive after an estimated gestation period of 8 to 18 years. The shark is a generalist feeder, consuming a variety of available foods, including carrion. Greenland shark meat is made toxic to mammals by high levels of trimethylamine N-oxide, although a treated form of it is eaten in Iceland as the pungent delicacy kæstur hákarl. Because they live deep in remote parts of the northern oceans, Greenland sharks are not considered a threat to humans. A possible attack occurred in August 1936 on two British fishermen, but the species was never identified.", "features": "The Greenland shark is one of the largest known existing species of shark, with adults growing to around 4 to 5 m (13 to 16 ft). The largest confirmed specimen measured up to 6.4 metres (21 ft) long and weighed around 1,023 kilograms (2,255 lb). The all-tackle International Game Fish Association (IGFA) record for this species is 775 kg (1,709 lb). It rivals the Pacific sleeper shark (possibly up to 7 m or 23 ft long) for the largest species in the family Somniosidae. Genetic data indicate that Greenland sharks diverged from ancestral sleeper sharks in the Canadian Arctic approximately 1–2.34 million years ago during the Pleistocene epoch, likely influenced by glacial fluctuations that periodically isolated marine populations. These ecological challenges may have driven physiological and metabolic adaptations for cold, deep waters. The Greenland shark is a thickset species, with a short, rounded snout, small eyes, and small dorsal and pectoral fins. The five gill openings are very small for the species's great size. Females are typically larger than males, with males reaching maturity at a smaller size than females. Coloration can range from pale creamy-gray to blackish-brown and the body is typically uniform in color, though whitish spots or faint dark streaks are occasionally seen on the back. The shark is often infested by the copepod Ommatokoita elongata, a crustacean that attaches itself to the shark's eyes. The copepod may display bioluminescence, thus attracting prey for the shark in a mutualistic relationship, but this hypothesis has not been verified.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "As both scavengers and active predators, Greenland sharks have established themselves as apex predators in Arctic ecosystems. They primarily eat fish (herring, salmon, smelt, cod, wolffish, haddock, halibut, redfish, sculpins, lumpfish, and skates) and seals. Some Greenland sharks have been found also to eat minke whale. Small Greenland sharks eat predominantly squid, as well as sea birds, crabs, amphipods, sea snails, brittle stars, sea urchins, and jellyfish. Large Greenland sharks (greater than 200 cm or 79 in) eat prey such as demersal fishes, as well as seals and small cetaceans such as oceanic dolphins and porpoises. The largest of these sharks were found having eaten redfish, as well as other higher trophic level prey. Because of their slow speeds and low-twitch-speed muscle fiber, Greenland sharks are proposed to hunt marine mammals, such as seals and smaller cetaceans, that are asleep, injured, or sick, as well as scavenging. Regarding most benthic prey, they use their cryptic coloration, approaching prey undetected before closing the remaining distance. Once they get close to their prey, Greenland sharks expand their buccal cavity to create suction, drawing in prey. This suction mechanism is the likely explanation for why the gut contents of Greenland sharks are often of whole prey specimens. Greenland sharks have also been found with remains of moose, horse, and reindeer (in one case an entire reindeer carcass) in their stomachs. Polar bear remains have also been recovered, though these are thought to be of bears that died from other causes.", "family": "Somniosidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q370444.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Somniosus microcephalus okeanos", "author": "NOAA Okeanos Explorer Program", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Somniosus_microcephalus_okeanos.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenland_shark", "revision": 1379890535, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1379890535", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "53649ebd97438073c27a7dc64a2a436cf65617e2431cb4254f6ded9864c307ae" }, { "id": "Q300955", "common_name": "European sea sturgeon", "scientific_name": "Acipenser sturio", "aliases": [ "Acipenser sturio", "Atlantic sturgeon" ], "summary": "The European sea sturgeon (Acipenser sturio), also known as the Atlantic sturgeon or common sturgeon, is a species of sturgeon native to Europe. It was formerly abundant, being found in coastal habitats all over Europe. Most specifically, they reach the Black and Baltic Sea. It is anadromous and breeds in rivers. It is currently a critically endangered species. Although the name Baltic sturgeon sometimes has been used, it has now been established that sturgeon of the Baltic region are A. oxyrinchus, a species otherwise restricted to the Atlantic coast of North America.", "features": "The wedge-shaped head of the European sea sturgeon ends in a long point. There are many sensitive barbels on the facial area. The dorsal fins are located very far back on the body. Five longitudinal lines of large osseous plates are found on the body of the fish. The dorsal side of the European sea sturgeon is greenish-brown to blackish with golden tints, the flanks are light with silvery tints and the belly is white. This sturgeon can reach 6 m (20 ft) and 400 kg (880 lb) in weight, but a more common length is 1.25 m (4 ft 1 in). They can reach an age of 100 years, and have a late sexual maturity (12 to 14 years for the males and 16 to 18 years for the females).", "habitat": "They are found on the coasts of Europe, except in the northernmost regions and the Baltic region, and have rarely even been known to cross the Atlantic Ocean to the coasts of North America. Like many other sturgeons, they spawn in the rivers inland from the coast. The species can tolerate wide spread salinities and spend most of their lives in saltwater but migrate to spawn in freshwater.", "distribution": "They are found on the coasts of Europe, except in the northernmost regions and the Baltic region, and have rarely even been known to cross the Atlantic Ocean to the coasts of North America. Like many other sturgeons, they spawn in the rivers inland from the coast. The species can tolerate wide spread salinities and spend most of their lives in saltwater but migrate to spawn in freshwater.", "diet": "Like other sturgeons, they eat polychaete worms and crustaceans which they find with their barbels.", "family": "", "water_type": "Both", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q300955.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Acipenser sturio 1879", "author": "Alexander Francis Lydon", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Acipenser_sturio_1879.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_sea_sturgeon", "revision": 1382104713, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1382104713", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "ee7eb208b779e11464db0abf0c54bf8a6ae09b36d64de7b564d24cad059112d2" }, { "id": "Q144497", "common_name": "Ide", "scientific_name": "Leuciscus idus", "aliases": [ "orfe", "Leuciscus idus" ], "summary": "The ide (Leuciscus idus), or orfe, is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Leuciscidae. The ide is found in larger rivers, ponds, and lakes across Northern Europe and Asia. It has been introduced outside its native range into Europe, North America, and New Zealand. It is a popular ornamental fish, usually kept in outdoor ponds in temperate regions from which it often escapes.", "features": "The ide is a rather plump, sturdily built fish with a deep body, although not especially so. The peduncle of the caudal fin is thick. When they are small, ide have dark backs and silvery sides, but older fish develop a golden sheen along the flanks. At all ages, the eye is yellow and the pectoral fin and anal fin are reddish in colour. The dorsal fin has three spines and 8–11 soft rays, the anal fin has three spines and 8–11 soft rays, while the caudal fin has 19 rays. It has 47 vertebrae. It is distinguished from other European members of the genus Leucsicus by the lateral line having 56–58 scales; 3.5–5.3 pharyngeal teeth, in having a terminal mouth, and branching in 8% of the dorsal rays and 10% of the anal rays. They grow to 25–50 cm in length and the normal weight range is 0.5–1.5 kg and they seldom attain weights over 2.0 kg. The European rod-caught record is 5.5 kg. Reports have been made of ides attaining total lengths around 100 cm and weights of 8 kg.", "habitat": "Ide occur in schools in the clear pools of larger rivers, ponds, and lakes, but they may move to deeper waters during the winter before moving into shallow fresh water to spawn in the spring. The species is also found in the Baltic Sea, which has a lower salinity than most seas, and in Sweden, the fish spend the first year of their lives in rivers before joining the more mature fish as they migrate downstream into the Baltic Sea during the summer. The fish then return to the rivers in the autumn, where they remain close to the mouths and in the lower reaches throughout the winter. The ide reaches sexual maturity at 3–5 years of age, and once it has attained total length, which varies from 22 cm to 43 cm, although in cooler waters, it may first breed as late as 7 years of age. It spawns in shallow water in the spring, soon after the ice has melted in the colder parts of its range. Some populations are migratory and ascend rivers and streams to spawn, but others also spawn in shallow parts of lakes and sea inlets. Eggs are usually laid among gravel or on emergent vegetation. Spawning normally lasts for 3–4 days, during which the fish are very active. Each female spawns only once a season, but during spawning, she mates with several males and the males gather at spawning grounds, where they follow ripe females. The females may lay as few as 15,000 and as many as 250,000 eggs, which are about 2 mm in diameter and pale yellow in colour, in a season. The eggs hatch in 1–2 weeks, the young fry being 8–10 mm long.", "distribution": "The ide is native to Europe and western Asia from the rivers draining into the North Sea east through southern Scandinavia and eastern Europe to the Caspian Sea drainage and the River Lena. As a popular ornamental fish, it was introduced to Great Britain in 1874 and is now widespread in England and Wales, but only has a localised distribution in Scotland. It was introduced into France and from there and Germany was introduced as an ornamental fish into the Netherlands. Outside of Europe, the ide was first taken to the United States of America in 1877, when live specimens were imported by the United States Fish Commission to be intentionally stocked in US waters, and this was subsequently done by state agencies, too; the species also spread through escapes from commercial and government ponds. It has now been reported from nine states, but its status in the United States remains uncertain as many records are old and of a few individuals and the species apparently has either failed to establish self-sustaining populations or has been eradicated. The ide was illegally imported into New Zealand as eggs, sometime in the 1980s. Fish were subsequently released between 1985 and 1986 in no less than eight and possibly as many as 13 sites north of Auckland. Ide probably did not last very long in at least seven of the sites where releases occurred, the outcome in most of the other sites is unknown, and at least one of the release sites remains unknown. Ide likely persist in the wild in at least one site within New Zealand.", "diet": "", "family": "Leuciscidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q144497.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "LeuciscusIdusWindeIde56cm 21-4-2009 16-46-58", "author": "Viridiflavus", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:LeuciscusIdusWindeIde56cm_21-4-2009_16-46-58.JPG", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ide_(fish)", "revision": 1354930788, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1354930788", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "70813796e1b0235e5e3211879496670070a32ec42da978d9e77b2e105227163a" }, { "id": "Q273083", "common_name": "Whiting", "scientific_name": "Merlangius merlangus", "aliases": [ "Merlangius merlangus" ], "summary": "Merlangius merlangus, commonly known as whiting or merling, is an important food fish in the eastern North Atlantic Ocean and the northern Mediterranean, western Baltic, and Black Sea. In Anglophonic countries outside the whiting's natural range, the name \"whiting\" has been applied to various other species of fish.", "features": "Merlangius merlangus has three dorsal fins with a total of 30 to 40 soft rays and two anal fins with 30 to 35 soft rays. The body is long and the head small and a chin barbel, if present, is very small. This fish can reach a maximum length of about 70 centimetres (27+1⁄2 inches). The colour may be yellowish-brown, greenish or dark blue, the flanks yellowish grey or white and the belly silvery. There is a distinctive black blotch near the base of each pectoral fin.", "habitat": "Whiting are native to the northeastern Atlantic Ocean. Their range extends from the southeastern Barents Sea and Iceland to Scandinavia, the Baltic Sea, the North Sea, Portugal, the Black Sea, the Aegean Sea, the Adriatic Sea and parts of the Mediterranean Sea. They occur on sand, mud and gravel seabeds at depths down to about 100 metres (300 feet; 50 fathoms). In 2014, their conservation status was classified as vulnerable in the Baltic Sea.", "distribution": "Whiting are native to the northeastern Atlantic Ocean. Their range extends from the southeastern Barents Sea and Iceland to Scandinavia, the Baltic Sea, the North Sea, Portugal, the Black Sea, the Aegean Sea, the Adriatic Sea and parts of the Mediterranean Sea. They occur on sand, mud and gravel seabeds at depths down to about 100 metres (300 feet; 50 fathoms). In 2014, their conservation status was classified as vulnerable in the Baltic Sea.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q273083.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Wijting002", "author": "Georges Jansoone (JoJan) -", "license": "CC BY 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wijting002.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merlangius", "revision": 1361834631, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1361834631", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "a33ff36e9e80c32608426c855f5bcf5199cd599c757b8194ffd451ed11ac360b" }, { "id": "Q212552", "common_name": "European conger", "scientific_name": "Conger conger", "aliases": [ "Conger conger" ], "summary": "The European conger (Conger conger) is a species of conger of the family Congridae. It is the heaviest eel in the world and native to the northeast Atlantic, including the Mediterranean Sea.", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "This species can be found in the eastern Atlantic from Norway and Iceland to Senegal, and also in the Mediterranean and Black Sea at 0–500 m (0–1,640 ft) of depth, although they may reach depths of 3,600 m (11,800 ft) during their migrations. It is sometimes seen in very shallow water by the shore, but can also go down to 1,170 m (3,840 ft). It is usually present on rough, rocky, broken ground, close to the coast when young, moving to deeper waters when adult.", "diet": "", "family": "Congridae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q212552.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "European conger", "author": "West Brom 4ever", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:European_conger.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_conger", "revision": 1355303219, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1355303219", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "7f74c85308c94f18d08f2d888ab0ecc2d52059f3e3f389b0a6ae9cbe0fc9e9ef" }, { "id": "Q27098", "common_name": "European plaice", "scientific_name": "Pleuronectes platessa", "aliases": [ "plaice", "European plaice", "Pleuronectes platessa" ], "summary": "The European plaice (Pleuronectes platessa), commonly referred to as simply plaice, or schol in Dutch, is a species of marine flatfish in the genus Pleuronectes of the family Pleuronectidae.", "features": "The European plaice is characterized, on their dorsal side, by their dark green to dark brown skin, blotched with conspicuous, but irregularly distributed, orange spots. The ventral side is pearly white. The skin is smooth with small scales. They are able to adapt their colour somewhat to match that of their surroundings, but the orange spots always remain visible. The skin lacks any prickles. The outline of adults is oval. The head is rather small and is less than 25% of the total length. The pointed mouth is terminal and fairly small with its maxilla reaching just below the right eye. Both eyes are located at the right side of the body. The bony ridge behind the eyes is another characteristic for this species. The lateral line curves slightly above the pectoral fin. The dorsal fin reaches the eye. The dorsal and anal fins are distant from the caudal fin. The anal fin contains 48 to 59 soft rays and is preceded by a spine. The dorsal fin has 65 to 79 soft rays, the pectoral fin 10 to 11, and the ventral fin six. European plaice can live up to 20 years and will reach its maximum size at about 50 to 70 cm but individuals up to 78 cm and 5.7 kg have been observed.", "habitat": "European plaice is a common flatfish which inhabits sandy and muddy bottoms of the European shelf, usually at depths between 10 and 200 m. It is found from the Barents Sea down to the Iberian peninsula and around Iceland and the Faroe Islands. It is often reported in ichthyological check lists for the Mediterranean Sea but this is likely to be misidentified specimens of European flounder. Adult fish are generally found in deeper waters whereas young fish are found in shallow waters e.g. estuaries and sandy coasts. Plaice tend to burrow in the sediment during the day and remain stationary for long periods to avoid predators and ambush prey.", "distribution": "European plaice is a common flatfish which inhabits sandy and muddy bottoms of the European shelf, usually at depths between 10 and 200 m. It is found from the Barents Sea down to the Iberian peninsula and around Iceland and the Faroe Islands. It is often reported in ichthyological check lists for the Mediterranean Sea but this is likely to be misidentified specimens of European flounder. Adult fish are generally found in deeper waters whereas young fish are found in shallow waters e.g. estuaries and sandy coasts. Plaice tend to burrow in the sediment during the day and remain stationary for long periods to avoid predators and ambush prey.", "diet": "It is active at night and feeds on polychaetes, crustaceans and bivalves. Young plaice (between 1 and 2 years old) tend to consume mainly shrimps.", "family": "Pleuronectidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q27098.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Pleuronectes platessa", "author": "Hans Hillewaert", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pleuronectes_platessa.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_plaice", "revision": 1372215320, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1372215320", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "4c557a512b37c9f1492bde88c722f1cd48821035e358786c7d07de52514f837c" }, { "id": "Q239977", "common_name": "Albacore", "scientific_name": "Thunnus alalunga", "aliases": [ "Thunnus alalunga", "albacore tuna", "longfin tuna" ], "summary": "The albacore (Thunnus alalunga), known also as the albicore or longfin tuna, is a species of tuna of the order Scombriformes. It lives in temperate and tropical waters across the globe in the epipelagic and mesopelagic zones. There are six distinct stocks known globally in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans, as well as in the Mediterranean Sea. The albacore has an elongate, fusiform body with a conical snout, large eyes, and remarkably long pectoral fins. Its body is a deep blue dorsally and shades of silvery white ventrally. Individuals can reach up to 1.4 m (4 ft 7 in) in length. Albacore are pelagic predators, eating a wide variety of foods, including fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods. They are unique among tuna in that their primary food-source is cephalopods, with fish making up a much smaller portion of their diet. Reproduction usually occurs from November to February and is oviparous. An adult female can release over two million eggs in a single cycle. Fry (juvenile fish) generally stay near where they were spawned for about a year before moving on. Albacore form schools based on their stage in the life cycle, but also combine with other tuna like the skipjack tuna, yellowfin tuna, and bluefin tuna. Schools of grown albacore are highly migratory. The albacore is a very economically important fish and is a target of commercial and recreational fisheries.", "features": "The albacore has a streamlined, fusiform body with a conical snout, large mouth, and big eyes. Its body is dark blue dorsally, shades of silvery white ventrally, and covered by small scales. The pectoral fins begin slightly before the first dorsal fin and extend well beyond the front of the anal fin, usually as far as the second dorsal finlet, often as long as 30% of the fish's total length. Like the fish's body, the fins are dark blue on top, but change to a medium yellow color on the underside. They are markedly shorter in fish under 0.5 m (1 ft 8 in) in length, often resulting in confusion with T. obesus juveniles, which also have long pectoral fins, though these are rounded at the tips where the albacore's taper to a point. The first dorsal fin is a deep yellow and the second, which is smaller than the first, is a light yellow, as is the anal fin. It has 7–9 dorsal finlets and 7–8 anal finlets, dark blue and silvery white in color respectively, matching the part of the fish's body they are on. The caudal fin is also silvery white. At 1.4 m (4 ft 7 in) maximum length, the albacore is the smallest of the bluefin tuna. It reaches sexual maturity at 0.9 m (2 ft 11 in) and its common length is only slightly larger at 1.0 m (3 ft 3 in). Males and females exhibit no sexual dimorphism.", "habitat": "The albacore has a cosmopolitan distribution in tropical and temperate waters across the globe and in every ocean as well as the Mediterranean Sea. Its latitudinal range extends from 59°N to 46°S. Its temperature range is 10–25 °C (50–77 °F). Its depth range is 0–600 m (0–1,969 ft; 0–328 fathoms) in the epipelagic and mesopelagic zones. It is most often found in surface waters 15.6–19.4 °C (60.1–66.9 °F) in temperature, though larger individuals can be found in deeper waters 13.5–25.2 °C (56.3–77.4 °F). It can survive at temperatures as low as 9.5 °C (49.1 °F) for short periods of time. It favors areas where warm and cool water mix. The albacore is a powerful, hard-hitting predator that forms mixed schools with skipjack tuna, yellowfin tuna, and bluefin tuna, sometimes around floating objects like sargassum weeds. Schools of albacore are highly migratory within bodies of water and segregated by maturity, with older fish tending to form more compact groups. Of those caught by humans, immature albacore have a 1:1 sex ratio while older albacore are mostly male. In the Atlantic Ocean, older fish are found in cooler waters. The opposite is true for the Pacific Ocean, where fish are found more abundantly along thermal discontinuities. Depth range also varies by location: Atlantic fish dive as deep as 600 m (2,000 ft) where Pacific fish reach only 380 m (1,250 ft) in depth. In the northeast Atlantic, feeding migrations to productive areas occur during the summer. Due to climate changes over the last 40 years, the timing and spatial distribution of the albacore have also changed.", "distribution": "The albacore has a cosmopolitan distribution in tropical and temperate waters across the globe and in every ocean as well as the Mediterranean Sea. Its latitudinal range extends from 59°N to 46°S. Its temperature range is 10–25 °C (50–77 °F). Its depth range is 0–600 m (0–1,969 ft; 0–328 fathoms) in the epipelagic and mesopelagic zones. It is most often found in surface waters 15.6–19.4 °C (60.1–66.9 °F) in temperature, though larger individuals can be found in deeper waters 13.5–25.2 °C (56.3–77.4 °F). It can survive at temperatures as low as 9.5 °C (49.1 °F) for short periods of time. It favors areas where warm and cool water mix.", "diet": "Albacore tuna are pelagic (open-sea) predators. Their diets vary little from season to season. Unlike other tuna that eat primarily fish, for example the bigeye and yellowfin tuna, the albacore's main source of food is cephalopods. The most abundant cephalopod in its diet is Heteroteuthis dispar, a tiny deep-water squid found in the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean. Another cephalopod species preyed upon is Berryteuthis anonychus. Other food sources of the albacore include fish (including Cololabis saira, Engraulis japonicus, and Engraulis mordax), crustaceans, and gelatinous organisms. Not much is known about the food pattern of the albacore, however, mostly because it dives over 400 m (1,300 ft) underwater when searching for food, and tagging and tracking has been unsuccessful thus far.", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q239977.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Thon germon (Thunnus alalunga) (Ifremer 00764-87615)", "author": "Hugues Evano (IFREMER, Délégation océan Indien (DOI), Département Ressources Biologiques et Environnement (RBE), F-97420 Le Port, France)", "license": "CC BY 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Thon_germon_(Thunnus_alalunga)_(Ifremer_00764-87615).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albacore", "revision": 1383090381, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1383090381", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "a8ca474274de7b601e03b63a607dc995a7475077e7b414f28fddaf66131f04ea" }, { "id": "Q214278", "common_name": "Common minnow", "scientific_name": "Phoxinus phoxinus", "aliases": [ "Phoxinus phoxinus", "Minnow", "Eurasian minnow" ], "summary": "Phoxinus phoxinus (known colloquially as the Eurasian minnow, minnow, Channel minnow, or common minnow) is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Leuciscidae, which includes the daces, minnows and related fishes. It is the type species of genus Phoxinus. This taxon was formerly considered to be the only species in the genus Phoxinus found in Europe and to have a wide geographic range in Eurasia, however, it is now regarded as part of a species complex with new species being described across its former range and this species being restricted to Western Europe. It occurs predominantly in cool (12–20 °C (54–68 °F)) streams and well-oxygenated lakes and ponds. It is noted for being a gregarious species, shoaling in large numbers.", "features": "Phoxinus phoxinus is a small fish which reaches a maximum total length of 14 centimetres (5+1⁄2 in), but is normally around 7 centimetres (3 in) in length. It has 3 spines and 6–8 soft rays in its dorsal fin with 3 spines and 6–8 soft rays in its anal fin. Its spine is made up of 38–40 vertebrae. It is distinguished from similar species which occur in Europe by having the lateral line normally extending beyond the nase of the anal fin, by a line of vertically elongated blotches along the lateral line each with a depth equivalent to 1/3–1/2 of the body's depth at same position, these blotches often fuse to form a midlateral stripe, caudal peduncle has a depth of 2.6–3.1 times its length. The scales on the breast are patchy and the patches of scales are separated by unscaled areas although they are rarely connected by 1–2 rows of scales. Its snout length is 29–34% of the head length and is 1.1–1.4 times the diameter of the eye. The anal fin has its origin in front of the base of the last dorsal ray. The caudal fin consists of 19 soft rays. The back is normally brownish-green, and is separated from the whitish-gray underside by the lateral stripe or blotches described above,", "habitat": "The common minnow is found in a wide variety of environments that have cold, well oxygenated water, often in syntopy with salmonids. These include small streams with fast currents, and, in the more northerly parts of its range, large lowland rivers. It also lives in still waters as varied as small mountain lakes to large, oligotrophic lakes. For spawning, it requires clean gravel areas in well oxygenated flowing water or where waves wash on lake shores. It also needs deep pools with low current to overwinter in, and these must have a coarse substrate among which the fish can hide.", "distribution": "Phoxinus phoxinus is indigenous to the river catchments draining into the North Sea and English Channel, from the Rhine system south to Normandy and in Great Britain. In Scotland it is regarded as an introduced non native species, and this is probably the case in Ireland. Introductions are likely to have occurred elsewhere, including Norway and Spain, although efforts have been made to remove invasive populations. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/science/nature/scientists-removed-invasive-minnows-from-two-spanish-mountain-lakes-10-months-later-amphibians-and-aquatic-invertebrates-returned/amp_articleshow/134403275.cms", "diet": "", "family": "Leuciscidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q214278.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Vairon WIKI800px (cropped)", "author": "Adrien Pinot", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vairon_WIKI800px_(cropped).JPG", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoxinus_phoxinus", "revision": 1376298500, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1376298500", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "306608f518ece5d83d5afc275d3c15d30386610c26881272517543564a0e7e9d" }, { "id": "Q465261", "common_name": "Milkfish", "scientific_name": "Chanos chanos", "aliases": [ "Milkfish", "Chanos chanos" ], "summary": "The milkfish (Chanos chanos) is a widespread species of ray-finned fish found throughout the Indo-Pacific. It is the sole living species in the family Chanidae, and the only living member of the genus Chanos. The repeating scientific name (tautonym) is from Greek khanos (χάνος 'mouth'). They are grouped in the order Gonorhynchiformes and are most closely related to the Ostariophysi—freshwater fishes such as carps, catfish, and loaches. The species has many common names. The Hawaiian name for the fish is awa, and in Tahitian it is ava. It is called bangús (Tagalog: [bɐˈŋus]) in the Philippines, where it is popularly known as the national fish, although the National Commission for Culture and the Arts has stated that this is not the case as it has no basis in Philippine law. In the Nauruan language, it is referred to as ibiya. Milkfish is also called bandeng or bolu in Indonesia.", "features": "", "habitat": "Adults tend to school around coasts and islands with coral reefs. The young fry live at sea for two to three weeks and then migrate during the juvenile stage to mangrove swamps, estuaries, and sometimes lakes, and return to sea to mature sexually and reproduce. Juveniles prefer to settle in undisturbed coastal ecosystems that are semi-enclosed, calm, shallow, free from predators, and rich in aquatic vegetation. In their natural habitats, milkfish are very adaptable to both changes in environmental conditions and diet. Milkfish are good osmoregulators and extremely euryhaline. The wide geographic distribution of milkfish has led to genetic variation in the species across the Indo-Pacific. Milkfish populations differ between the Hawaiian islands, the central Pacific islands, Tonga, Tahiti, Philippines-Taiwan-Indonesia, Thailand-Malaysia, India, and Africa. However, all populations are thought to be inter-breeding, thus they are all considered one species, and their genetic diversity is low. However, populations may still differ in their reproductive, migratory, and survival methods.", "distribution": "Chanos chanos occurs in the Indian Ocean and across the Pacific Ocean, from South Africa to Hawaii and the Marquesas, from California to the Galapagos, north to Japan, south to Australia. A single specimen was reported in 2012 in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. In 1877, the California Fish and Game Commission introduced 100 milkfish from Hawaii to the inland waters of Solano County, California. The introduced population could not establish itself permanently and it is currently unknown how their presence affected the native ecosystem. Milkfishes commonly live in tropical offshore marine waters around islands and along continental shelves, at depths of 1 to 30 m (3 ft 3 in to 98 ft 5 in). They also frequently enter estuaries and rivers.", "diet": "Milkfish are omnivorous opportunistic feeders. Juvenile milkfish eat a variety of foods including phytoplankton, zooplankton, filamentous green algae, and small invertebrates. Similarly to juveniles, adults also eat benthic invertebrates and additionally planktonic and nektonic items such as clupeid juveniles.", "family": "Chanidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q465261.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Chanos chanos", "author": "Elisabeth Morcel", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chanos_chanos.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milkfish", "revision": 1373645921, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1373645921", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "cf22a3170c05b637ed5f0294ffe683bef3812e909a4945e9aebffc0f3d6b809d" }, { "id": "Q7045", "common_name": "John Dory", "scientific_name": "Zeus faber", "aliases": [ "John Dory", "St Pierre", "Peter's Fish", "Zeus faber" ], "summary": "John Dory, St Pierre, or Peter's fish are names which refers to fish of the genus Zeus, especially Zeus faber, which is a demersal coastal marine fish. This widespread species has a laterally compressed olive-yellow body which has a large dark spot, and long spines on the dorsal fin. Its large eyes at the front of the head provide it with binocular vision and depth perception, which are important for predators. The John Dory's eye spot on the side of its body also confuses prey, which are scooped up in its large mouth.", "features": "The John Dory grows to a maximum size of 90 cm (35 in) and a maximum weight of 8 kg (18 lb), though more typically 65 cm (26 in) for females, and 45 cm (18 in) for males. It has 9 to 11 long spines on its dorsal fin and 4 spines on its anal fin. It has microscopic, sharp scales that run around the body. The fish is yellowish-brown to olive green with a paler greyish belly, and has a dark spot on its side. Its eyes are near the top of its head. It has a flat, round body shape and is a poor swimmer.", "habitat": "John Dory are benthopelagic coastal fish, found in the Mediterranean Sea and the northeast Atlantic Ocean off the coasts of northern Africa and southern and western Europe north to Norway, though scarce north of Ireland and southern England. It also occurs in the seas off Southeast Asia, New Zealand, Australia, and the coasts of Japan. They live near the seabed, living in depths from 5 to 360 metres (20 to 1,180 ft). They are normally solitary. John Dory are more commonly found in the waters of the North Island of New Zealand than the colder waters surrounding the South Island.", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q7045.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Zeus.faber", "author": "de:Benutzer:Kleines.Opossum", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Zeus.faber.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Dory", "revision": 1369556461, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1369556461", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "c2d80649d29076358091828b475420e06549c3679799014765ff79a00a7e7b50" }, { "id": "Q499461", "common_name": "Goblin shark", "scientific_name": "Mitsukurina owstoni", "aliases": [ "Elfin shark", "Mitsukurina owstoni" ], "summary": "The goblin shark (Mitsukurina owstoni) is a rare species of deep-sea shark. Sometimes called a \"living fossil\", it is the only extant representative of the family Mitsukurinidae, a lineage some 125 million years old. This pink-skinned animal has a distinctive profile with an elongated, flat snout, and highly protrusible jaws containing prominent nail-like teeth. It typically reaches a length of 3 to 4 meters (10 to 13 feet) when fully grown, although it can grow significantly larger—such as one specimen captured in 2000, which was believed to measure around 6 meters (20 feet). Goblin sharks are benthopelagic creatures that inhabit upper continental slopes, submarine canyons, and seamounts throughout the world at depths greater than 100 m (330 ft), with adults found deeper than juveniles. Some researchers believed that these sharks could also dive to depths of up to 1,300 m (4,270 ft), for short periods; footage captured in 2024 suggests that their range could be deeper than previously thought, with a confirmed sighting of an adult swimming at 2,000 m (6,560 ft). Various anatomical features of the goblin shark, such as its flabby body and small fins, suggest that it is sluggish in nature. This species hunts for teleosts, cephalopods, and crustaceans near the sea floor and in the middle of the water column. Its long snout is covered with ampullae of Lorenzini that sense minute electric fields produced by nearby prey, which it snatches by rapidly extending its jaws.", "features": "The goblin shark has a distinctively long and flat snout, resembling a blade. The proportional length of the snout decreases with age. The eyes are small and lack protective nictitating membranes; behind the eyes are spiracles. The large mouth is parabolic in shape. The jaws are very protrusible and can be extended almost to the end of the snout, though normally held flush against the underside of the head. It has 35–53 upper and 31–62 lower tooth rows. The teeth in the main part of the jaws are long and narrow, particularly those near the symphysis (jaw midpoint), and are finely grooved lengthwise. The rear teeth near the corners of the jaw are small and have a flattened shape for crushing. Much individual variation of tooth length and width occurs, as for whether the teeth have a smaller cusplet on each side of the main cusp, and regarding the presence of toothless gaps at the symphysis or between the main and rear teeth. The five pairs of gill slits are short, with the gill filaments inside partly exposed; the fifth pair is above the origin of the pectoral fins. The body is fairly slender and flabby. The two dorsal fins are similar in size and shape – both being small and rounded. The pectoral fins are also rather small and rounded. The pelvic and anal fins have long bases and are larger than the dorsal fins, while caudal peduncle is flattened from side-to-side and lacks keels or notches. The asymmetric caudal fin has a long upper lobe with a shallow ventral notch near the tip, and an indistinct lower lobe.", "habitat": "The goblin shark has been caught in all three major oceans, indicating a wide global distribution. In the Atlantic Ocean, it has been recorded from the northern Gulf of Mexico, Suriname, French Guiana, and southern Brazil in the west, and France, Portugal, Madeira, and Senegal in the east. It has also been collected from seamounts along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. In the Indo-Pacific and Oceania, it has been found off of the coasts of South Africa, Mozambique, Japan, Taiwan, Australia and New Zealand. This species has been recorded from off East Cape to Kaikōura Canyon and from the Challenger Plateau near New Zealand. A single eastern Pacific specimen is known, collected off southern California. This species is most often found over the upper continental slope at depths of 270–960 m (890–3,150 ft). It has been caught as deep as 1,300 m (4,300 ft), a tooth has been found lodged in an undersea cable at a depth of 1,370 m (4,490 ft). It has been sighted as deep as 2,000 m (6,600 ft). Adults inhabit greater depths than juveniles. Immature goblin sharks frequent the submarine canyons off southern Japan at depths of 100–350 m (330–1,150 ft), with individuals occasionally wandering into inshore waters as shallow as 40 m (130 ft). Although observations of living goblin sharks are scant, its anatomy suggests an inactive and sluggish lifestyle. Its skeleton is reduced and poorly calcified, the muscle blocks along its sides (myomeres) are weakly developed, and its fins are soft and small. Its long caudal fin, held at a low angle, is also typical of a slow-swimming shark.", "distribution": "The goblin shark has been caught in all three major oceans, indicating a wide global distribution. In the Atlantic Ocean, it has been recorded from the northern Gulf of Mexico, Suriname, French Guiana, and southern Brazil in the west, and France, Portugal, Madeira, and Senegal in the east. It has also been collected from seamounts along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. In the Indo-Pacific and Oceania, it has been found off of the coasts of South Africa, Mozambique, Japan, Taiwan, Australia and New Zealand. This species has been recorded from off East Cape to Kaikōura Canyon and from the Challenger Plateau near New Zealand. A single eastern Pacific specimen is known, collected off southern California. This species is most often found over the upper continental slope at depths of 270–960 m (890–3,150 ft). It has been caught as deep as 1,300 m (4,300 ft), a tooth has been found lodged in an undersea cable at a depth of 1,370 m (4,490 ft). It has been sighted as deep as 2,000 m (6,600 ft). Adults inhabit greater depths than juveniles. Immature goblin sharks frequent the submarine canyons off southern Japan at depths of 100–350 m (330–1,150 ft), with individuals occasionally wandering into inshore waters as shallow as 40 m (130 ft).", "diet": "The goblin shark feeds mainly on deep-sea teleost fishes such as rattails and dragonfishes. It also eats cephalopods and crustaceans, including decapods and isopods. Garbage has been recorded from the stomachs of some specimens. Its known prey includes bottom-dwelling species such as the blackbelly rosefish (Helicolenus dactylopterus), and midwater species such as the squid Teuthowenia pellucida and the ostracod Macrocypridina castanea rotunda. Thus, the goblin shark appears to forage for food both near the sea floor and far above it. Since it is not a fast swimmer, the goblin shark may be an ambush predator. Its low-density flesh and large oily liver make it neutrally buoyant, allowing it to drift towards its prey with minimal motions so as to avoid detection. Once prey comes into range, the shark's specialized jaws can snap forward to capture it. The protrusion of the jaw is assisted by two pairs of elastic ligaments associated with the mandibular joint, which are pulled taut when the jaws are in their normal retracted position. Upon biting, the ligaments release their tension and \"catapult\" the jaws forward. At the same time, the well-developed basihyal (analogous to a tongue) on the floor of the mouth drops, expanding the oral cavity and sucking in water and prey. Striking and prey capture events were recorded for the first time in 2008 and 2011 and helped to confirm the use and systematics of the protrusible jaws. Goblin sharks use ram feeding, a type of prey capture typical of many mackerel sharks.", "family": "Mitsukurinidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q499461.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Goblin shark (Mitsukurina owstoni)", "author": "Michigan State University/USFWS", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Goblin_shark_(Mitsukurina_owstoni).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goblin_shark", "revision": 1370392342, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1370392342", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "5bbb3908f962d6c93bb084abf337ac16bf658e7f4ca6bc8b5b7f71cbf58319de" }, { "id": "Q237046", "common_name": "Gilt-head bream", "scientific_name": "Sparus aurata", "aliases": [ "gilt-head bream", "Dorade", "gilthead seabream", "Sparus aurata" ], "summary": "The gilt-head bream (Sparus aurata), also known as the gilthead, dourade, gilt-head seabream, European seabream or silver seabream, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, the seabreams or porgies. This fish is found in the Eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean. It is a highly esteemed food fish and an important species in aquaculture.", "features": "The gilt-head bream has a deep body, with a large, deep head which has its relatively small eyes placed high on the head. The diameter of the eyes is shorter than the length of the snout. The cheeks are deep and covered in scales but the preoperculum has no scales, although the operculum is scaled. It has a long-based dorsal fin which is supported by 11 robust spines and 13 or 14 branched soft rays. The anal fin is short based and is held up by three spines and 11 or 12 branched soft rays. It has large and robust teeth in the jaws with four to six large, pointed canine-like teeth in the front the jaws with 2 to 4 rows of blunt, round teeth laterally. It has a blue-grey back, the sides are silvery with a large dark spot behind the eye, it is red along the margin of the operculum and there is a golden bar on the head between the eyes. This species has a maximum total length of 70 cm (28 in), although a standard length of 35 cm (14 in) is more typical, and a maximum published weight of 17.2 kg (38 lb).", "habitat": "The gilt-head bream is found in the northeastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean from Great Britain and Ireland to possibly as far south as Senegal, including the Canary Islands. It is found around Madeira but these are escapes from aquaculture. It also occurs throughout the Mediterranean and in the southern and western parts of the Black Sea. This species is found over sandy substrates and in seagrass beds at depths between 1 and 150 m (3 ft 3 in and 492 ft 2 in), with adults in deeper waters than juveniles, the young fish typically going no deeper than 30 m (98 ft). It is a euryhaline species that will enter brackish waters.", "distribution": "The gilt-head bream is found in the northeastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean from Great Britain and Ireland to possibly as far south as Senegal, including the Canary Islands. It is found around Madeira but these are escapes from aquaculture. It also occurs throughout the Mediterranean and in the southern and western parts of the Black Sea. This species is found over sandy substrates and in seagrass beds at depths between 1 and 150 m (3 ft 3 in and 492 ft 2 in), with adults in deeper waters than juveniles, the young fish typically going no deeper than 30 m (98 ft). It is a euryhaline species that will enter brackish waters.", "diet": "", "family": "Sparidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q237046.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Sparus aurata, Alpes-Maritimes, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, FR imported from iNaturalist photo 207799710", "author": "(c) Julien Renoult, some rights reserved (CC BY)", "license": "CC BY 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sparus_aurata,_Alpes-Maritimes,_Provence-Alpes-C%C3%B4te_d%27Azur,_FR_imported_from_iNaturalist_photo_207799710.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilt-head_bream", "revision": 1383093957, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1383093957", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "068d5eee187bf4cb199d9e6694ffaeade1cf4b9426044b3780e36ba4faa0b595" }, { "id": "Q131431", "common_name": "Neon tetra", "scientific_name": "Paracheirodon innesi", "aliases": [ "Paracheirodon innesi", "neon" ], "summary": "The neon tetra (Paracheirodon innesi) is a species of freshwater fish belonging to the family Acestrorhamphidae, the American characins, of the order Characiformes. The type species of its genus, it is native to blackwater and clearwater streams in the Amazon basin of South America. Its bright colouring makes the fish visible to conspecifics in the dark blackwater streams, and is also the main reason for its popularity among freshwater fish hobbyists, with neon tetras being one of the most widely kept tropical fish in the world.", "features": "The neon tetra has a light-blue back over a silver-white abdomen. The fish is characterized by a bright iridescent blue horizontal stripe along each side of the fish from its nose to the base of the adipose fin, and an iridescent red stripe that begins at the middle of the body and extends posteriorly to the base of the caudal fin. The fish is partially transparent (including fins) except for these markings. Sexual dimorphism is slight, with the female having a slightly larger belly, and a bent iridescent stripe rather than the male's straight stripe. During the night, the blue and red become gray or black as the fish rests. It reactivates once it becomes active in the morning. This peculiar change is due to the neon tetras capacity to change the color of its iridescent stripe in response to lighting conditions. In a light-adapted state it is blue-green, likewise in a dark-adapted state its color changes to indigo. This change is produced by guanine crystals in their cells that reflect light. The neon tetra grows to approximately 4 cm (1.6 in) in overall length.", "habitat": "The neon tetra is found in the western and northern Amazon basin in southeastern Colombia, eastern Peru, and western Brazil. It lives in waters with a temperature between 20 and 28 °C (68–82 °F) and pH 4–7.5. It has a preference for acidic blackwater streams, but also occurs in transparent clearwater streams. It is not found in the whitewater rivers. UN FAO considers P. innesi an introduced species in Singapore and the United States. FAO considers its introduction to Singapore to be ecologically and socioeconomically beneficial, but it is not established there.", "distribution": "The neon tetra is found in the western and northern Amazon basin in southeastern Colombia, eastern Peru, and western Brazil. It lives in waters with a temperature between 20 and 28 °C (68–82 °F) and pH 4–7.5. It has a preference for acidic blackwater streams, but also occurs in transparent clearwater streams. It is not found in the whitewater rivers. UN FAO considers P. innesi an introduced species in Singapore and the United States. FAO considers its introduction to Singapore to be ecologically and socioeconomically beneficial, but it is not established there.", "diet": "", "family": "Acestrorhamphidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q131431.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Neonsalmler Paracheirodon innesi", "author": "Holger Krisp", "license": "CC BY 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Neonsalmler_Paracheirodon_innesi.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neon_tetra", "revision": 1366566875, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1366566875", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "833baec6e240cdc22bea1003208613395f4bd81bb466859e3fd07a0fb06ab22c" }, { "id": "Q214034", "common_name": "European flounder", "scientific_name": "Platichthys flesus", "aliases": [ "Platichthys flesus" ], "summary": "The European flounder (Platichthys flesus) is a flatfish of European coastal waters from the White Sea in the north to the Mediterranean and the Black Sea in the south. It has been introduced into the United States and Canada accidentally through transport in ballast water. It is caught and used for human consumption. The European flounder is oval in shape and is usually right-eyed. It normally grows about 30 cm in length, although lengths of up to 60 cm have been recorded. The upper surface is usually dull brown or olive in colour with reddish spots and brown blotches and this fish can change colour to suit its background, providing an effective camouflage. The underside is pearly-white, giving the fish one of its common names, the white fluke. The lateral line features rows of small tubercles, as do the bases of the dorsal and anal fins.", "features": "The European flounder is a flatfish with an oval-shaped body with a width about half its length. The maximum recorded length is 60 centimetres (24 in) and the maximum recorded weight 2.93 kilograms (6.5 lb). However, a more usual mature length is about 50 centimetres (20 in). The fish is flattened laterally and swims and rests on one side. During development, its eyes usually migrate to the right side of the fish and what appears to be its upper surface is in reality its right side. In about thirty percent of individuals, its eyes move to the left and the left side becomes uppermost. The fish has a small mouth at the end of its bluntly pointed snout. The upper surface is fawn, olive green or pale brown with spots and larger patches of darker brown and some irregular reddish spots. The under surface is opaque pearly-white giving the fish its common name of \"white fluke\". The lateral line is nearly straight and runs along the middle of the upper surface, curving round the short pectoral fins. The dorsal fin runs from the base of the head to beside the caudal peduncle. It has no dorsal spines but has between 53 and 62 soft rays. The anal fin also runs the length of the body and has no spines and 37 to 46 soft rays. The skin is rough, with prickly tubercles at the base of the dorsal and anal fins, and there are large scales beside the lateral line. The caudal peduncle is about half the length of the tail and the caudal fin has a squared-off end.", "habitat": "The European flounder is native to the north eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The range extends from the Barents Sea, White Sea and Baltic Sea to Greece, Turkey, the Black Sea and the North African coast. It has been introduced into Iran and has become established off the eastern coast of Canada and the United States, possibly getting there by way of ballast water. It is normally found from the low shore down to depths of about 100 metres (330 ft) on sandy, shingle or muddy bottoms where its dappled colouring camouflage it and make it difficult to detect. The European flounder can also be found in estuaries where it is tolerant of low salinity levels and, unlike other species of Pleuronectidae, it often spends part of its life cycle in freshwater and regularly makes its way into rivers. In the British Isles, it has been found as far inland as Montgomeryshire on the River Severn, Dinas Mawddwy on the River Dovey and Garstang on the River Wyre. Unlike the Atlantic salmon, it feeds in the rivers and makes its way out to sea again before spawning.", "distribution": "The European flounder is native to the north eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The range extends from the Barents Sea, White Sea and Baltic Sea to Greece, Turkey, the Black Sea and the North African coast. It has been introduced into Iran and has become established off the eastern coast of Canada and the United States, possibly getting there by way of ballast water. It is normally found from the low shore down to depths of about 100 metres (330 ft) on sandy, shingle or muddy bottoms where its dappled colouring camouflage it and make it difficult to detect. The European flounder can also be found in estuaries where it is tolerant of low salinity levels and, unlike other species of Pleuronectidae, it often spends part of its life cycle in freshwater and regularly makes its way into rivers. In the British Isles, it has been found as far inland as Montgomeryshire on the River Severn, Dinas Mawddwy on the River Dovey and Garstang on the River Wyre. Unlike the Atlantic salmon, it feeds in the rivers and makes its way out to sea again before spawning.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q214034.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Platichthys flesus 1", "author": "Hans Hillewaert", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Platichthys_flesus_1.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_flounder", "revision": 1371047558, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1371047558", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "5238dfc59a87b1426acf242005512c0c9f14cb7b8e67e07e922e4c20f40d67a7" }, { "id": "Q143326", "common_name": "Common dace", "scientific_name": "Leuciscus leuciscus", "aliases": [ "Leuciscus leuciscus", "Dace" ], "summary": "The common dace (Leuciscus leuciscus) is a species of freshwater and brackish water ray-finned fish from the family Leuciscidae which is native to Europe but which has been introduced to other parts of the world. It is a quarry species for coarse anglers.", "features": "The common dace differs from other members in the genus Leuciscus found in Europe by its inferior mouth, slightly longer upper jaw which has the tip of the upper lip level with the centre line of the eye and the lack of an obvious snout. It has a yellowish iris and a body which is covered in large silvery scales, the lateral line having 49–52 scales. The anal fin has a concave margin and the caudal fin is forked. The dorsal fin has 2–3 spines and 7–9 soft rays while the anal fin has 3 spines and 8–9 soft rays. The maximum size attained is a total length of 30 centimetres (12 in).", "habitat": "The common dace is found in rivers and streams, sometime occurring in lakes or in the brackish water at the mouths of rivers. It is a surface dwelling fish which gather in shoals of adults in the lower reaches of rivers and backwaters during the winter. Some adults remain upstream in the spawning grounds all winter as well. At spawning time, in March and April, they migrate up stream to lay their pale yellow eggs on shallow gravel beds in fast flowing streams, the eggs attach to gravel and stones. The juveniles hide among the cavities and roots in the bankside vegetation and as they mature they move into faster flowing water. The main food for common dace is small invertebrates.", "distribution": "The common dace is native to Europe and northern Asia where it occurs in the basins of the North Sea, Baltic Sea, White Sea and Barents Sea. It also occurs in the basin of the Caspian Sea in the drainage systems of the Volga and Ural Rivers and in the Black Sea basin it is found in the Danube and the Dnieper. In France it occurs in the Seine River drainage and in the drainages of the Rhone and Arc which flow into the Mediterranean. In the Danube main river of Romania as well as in Scandinavia north of 69°N and most of central Finland this species has a localised distribution. The populations from Siberia and East Asia are normally assigned to Leuciscus baicalensis and Leuciscus dzungaricus. This species has been widely introduced in areas of Europe where it did not previously occur. For example, it has become established in Ireland since the early 1900s, having been taken there as a bait fish to catch larger fish such as pike. Following its introduction in Ireland, it has benefited from parasite release, meaning that with its introduction it has lost its normal set of parasites and might thus have a competitive advantage over native species.", "diet": "", "family": "Leuciscidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q143326.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Leuciscus leuciscus", "author": "Alexander Suvorov", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Leuciscus_leuciscus.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_dace", "revision": 1354641410, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1354641410", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "8b0e29985be2493552cff3ac5fea4472f3ee670d62f400749d95a0bf01ad0bc4" }, { "id": "Q654130", "common_name": "Nile perch", "scientific_name": "Lates niloticus", "aliases": [ "Nile perch", "African snook", "Lates niloticus" ], "summary": "The Nile perch (Lates niloticus), also known as the African snook, Goliath perch, Nile lates, African lates, Goliath lates, Victoria lates, African barramundi, Goliath barramundi, Giant lates or the Victoria perch, is a species of freshwater fish in the family Latidae of the order Carangiformes. It is widespread throughout much of the Afrotropical realm, being native to the Congo, Nile, Senegal, Niger and Lake Chad, Volta, Lake Turkana, and other river basins. It also occurs in the brackish waters of Lake Maryut in Egypt. The Nile perch is a fish of substantial economic and food-security importance in East Africa. Originally described as Labrus niloticus, among the marine wrasses, the species has also been referred to as Centropomus niloticus. Common names include African snook, Victoria perch (a misleading trade name, as the species is not native to Lake Victoria, though they have been introduced there), and many local names in various African languages, such as the Luo name mbuta or mputa. In Tanzania, it is called sangara, sankara, or chenku. In Francophone African countries, it is known as capitaine. Its name in the Hausa language is giwan ruwa, meaning \"water elephant\".", "features": "L. niloticus is silver in color with a blue tinge. It has distinctive dark-black eyes, with a bright-yellow outer ring. One of the largest freshwater fishes, it reaches a maximum length of nearly 2 m (6 ft 7 in), weighing up to 200 kg (440 lb). Mature fish typically range from 1.21–1.37 m (4 ft 0 in – 4 ft 6 in), although many fish are caught before they can grow this large. Adult Nile perch occupy all habitats of a lake with sufficient oxygen concentrations, while juveniles are restricted to shallow or nearshore environments. A fierce predator that dominates its surroundings, the Nile perch feeds on fish (including its own species), crustaceans, molluscs, and insects; the juveniles also feed on zooplankton. Nile perch use schooling as a mechanism to protect themselves from other predators.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Latidae", "water_type": "Both", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q654130.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Lates niloticus by DaijuAzuma", "author": "Daiju Azuma", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lates_niloticus_by_DaijuAzuma.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nile_perch", "revision": 1383030876, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1383030876", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "2b7c4781c95cdce2f25ffe0c3948c8b6fb0326a20303afb827aace33ac9585f3" }, { "id": "Q194312", "common_name": "Frilled shark", "scientific_name": "Chlamydoselachus anguineus", "aliases": [ "frilled shark", "Chlamydoselachus anguineus" ], "summary": "The frilled shark (Chlamydoselachus anguineus), also known as the lizard shark, is one of the two extant species of shark in the family Chlamydoselachidae (the other is the southern African frilled shark, Chlamydoselachus africana). The frilled shark is considered a living fossil, because of its primitive, anguilliform (eel-like) physical traits, such as a dark-brown color, amphistyly (the articulation of the jaws to the cranium), and a 2.0 m (6.6 ft)–long body, which has dorsal, pelvic, and anal fins located towards the tail. The common name, frilled shark, derives from the fringed appearance of the six pairs of gill slits at the shark's throat. The two species of frilled shark are distributed throughout regions of the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans, usually in the waters of the outer continental shelf and of the upper continental slope, where the sharks usually live near the ocean floor, near biologically productive areas of the ecosystem. To live on a diet of cephalopods, smaller sharks, and bony fish, the frilled shark practices diel vertical migration to feed at night at the surface of the ocean. When hunting food, the frilled shark curls its tail against a rock and moves like an eel, bending and lunging to capture and swallow whole prey with its long and flexible jaws, which are equipped with 300 recurved, needle-like teeth. Reproductively, the two species of frilled shark, C. anguineus and C.", "features": "The eel-like bodies of C. anguineus and C. africana differ anatomically; C. anguineus has a longer head and shorter gill slits, a spinal column with more vertebrae (160–171 vs. 147), and a lower-intestine spiral valve with more turns (35–49 vs. 26–28) than does C. africana. The skin color of either species ranges from uniformly dark-brown to uniformly grey. In addition, C. anguineus has smaller pectoral fins than C. africana, and the mouth is narrower. The recorded, maximum body-length of a male frilled shark is 1.7 m (5.6 ft), and the recorded, maximum body-length of a female frilled shark is 2.0 m (6.6 ft). The head of the frilled shark is broad and flat, with a short, rounded snout. The nostrils are vertical slits, separated by a flap of skin that forms the incurrent opening and the excurrent opening. The moderately large eyes are horizontal ellipsoids, which have no nictitating membrane, which is a protective, third eyelid. Ligaments articulate the long jaws to the cranium, and the corners of the mouth have neither furrows nor folds. The jaws contain 300 trident-shaped teeth, each needle-tooth has a cusp and two cusplets; the rows of teeth are widely spaced, with 19–28 tooth rows in the upper jaw, and 21–29 tooth rows in the lower jaw. Frilled sharks are able to open their jaws and devour food sources that are considerably larger than their own body size, a physical trait that is also present in gulper eels and viperfish.", "habitat": "The habitats of the frilled shark include the waters of the outer continental shelf and the upper-to-middle continental slope, favoring upwellings and other biologically productive areas. Usually, the shiver lives close to the ocean floor, yet its diet of cephalopods, smaller sharks, and bony fish, indicates that the frilled shark practices diel vertical migration, and swims up to feed at night at the surface of the ocean. In their Atlantic- and Pacific-ocean habitats, frilled sharks practice spatial segregation determined by the individual size, the sex, and the reproductive condition of each shark in the shiver. In Suruga Bay, on the Pacific coast of Honshu, Japan, the frilled shark is most common at the depth of 50–200 m (160–660 ft), except in the August-to-November period, when the temperature at the 100 m (330 ft) water-layer exceeds 15 °C (59 °F), and then the sharks swim into deeper, cooler water. In the eastern Atlantic Ocean, the frilled shark occurs off northern Norway, northern Scotland, and western Ireland, ranging from France to Morocco, the archipelago of Madeira, and the coast of Mauritania, in northwest Africa. In the central Atlantic Ocean, the frilled shark has been caught along the region of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, ranging from north of the Azores islands to the Rio Grande Rise, off southern Brazil, and the Vavilov Ridge, off West Africa. Frilled sharks tend to be very solitary organisms; interacting with multiple individuals of their kind is rare.", "distribution": "The habitats of the frilled shark include the waters of the outer continental shelf and the upper-to-middle continental slope, favoring upwellings and other biologically productive areas. Usually, the shiver lives close to the ocean floor, yet its diet of cephalopods, smaller sharks, and bony fish, indicates that the frilled shark practices diel vertical migration, and swims up to feed at night at the surface of the ocean. In their Atlantic- and Pacific-ocean habitats, frilled sharks practice spatial segregation determined by the individual size, the sex, and the reproductive condition of each shark in the shiver. In Suruga Bay, on the Pacific coast of Honshu, Japan, the frilled shark is most common at the depth of 50–200 m (160–660 ft), except in the August-to-November period, when the temperature at the 100 m (330 ft) water-layer exceeds 15 °C (59 °F), and then the sharks swim into deeper, cooler water. In the eastern Atlantic Ocean, the frilled shark occurs off northern Norway, northern Scotland, and western Ireland, ranging from France to Morocco, the archipelago of Madeira, and the coast of Mauritania, in northwest Africa. In the central Atlantic Ocean, the frilled shark has been caught along the region of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, ranging from north of the Azores islands to the Rio Grande Rise, off southern Brazil, and the Vavilov Ridge, off West Africa. Frilled sharks tend to be very solitary organisms; interacting with multiple individuals of their kind is rare.", "diet": "The frilled shark eats a diet of cephalopods, Nudibranchs, smaller sharks, and bony fish; 60 percent of the diet is composed of squid varieties, such as the Chiroteuthis, the Histioteuthis, and the Onychoteuthis, the Sthenoteuthis and the Todarodes; and other sharks, as indicated by the stomach contents of a 1.6 m (5.2 ft)–long frilled shark which had swallowed a 590 g (1.30 lb) Japanese catshark (Apristurus japonicus). The high tendency to primarily consume the squids in their habitat can be supported by the frequent observation of beak remnants left behind during digestive processes. Because frilled sharks live on the ocean floor, they may also feed on carrion floating down from the surface. In hunting and eating prey that are tired or exhausted or dying (after spawn), the frilled shark's physiology suggests that it may curve its anguilline body, and brace its rear fins against the water, for leverage to effect a rapid-strike bite that captures the prey. The wide gape of the distended, long jaws allows devouring whole prey that are more than half the size of the frilled shark, itself. The jaws' 300 recurved teeth (19–28 upper rows and 21–29 lower rows) readily snag and capture the soft body and tentacles of a cephalopod, especially with the rows of trident-shaped teeth are rotated outwards, when the jaws are open and protruded.", "family": "Chlamydoselachidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q194312.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Chlamydoselachus anguineus1", "author": "Robert Mintern", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chlamydoselachus_anguineus1.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frilled_shark", "revision": 1382673728, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1382673728", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "1b276d6a88a8af797853be37afaae224d3ec787df8f9b23a418dc5b9e3ae35ec" }, { "id": "Q76115", "common_name": "Silver carp", "scientific_name": "Hypophthalmichthys molitrix", "aliases": [ "Hypophthalmichthys molitrix" ], "summary": "The silver carp or silverfin (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) is a species of freshwater cyprinid fish, a variety of Asian carp native to China and eastern Siberia, from the Amur River drainage in the north to the Xi Jiang River drainage in the south. Although a threatened species in its natural habitat, it has long been cultivated in China as one of the \"four famous domestic fish\" (四大家鱼) together with bighead carp, black carp, and grass carp. By weight, more silver carp are produced worldwide in aquaculture than any other species of fish except for the grass carp. Silver carp are usually farmed in polyculture with other Asian carp, or sometimes with catla or other fish species. The species has also been introduced, or spread by connected waterways, to at least 88 countries around the world. The reason for importation was generally for use in aquaculture, but enhancement of wild fisheries and water quality control have also been intended on occasion. In some of these places, the species is considered invasive. The silver carp reaches a typical length of 60–100 cm (24–39 in) with a maximum length of 140 cm (55 in) and weight of 50 kg (110 lb).", "features": "", "habitat": "Silver carp in their natural range migrate upstream for spawning; eggs and larvae then drift downstream, and young fish hatch in the floodplain zone. Larvae and small juveniles feed on zooplankton, switching to phytoplankton once a certain size is reached. The species is somewhat sensitive to low oxygen conditions. The species is currently classified as near threatened in its original range, as its habitat and reproductive behavior are impacted by construction of dams, pollution, and overfishing. Population declines appear to have been particularly significant in the Chinese parts of its range. In the Volga River basin, the Silver carp and Bighead carp are primarily found in the reservoirs of the Lower Volga, the unregulated part, and the delta. There is evidence of natural reproduction (prelarval and early fry stages) in the lower zone of the Volga River Delta.", "distribution": "", "diet": "The silver carp is a filter feeder, and possesses a specialized feeding apparatus capable of filtering particles as small as 4 μm. The gill rakers are fused into a sponge-like filter, and an epibranchial organ secretes mucus, which assists in trapping small particles. A strong buccal pump forces water through this filter. Silver carp, like all Hypophthalmichthys species, have no stomachs; they are thought to feed more or less constantly, largely on phytoplankton, and also consume zooplankton and detritus. In places where this plankton-feeding species has been introduced, it is thought to compete with native planktivorous fishes, which in North America include paddlefish (Polyodon spathula), bigmouth buffalo (Ictiobus cyprinellus), gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum), and young fish of almost all species. Because they feed on plankton, they are sometimes successfully used for controlling water quality, especially in the control of noxious blue-green algae (cyanobacteria). Certain species of blue-green algae, notably the often toxic Microcystis, can pass through the gut of silver carp unharmed, picking up nutrients in the process. Thus, in some cases, blue-green algae blooms have been exacerbated by silver carp, and Microcystis has also been shown to produce more toxins in the presence of silver carp. These carp, which have natural defenses to their toxins, sometimes can contain enough algal toxins in their systems to become hazardous to eat.", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q76115.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Silver Carp Adult (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)", "author": "USFWS Mountain-Prairie", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Silver_Carp_Adult_(Hypophthalmichthys_molitrix).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_carp", "revision": 1370131930, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1370131930", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "3ce3926369a2adb26a20274a525bbbc4ac125f49657e0055af47b4565e5b6b9f" }, { "id": "Q3442", "common_name": "Oscar", "scientific_name": "Astronotus ocellatus", "aliases": [ "oscar", "tiger oscar", "velvet cichlid", "marble cichlid", "Oscar (fish)", "Astronotus ocellatus" ], "summary": "The oscar (Astronotus ocellatus) is a species of fish from the cichlid family known under a variety of common names, including Tiger Oscar, Velvet Cichlid, and Marble Cichlid. In tropical South America, where the species naturally resides, A. ocellatus specimens are often found for sale as a food fish in the local markets. The fish has been introduced to other areas, including India, China, Australia, and the United States. It is considered a popular aquarium fish in Europe and the U.S.", "features": "A. ocellatus examples have been reported to grow to about 70 cm (28 in) in length and 9 kilograms (20 lb) in weight. The wild-caught forms of the species are typically darkly coloured with yellow-ringed spots or ocelli on the caudal peduncle and on the dorsal fin. These ocelli have been suggested to function to limit fin-nipping by piranha (Serrasalmus spp.), which co-occur with A. ocellatus in its natural environment. The species is also able to rapidly alter its colouration, a trait which facilitates ritualised territorial and combat behaviours amongst conspecifics. Juvenile oscars have a different colouration from adults, and are striped with white and orange wavy bands and have spotted heads.", "habitat": "A. ocellatus is native to Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, French Guiana, Suriname, Peru, and Venezuela, and occurs in the Amazon River basin, along the Amazon, Içá, Negro, Solimões, and Ucayali River systems, and also in the Approuague and Oyapock River drainages. In its natural environment, the species typically occurs in slow-moving white-water habitats, and has been observed sheltering under submerged branches. Feral populations also occur in China, northern Australia, and Florida, USA as a byproduct of the ornamental fish trade. The species is limited in its distribution by its intolerance of cooler water temperatures, the lower lethal limit for the species is 12.9 °C (55.22 °F).", "distribution": "A. ocellatus is native to Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, French Guiana, Suriname, Peru, and Venezuela, and occurs in the Amazon River basin, along the Amazon, Içá, Negro, Solimões, and Ucayali River systems, and also in the Approuague and Oyapock River drainages. In its natural environment, the species typically occurs in slow-moving white-water habitats, and has been observed sheltering under submerged branches. Feral populations also occur in China, northern Australia, and Florida, USA as a byproduct of the ornamental fish trade. The species is limited in its distribution by its intolerance of cooler water temperatures, the lower lethal limit for the species is 12.9 °C (55.22 °F).", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q3442.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Astronotus ocellatus", "author": "Jón Helgi Jónsson (Amything)", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Astronotus_ocellatus.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscar_(fish)", "revision": 1381362997, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1381362997", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "6a05a7dcf522c2ce6c746e10a4393ed88d63a97d38b28582fe2184fae7355298" }, { "id": "Q318090", "common_name": "Oceanic whitetip shark", "scientific_name": "Carcharhinus longimanus", "aliases": [ "Carcharhinus longimanus" ], "summary": "The oceanic whitetip shark (Carcharhinus longimanus) is a large requiem shark inhabiting the pelagic zone of tropical and warm temperate seas. It has a stocky body and iconic elongated rounded fins, with white tips. The species is typically solitary, though they may gather in large numbers at food concentrations. Bony fish and cephalopods are the main components of its diet and females give live birth. Though slow-moving, the shark is opportunistic and aggressive, and is reputed to be dangerous to shipwreck survivors. The IUCN Red List considers the species to be critically endangered. As with other shark species, the whitetip faces mounting fishing pressure throughout its range, with recent studies show steeply declining populations as they are harvested for their fins and meat.", "features": "C. longimanus' most distinguishing characteristics are its long, wing-like pectoral and dorsal fins. The fins are significantly larger than most other shark species, and have conspicuously rounded tips. The shark's snout is rounded and its eyes are circular, with nictitating membranes. The species is grey-bronze dorsally and white ventrally, being countershaded. As its name suggests, most of its fins (dorsal, pectoral, pelvic and caudal) have white tips. Along with white tips, the fins may be mottled, and young specimens can have black marks. A saddle-shaped patch may be apparent between first and second dorsal fins. The shark has two morphs of teeth; those in the mandible (lower jaw) are thinner with a serrated tip, while the teeth in the upper jaw are triangular, but much larger and wider with entirely serrated edges. The lower jaw has between 13 and 15 teeth on either half of the jaw, while the upper has 14 or 15 on each half. The denticles are nearly flat and wide, typically have between five and seven ridges. There is little overlap between them, revealing some bare skin. The oceanic whitetip shark is a robust, large-bodied shark. The largest specimen ever caught measured at more than 4 m (13 ft) in length, though they usually grow up to 3 m (10 ft) in length and 150 kg (330 lb) in weight. However, the all-tackle record listed by the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) is 167 kg (368 lb) for a 2.2-metre (7.2 ft) long individual, suggesting that weight is likely much more in larger individuals. The female is typically larger than the male by 10 cm (3.9 in).", "habitat": "This shark is found worldwide between 45°N and 43°S latitude. It lives in deep, open oceans, with a temperature greater than 18 °C (64 °F), It prefers water temperatures above 20 °C (68 °F), and up to 28 °C (82 °F) but can also be found in waters as cool as 15 °C (59 °F) but avoids temperatures lower than this. It was once extremely common and widely distributed, and still inhabits a wide band around the globe; however, recent studies suggest that its numbers have drastically declined. The shark spends most of its time in the upper layer of the ocean—to a depth of 150 m (490 ft)—and prefers off-shore, deep-ocean areas. According to longline capture data, increasing distance from land correlates to a greater population of sharks. It is sometimes found close to land, in waters as shallow as only 37 m (120 ft) deep, mainly around oceanic islands and narrow continental shelves.", "distribution": "This shark is found worldwide between 45°N and 43°S latitude. It lives in deep, open oceans, with a temperature greater than 18 °C (64 °F), It prefers water temperatures above 20 °C (68 °F), and up to 28 °C (82 °F) but can also be found in waters as cool as 15 °C (59 °F) but avoids temperatures lower than this. It was once extremely common and widely distributed, and still inhabits a wide band around the globe; however, recent studies suggest that its numbers have drastically declined. The shark spends most of its time in the upper layer of the ocean—to a depth of 150 m (490 ft)—and prefers off-shore, deep-ocean areas. According to longline capture data, increasing distance from land correlates to a greater population of sharks. It is sometimes found close to land, in waters as shallow as only 37 m (120 ft) deep, mainly around oceanic islands and narrow continental shelves.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q318090.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Oceanic Whitetip Shark (cropped)", "author": "Johan Lantz, Malmö SWEDEN", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Oceanic_Whitetip_Shark_(cropped).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oceanic_whitetip_shark", "revision": 1377793659, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1377793659", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "2877951f3b4c3132f0d88d2bf44461760b0789e8f430a528488ee4e273b0c582" }, { "id": "Q506823", "common_name": "European sprat", "scientific_name": "Sprattus sprattus", "aliases": [ "Sprattus sprattus" ], "summary": "The European sprat (Sprattus sprattus), also known as the Baltic herring, brisling, brisling sardine, bristling, garvie, garvock, Russian sardine, russlet, skipper or whitebait, is a species of small marine fish in the herring family Clupeidae. It is found in European, West Asian and North African waters. The fish is the subject of fisheries, particularly in Scandinavia, and is made into fish meal, as well as being used for human consumption. When used for food, it can be prepared in various ways, including canning, smoking and frying.", "features": "The European sprat is a small fish growing to a maximum length of 16 cm (6.3 in), but more often in the 8–12 cm (3.1–4.7 in) range. It is fairly elongate and rather laterally compressed, with a keel-like row of sharp scales along the belly. The lower jaw projects slightly, there are rarely any vomerine teeth on the roof of the mouth and the hind edge of the gill covers is smoothly rounded, without any fleshy protuberances. The dorsal and anal fins have no spines, and contains 13-21 and 12-23 soft rays respectively. The origin of the pelvic fins, which have 7 (occasionally 8) soft rays, is immediately below or in front of the dorsal-fin origin. This fish has a bluish or greenish back and silvery flanks, with no dark spotting.", "habitat": "Adult European sprats feed on copepods, such as species in the genera Calanus, Pseudocalanus and Temora; on the other hand, juveniles feed on the eggs and larvae of these crustaceans, and on diatoms. Breeding takes place at any time of the year, but peaks between December and April in the Mediterranean and between April and August in the Baltic Sea and northeastern Atlantic. Spawning may take place in inshore waters or up to 100 km (60 mi) off the coast. This fish is sometimes parasitised by the copepod Lernaeenicus sprattae. That animal burrows into the eyes of the European sprat, causing loss of visual acuity or even blindness. Heavy infestations can even result in death.", "distribution": "The European sprat is native to the northeastern Atlantic Ocean. Its range includes the Baltic Sea, the North Sea, southern Norway and Sweden, the coasts of the British Isles, the Iberian Peninsula, Morocco, the Mediterranean Sea (including the Adriatic Sea) and the Black Sea. It occurs both in open water well away from the coast and in bays and estuaries, being able to tolerate salinities as low as 4 parts per thousand. It is a schooling fish (like many other species in its family) and migrates between its winter feeding grounds and its summer breeding grounds. The European sprat also makes vertical migrations, rising to near the surface at night to feed.", "diet": "", "family": "Clupeidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q506823.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Sprattus sprattus", "author": "Hans Hillewaert", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sprattus_sprattus.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_sprat", "revision": 1383548825, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1383548825", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "4dbeb2ad2c4a0c80b2f4948bf3b823ff64770f82feb35d1096438915fe04f820" }, { "id": "Q501644", "common_name": "Leafy seadragon", "scientific_name": "Phycodurus eques", "aliases": [ "Phycodurus eques" ], "summary": "The leafy seadragon (Phycodurus eques) or Glauert's seadragon, is a marine fish. It is the only member of the genus Phycodurus in the family Syngnathidae, which includes seadragons, pipefish, and seahorses. It is found along the southern and western coasts of Australia. The name is derived from their appearance, with long leaf-like protrusions coming from all over the body. These protrusions are not used for propulsion; they serve only as camouflage. The leafy seadragon propels itself utilising a pair of pectoral fins on the sides of its neck and a dorsal fin on its back closer to the tail end. These small fins are almost completely transparent and difficult to see as they undulate minutely to move the creature sedately through the water, completing the illusion of floating seaweed. Popularly known as \"leafies\", they are the marine emblem of the state of South Australia and a focus for local marine conservation.", "features": "Much like the seahorse, the leafy seadragon's name is derived from its resemblance to another creature (in this case, the mythical dragon). They are slightly larger than most seahorses, growing to about 20–24 cm (8–9.5 in). They feed on plankton and small crustaceans. The lobes of skin that grow on the leafy seadragon provide camouflage, giving it the appearance of seaweed. It is able to maintain the illusion when swimming, appearing to move through the water like a piece of floating seaweed. It can also change colour to blend in, but this ability depends on the seadragon's diet, age, location, and stress level. The leafy seadragon is related to the pipefish and belongs to the family Syngnathidae, along with the seahorse. It differs from the seahorse in appearance, form of locomotion, and its inability to coil or grasp things with its tail. A related species is the weedy seadragon, which is multicoloured and grows weed-like fins, but is smaller than the leafy seadragon. Another unique feature is the small, circular gill openings covering tufted gills, very unlike the crescent-shaped gill openings and ridged gills of most fish species.", "habitat": "The leafy seadragon is found only in southern Australian waters, from Wilson's Promontory in Victoria at the eastern end of its range, westward to Jurien Bay, 220 km (140 mi) north of Perth in Western Australia. Individuals were once thought to have very restricted ranges; but further research has discovered that seadragons actually travel several hundred metres from their habitual locations, returning to the same spot using a strong sense of direction. They are mostly found over sand patches in waters up to 50 m (160 ft) deep, around kelp-covered rocks and clumps of seagrass. They are commonly sighted by scuba divers near Adelaide in South Australia, especially at Rapid Bay, Edithburgh, and Victor Harbor. Leafy seadragons usually live a solitary lifestyle. When the time comes, males court the females, they then pair up to breed. From the moment they hatch, leafy seadragons are completely independent. By the age of two years, they are typically full grown and ready to breed. The species feeds by sucking up small crustaceans, such as amphipods and mysid shrimp, plankton, and larval fish through its long, pipe-like snout.", "distribution": "The leafy seadragon is found only in southern Australian waters, from Wilson's Promontory in Victoria at the eastern end of its range, westward to Jurien Bay, 220 km (140 mi) north of Perth in Western Australia. Individuals were once thought to have very restricted ranges; but further research has discovered that seadragons actually travel several hundred metres from their habitual locations, returning to the same spot using a strong sense of direction. They are mostly found over sand patches in waters up to 50 m (160 ft) deep, around kelp-covered rocks and clumps of seagrass. They are commonly sighted by scuba divers near Adelaide in South Australia, especially at Rapid Bay, Edithburgh, and Victor Harbor.", "diet": "", "family": "Syngnathidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q501644.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Leafy Seadragon on Kangaroo Island", "author": "James Rosindell", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Leafy_Seadragon_on_Kangaroo_Island.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leafy_seadragon", "revision": 1381395295, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1381395295", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "d7eb4275336a29ed86caa230f13537bee03f2d29022bd57518fee29ae9df70e0" }, { "id": "Q725983", "common_name": "Prussian carp", "scientific_name": "Carassius gibelio", "aliases": [ "Prussian carp", "Gibel carp", "Carassius gibelio" ], "summary": "The Prussian carp, silver Prussian carp or Gibel carp (Carassius gibelio) is a cyprinid of the genus Carassius in the subfamily Cyprininae, which includes other fish such as the Crucian carp, goldfish, and barbs. It is medium-sized when fully-grown, and does not exceed a weight of 3 kilograms (6.6 lb) and a length of 45 centimetres (18 in). They are usually silver, although other color variations exist. They are omnivorous and feed on plankton, invertebrates, plant material and detritus. Originally from Siberia or central Europe, they have been introduced to and are now inhabiting lakes, ponds, and slow-moving rivers throughout Europe, North America, and Asia. It has become one of the most successful introduced fish species in the European Russia region, now abundant in both the Volga and Kama rivers, particularly in coastal areas overgrown with aquatic vegetation. Prussian carps are a highly invasive fish species in areas outside their native range. They reproduce and spread rapidly. In 2020, scientists demonstrated that a small proportion of fertilized Prussian carp eggs ingested by waterfowl survive passing through the digestive tract and hatch after being retrieved from the feces. Birds exhibit strong preference for fish eggs, while cyprinids produce hundreds of thousands of eggs at a single spawning event.", "features": "The Prussian carp is a deep-bodied, robust fish which resembles the crucian carp (Carassius carassius) and grows to about 10 to 35 cm (4 to 14 in) in length. Its scales are larger than those of the crucian carp, and it typically has 27 to 32 scales along the lateral line, whereas the crucian carp usually has between 31 and 35. The species is silvery, sometimes with a faint golden tinge, while the crucian carp has a burnished gold appearance. The Prussian carp's tail is more deeply forked than that of the crucian carp.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q725983.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Carassius gibelio 2008 G1", "author": "George Chernilevsky", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Carassius_gibelio_2008_G1.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prussian_carp", "revision": 1370131635, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1370131635", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "1e1eec61a6cdd4afc5fd2cccf0f514c2119845bcf1c57c0629cfe7c3a94c39bb" }, { "id": "Q272188", "common_name": "Green swordtail", "scientific_name": "Xiphophorus hellerii", "aliases": [ "Green swordtail", "Xiphophorus hellerii" ], "summary": "The green swordtail (Xiphophorus hellerii) is a species of freshwater/brackish fish in family Poeciliidae of order Cyprinodontiformes. A live-bearer, it is closely related to the southern platyfish or 'platy' (X. maculatus) and can crossbreed with it. It is native to an area of North and Central America stretching from Veracruz, Mexico, to northwestern Honduras.", "features": "The male green swordtail grows to a maximum overall length of 14 centimetres (5.5 in) and the female to 16 centimetres (6.3 in). The name 'swordtail' is derived from the elongated lower lobe of the male's caudal fin (tailfin). Sexual dimorphism is moderate, with the female being larger than the male, but lacking the 'sword'. The wild form is olive green in color, with a red or brown lateral stripe and speckles on the dorsal and, sometimes, caudal fins. The male's 'sword' is yellow, edged in black below. Captive breeding has produced many color varieties, including black, red, and many patterns thereof, for the aquarium hobby. All varieties share the dark-red or brown central stripe. The green swordtail prefers swift-flowing, heavily vegetated rivers and streams, but is also found in warm springs and canals. Omnivorous, its diet includes both plants and small crustaceans, insects, and annelid worms.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Poeciliidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q272188.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "DSC 0690 - Edited", "author": "Corydoras-adolfoi", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:DSC_0690_-_Edited.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_swordtail", "revision": 1354740152, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1354740152", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "a07fc8ba98f6112dd8639042b25e5b34eed9112deae19707845e6be9e924a9c5" }, { "id": "Q723904", "common_name": "Mosquitofish", "scientific_name": "Gambusia affinis", "aliases": [ "Gambusia affinis", "Western mosquitofish", "mosquito fish", "pussel-gut", "pussy-gut" ], "summary": "The western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) is a North American freshwater poeciliid fish, also known commonly, if ambiguously, as simply mosquitofish or by its generic name, Gambusia, or by the common name gambezi. Its sister species, the eastern mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) is also referred to by these names. Mosquitofish are small in comparison to many other freshwater fish, with females reaching a maximum length of 7 cm (2.8 in) and males a maximum length of 4 cm (1.6 in). The female can be distinguished from the male by her larger size and a gravid spot at the posterior of her abdomen. The name \"mosquitofish\" was given because the fish eats mosquito larvae, and has been used more than any other fishes for the biological control of mosquitoes. Gambusia typically eat zooplankton, beetles, mayflies, caddisflies, mites, and other invertebrates; mosquito larvae make up only a small portion of their diet. Mosquitofish were introduced directly into ecosystems in many parts of the world as a biocontrol to lower mosquito populations which in turn negatively affected many other species in each distinct bioregion. Mosquitofish in Australia are classified as a noxious pest and may have exacerbated the mosquito problem in many areas by outcompeting native invertebrate predators of mosquito larvae. Several counties in California distribute mosquitofish at no charge to residents with human-made fish ponds and pools as part of their mosquito abatement programs.", "features": "Mosquitofish are small and of a dull grey coloring, with a large abdomen, and have rounded dorsal and caudal fins and an upturned mouth. Sexual dimorphism is seen; mature females reach a maximum overall length of 7 cm (2.8 in), while males reach only 4 cm (1.6 in). Sexual dimorphism is also seen in the physiological structures of the body. The anal fins on adult females resemble the dorsal fins, while the anal fins of adult males are pointed. This pointed fin, referred to as a gonopodium, is used to deposit milt inside the female. The gonopodium of G. affinis has a smooth third ray (the anteriormost elongated ray), while that of G. holbrooki bears minute denticles. Adult female mosquitofish can be identified by a gravid spot they possess on the posterior of their abdomens. Other species considered similar to G. affinis include Poecilia reticulata, Poecilia latipinna, and Xiphophorus maculatus; they are commonly misidentified as mosquitofish.", "habitat": "The native range of the mosquitofish is from southern parts of Illinois and Indiana, throughout the Mississippi River and its tributary waters, to as far south as the Gulf Coast in the northeastern parts of Mexico. They are found most abundantly in shallow water protected from larger fish. Mosquitofish can survive relatively inhospitable environments, and are resilient to low oxygen concentrations, high salt concentrations (up to twice that of sea water), and temperatures up to 42 °C (108 °F) for short periods. Because of their notable adaptability to harsh conditions and their global introduction into many habitats for mosquito control, they have been described as the most widespread freshwater fish in the world. Some of their natural predators include the bass, catfish and bluegill.", "distribution": "", "diet": "Mosquitofish are diet generalists, but they are considered \"larvivorous\" because they consume the larvae of mosquitoes and other aquatic insects. Their diet consists of zooplankton, small insects and insect larvae, and detritus material. Mosquitofish feed on mosquito larvae at all stages of life, if mosquito larvae are available in the environment. Adult females can consume up to hundreds of mosquito larvae in one day. Maximum consumption rate in a day by one mosquitofish has been observed to be from 42%–167% of its own body weight. However, they can suffer mortality if fed only mosquito larvae, and survivors of this diet show poor growth and maturation. As generalists, mosquitofish have also shown cannibalistic behavior on the young of their own species.", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q723904.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Gambusia affinis male", "author": "NOZO", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gambusia_affinis_male.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosquitofish", "revision": 1382571327, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1382571327", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "9692e43568772b11254333e9b448b2956b42a54e46f90c399440e9d4197819d5" }, { "id": "Q212694", "common_name": "Spiny dogfish", "scientific_name": "Squalus acanthias", "aliases": [ "Spiny dogfish", "Squalus acanthias" ], "summary": "The spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias), spurdog, mud shark, or piked dogfish is one of the best known species of the Squalidae (dogfishes) family of sharks, which is part of the Squaliformes order. While these common names may apply to several species, Squalus acanthias is distinguished by two spines (one anterior to each dorsal fin) and no anal fin. It lives in shallow waters and further offshore in most parts of the world, especially in temperate waters. Those in the northern Pacific Ocean were reevaluated in 2010 and found to constitute a separate species, now called the Pacific spiny dogfish (Squalus suckleyi).", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "Squalus acanthias fossils are known from the Miocene of Denmark and the Netherlands, dating from approximately 11 million years ago. As with other cartilaginous fish, the fossil record of Squalus acanthias consists predominantly of dental material, as cartilage does not fossilize well. The teeth of S. acanthias can be hard to differentiate from those of other squaliforme sharks, making identification difficult.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q212694.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Squalus acanthias stellwagen", "author": "Doug Costa, NOAA/SBNMS", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Squalus_acanthias_stellwagen.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiny_dogfish", "revision": 1367713408, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1367713408", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "886d3469f7ad5a098ad11dcdfd7d5e6600784e342d244be282e4cdf3fbc63cbe" }, { "id": "Q136842", "common_name": "Porbeagle", "scientific_name": "Lamna nasus", "aliases": [ "Lamna nasus", "porbeagle shark" ], "summary": "The porbeagle or porbeagle shark (Lamna nasus) is a species of mackerel shark in the family Lamnidae, distributed widely in the cold and temperate marine waters of the North Atlantic and Southern Hemisphere. In the North Pacific, its ecological equivalent is the closely related salmon shark (L. ditropis). It typically reaches 2.5 m (8.2 ft) in length and a weight of 135 kg (298 lb); North Atlantic sharks grow larger than Southern Hemisphere sharks and differ in coloration and aspects of life history. Grey above and white below, the porbeagle has a very stout midsection that tapers towards the long, pointed snout and the narrow base of the tail. It has large pectoral and first dorsal fins, tiny pelvic, second dorsal, and anal fins, and a crescent-shaped caudal fin. The most distinctive features of this species are its three-cusped teeth, the white blotch at the aft base of its first dorsal fin, and the two pairs of lateral keels on its tail. The porbeagle is an opportunistic hunter that preys mainly on bony fishes and cephalopods throughout the water column, including the bottom. Most commonly found over food-rich banks on the outer continental shelf, it makes occasional forays both close to shore and into the open ocean to a depth of 1,360 m (4,460 ft). It also conducts long-distance seasonal migrations, generally shifting between shallower and deeper water.", "features": "The porbeagle is a very stout-bodied shark with a fusiform (spindle-like) shape. The long, conical snout tapers to a sharp point, and is supported by enlarged, highly calcified rostral cartilages. The eyes are large and black, without nictitating membranes (protective third eyelids). The small, S-shaped nostrils are positioned in front of and below the level of the eyes. The mouth is large and strongly curved, with moderately protrusible jaws. North Atlantic sharks have 28–29 upper tooth rows and 26–27 lower tooth rows, while Southern Hemisphere sharks have 30–31 upper tooth rows and 27–29 lower tooth rows. Each tooth has a strongly arched base and a nearly straight, awl-like central cusp, which is flanked by a pair of smaller cusplets in all but the smallest individuals. The five pairs of gill slits are long and precede the pectoral fin bases. The pectoral fins are long and narrow. The first dorsal fin is large and high, with a rounded apex, and originating just behind the pectoral fin bases. The pelvic fins are much smaller than the first dorsal fin. The second dorsal and anal fins are smaller still, and placed about even with each other on narrow bases that allow pivoting from side to side. The sides of the caudal peduncle are expanded into prominent lateral keels. A second, shorter pair of keels are present below the main keels.", "habitat": "The porbeagle has an almost global amphitemperate distribution, i.e., it is absent from the tropics; in the North Pacific, where its ecological niche is assumed by the salmon shark. It is found mostly within 30–70°N and 30–50°S latitudes. In the North Atlantic, the northern limit of its range extends from the Newfoundland Grand Banks off Canada, through southern Greenland, to Scandinavia and Russia; the southern limit of its range extends from New Jersey and Bermuda, through the Azores and Madeira, to Morocco. It is found in the Mediterranean Sea, but not the Black Sea. Normally, North Atlantic sharks only stray as far south as South Carolina and the Gulf of Guinea, but pregnant females from the western North Atlantic population are known to range into the Sargasso Sea, almost as far as Hispaniola, to give birth. In the Southern Hemisphere, the porbeagle apparently occupies a continuous band bound in the south by the Antarctic Convergence, and extending as far north as Chile and Brazil, the Western Cape province of South Africa, Australia to southern Western Australia and southern Queensland, and New Zealand. In New Zealand it is most common south of the Cook Strait. The porbeagle is thought to have colonized the Southern Hemisphere during the Quaternary glaciation (beginning around 2.6 Mya), when the tropical climate zone was much narrower than it is today.", "distribution": "The porbeagle has an almost global amphitemperate distribution, i.e., it is absent from the tropics; in the North Pacific, where its ecological niche is assumed by the salmon shark. It is found mostly within 30–70°N and 30–50°S latitudes. In the North Atlantic, the northern limit of its range extends from the Newfoundland Grand Banks off Canada, through southern Greenland, to Scandinavia and Russia; the southern limit of its range extends from New Jersey and Bermuda, through the Azores and Madeira, to Morocco. It is found in the Mediterranean Sea, but not the Black Sea. Normally, North Atlantic sharks only stray as far south as South Carolina and the Gulf of Guinea, but pregnant females from the western North Atlantic population are known to range into the Sargasso Sea, almost as far as Hispaniola, to give birth. In the Southern Hemisphere, the porbeagle apparently occupies a continuous band bound in the south by the Antarctic Convergence, and extending as far north as Chile and Brazil, the Western Cape province of South Africa, Australia to southern Western Australia and southern Queensland, and New Zealand. In New Zealand it is most common south of the Cook Strait. The porbeagle is thought to have colonized the Southern Hemisphere during the Quaternary glaciation (beginning around 2.6 Mya), when the tropical climate zone was much narrower than it is today.", "diet": "The porbeagle is an active predator that predominantly ingests small to medium-sized bony fishes. It chases down pelagic fishes such as lancet fish, mackerel, pilchards, herring, and sauries, and forages near the bottom for groundfishes such as cusk, haddock, redfish (i.e., Sebastes, Lutjanus, Trachichthyidae, and Berycidae), cod, hake, icefish, dories, sand lances, lumpsuckers, and flatfish. Cephalopods, particularly squid, also form an important component of its diet, while smaller sharks such as spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) and tope sharks (Galeorhinus galeus) are rarely taken. Examinations of porbeagle stomach contents have also found small shelled molluscs, crustaceans, echinoderms, and other invertebrates, which were likely ingested incidentally, as well as inedible debris such as small stones, feathers, and garbage fragments. In the western North Atlantic, porbeagles feed mainly on pelagic fishes and squid in spring, and on groundfishes in the fall; this pattern corresponds to the spring-fall migration of these sharks from deeper to shallower waters, and the most available prey types in those respective habitats. Therefore, the porbeagle seems to be an opportunistic predator without strong diet specificity. During spring and summer in the Celtic Sea and on the outer Nova Scotian Shelf, porbeagles congregate at tidally induced thermal fronts to feed on fish that have been drawn by high concentrations of zooplankton.", "family": "Lamnidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q136842.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Lamna nasus noaa", "author": "NOAA", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lamna_nasus_noaa.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porbeagle", "revision": 1369569585, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1369569585", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "18551cf2056d50a50e1737daebb65f5b94cdb733428f193bd7e926900eb30dab" }, { "id": "Q673380", "common_name": "Pink salmon", "scientific_name": "Oncorhynchus gorbuscha", "aliases": [ "Oncorhynchus gorbuscha", "humpback salmon", "humpie" ], "summary": "Pink salmon or humpback salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) is a species of euryhaline ray-finned fish in the family Salmonidae. It is the type species of the genus Oncorhynchus (Pacific salmon), and is the smallest and most abundant of the seven officially recognized species of salmon. The species' scientific name is based on the Russian common name for this species gorbúša (горбуша), which literally means humpie.", "features": "In the ocean, pink salmon are bright silver fish. After returning to their spawning streams, their coloring changes to pale grey on the back with yellowish-white belly (although some turn an overall dull green color). As with all salmon, in addition to the dorsal fin, they also have an adipose fin. The fish is characterized by a white mouth with black gums, no teeth on the tongue, large oval-shaped black spots on the back, a v-shaped tail, and an anal fin with 13–17 soft rays. During their spawning migration, males develop a pronounced humped back, hence their nickname \"humpies\". Pink salmon average 4.8 pounds (2.2 kg) in weight. The maximum recorded size was 30 inches (76 cm) and 15 pounds (6.8 kg).", "habitat": "Pink salmon are coldwater fish with a preferred temperature range of 5.6 to 14.6 °C, an optimal temperature of 10.1 °C, and an upper incipient lethal temperature of 25.8 °C.", "distribution": "The native range of the species is in the Pacific and Arctic coastal waters and rivers, from the Sacramento River in northern California to the Mackenzie River in Canada; and in the west from the Lena River in Siberia to Korea and Honshu in Japan. In North America, pink salmon spawn from the Mackenzie River in the Arctic to as far south as tributaries of Puget Sound, Washington, although they were also reported in the San Lorenzo River near Santa Cruz, California, in 1915, and the Sacramento River in northern California in the 1950s. In 2013, a new record for the southernmost extent of spawning pink salmon was published for the Salinas River. In the fall of 2017, a dozen pink salmon were counted in Lagunitas Creek about 25 miles (40 km) north of San Francisco, California. Populations were also stocked on the coast of Maine and Maryland, but disappeared by 1973. Pink salmon were introduced into the Great Lakes of North America. The first recorded release was of about 100 salmon in 1956, which escaped into Thunder Bay of Lake Superior while being transported via seaplane to a hatchery. A population of about 21,000 fingerlings from a hatchery at Port Arthur, Ontario, were also released as surplus in the Current River, a tributary of the lake. Second-generation fish were first caught in 1959, showing that reproduction was occurring. The lake's population is self-sustaining and has adapted to tolerate freshwater over their entire lives, spending their adult phase in the open lake and swimming into its tributaries to spawn.", "diet": "In their freshwater stage, juvenile pink salmon consume invertebrates and zooplankton. In the ocean, they feed on a variety of plankton, invertebrates, and small fish. Adults do not feed as they return to freshwater to spawn.", "family": "Salmonidae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q673380.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Humpback Salmon Adult Male", "author": "A. Hoen and Co.", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Humpback_Salmon_Adult_Male.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pink_salmon", "revision": 1369500366, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1369500366", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "d694d389e93a829635fde4ad57a66a7ab91e9893c888621acf3d8f9c31fba252" }, { "id": "Q27773", "common_name": "Common sole", "scientific_name": "Solea solea", "aliases": [ "Solea solea" ], "summary": "The common sole, Dover sole, or black sole (Solea solea) is a species of flatfish in the family Soleidae. It is one of the largest fish in the Solea genus. It lives on the sandy or muddy seabed of the northern Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea where it often partially immerses itself in the substrate. The upper side is greyish-brown while the underside is white. It grows to a maximum length of about 70 cm (28 in). The species is prized as a food fish, being caught mostly by bottom trawling on the seabed. The name \"Dover\" comes from Dover, the English fishing port landing the most sole in the 19th century.", "features": "The small eyes are close to each other on the right side of the body. This gives the fish the possibility of lurking half-buried in the sand for passing prey. The common sole, just like all other flatfishes, hatches as an \"ordinary\" fish with one eye on each side of the body. The young metamorphose to flatfish begins when they are about one centimeter long. The upper side is greyish-brown and the underside is white. The common sole approaches a maximum length of 70 cm (28 in). In the UK, a small sole is commercially called a \"slip\".", "habitat": "It has a preference for relatively shallow water (10–60 m) with sand or mud covering the bottom. They can be found at depths up to 200 m. Their preferred temperature range is from 8–24 °C. It is found in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean, from the south of Norway to Senegal, and in almost all of the Mediterranean Sea. In the winter, it withdraws to the somewhat warmer waters of the southern North Sea. An ectoparasite of the common sole is the leech Hemibdella soleae. The larvae settle on the upper surface of the fish, the only part not buried in the sediment, and after further development migrate to the underside, where they attach themselves with their suckers, feeding on the fish's blood.", "distribution": "It has a preference for relatively shallow water (10–60 m) with sand or mud covering the bottom. They can be found at depths up to 200 m. Their preferred temperature range is from 8–24 °C. It is found in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean, from the south of Norway to Senegal, and in almost all of the Mediterranean Sea. In the winter, it withdraws to the somewhat warmer waters of the southern North Sea.", "diet": "The Dover sole feeds at night. Its diet consists of worms, molluscs and crustaceans.", "family": "Soleidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q27773.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Solea solea 1", "author": "Hans Hillewaert", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Solea_solea_1.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_sole", "revision": 1313870591, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1313870591", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "5bdf47b8aa6d67937b0ec54a87df09ce9e066c0e3bee68705d31147271227f99" }, { "id": "Q421047", "common_name": "Arctic char", "scientific_name": "Salvelinus alpinus", "aliases": [ "Salvelinus alpinus", "Arctic charr" ], "summary": "The Arctic char or Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) is a cold-water fish in the family Salmonidae, native to alpine lakes, as well as Arctic and subarctic coastal waters in the Holarctic. It is the world's most northerly freshwater fish. Some populations are anadromous.", "features": "The Arctic char is closely related to both salmon and trout, such as the Atlantic salmon and lake trout, and has many characteristics of both. The fish is highly variable in colour, depending on the time of year and the environmental conditions of the lake where it lives. The appearance of Arctic char differs between populations. The dorsal side of the Arctic char is dark in its colour while the ventral varies from red, yellow, and white. Arctic char has a distinct size dimorphism, dwarf and giant. Dwarf Arctic char weigh between 0.2 and 2.3 kg (7 oz and 5 lb 1 oz) and average a length of 8 cm (3 in), while giant Arctic char weigh between 2.3 and 4.5 kg (5 lb 1 oz and 9 lb 15 oz) and average 40 cm (16 in) in length. Individual fish can weigh 9 kg (20 lb) or more with record-sized fish having been taken by anglers in Northern Canada, where it is known as iqaluk or tariungmiutaq in Inuktitut. Generally, whole market-sized fish are between 1 and 2.5 kg (2 lb 3 oz and 5 lb 8 oz). Male and female Arctic char are the same size. The flesh colour can range from a bright red to a pale pink.", "habitat": "It spawns in freshwater and its populations can be lacustrine, riverine, or anadromous, where they return from the ocean to their fresh water birth rivers to spawn. No other freshwater fish is found as far north; it is, for instance, the only fish species in Lake Hazen, which extends up to 81°56′N 68°55′W on Ellesmere Island in the Canadian Arctic. It is one of the rarest fish species in Great Britain and Ireland, found mainly in deep, cold, glacial lakes, and is at risk there from acidification. In other parts of its range, such as the Nordic countries, it is much more common, and is fished extensively. In Siberia, it is known as golets (Russian: голец) and it has been introduced in lakes where it sometimes threatens less hardy endemic species, such as the small-mouth char and the long-finned char in Elgygytgyn Lake. Arctic char is also found in Lake Pingualuit in the Ungava Peninsula, Quebec, a lake situated in an impact crater formed roughly 1.4 million years ago. Since the last glaciation, changing water levels are believed to have connected the lake with glacial runoff and surrounding streams and rivers, allowing char to swim upstream into the lake. Arctic char is the only fish found in the lake, and signs of fish cannibalism have been found. Arctic char exhibits a mostly circumpolar distribution. There is no other species of freshwater fish found at a higher latitude. Arctic char is native to Arctic and subarctic coasts and lakes of high elevations. In general, it has been observed in the Canadian Arctic, Greenland, Iceland, Scandinavia, Siberia, and Alaska.", "distribution": "It spawns in freshwater and its populations can be lacustrine, riverine, or anadromous, where they return from the ocean to their fresh water birth rivers to spawn. No other freshwater fish is found as far north; it is, for instance, the only fish species in Lake Hazen, which extends up to 81°56′N 68°55′W on Ellesmere Island in the Canadian Arctic. It is one of the rarest fish species in Great Britain and Ireland, found mainly in deep, cold, glacial lakes, and is at risk there from acidification. In other parts of its range, such as the Nordic countries, it is much more common, and is fished extensively. In Siberia, it is known as golets (Russian: голец) and it has been introduced in lakes where it sometimes threatens less hardy endemic species, such as the small-mouth char and the long-finned char in Elgygytgyn Lake. Arctic char is also found in Lake Pingualuit in the Ungava Peninsula, Quebec, a lake situated in an impact crater formed roughly 1.4 million years ago. Since the last glaciation, changing water levels are believed to have connected the lake with glacial runoff and surrounding streams and rivers, allowing char to swim upstream into the lake. Arctic char is the only fish found in the lake, and signs of fish cannibalism have been found. Arctic char exhibits a mostly circumpolar distribution. There is no other species of freshwater fish found at a higher latitude. Arctic char is native to Arctic and subarctic coasts and lakes of high elevations. In general, it has been observed in the Canadian Arctic, Greenland, Iceland, Scandinavia, Siberia, and Alaska.", "diet": "The diet of Arctic char varies with season and location. Arctic chars are generally opportunists. There have been more than 30 species found in the stomachs of Arctic chars. During late spring and summer, Arctic char feeds on insects found on the water's surface, salmon eggs, snails and other smaller crustaceans found on the lake bottom, and smaller fish up to a third of its size. During the autumn and winter months, it feeds on zooplankton and freshwater shrimps that are suspended in the lake, and also occasionally on smaller fish. The marine diet of Arctic char consists mostly of a copepod species (Calanis finmarchicus) and krill (Thysanoëssa). Lake-dwelling Arctic chars feed mostly on insects and zoobenthos. Some giant Arctic chars have been recorded as cannibals of their young as well as dwarf Arctic chars.", "family": "Salmonidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q421047.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Salvelinus alpinus 311639131", "author": "Alison Copeland", "license": "CC BY 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Salvelinus_alpinus_311639131.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctic_char", "revision": 1381918661, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1381918661", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "9ab759bdbc869b8a7f05d3e8b74ca5dec60968f2bd8693786bdb365a09f5641e" }, { "id": "Q385764", "common_name": "Sea lamprey", "scientific_name": "Petromyzon marinus", "aliases": [ "Petromyzon marinus" ], "summary": "The sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) is a parasitic lamprey native to the Northern Hemisphere. It is sometimes referred to as the \"vampire fish\". It was likely introduced to the Great Lakes region through the Erie Canal in 1825 and the Welland Canal in 1919 where it has attacked native fish such as lake trout, lake whitefish, chub, and lake herring. Sea lampreys are considered a pest in the Great Lakes region as each individual has the potential of killing 40 pounds of fish through its 12–18 month feeding period.", "features": "The sea lamprey has an eel-like body without paired fins. Its mouth is jawless, round and sucker-like, and as wide or wider than the head; sharp teeth are arranged in many concentric circular rows around a sharp, rasp-like tongue. There are seven branchial or gill-like openings behind the eye. Sea lampreys are olive or brown-yellow on the dorsal and lateral part of the body, with some black marblings, with lighter coloration on the belly. Within their seven-year lifespans, adults can reach a length of up to 120 cm (47 in) and a body weight up to 2.3 kg (5.1 lb).", "habitat": "The species is found in the northern and western Atlantic Ocean along the shores of Europe and North America, in the western Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea, and as an invasive species in the Great Lakes. They have been found at depths up to 4,000 metres (13,120 ft) and can tolerate temperatures of 1–20 °C (34–68 °F). In North America, they are native to the Connecticut River basin in the United States, and invasive to the inland Great Lakes and Lake Champlain in New York and Vermont. The largest European populations of sea lampreys are located throughout the southwestern areas of Europe (north-central Portugal, north-northwest of Spain, and west–southwest of France). These countries also support the main fisheries of the species. Sea lampreys are anadromous; from their lake or sea habitats, they migrate up rivers to spawn. Females deposit a large number of eggs in nests made by males in the substrate of streams with moderately strong current. Spawning is followed by the death of the adults. Larvae burrow in the sand and silt bottom in quiet water downstream from spawning areas and filter-feed on plankton and detritus. After several years in freshwater habitats, the larvae undergo a metamorphosis that allows young, post-metamorphic lampreys to migrate to the sea or lakes, and start the adult hematophagous method of feeding. Some individuals start hematophagous feeding in the river before migrating to the sea, where sea lampreys prey on a wide variety of fish.", "distribution": "The species is found in the northern and western Atlantic Ocean along the shores of Europe and North America, in the western Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea, and as an invasive species in the Great Lakes. They have been found at depths up to 4,000 metres (13,120 ft) and can tolerate temperatures of 1–20 °C (34–68 °F). In North America, they are native to the Connecticut River basin in the United States, and invasive to the inland Great Lakes and Lake Champlain in New York and Vermont. The largest European populations of sea lampreys are located throughout the southwestern areas of Europe (north-central Portugal, north-northwest of Spain, and west–southwest of France). These countries also support the main fisheries of the species.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q385764.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Petromyzon marinus.001 - Aquarium Finisterrae", "author": "Fernando Losada Rodríguez", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Petromyzon_marinus.001_-_Aquarium_Finisterrae.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_lamprey", "revision": 1382414058, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1382414058", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "3103591aca3e164d35c33f2c83758871f6e6e04b303414b0608652d20762ef6c" }, { "id": "Q824672", "common_name": "Red lionfish", "scientific_name": "Pterois volitans", "aliases": [ "red lionfish", "Common lionfish", "Pterois volitans" ], "summary": "The red lionfish (Pterois volitans) is a venomous coral reef fish in the family Scorpaenidae, order Scorpaeniformes. It is mainly native to the Indo-Pacific region, but has become an invasive species in the Caribbean Sea, as well as along the East Coast of the United States and East Mediterranean and also found in Brazil at Fernando de Noronha. P. volitans and a similar relative, Pterois miles, have both been deemed invasive species. Red lionfish are clad in white stripes alternated with red, maroon or brown stripes. Adults in this species can grow as large as 47 cm (18.5 in) in length, making it one of the largest species of lionfish in the ocean, while juveniles are typically shorter than 1 inch (2.5 cm). The average red lionfish lives around 10 years. As with many species within the family Scorpaenidae, it has large, venomous spines on its dorsal fin (13) as well as other venomous spines on its pelvic fins (2) and anal fins (3). It is these fins together with the other long non-venomous fins which create an appearance similar to a mane, giving it the common name \"lionfish\". The dorsal spines deter most potential predators. Lionfish reproduce monthly and are able to quickly disperse during their larval stage for expansion of their invasive region. No definitive predators of the lionfish are known, and many organizations are promoting the harvest and consumption of lionfish in efforts to prevent further increases in the already high population densities.", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "P. volitans is native to the Indo-Pacific region, including the western and central Pacific and off the coast of western Australia. However, the species has been introduced into the Western Atlantic, becoming an invasive species there as well as in the northern Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean.", "diet": "", "family": "Scorpaenidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q824672.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Pterois volitans Manado-e edit", "author": "Photo by Jens Petersen, Edited by User:Olegiwit (cloned in part of fins) and Fir0002 (removed spots and noise)", "license": "CC BY 2.5", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pterois_volitans_Manado-e_edit.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_lionfish", "revision": 1365302074, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1365302074", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "0c9354773ebe90e572ef73ea188502670ba94448dcf4e1be915edc3723660c67" }, { "id": "Q726384", "common_name": "Blacktip reef shark", "scientific_name": "Carcharhinus melanopterus", "aliases": [ "Carcharhinus melanopterus" ], "summary": "The blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus) is a species of requiem shark, in the family Carcharhinidae, which can be easily identified by the prominent black tips on its fins (especially on the first dorsal fin and its caudal fin). Among the most abundant sharks inhabiting the tropical coral reefs of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, this species prefers shallow, inshore waters. Its exposed first dorsal fin is a common sight in the region. The blacktip reef shark is usually found over reef ledges and sandy flats, though it has also been known to enter brackish and freshwater environments. It typically attains a length of 1.6 m (5.2 ft). Like other sharks, the females are larger than the males. The blacktip reef shark has extremely small home ranges and exhibits strong site fidelity, remaining within the same local area for up to several years at a time. It is an active predator of small bony fish, cephalopods, and crustaceans, and has also been known to feed on sea snakes and seabirds. Accounts of the blacktip reef shark's life history have been variable and sometimes contradictory, in part reflecting geographical differences within the species. Like other members of its family, this shark is viviparous, with females giving birth to two to five young on a biennial, annual, or possibly biannual cycle. Reports of the gestation period range from 7–9, through 10–11, to possibly 16 months.", "features": "A robustly built species with a streamlined \"typical shark\" form, the blacktip reef shark has a short, wide, rounded snout and moderately large, oval eyes. Each nostril has a flap of skin in front that is expanded into a nipple-shaped lobe. Not counting small symphysial (central) teeth, the tooth rows number 11–13 (usually 12) on either side of the upper jaw and 10–12 (usually 11) on either side of the lower jaw. The upper teeth are upright to angled and narrowly triangular in shape, bearing serrations that are more coarse on the bases; the lower teeth are similar, but more finely serrated. The teeth of adult males are more abruptly curved than those of females. The pectoral fins are large and narrowly falcate (sickle-shaped), tapering to points. The sizable first dorsal fin is high with a curving S-shaped rear margin, and originates over the free rear tips of the pectoral fins. The second dorsal fin is relatively large with a short rear margin, and is placed opposite the anal fin. There is no ridge between the dorsal fins. This shark is a pale grayish-brown above and white below, with an obvious white band on the sides extending forward from above the anal fin. All the fins have black tips highlighted by lighter-colored borders, which are especially striking on the first dorsal fin and lower caudal fin lobe. Most blacktip reef sharks are no more than 1.6 m (5.2 ft) long, though rarely individuals may reach 1.8 m (5.9 ft) or possibly 2.0 m (6.6 ft). The maximum weight on record with the International Game Fish Association is 13.6 kg (30 lb).", "habitat": "The blacktip reef shark is found throughout nearshore waters of the tropical and subtropical Indo-Pacific. In the Indian Ocean, it occurs from South Africa to the Red Sea, including Madagascar, Mauritius, and the Seychelles, and from there eastward along the coast of the Indian subcontinent to Southeast Asia, including Sri Lanka, the Andaman Islands, and the Maldives. In the Pacific Ocean, it is found from southern China and the Philippines to Indonesia, northern Australia and New Caledonia, and also inhabits numerous oceanic islands, including the Marshall, Gilbert, Society, and Hawaiian Islands and Tuamotu. Contrary to what most sources state, there is a report suggesting that the specimens of this species from Japanese waters might be from Taiwan, however a number of sightings and captures of this species have been reported from the inshore waters of Ishigaki Island of Okinawa Prefecture in southern Japan. A Lessepsian migrant, this shark has colonized the eastern Mediterranean Sea by way of the Suez Canal. Although it has been reported from a depth of 75 m (246 ft), the blacktip reef shark is usually found in water only a few meters deep, and can often be seen swimming close to shore with its dorsal fin exposed. Younger sharks prefer shallow, sandy flats, while older sharks are most common around reef ledges and can also be found near reef drop-offs. This species has also been reported from brackish estuaries and lakes in Madagascar, and freshwater environments in Malaysia, though it is not able to tolerate low salinity to the same degree as the bull shark (C. leucas).", "distribution": "The blacktip reef shark is found throughout nearshore waters of the tropical and subtropical Indo-Pacific. In the Indian Ocean, it occurs from South Africa to the Red Sea, including Madagascar, Mauritius, and the Seychelles, and from there eastward along the coast of the Indian subcontinent to Southeast Asia, including Sri Lanka, the Andaman Islands, and the Maldives. In the Pacific Ocean, it is found from southern China and the Philippines to Indonesia, northern Australia and New Caledonia, and also inhabits numerous oceanic islands, including the Marshall, Gilbert, Society, and Hawaiian Islands and Tuamotu. Contrary to what most sources state, there is a report suggesting that the specimens of this species from Japanese waters might be from Taiwan, however a number of sightings and captures of this species have been reported from the inshore waters of Ishigaki Island of Okinawa Prefecture in southern Japan. A Lessepsian migrant, this shark has colonized the eastern Mediterranean Sea by way of the Suez Canal. Although it has been reported from a depth of 75 m (246 ft), the blacktip reef shark is usually found in water only a few meters deep, and can often be seen swimming close to shore with its dorsal fin exposed. Younger sharks prefer shallow, sandy flats, while older sharks are most common around reef ledges and can also be found near reef drop-offs. This species has also been reported from brackish estuaries and lakes in Madagascar, and freshwater environments in Malaysia, though it is not able to tolerate low salinity to the same degree as the bull shark (C. leucas).", "diet": "As often the most abundant apex predator within its ecosystem, the blacktip reef shark plays a major role in structuring inshore ecological communities. Its diet is composed primarily of small teleost fishes, including mullet, groupers, grunters, jacks, mojarras, wrasses, surgeonfish, and smelt-whitings. Groups of blacktip reef sharks in the Indian Ocean have been observed herding schools of mullet against the shore for easier feeding. Squid, octopus, cuttlefish, other molluscs, shrimp, mantis shrimp, and crabs are also taken, as well as carrion and smaller sharks and rays, though this is rare. Off northern Australia, this species is known to consume sea snakes, including Acrochordus granulatus, Hydrelaps darwiniensis, Hydrophis spp. and Lapemis hardwickii. Sharks off Palmyra Atoll have been documented preying on seabird chicks that have fallen out of their nests into the water. Miscellaneous items that have been found inside the stomachs of this species include algae, turtle grass, coral, hydrozoa, bryozoa, rats, and stones. Researchers working at Enewetak Atoll in the Marshall Islands have found the blacktip reef shark can be readily attracted by splashing or striking metal tools against hard objects underwater, as well as by the scent of both healthy and injured fish. As with most sharks, the blacktip reef shark does not have any cone cells in its retina, limiting its ability to discriminate colors and fine details.", "family": "Carcharhinidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q726384.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus) Moorea", "author": "Charles J. Sharp", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blacktip_reef_shark_(Carcharhinus_melanopterus)_Moorea.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blacktip_reef_shark", "revision": 1379548044, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1379548044", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "eae2ca37a647fcb1db357a1ce800c1eaec893b75014ea95c76fc2e756db72443" }, { "id": "Q754164", "common_name": "Bighead carp", "scientific_name": "Hypophthalmichthys nobilis", "aliases": [ "Hypophthalmichthys nobilis" ], "summary": "The bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) is a species of cyprinid freshwater fish native to East Asia, and is one of several Asian carps introduced into North America. It is one of the most intensively exploited fishes in fish farming, with an annual worldwide production of over three million tonnes in 2013, principally from China. They are omnivores, consuming both algae and zooplankton. Bighead carp, together with black carp, silver carp, and grass carp, make up the culturally important \"four famous domestic fishes\" used in polyculture in China for over a thousand years. It is widely farmed for food.", "features": "The bighead carp has a large, scaleless head, a large mouth, and eyes located very low on the head. Adults usually have a mottled silver-gray coloration. It is a large fish; a typical length is 60 cm (2 ft), and maximum observed size of 146 cm (4 ft 9 in) and 40 kg (88 lb 3 oz).", "habitat": "", "distribution": "Bighead carp are native to large rivers and are associated with floodplain lakes of eastern Asia. Their range extends from southern China north to the Amur River system, which forms the border between China and Russia. They have been introduced widely outside their native range, including in the United States, where they are considered invasive as they out-compete native species (e.g. bigmouth buffalo). They are also found in the Nile in North Africa. In the Volga River basin, the Silver carp and Bighead carp are primarily found in the reservoirs of the Lower Volga, the unregulated part, and the delta. There is evidence of natural reproduction (prelarval and early fry stages) in the lower zone of the Volga River Delta.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q754164.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Bighead carp (March 2012)", "author": "Invasive Carp Regional Coordinating Committee", "license": "CC BY 2.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bighead_carp_(March_2012).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bighead_carp", "revision": 1370132120, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1370132120", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "795168375210b358e0bef6731f003340a167a68f4bd935ad12af9449dca597d8" }, { "id": "Q18325168", "common_name": "White bream", "scientific_name": "Blicca bjoerkna", "aliases": [ "Blicca bjoerkna" ], "summary": "Blicca is a monospecific genus of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Leuciscidae. The only species in the genus is Blicca bjoerkna, the white bream or silver bream. This species is found in Europe and Western Asia.", "features": "Small silver bream are very similar in overall appearance to the immature common, or bronze bream, Abramis brama, but can be distinguished by their larger scales. Counting the scale rows from the front of the dorsal fin to the lateral line, and including the lateral line scale, is the most reliable first step in determining the species. Bronze bream have 13 scales or more, while silver bream have 9–11. The lateral line scale count for silver bream is 44–49, while for bronze bream it is 49 and above, and usually well above 50. Larger specimens are far easier to discern, because of marked differences in color and body shape. By the time both species attain sexual maturity, they become relatively easy to tell apart. The silver bream's scales remain a bright, highly reflective, silver colour all their lives, whilst the scales of the bronze bream begin to take on a variety of hues, from dark brown to a light ochre yellow. However, some bronze bream do remain a silvery colour all their lives, depending upon habitat. Confusion arises when sexually mature silver bream and sexually immature bronze bream are cursorily compared in the field, because bronze bream grow to the same size as sexually mature silver bream very quickly whilst still very young, and when they are almost invariably a silver colour themselves. The maximum weight a silver bream varies with the habitat quality, but in optimum conditions can be 1.6 kg (3 lb 8 oz). Nevertheless, in normal conditions, most silver bream never exceed 0.45 kg (1 lb), and in small ponds not even 0.3 kg (11 oz).", "habitat": "", "distribution": "Blicca bjoerkna is distributed across most of Europe and in adjacent Western Asia. The natural distribution, though, excludes peripheral areas such as northern Sweden, northern Finland and Norway, and most parts of the British Isles (except Southern England), as well as the Iberian and Italian peninsulas. Introduced populations occur also in Spain and Italy. The Asian distribution is in the Caspian Sea and Aral Sea basins, and in Anatolian Black Sea drainages.", "diet": "", "family": "Leuciscidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q18325168.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Blicca bjoerkna underwater", "author": "Lorenz Seebauer", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blicca_bjoerkna_underwater.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blicca", "revision": 1355305562, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1355305562", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "3786b0e261c6ad5115ba0e6d8670fc56a6f46bb34c74c677c64c29481d65edc2" }, { "id": "Q618595", "common_name": "Common thresher", "scientific_name": "Alopias vulpinus", "aliases": [ "Alopias vulpinus", "thresher shark" ], "summary": "The common thresher (Alopias vulpinus), also known as Atlantic thresher, is the largest species of thresher shark, family Alopiidae, reaching 6 m (20 ft) in length. About half of its length consists of the elongated upper lobe of its caudal fin. With a streamlined body, short pointed snout, and modestly sized eyes, the common thresher resembles the pelagic thresher (A. pelagicus). It can be distinguished from the latter species by the white of its belly extending in a band over the bases of its pectoral fins. The common thresher is distributed worldwide in tropical and temperate waters, though it prefers cooler temperatures. It can be found both close to shore and in the open ocean, from the surface to a depth of 550 m (1,800 ft). It is seasonally migratory and spends summers at lower latitudes. The long tail of the common thresher, the source of many fanciful tales through history, is used in a whip-like fashion to deliver incapacitating blows to its prey. This species feeds mainly on small schooling forage fishes such as herrings and anchovies. It is a fast, strong swimmer that has been known to leap clear of the water, and possesses physiological adaptations that allow it to maintain an internal body temperature warmer than that of the surrounding sea water. The common thresher has an aplacental viviparous mode of reproduction, with oophagous embryos that feed on undeveloped eggs ovulated by their mother.", "features": "The common thresher is a fairly robust shark with a torpedo-shaped trunk and a short, broad head. The dorsal profile of the head curves evenly down to the pointed, conical snout. The eyes are moderately large and lack nictitating membranes. The small mouth is arched and, unlike in other thresher sharks, has furrows at the corners. The species has 32–53 upper and 25–50 lower tooth rows; the teeth are small, triangular, and smooth-edged, lacking lateral cusplets. The five pairs of gill slits are short, with the fourth and fifth pairs located over the pectoral fin bases. The long, falcate (sickle-shaped) pectoral fins taper to narrowly pointed tips. The first dorsal fin is tall and positioned slightly closer to the pectoral fins than the pelvic fins. The pelvic fins are almost as large as the first dorsal fin and bear long, thin claspers in males. The second dorsal and anal fins are tiny, with the former positioned ahead of the latter. Crescent-shaped notches occur on the caudal peduncle at the upper and lower origins of the caudal fin. The upper caudal fin lobe is enormously elongated as is characteristic of threshers, measuring about as long as the rest of the shark; the thin, gently curving lobe is held at a steep upward angle and has a notch in the trailing margin near the tip. The skin is covered by small, overlapping dermal denticles, each with three horizontal ridges and three to five marginal teeth. This species is metallic purplish brown to gray above, becoming more bluish on the flanks.", "habitat": "Common threshers are inhabitants of both continental waters and the open ocean. They tend to be most abundant in proximity to land, particularly the juveniles, which frequent near-coastal habitats such as bays. The species has been described as \"coastal–oceanic\", mostly occurring within 30 km (20 mi) of the coast with considerably lower populations beyond this limit. Most individuals are encountered near the surface, but this species has been recorded to at least a depth of 550 m (1,800 ft). Among eight individuals tagged and tracked for 22–49 hours off southern California, all spent the majority of their time within 40 m (130 ft) of the water surface, but periodically dived much deeper, in five individuals to depths of around 100 m (330 ft) or more. A study from the tropical Marshall Islands indicated that common threshers mainly spend the day at depths of about 160–240 m (520–790 ft) where the temperature is 18–20 °C (64–68 °F). Common threshers appear to prefer water temperatures between 16 and 21 °C (61 and 70 °F), but at least occasionally occur down to around 9 °C (48 °F). Common threshers are active, strong swimmers, with infrequent reports of them leaping completely out of the water. Like the fast-swimming sharks of the family Lamnidae, the common thresher has a strip of aerobic red muscle along its flank that is able to contract powerfully and efficiently for long periods of time.", "distribution": "The range of the common thresher encompasses tropical and cold-temperate waters worldwide. In the western Atlantic, it is found from Newfoundland to the Gulf of Mexico, though it is rare north of New England, and from Venezuela to Argentina. In the eastern Atlantic, it has been reported from the North Sea and the British Isles to Ghana (including Madeira, the Azores, and the Mediterranean and Black Seas), as well as from Angola to South Africa. In the Indo-Pacific, this species is known from Tanzania to India and the Maldives, Japan, and Korea to southeastern China, Sumatra, eastern Australia, and New Zealand; it also occurs around a number of Pacific islands including New Caledonia, the Society Islands, Tabuaeran, and the Hawaiian Islands. In the eastern Pacific, it has been recorded from British Columbia to Chile, including the Gulf of California. The common thresher is migratory, moving to higher latitudes following warm-water masses. In the eastern Pacific, males travel further than females, reaching as far as Vancouver Island in the late summer and early fall. Juveniles tend to remain in warm nursery areas. In New Zealand waters juveniles can be found over the inner shelf around the North Island and around the upper South Island. Separate populations with different life history characteristics apparently exist in the eastern Pacific and western Indian Ocean and possibly elsewhere; this species is not known to make transoceanic movements. In the northwestern Indian Ocean, males and females segregate by location and depth during the pupping season from January to May.", "diet": "The long upper tailfin lobe of the common thresher is used to strike and incapacitate prey. Some 97% of the common thresher's diet is composed of bony fishes, mostly small schooling forage fish such as sardine, anchovy, mackerel, hake, bluefish, herring, needlefish, and lanternfish. Before striking, the sharks compact schools of prey by swimming around them and splashing the water with their tails, often in pairs or small groups. Threshers are also known to take large, solitary fishes such as lancetfish, as well as squid and other pelagic invertebrates. Off California, common threshers feed mostly on the northern anchovy (Engraulis mordax), with Pacific hake (Merluccius productus), Pacific sardine (Sardinops sagax), Pacific mackerel (Scomber japonicus), market squid (Loligo opalescens), and pelagic red crab (Pleuroncodes planipes) also being important food items. The sharks concentrate on a few prey species during cold-water years, but become less discriminating during less productive, warmer El Niño periods. Numerous accounts have been given of common threshers using the long upper lobes of their tail fins to stun prey, and they are often snagged on longlines by their tails after presumably striking at the bait. In July 1914, shark-watcher Russell J. Coles reported seeing a thresher shark use its tail to flip prey fish into its mouth, and that one fish that missed was thrown a \"considerable distance\". On April 14, 1923, noted oceanographer W.E.", "family": "Alopiidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q618595.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Alopias vulpinus noaa2", "author": "NOAA/PIER", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Alopias_vulpinus_noaa2.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_thresher", "revision": 1367449524, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1367449524", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "9c2dbb2d3379e7e9a170d91a36d4046a92d8d633fecbdd7f6eb5c1ddcc2d317d" }, { "id": "Q326219", "common_name": "Common barbel", "scientific_name": "Barbus barbus", "aliases": [ "Barbus barbus" ], "summary": "The common barbel (Barbus barbus) is a species of freshwater fish belonging to the family Cyprinidae. It shares the common name 'barbel' with its many relatives in the genus Barbus, of which it is the type species. In Great Britain it is usually referred to simply as the barbel; similar names are used elsewhere in Europe, such as barbeau in France and flodbarb in Sweden. The name derives from the four whiskerlike structures located at the corners of the fish's mouth, which it uses to locate food.", "features": "", "habitat": "B. barbus is native throughout northern and eastern Europe, ranging north and east from the Pyrénées and Alps to Lithuania, Russia and the northern Black Sea basin. It is an adaptable fish which transplants well between waterways, and has become established as an introduced species in several countries including Scotland, Morocco and Italy. Although barbel are native to eastern flowing rivers in England between the Thames and Great Ouse they have historically been translocated to western flowing rivers, such as the River Severn. Its favoured habitats are the so-called barbel zones in fast-flowing rivers with gravel or stone bottoms, although it regularly occurs in slower rivers and has been successfully stocked in still waters. Barbel in the River Trent are also artificially stocked. Barbel are very abundant in some rivers, often seen in large shoals on rivers such as the Wye. Izaak Walton reported that there were once so many barbel in the Danube that they could be caught by hand, 'eight or ten load at a time' . Adult B. barbus specimens can reach 1.2 m (4 ft) in length and 12 kg (26 lb) in weight, although it is typically found at smaller sizes (50–100 cm length, weight 1–3 kg). Adult barbel can live to over 20 years of age. Their sloping foreheads, flattened undersides, slender bodies and horizontally oriented pectoral fins are all adaptations for their life in swift, deep rivers, helping to keep them close to the riverbed in very strong flows.", "distribution": "B. barbus is native throughout northern and eastern Europe, ranging north and east from the Pyrénées and Alps to Lithuania, Russia and the northern Black Sea basin. It is an adaptable fish which transplants well between waterways, and has become established as an introduced species in several countries including Scotland, Morocco and Italy. Although barbel are native to eastern flowing rivers in England between the Thames and Great Ouse they have historically been translocated to western flowing rivers, such as the River Severn. Its favoured habitats are the so-called barbel zones in fast-flowing rivers with gravel or stone bottoms, although it regularly occurs in slower rivers and has been successfully stocked in still waters. Barbel in the River Trent are also artificially stocked. Barbel are very abundant in some rivers, often seen in large shoals on rivers such as the Wye. Izaak Walton reported that there were once so many barbel in the Danube that they could be caught by hand, 'eight or ten load at a time' .", "diet": "", "family": "Cyprinidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q326219.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Barbel", "author": "Neil Phillips from uk", "license": "CC BY 2.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Barbel.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_barbel", "revision": 1369168527, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1369168527", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "e557ee2c18bbe525bcbcb95527b3acc85f29848a88d43848420f84e939e46a3a" }, { "id": "Q311170", "common_name": "Nile tilapia", "scientific_name": "Oreochromis niloticus", "aliases": [ "Nile tilapia", "Genetically improved farmed tilapia", "GIFT", "Oreochromis niloticus" ], "summary": "The Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is a species of tilapia, a cichlid occurring naturally in parts of Africa (such as its namesake Nile River) and the Levant, though numerous introduced populations exist outside its natural range. This current wide range is caused by its high commercial value as a food fish, where it is marketed as mango fish (not to be confused with the mango tilapia, or Sarotherodon galilaeus), nilotica, or boulti, along with many other names, both local and foreign. Due to its value, the Nile tilapia is widely aquacultured across the world due to its hardiness and a mode of reproduction conducive to mass rearing, namely mouthbrooding, and various attempts have been made to increase production yields, including hybridization with other tilapias.", "features": "The Nile tilapia reaches up to 60 cm (24 in) in length, and can exceed 5 kg (11 lb). As typical of tilapia, males reach a larger size and grow faster than females. Wild, natural-type Nile tilapias are brownish or grayish overall, often with indistinct banding on their body, and the tail is vertically striped. When breeding, males become reddish, especially on their fins. It is commonly confused with the blue tilapia (O. aureus); that species lacks the striped tail pattern, has a red edge to the dorsal fin (this edge is gray or black in Nile tilapia), and males are bluish overall when breeding. The two species can also be separated by meristics. Because many tilapia in aquaculture and introduced around the world are selectively bred variants and/or hybrids, identifying them using the standard features that can be used in the wild, natural types is often not possible. The virtually unknown O. ismailiaensis has a plain tail, but otherwise closely resembles (and may only be a variant of) the Nile tilapia. Regardless, O. ismailiaensis might be extinct, as its only known habitat in northeastern Egypt has disappeared, although similar-looking individuals (perhaps the same) are known from the vicinity. Nile tilapia can live for more than 10 years.", "habitat": "The Nile tilapia is native to larger parts of Africa, except Maghreb and almost all of Southern Africa. It is native to tropical West Africa, the Lake Chad basin, and much of the Nile system, including lakes Tana, Albert and Edward–George, as well as lakes Kivu, Tanganyika, and Turkana, and the Awash and Omo Rivers. In Israel, it is native to coastal river basins. It has been widely introduced elsewhere, both in Africa and other continents, including tens of countries in Asia, Europe, North America, and South America. In these places, it often becomes highly invasive, threatening the native ecosystems and species. However, some introduced populations historically labelled as Nile tilapia either are hybrids or another species; the Nile tilapia and blue tilapia especially often have been confused. In India, especially in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, the Nile Tilapia was introduced by K. Kamaraj, the then Chief Minister and has become a threat to the native fish species hence. The Nile tilapia can be found in most types of freshwater habitats, such as rivers, streams, canals, lakes, and ponds, and ranging from sea level to an altitude of 1,830 m (6,000 ft). It also occurs in brackish water, but is unable to survive long-term in full salt water. The species has been recorded at water temperatures between 8 and 42 °C (46 and 108 °F), although typically above 13.5 °C (56.5 °F), and the upper lethal limit usually is at 39–40 °C (102–104 °F). Also, some variations occur depending on the population.", "distribution": "The Nile tilapia is native to larger parts of Africa, except Maghreb and almost all of Southern Africa. It is native to tropical West Africa, the Lake Chad basin, and much of the Nile system, including lakes Tana, Albert and Edward–George, as well as lakes Kivu, Tanganyika, and Turkana, and the Awash and Omo Rivers. In Israel, it is native to coastal river basins. It has been widely introduced elsewhere, both in Africa and other continents, including tens of countries in Asia, Europe, North America, and South America. In these places, it often becomes highly invasive, threatening the native ecosystems and species. However, some introduced populations historically labelled as Nile tilapia either are hybrids or another species; the Nile tilapia and blue tilapia especially often have been confused. In India, especially in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, the Nile Tilapia was introduced by K. Kamaraj, the then Chief Minister and has become a threat to the native fish species hence. The Nile tilapia can be found in most types of freshwater habitats, such as rivers, streams, canals, lakes, and ponds, and ranging from sea level to an altitude of 1,830 m (6,000 ft). It also occurs in brackish water, but is unable to survive long-term in full salt water. The species has been recorded at water temperatures between 8 and 42 °C (46 and 108 °F), although typically above 13.5 °C (56.5 °F), and the upper lethal limit usually is at 39–40 °C (102–104 °F). Also, some variations occur depending on the population.", "diet": "The Nile tilapia is mostly a herbivore, but with omnivorous tendencies especially when young. They mostly feed on phytoplankton and algae, and in some populations macrophytes (aquatic plants) also are important. Other recorded food items are detritus and aquatic insect larvae, including those of mosquitoes, making it a possible tool in the fight against malaria in Africa, which has precipitated its status as an invasive. The Nile tilapia typically feeds during daytime, which suggests that, similar to trout and salmon, it exhibits a behavioral response to light as a main factor contributing to feeding activity. Due to its fast reproductive rate, however, overpopulation often results within groups of Nile tilapia. To obtain the necessary nutrients, night feeding may also occur due to competition for food during daylight. A recent study found evidence that, contrary to popular belief, size dimorphism between the sexes results from differential food conversion efficiency rather than different amounts of food consumed. Hence, although males and females eat equal amounts of food, males tend to grow larger due to a higher efficiency of converting food to body weight.", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q311170.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Tilápia ou Sarotherodon niloticus 2", "author": "Germano Roberto Schüür", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Til%C3%A1pia_ou_Sarotherodon_niloticus_2.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nile_tilapia", "revision": 1376995376, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1376995376", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "c43faa526e397b9bd8e25ab07275f38da4c7dac5dd50afd3f896bd8cea660a39" }, { "id": "Q475211", "common_name": "Chum salmon", "scientific_name": "Oncorhynchus keta", "aliases": [ "Oncorhynchus keta", "dog salmon", "keta salmon", "calico salmon", "Salmo keta" ], "summary": "The chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta), also known as dog salmon or keta salmon, is a species of anadromous salmonid fish from the genus Oncorhynchus (Pacific salmon) native to the coastal rivers of the North Pacific and the Beringian Arctic. The English name \"chum salmon\" comes from the Chinook Jargon term tsəm, meaning \"spotted\" or \"marked\"; while keta in the scientific name comes from Russian, which in turn comes from the Evenki language of Eastern Siberia. In Japan, chum salmon is also known as the white salmon (白鮭 シロサケ, shiro sake), autumn salmon (秋鮭 アキサケ, aki sake) or simply \"the salmon\" (鮭 サケ, sa ke), while historically it was known in kun'yomi as \"stone katsura fish\" (石桂魚 さけ, sa ke) up until the Meiji period. In Greater China, it is known academically as the \"hook-snout salmon\" (Chinese: 钩吻鲑), but is more often called the damaha fish (simplified Chinese: 大马哈鱼; traditional Chinese: 大麻哈魚), which is borrowed from dawa ịmaχa, the Nanai name of the fish used by the Hezhe minority in northern Northeast China.", "features": "The body of the chum salmon is deeper than most salmonid species. In common with other species found in the Pacific, the anal fin has 12 to 20 rays, compared with a maximum of 12 in European species. Chum have an ocean coloration of silvery blue green with some indistinct spotting in a darker shade, and a rather paler belly. When they move into fresh water the color changes to dark olive green and the belly color deepens. When adults are near spawning, they have purple blotchy streaks near the caudal peduncle, darker towards the tail. Spawning males typically grow an elongated snout or kype, their lower fins become tipped with white and they have enlarged teeth. Some researchers speculate these characteristics are used to compete for mates.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "Chum salmon have the largest natural range of any Pacific salmon. Chum are found all around the North Pacific, off the coasts of Japan, Korea, the Russian Far East, British Columbia in Canada, and from Alaska to California in the United States. They undergo the longest migrations within the genus Oncorhynchus, far up the Yukon River in Alaska and Canada, and deep into the Amur River basin in Northeast China and Russia. In lesser numbers they migrate thousands of kilometers up the Mackenzie River. In the Arctic Ocean they are found in limited numbers from the Laptev Sea to the Beaufort Sea. In North America chum salmon spawn from the Mackenzie River in the Arctic to as far south as the Umpqua River, Oregon, although they were also reported in the San Lorenzo River near Santa Cruz, California in 1915 and the Sacramento River in northern California in the 1950s. In fall 2017 a half dozen chum salmon were counted in Lagunitas Creek about 25 miles (40 km) north of San Francisco, California. In the open ocean, chum salmon stay fairly high on the water column, rarely diving below 50 m (160 ft). Their typical swimming depths are 13 m (43 ft) from the surface during the day, and 5 m (16 ft) during the night.", "diet": "Juvenile chum eat zooplankton and insects. Recent studies show that they also eat comb jellies. As adults, they eat smaller fish.", "family": "", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q475211.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Dog Salmon Breeding Male", "author": "A. Hoen and Co.", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dog_Salmon_Breeding_Male.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chum_salmon", "revision": 1383373647, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1383373647", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "a9f46837e57e2b9ca0afd27e9aa20f2bb76ce3e32475ade99d4be77480f91273" }, { "id": "Q1122241", "common_name": "Bigeye tuna", "scientific_name": "Thunnus obesus", "aliases": [ "Thunnus obesus" ], "summary": "The bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) is a species of true tuna of the genus Thunnus, belonging to the wider mackerel family Scombridae. Bigeye tuna are found in the open waters of all tropical and temperate oceans, but not in the Mediterranean Sea.", "features": "Bigeye tuna can grow up to 2.5 m (98 in; 8.2 ft) in length. Maximum weight of individuals probably exceeds 180 kg (400 lb), with the all-tackle angling record standing at 178 kg (392 lb 7 oz). They are large, deep-bodied, streamlined fish with large heads and eyes. The pectoral fins are very long, reaching back beyond the start of the second dorsal fin in juveniles and the space between the first and second dorsal fin in adults. They have 13 or 14 dorsal spines.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "Bigeye tuna primarily feed on epipelagic and mesopelagic fish, crustaceans and cephalopods.", "family": "Scombridae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1122241.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Thunnus obesus (bigeye tuna)", "author": "Allen Shimada, NOAA NMFS OST", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Thunnus_obesus_(bigeye_tuna).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bigeye_tuna", "revision": 1381415903, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1381415903", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "627ff26a4d061748d8f98bd81f3bbf543a2473bb0ee7b75a58608e71656acbd5" }, { "id": "Q192158", "common_name": "Shortfin mako shark", "scientific_name": "Isurus oxyrinchus", "aliases": [ "Isurus oxyrinchus", "shortfin mako" ], "summary": "The shortfin mako shark (; Māori: [ˈmakɔ]; Isurus oxyrinchus), also known as the shortfin mako, blue pointer, or bonito shark, is a species of large mackerel shark. It is commonly referred to as the mako shark, as is the longfin mako shark (Isurus paucus). The fastest known shark species, able to reach speeds of 74 km/h (46 mph) in bursts, the shortfin mako can attain sizes of more than 4 m (13 ft) in length and weigh over 570 kg (1,260 lb). The species is classified as Endangered by the IUCN.", "features": "The shortfin mako is a fairly large species of shark. Growth rates appear to be somewhat accelerated in comparison to other species in the lamnid family. A typical adult specimen measures around 2.5 to 3.2 m (8.2 to 10.5 ft) in length and weighs 60–140 kg (130–310 lb). The species is sexually dimorphic, with females typically larger than males. Large specimens are known, with a few large, mature females exceeding a length of 3.8 m (12 ft) and a weight of 550 kg (1,210 lb). The largest taken on hook-and-line was 600 kg (1,300 lb), caught off the coast of California on June 3, 2013, and the longest verified length was 4.45 m (14.6 ft) caught off the Mediterranean coast of France in September 1973. A specimen caught off the coast of Italy and examined in an Italian fish market in 1881 was reported to weigh an extraordinary 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) at a length of 4 m (13 ft). Yet another fish was caught off Marmaris, Turkey in the late 1950s at an estimated size of between 5.7 and 6.19 m (18.7 and 20.3 ft), which would make it the largest known specimen of the species. However, this estimate was created using photos of the shark and not at the time of capture and therefore must be taken with reasonable caution. The authors did not estimate a weight for this specimen. The shortfin mako shark is fusiform in shape, with blunt triangular dorsal and pectoral fins and a vertically elongated caudal fin with two lobes of roughly equal size. A single, highly pronounced caudal keel runs laterally along the base of the tail.", "habitat": "The shortfin mako shark is a cosmopolitan species, inhabiting offshore temperate and tropical seas worldwide. It is a pelagic species that can be found from the surface to depths of 150 m (490 ft), normally far from land, though occasionally closer to shore, around islands or inlets. The shortfin mako is one of the very few known endothermic sharks, although it is seldom found in waters colder than 16 °C (61 °F). In the western Atlantic, it can be found from Argentina and the Gulf of Mexico to Browns Bank off of Nova Scotia. In Canadian waters, these sharks are neither abundant nor rare. Swordfish are good indicators of shortfin mako populations, as the former are a source of food and prefer similar environmental conditions. The shark is one of the most commonly found in the waters of New Zealand. Shortfin mako sharks travel long distances to seek prey or mates. In December 1998, a female tagged off California was captured in the central Pacific by a Japanese research vessel, meaning this fish traveled over 2,776 km (1,725 mi). Another specimen swam 2,128 km (1,322 mi) in 37 days, averaging 58 km (36 mi) a day.", "distribution": "The shortfin mako shark is a cosmopolitan species, inhabiting offshore temperate and tropical seas worldwide. It is a pelagic species that can be found from the surface to depths of 150 m (490 ft), normally far from land, though occasionally closer to shore, around islands or inlets. The shortfin mako is one of the very few known endothermic sharks, although it is seldom found in waters colder than 16 °C (61 °F). In the western Atlantic, it can be found from Argentina and the Gulf of Mexico to Browns Bank off of Nova Scotia. In Canadian waters, these sharks are neither abundant nor rare. Swordfish are good indicators of shortfin mako populations, as the former are a source of food and prefer similar environmental conditions. The shark is one of the most commonly found in the waters of New Zealand. Shortfin mako sharks travel long distances to seek prey or mates. In December 1998, a female tagged off California was captured in the central Pacific by a Japanese research vessel, meaning this fish traveled over 2,776 km (1,725 mi). Another specimen swam 2,128 km (1,322 mi) in 37 days, averaging 58 km (36 mi) a day.", "diet": "The shortfin mako shark primarily feeds upon squid (such as Loligo pealeii and Illex illecebrosus), other cephalopods, and bony fish including bluefish, mackerel, herring, tuna, bonito, saury, and billfish, but may also eat other sharks (such as blue and grey reef), porpoises, dolphins, sea turtles, seabirds, and crustaceans. They hunt by lunging vertically up and tearing off chunks of their preys' flanks and fins. Mako swim below their prey, so they can see what is above and have a high probability of reaching prey before it notices them. In Ganzirri and Isola Lipari, Sicily, shortfin mako have been found with amputated swordfish bills impaled into their head and gills, suggesting swordfish may sometimes fight back and seriously injure or even kill them. In addition, this location, and the late spring and early summer timing, corresponding to the swordfish's spawning cycle, suggests they hunt while the swordfish are most vulnerable, typical of many predators. Shortfin mako sharks consume 3% of their weight each day and take about 1.5–2.0 days to digest an average-sized meal. By comparison, the sandbar shark, an inactive species, consumes 0.6% of its weight a day and takes 3 to 4 days to digest it. An analysis of the stomach contents of 399 male and female mako sharks ranging from 67–328 cm (26–129 in) suggests mako from Cape Hatteras to the Grand Banks prefer bluefish, constituting 77.5% of their diet by volume. The average capacity of the stomach was 10% of the total weight.", "family": "", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q192158.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Shortfin mako (Isurus oxyrinchus)", "author": "Fábio Olmos", "license": "CC BY 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Shortfin_mako_(Isurus_oxyrinchus).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shortfin_mako_shark", "revision": 1383384222, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1383384222", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "9fe38b7b2d4a0a6a7926c09f1a5d747246b7aac4f575002d932178727d5f07dd" }, { "id": "Q223289", "common_name": "Pilot fish", "scientific_name": "Naucrates ductor", "aliases": [ "pilot fish", "Naucrates ductor" ], "summary": "The pilot fish (Naucrates ductor) is a carnivorous fish of the trevally, or jackfish family, Carangidae. It is widely distributed and lives in warm or tropical open seas.", "features": "The pilot fish congregates around sharks, rays, and sea turtles, where it eats ectoparasites on, and leftovers around, the host species; younger pilot fish are usually associated with jellyfish and drifting seaweeds. They are also known to follow ships, sometimes for long distances; one was found in County Cork, Ireland, and many pilot fish have been sighted on the shores of England. Their fondness for ships led early seafarers (Greeks, Romans and their direct descendants) to believe that they would navigate a ship to its desired course. The pilot fish's colour is between dark blue and blackish-silver, with the belly being lighter in colour. The pilot fish is also known to have a temporary variation of colour when excited; its dark-coloured bars disappear, and its body turns silvery-white, with three broad blue patches on its back. It can be recognised by its five to seven distinctive traverse bands, which are of a much darker colour than the rest of the body. The pilot fish can grow up to 60–70 cm in length. The pilot fish is edible and is said to taste good, but it is rarely available due to its erratic behaviour when caught. While pilot fish can be seen with all manner of sharks, they prefer accompanying the oceanic whitetip shark, Carcharhinus longimanus. The pilot fish's relationship with sharks is a mutualist one; the pilot fish gains protection from predators, while the shark gains freedom from parasites.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q223289.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Pilot fish, India", "author": "Raju Saravanan", "license": "CC BY 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pilot_fish,_India.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilot_fish", "revision": 1372270269, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1372270269", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "dbd1209dc9f622bca63bfcea1832aeeb2b0684682ef2c63d537324b0d72fa1ca" }, { "id": "Q106728", "common_name": "Megamouth shark", "scientific_name": "Megachasma pelagios", "aliases": [ "Megachasma pelagios" ], "summary": "The megamouth shark (Megachasma pelagios) is a species of deepwater shark. Rarely seen by humans, it measures around 4–5.5 m (13–18 ft) long and is the smallest of the three extant filter-feeding sharks alongside the much larger whale shark and basking shark. According to Sharkman's World Organization, a total of 296 specimens have been observed or caught since its discovery in 1976. Like the other two planktivorous sharks, it swims with its mouth wide open, filtering water for plankton and jellyfish. The diet of megamouth sharks mainly consists of zooplanktonic organisms like krill, jellyfish, shrimp larvae, squat lobsters, and crab larvae. It is recognizable from its large head with rubbery lips. The megamouth is so unlike any other type of shark that it is usually considered to be the sole extant species in the family Megachasmidae, though some scientists have suggested it may belong in the family Cetorhinidae.", "features": "The appearance of the megamouth is distinctive, but little else is known about it. It has a brownish-black colour on top, is white underneath, and has an asymmetrical tail with a long upper lobe, similar to that of the thresher shark. The interior of its gill slits are lined with finger-like gill rakers that capture its food. A relatively poor swimmer, the megamouth has a soft, flabby body and lacks caudal keels. The megamouth is considerably less active than the other filter-feeding sharks, the basking shark and the whale shark. The megamouth has a stout body and a long, wide bulbous head. Megamouths are large sharks, able to grow to 5.49 metres (18 ft 0 in) in length. Mature males average at 4 m (13 ft) and females at 5 m (16 ft). Weights of up to 1,215 kg (2,679 lb) have been reported. A 2019 study suggested the megamouth may reach 6 m (20 ft) in maximum length. A 2024 study estimated that a male specimen caught off the coast of Ecuador in 2014 may have measured 8–9 metres (26–30 ft) in total length, based on eyewitness accounts and the dimensions of the caudal fin. Megamouth sharks can be found as far northward as northern Japan; southern California (LACM 43745-1) and near Punta Eugenia, Baja California, and Hawaii. Megamouth sharks can be found at a depth of up to 1,500 metres (4,900 ft). Megamouth sharks are dark blue, brownish-black, or gray above, lighter below; with a white band along the upper jaw; while the posterior margin of its fins are white.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Megachasmidae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q106728.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Megamouth shark Megachasma pelagios", "author": "opencage", "license": "CC BY-SA 2.5", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Megamouth_shark_Megachasma_pelagios.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megamouth_shark", "revision": 1383290551, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1383290551", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "b1a34a2d5569c8ce27fd27345a5ac1661af23212424ec848e1a53a6b199a03df" }, { "id": "Q10348004", "common_name": "Sabrefish", "scientific_name": "Pelecus cultratus", "aliases": [ "Pelecus cultratus" ], "summary": "Pelecus is a monospecific genus of freshwater and brackish water ray-finned fish belonging to the family Leuciscidae, which includes the daces, Eurasian minnows and related species. The only species in the genus is Pelecus cultratus, commonly known as the ziege, sichel, sabre carp or sabrefish, A fish found in Eastern Europe and adjacent Asian regions, inhabiting the lower reaches of rivers and brackish waters in the eastern Baltic Sea, Black Sea, Caspian Sea and Aral Sea basins. The ziege having no major threats, the IUCN lists it as being of Least Concern.", "features": "The ziege resembles a large Baltic herring in appearance. It grows to about 25 to 40 cm (10 to 16 in) in length. It has a keel on its belly which from the side looks curved while the back is almost straight. It has an upturned snout and the tip of the lower jaw also slopes steeply upwards. The lateral line is wavy and very low down the flank. The pectoral fin is long and pointed. This is a pale, silvery fish with almost colourless fins.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "The ziege can be found in waters of the Baltic states and Eastern Europe. It can also be found in other European and Asian countries such as Austria, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Sweden, Norway Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. It usually swims near the surface in estuaries and lakes, and some populations live permanently in rivers and streams.", "diet": "", "family": "Leuciscidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q10348004.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Pelecus cultratus1", "author": "Krüger", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pelecus_cultratus1.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelecus", "revision": 1369980202, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1369980202", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "5f067c0e00802f9645a1085ad1f8ab92b5881e1433987cbda5a91bbe289549a7" }, { "id": "Q312293", "common_name": "Bluntnose sixgill shark", "scientific_name": "Hexanchus griseus", "aliases": [ "Hexanchus griseus", "Bluntnose six-gill shark" ], "summary": "The bluntnose sixgill shark (Hexanchus griseus), often simply called the cow shark, is the largest hexanchoid shark, growing to 18 ft (5.5 m) in length. It is found in tropical and temperate waters worldwide. Its diet varies widely depending on the habitat. The bluntnose sixgill is a species of sixgill shark, of genus Hexanchus, which also consists of two other species: the bigeye sixgill shark (Hexanchus nakamurai) and the Atlantic sixgill shark (Hexanchus vitulus). By analyzing their base pairs of mitochondrial genes COI and ND2, these species can be easily distinguished.", "features": "The bluntnose sixgill shark has a large body and long tail. The snout is blunt and wide, and its eyes are small. There are 6 rows of saw-like teeth on its lower jaw and smaller teeth on its upper jaw. Skin color ranges from tan, through brown, to black. It has a light-colored lateral line down the sides and on the fins' edges, and darker colored spots on the sides. They also get stains/spots on their neural arches, and the number of stains increase as they get older. Its pupils are black and its eye color is a fluorescent blue-green. The bluntnose sixgill shark can grow to 5.5 m (18 ft). A work from the 1880s stated that a bluntnose sixgill shark caught off Portugal in 1846 measured 9 m (30 ft). This specimen was originally reported in an 1846 work and said to be only 0.68 m (2.2 ft) long. Adult males generally average between 3.1 and 3.3 m (10 and 11 ft), while adult females average between 3.5 and 4.2 m (11 and 14 ft). The average weight of an adult bluntnose sixgill shark is 500 kilograms (1,100 pounds). Large specimens may reach 6 m (20 ft) in length and 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) in weight. The bluntnose sixgill shark resembles many of the fossil sharks from the Triassic period. A greater number of Hexanchus relatives occur in the fossil record than are alive today. They have one dorsal fin located near the caudal fin. The pectoral fins are broad, with rounded edges. The six gill slits give the shark its name. Most common sharks today only have five gill slits.", "habitat": "With a global distribution in tropical and temperate waters, the bluntnose sixgill shark is found in a latitudinal range between 65°N and 48°S in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans. It has been seen off the coasts of North and South America from North Carolina to Argentina and Alaska to Chile. In the eastern Atlantic, it has been caught from Iceland to Namibia, in the Indo-Pacific it has been caught from Madagascar north to Japan and east to Hawaii and in the Mediterranean it has been caught in Greece and Malta. Fossilized remains of this species from the Middle Miocene have also been discovered in the Duho Formation of South Korea. It typically swims near the ocean floor or in the water column over the continental shelf in poorly lit waters. It is usually found 180–1,100 m (590–3,610 ft) from the surface, inhabiting the outer continental shelf, but its depth range can extend from 0–2,500 m (0–8,202 ft). Juveniles will swim near the shoreline in search of food, sometimes in water as shallow as 12 m (39 ft), but adults typically stay at depths greater than 100 m (330 ft). It can be seen near the ocean's surface only at night. On December 2, 2017, the ROV camera of Paul Allen's research vessel RV Petrel captured video footage an adult bluntnose sixgill shark lurking around a World War II shipwreck in Ormoc Bay, Philippines at a depth of 259 m (850 ft). This was the first time the species was photographed in Philippine waters.", "distribution": "With a global distribution in tropical and temperate waters, the bluntnose sixgill shark is found in a latitudinal range between 65°N and 48°S in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans. It has been seen off the coasts of North and South America from North Carolina to Argentina and Alaska to Chile. In the eastern Atlantic, it has been caught from Iceland to Namibia, in the Indo-Pacific it has been caught from Madagascar north to Japan and east to Hawaii and in the Mediterranean it has been caught in Greece and Malta. Fossilized remains of this species from the Middle Miocene have also been discovered in the Duho Formation of South Korea. It typically swims near the ocean floor or in the water column over the continental shelf in poorly lit waters. It is usually found 180–1,100 m (590–3,610 ft) from the surface, inhabiting the outer continental shelf, but its depth range can extend from 0–2,500 m (0–8,202 ft). Juveniles will swim near the shoreline in search of food, sometimes in water as shallow as 12 m (39 ft), but adults typically stay at depths greater than 100 m (330 ft). It can be seen near the ocean's surface only at night. On December 2, 2017, the ROV camera of Paul Allen's research vessel RV Petrel captured video footage an adult bluntnose sixgill shark lurking around a World War II shipwreck in Ormoc Bay, Philippines at a depth of 259 m (850 ft). This was the first time the species was photographed in Philippine waters.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q312293.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Hexanchus griseus", "author": "Operation Deep Scope 2005 Expedition: NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration; Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hexanchus_griseus.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluntnose_sixgill_shark", "revision": 1381488318, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1381488318", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "07767eaa3267cd84e683c8924d68a20002215e9429b4d3fe39756ca92e6836c1" }, { "id": "Q747645", "common_name": "Russian sturgeon", "scientific_name": "Huso gueldenstaedtii", "aliases": [ "Acipenser gueldenstaedtii" ], "summary": "The Russian sturgeon (Huso gueldenstaedtii), also known as the diamond sturgeon or Danube sturgeon, is a species of fish in the family Acipenseridae. It is found in Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Romania, Russia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, and Ukraine. It is also found in the Caspian Sea. This fish can grow up to about 235 cm (93 in) and weigh 115 kg (254 lb). Russian sturgeon mature and reproduce slowly, making them highly vulnerable to fishing. Prior to 2025, it was placed in the genus Acipenser, but this placement was found to be paraphyletic, and it is more accurately placed in the genus Huso.", "features": "The Russian sturgeon can grow to 210 cm (83 in) but a more normal size is 110 to 140 cm (43 to 55 in). It has a relatively short and rounded snout with three pairs of unfringed barbels closer to the tip of the snout that to the mouth. The dorsal fin has 27 to 48 soft rays and the anal fin has 16 to 35. The number of scales along the lateral line varies from 21 to 50. This fish can be distinguish from the otherwise similar starry sturgeon by the shape of its snout, its barbels and scale arrangement. The upper surface is greyish-green, the lateral scales are pale and the belly white.", "habitat": "The Russian sturgeon is native to the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov and the Caspian Sea. It is an anadromous fish and moves into the river systems that drain into these seas in order to make its way to spawning areas upstream. It is usually found near the bottom in fairly shallow water over sandy or muddy substrates.", "distribution": "The Russian sturgeon is native to the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov and the Caspian Sea. It is an anadromous fish and moves into the river systems that drain into these seas in order to make its way to spawning areas upstream. It is usually found near the bottom in fairly shallow water over sandy or muddy substrates.", "diet": "", "family": "Acipenseridae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q747645.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Waxdick (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii ) - crop", "author": "Daniel Döhne", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Waxdick_(Acipenser_gueldenstaedtii_)_-_crop.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_sturgeon", "revision": 1338988900, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1338988900", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "8785d9e28d6e05514f824e921589fe84f993cc93c364d8501b8729363b89f9df" }, { "id": "Q374092", "common_name": "European bullhead", "scientific_name": "Cottus gobio", "aliases": [ "Cottus gobio", "Bullhead" ], "summary": "The European bullhead (Cottus gobio) is a freshwater fish that is widely distributed in Europe, mainly in rivers. It is a member of the family Cottidae, a type of sculpin. It is also known as the miller's thumb, freshwater sculpin, common bullhead, and cob. The European bullhead is a small demersal fish that lives both in cold, clear, fast-flowing small streams and in middle-sized rivers. It also occurs on gravelly shores of cold lakes. Further, it thrives in diluted brackish water of the Northern Baltic Sea.", "features": "The bullhead has a large broad head and tapering body, large fins and a rounded tail. The eyes are located near the top of the head. To the distinction from the other freshwater sculpin species found in Northern Europe, it can be told from the alpine bullhead Cottus poecilopus by the fact that the rays of its pelvic fins are of similar lengths while the first and last rays are longer in the alpine bullhead. It can be distinguished from the fourhorn sculpin by the fact that the dorsal and anal fins terminate close to the tail giving a short caudal peduncle. When it rests on the bottom, the pectoral fins flare out resembling wings. The bullhead is usually about 6 to 8 cm (2.4 to 3.1 in) long and is light brown mottled with darker colour. The pelvic fins are colourless and lack the stripes of the alpine bullhead.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "The European bullhead, as treated above, is widespread over most of the subcontinent and in the UK, but absent from the southern peninsulae and from Northern Scandinavia. It is not a single uniform taxon, however, but composed of morphologically and genetically differentiated subunits. Some of those have been distinguished already long time ago as separate subspecies or species with their own names, while in practice they have still mostly been treated under the concept of Cottus gobio. In 2005, Freyhof et al. suggested subdivision of the European Cottus gobio into fourteen distinct species, of which six had been described earlier and eight were newly described and named. Cottus aturi - France (Adour) Cottus duranii - France (upper Dordogne, Loire etc.) Cottus gobio sensu stricto - Germany, Sweden, Central Europe Cottus haemusi - Bulgaria (Beli Vit of Danube basin) Cottus hispaniolensis - France, Spain (Garonne) Cottus koshewnikowi - Northeast Europe Cottus metae - Danube drainage (Sava) Cottus microstomus - East Central Europe: Poland, Slovakia, Ukraine etc. Cottus perifretum - Great Britain, Netherlands, Germany, France Cottus petiti - France (Lez) Cottus rhenanus - Netherlands, Germany Cottus rondeleti - France (Hérault) Cottus scaturigo - Italy (Trieste, local) Cottus transsilvaniae - Romania (Argeș of Danube basin) Additionally, Cottus ferrugineus is said to occupy Italy and the Balkans, but this taxon is considered invalid. For instance, in this classification the British bullhead are Cottus perifretum.", "diet": "", "family": "Cottidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q374092.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Cottus Pesh", "author": "Woluhar", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cottus_Pesh.JPG", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_bullhead", "revision": 1339638295, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1339638295", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "68bff5af7d6f602f217f62a3faea979db4a356328838dc84011559906bf5cede" }, { "id": "Q842956", "common_name": "Atlantic horse mackerel", "scientific_name": "Trachurus trachurus", "aliases": [ "Trachurus trachurus", "Japanese horse mackerel" ], "summary": "The Atlantic horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus), also known as the European horse mackerel or common scad, is a species of jack mackerel in the family Carangidae, which includes the jacks, pompanos and trevallies. It is found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean off Europe and Africa and into the south-eastern Indian Ocean. It is an important species in commercial fisheries and is listed as a Vulnerable species on The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.", "features": "The Atlantic horse mackerel has quite a slender, quite compressed body with a large head in which the rear of the upper jaw reaches the front of the eye and the lower jaw projects beyond the upper jaw. The eye has a well developed adipose eyelid. It has two dorsal fins, the first is tall and has seven thin spines, with the final spine being much shorter than the others. The second dorsal fin is separated from the first by a narrow gap and is considerably longer than the first with 29–33 soft rays. The anal fin is about as long as the second dorsal fin and there are two separate spines at its anterior end. The moderately sized pelvic fin has a single spine and five soft rays and has its origin below the end of the pectoral fin base. A curved line of 33–40 bony scutes runs from the head to the tail, each having a small spine which increase in size and become bonier towards the tail. The lateral line has a total of 66–67 scales, of which 31–36 are scutes. It is dark blue in colour with silvery flanks and a white belly, there is a dark spot on the operculum. This species attains a maximum fork length of 60 centimetres (24 in), although they are normally around 25 cm (10 in) and a weight of 1.5 kg (3 lb).", "habitat": "The Atlantic horse mackerel is a benthopelagic species which normally occurs over sandy substrates at depths of 100–200 m (50–110 fathoms; 330–660 ft), although it has been reported as deep as 1,050 m (570 fathoms; 3,440 ft) and it is sometimes found nearer the surface waters. It is a migratory species, moving northwards in the summer months and returning southwards when the sea temperature starts to fall. In the north east Atlantic two stocks are recognised, the western stock spawns in a wide area from Ireland to the Bay of Biscay in the early Spring and moves northward to the southern coasts of Norway and the northern North Sea in the summer. The North Sea stock spawns in the southern part of the North Sea during the summer and then migrates northwards into the central North Sea, the Skagerrak and the Kattegat. Off Mauritania this species has its main spawning season in November to January while the related Cunene horse mackerel (Trachurus trecae) spawns in June and August. Off Ireland spawning occurs irregularly during the summer from June to August reaching its peak in July. The females spawn in batches, each of up to 140,000 eggs and hatching larvae 5 mm (3⁄16 in) in length. Spawning is indeterminate meaning that the total number of eggs a female can produce is dependent on factors which can change over the course of a spawning season. The eggs and larvae are pelagic.", "distribution": "The Atlantic horse mackerel occurs in the north and eastern Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea and Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea. In the Atlantic it is found from Norway to South Africa where it may extend around the Cape of Good Hope along the southern African Indian Ocean coast Maputo in Mozambique. However, if Trachurus capensis is considered to be a valid species then this species is restricted to the north east Atlantic. It has been recorded in Cape Verde but is thought to occur there only as a vagrant.", "diet": "", "family": "Carangidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q842956.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Atlantic Horse Mackerel", "author": "Kare Kare", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Atlantic_Horse_Mackerel.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_horse_mackerel", "revision": 1383203911, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1383203911", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "f47c6bfc1887db34949ece0b63a9edd230e3d835a66e1ec8ab63e893cee3f39f" }, { "id": "Q311727", "common_name": "Rohu", "scientific_name": "Labeo rohita", "aliases": [ "Labeo rohita", "roho labeo" ], "summary": "The rohu, rui, ruhi, rou or roho labeo (Labeo rohita) is a species of fish of the carp family, found in rivers in South Asia. It is a large omnivore and extensively used in aquaculture.", "features": "The rohu is a large, silver-colored fish of typical cyprinid shape, with a conspicuously arched head. Adults can reach a maximum weight of 45 kg (99 lb) and maximum length of 2 m (6.6 ft), but average around 1⁄2 m (1.6 ft).", "habitat": "The rohu occurs in rivers throughout much of northern and central and eastern India, Pakistan, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar, and has been introduced into some of the rivers of Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. The species is an omnivore with specific food preferences at different life stages. During the early stages of its lifecycle, it eats mainly zooplankton, moving onto phytoplankton in later stages of life. Rohu are herbivorous column feeders, eating mainly phytoplankton and submerged vegetation. It has modified, thin hair-like gill rakers, which it uses to feeds by sieving the water. Rohu reach sexual maturity between two and five years of age. They generally spawn during the monsoon season, keeping to the middle of flooded rivers above tidal reach. The spawning season of rohu generally coincides with the southwest monsoon. Spawn may be collected from rivers and reared in tanks and lakes. The Rohu can be infested by the acanthocephalan parasite Paraechinorhynchus kalriai which attaches to the inner lining of the small intestine.", "distribution": "The rohu occurs in rivers throughout much of northern and central and eastern India, Pakistan, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar, and has been introduced into some of the rivers of Peninsular India and Sri Lanka.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q311727.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Rohu at Giant Hypermarket Kota Damansara 20230203 105829", "author": "Wiki Farazi", "license": "CC0", "license_url": "http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed.en", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rohu_at_Giant_Hypermarket_Kota_Damansara_20230203_105829.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rohu", "revision": 1379280108, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1379280108", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "4769295e86f43f3f9cddd5f09e5539dedbbb4f6f0c5647e4b5e3d40d09083b54" }, { "id": "Q852229", "common_name": "Walking catfish", "scientific_name": "Clarias batrachus", "aliases": [ "Clarias Catfish", "walking catfish", "Clarias batrachus" ], "summary": "The walking catfish (Clarias batrachus) is a species of freshwater airbreathing catfish native to Southeast Asia. It is named for its ability to \"walk\" and wiggle across dry land, to find food or suitable environments. While it does not truly walk as most bipeds or quadrupeds do, it can use its pectoral fins to keep it upright as it makes a wiggling motion with snakelike movements to traverse land. This fish normally lives in slow-moving and often stagnant waters in ponds, swamps, streams, and rivers, as well as in flooded rice paddies, or temporary pools that may dry up. When this happens, its \"walking\" skill allows the fish to move to other aquatic environments. Considerable taxonomic confusion surrounds this species, and it has frequently been confused with other close relatives. One main distinction between the walking catfish and the native North American ictalurid catfish with which it is sometimes confused, is that the walking catfish lacks an adipose fin. It can survive 18 hours out of water.", "features": "", "habitat": "The walking catfish is a tropical species native to maritime Southeast Asia. The native range of true Clarias batrachus is confirmed only from the Indonesian island of Java, but three closely related and more widespread species frequently have often been confused with this species. These are C. magur of northeast India and Bangladesh, a likely undescribed species from Indochina, and another likely undescribed species from the Thai-Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo. Both of these undescribed species have been referred to as, Clarias aff. batrachus. At present, the taxonomic position of the Philippines population (called hito or simply \"catfish\" by the locals) is unclear, and it also is unclear whether South Indian populations are C. magur or another species. As a consequence, much information (behavioral, ecological, related to introduced populations, etc.) listed for C. batrachus, may be for the closely related species that have been confused with true C. batrachus. True C. batrachus, C. magur and the two likely undescribed species are all kept in aquaculture. Walking catfish thrive in stagnant, frequently hypoxic waters, and often are found in muddy ponds, canals, ditches, and similar habitats. The species spends most of its time on, or right above, the bottom, with occasional trips to the surface to gulp air.", "distribution": "The walking catfish is a tropical species native to maritime Southeast Asia. The native range of true Clarias batrachus is confirmed only from the Indonesian island of Java, but three closely related and more widespread species frequently have often been confused with this species. These are C. magur of northeast India and Bangladesh, a likely undescribed species from Indochina, and another likely undescribed species from the Thai-Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo. Both of these undescribed species have been referred to as, Clarias aff. batrachus. At present, the taxonomic position of the Philippines population (called hito or simply \"catfish\" by the locals) is unclear, and it also is unclear whether South Indian populations are C. magur or another species. As a consequence, much information (behavioral, ecological, related to introduced populations, etc.) listed for C. batrachus, may be for the closely related species that have been confused with true C. batrachus. True C. batrachus, C. magur and the two likely undescribed species are all kept in aquaculture. Walking catfish thrive in stagnant, frequently hypoxic waters, and often are found in muddy ponds, canals, ditches, and similar habitats. The species spends most of its time on, or right above, the bottom, with occasional trips to the surface to gulp air.", "diet": "In the wild, this creature is omnivorous; it feeds on smaller fish, molluscs, and other invertebrates, as well as detritus and aquatic weeds. It is a voracious eater that consumes food supplies rapidly, so it is considered harmful when invasive.", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q852229.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Clarias batrachus-ZOO.Brno", "author": "Mistvan", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Clarias_batrachus-ZOO.Brno.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walking_catfish", "revision": 1383472772, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1383472772", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "22e57650f04cd459940ebbbdc87ba6e46566e2ba4db0e1971988a863315cf7b1" }, { "id": "Q723654", "common_name": "Brook trout", "scientific_name": "Salvelinus fontinalis", "aliases": [ "Salvelinus fontinalis", "specklebelly", "mud trout", "square-tail", "brook trout", "speckled trout" ], "summary": "The brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) is a species of freshwater fish in the char genus Salvelinus of the salmon family Salmonidae native to Eastern North America in the United States and Canada. In parts of its range, it is also known as the eastern brook trout, speckled trout, brook char (or charr), squaretail, brookie, or mud trout, among others. Two ecological forms of brook trout have been recognized by the US Forest Service. One ecological form is the long-lived potamodromous populations in Lake Superior known as coaster trout or coasters. The second ecological form is the short-living predaceous anadromous populations which are found in northern lakes and coastal rivers from Long Island to Hudson Bay, which are referred to as salters. Adult coaster brook trout are capable of reaching sizes over 2 feet in length and weigh up to 6.8 kg (15 lb), whereas adult salters average between 6 and 15 inches in length and weigh between 0.5 and 2.3 kg (1 and 5 lb). The brook trout is characterized by its distinctive olive-green body with yellow and blue-rimmed red spots, white and black edged orange fins, and dorsal vermiculation. The diet of the brook trout is restrictive to the season and location of the fish, but will typically consist of terrestrial and aquatic insects, fry, crustaceans, zooplankton, and worms. Throughout history, non-native brook trout have been transplanted beyond its native borders, where it has spread across North America and much of the world.", "features": "The brook trout has a dark green to brown color, with a distinctive marbled pattern (called vermiculation) of lighter shades across the flanks and back and extending at least to the dorsal fin, and often to the tail. A distinctive sprinkling of red dots, surrounded by blue halos, occurs along the flanks. The belly and lower fins are reddish in color, the latter with white leading edges. Often, the belly, particularly of the males, becomes very red or orange when the fish are spawning. Typical lengths of the brook trout vary from 25 to 65 cm (9.8 to 25.6 in), and weights from 0.3 to 3 kg (11 oz to 6 lb 10 oz). The maximum recorded length is 86 cm (34 in) and maximum weight 6.6 kg (14 lb 9 oz). Brook trout can reach at least seven years of age, with reports of 15-year-old specimens observed in California habitats to which the species has been introduced. Growth rates are dependent on season, age, water and ambient air temperatures, and flow rates. In general, flow rates affect the rate of change in the relationship between temperature and growth rate. For example, in spring, growth increased with temperature at a faster rate with high flow rates than with low flow rates.", "habitat": "Brook trout are native to a wide area of Eastern North America, but are increasingly confined to higher elevations southward in the Appalachian Mountains to northern Georgia and northwest South Carolina, Canada from the Hudson Bay basin east, the Great Lakes–Saint Lawrence system, the Canadian maritime provinces, and the upper Mississippi River drainage as far west as eastern Iowa. Their southern historic native range has been drastically reduced, with fish being restricted to higher-elevation, remote streams due to habitat loss and introductions of brown and rainbow trout. As early as 1850, the brook trout's range started to extend west from its native range through introductions. The brook trout was eventually introduced into suitable habitats throughout the western U.S. during the late 19th and early 20th centuries at the behest of the American Acclimatization Society and by private, state, and federal fisheries authorities. Acclimatization movements in Europe, South America, and Oceania resulted in brook trout introductions throughout Europe, in Argentina, and New Zealand. Although not all introductions were successful, a great many established wild, self-sustaining populations of brook trout in non-native waters. The brook trout inhabits large and small lakes, rivers, streams, creeks, and spring ponds in cold temperate climates with mild precipitation. Clear spring water with adequate cover and moderate flow rates is indicative of strong habitability for brook trout.", "distribution": "Brook trout are native to a wide area of Eastern North America, but are increasingly confined to higher elevations southward in the Appalachian Mountains to northern Georgia and northwest South Carolina, Canada from the Hudson Bay basin east, the Great Lakes–Saint Lawrence system, the Canadian maritime provinces, and the upper Mississippi River drainage as far west as eastern Iowa. Their southern historic native range has been drastically reduced, with fish being restricted to higher-elevation, remote streams due to habitat loss and introductions of brown and rainbow trout. As early as 1850, the brook trout's range started to extend west from its native range through introductions. The brook trout was eventually introduced into suitable habitats throughout the western U.S. during the late 19th and early 20th centuries at the behest of the American Acclimatization Society and by private, state, and federal fisheries authorities. Acclimatization movements in Europe, South America, and Oceania resulted in brook trout introductions throughout Europe, in Argentina, and New Zealand. Although not all introductions were successful, a great many established wild, self-sustaining populations of brook trout in non-native waters.", "diet": "Brook trout have a diverse diet that includes larval, pupal, adult forms of aquatic insects (typically caddisflies, stoneflies, mayflies, and aquatic dipterans), adult forms of terrestrial insects (typically ants, beetles, grasshoppers, and crickets) that fall into the water, crustaceans, frogs and other amphibians, molluscs, smaller fish, invertebrates, and even small aquatic mammals such as voles and sometimes other young brook trout.", "family": "Salmonidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q723654.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Brook charr", "author": "Joshpryor", "license": "CC BY 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Brook_charr.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brook_trout", "revision": 1382905853, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1382905853", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "17f1d6a7efc28602dd7cfdd41211f8454f5dd1322ac7dd753649569cf1465bf5" }, { "id": "Q627960", "common_name": "Grayling", "scientific_name": "Thymallus thymallus", "aliases": [ "Thymallus thymallus", "European grayling" ], "summary": "Thymallus thymallus, harjus, the grayling or European grayling, is a species of freshwater fish in the salmon family Salmonidae. It is the only species of the genus Thymallus (the graylings) native to Europe, where it is widespread from the United Kingdom and France to the Ural Mountains in Russia, and Balkans on the south-east, but does not occur in the southern parts of the continent. It was introduced to Morocco in 1948, but it does not appear to have become established there.", "features": "The grayling grows to a maximum recorded length of 60 cm (24 in) and a maximum recorded weight of 6.7 kg (15 lb). Of typical Thymallus appearance, the grayling proper is distinguished from the similar Arctic grayling (T. arcticus arcticus) by the presence of 5–8 dorsal and 3–4 anal spines, which are absent in the other species; T. thymallus also has a smaller number of soft rays in these fins. Individuals of the species have been recorded as reaching an age of 14 years. The grayling prefers cold, clean, running riverine waters, but also occurs in lakes and, exceptionally, in brackish waters around the Baltic Sea. Omnivorous, the fish feeds on vegetable matter, as well as crustaceans, insects and spiders, molluscs, zooplankton, and smaller fishes, such as Eurasian minnows. Grayling are also prey for larger fish, including the huchen (Hucho hucho). With the Arctic grayling, T. thymallus is one of the economically important Thymallus species, being raised commercially and fished for sport. The grayling is a protected species listed in Appendix III of the Bern Convention. It has become critically endangered in the Baltic Sea. The term \"grayling\" is often used to refer generically to the Thymallus species, and T. thymallus is sometimes called the European grayling for clarity. There are many obsolete synonyms for the species. Thymallus thymallus is the type species of its genus.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Salmonidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q627960.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Thymallus thymallus Pénzes pér", "author": "Zsoldos Márton", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Thymallus_thymallus_P%C3%A9nzes_p%C3%A9r.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thymallus_thymallus", "revision": 1356522623, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1356522623", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "bec8fd7dc0cf082043b1031cee43a1b0834a0c056c8ee2348717565771b42ef9" }, { "id": "Q77062", "common_name": "Mandarinfish", "scientific_name": "Synchiropus splendidus", "aliases": [ "Synchiropus splendidus" ], "summary": "Synchiropus splendidus, the mandarinfish or mandarin dragonet, is a small, brightly colored member of the dragonet family, which is popular in the saltwater aquarium trade. The mandarinfish is native to the Pacific, ranging approximately from the Ryukyu Islands south to Australia. It can usually be found in some of the warmer waters.", "features": "S. splendidus is one of only two vertebrate species known to have blue colouring because of cellular pigment, the other being the closely related psychedelic mandarin (S. picturatus). The name \"cyanophore\" was proposed for the blue chromatophores, or pigment-containing and light-reflecting cells. In all other known cases, the colour blue is structural, as it comes from thin-film interference from piles of flat, thin and reflecting purine crystals. The mandarinfish has a body shape similar to a goby, though this is the only resemblance between the two. The vivid coloration sports a bright blue background, with swirly orange stripes and a blue-greenish face with bold blue stripes. The large pelvic fins are used for 'walking' on the seafloor and are often mistakenly seen as the pectoral fins. The real pectorals are located almost at the center and are nearly transparent, with a tinge of fin, the anal fins and on part of the tail, the rest of which is striped in vibrant orange and blue. The dorsal fin, which is exceptionally tall in males, has a striking orange-and blue design as well. The eyes are usually red with black pupils. Different varieties sport different markings and colors. The green mandarin is the fish that has been described. The red mandarin is the same species, but its pelvic fins and what would be orange is red. In some rare cases, the entire dragonet is red with black stripes. The spotted mandarin is light gray-green with black, pink and blue spots. Mandarinfish are reef dwellers, preferring sheltered lagoons and inshore reefs.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "Based on the gut analyses of seven wild fish Sadovy et al. (2001) determined that the mandarinfish has a mixed diet that consists of harpacticoid copepods, polychaete worms, small gastropods, gammaridean amphipods, fish eggs and ostracods. In the wild, feeding is continuous during daytime; the fish peck selectively at small prey trapped on coral substrate in a home range of many square meters.", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q77062.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Synchiropus splendidus 2 Luc Viatour", "author": "Luc Viatour", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Synchiropus_splendidus_2_Luc_Viatour.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synchiropus_splendidus", "revision": 1332577860, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1332577860", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "cadd7b7bb71fbb748bb8cca330bc2081133687d0f15dd9d170107be426db9adc" }, { "id": "Q218891", "common_name": "Kissing gourami", "scientific_name": "Helostoma temminckii", "aliases": [ "Helostoma temminkii", "Helostoma temminckii" ], "summary": "Kissing gouramis, also known as kissing fish or kissers (Helostoma temminckii), are medium-sized tropical freshwater fish comprising the monotypic labyrinth fish family Helostomatidae (from the Greek elos [stud, nail], stoma [mouth]). These fish originate from Mainland Southeast Asia, the Greater Sundas and nearby smaller islands, but have also been introduced outside their native range. They are regarded as a food fish and they are sometimes farmed. They are used fresh for steaming, baking, broiling, and pan frying. The kissing gourami is a popular aquarium fish.", "features": "Typical of gourami, the body is deep and strongly compressed laterally. The long-based dorsal (16–18 spinous rays, 13–16 soft) and anal fins (13–15 spinous rays, 17–19 soft) mirror each other in length and frame the body. The posterior most soft rays of each of these fins are slightly elongated to create a trailing margin. The foremost rays of the jugular pelvic fins are also slightly elongated. The pectoral fins are large, rounded, and low-slung. The caudal fin is rounded to concave. The lateral line is divided in two, with the posterior portion starting below the end of the other; there are a total of 43–48 scales running the line's length. The most distinctive feature of the kissing gourami is its mouth. Other than being terminal (forward-facing) rather than superior (upward-facing) as in other gourami families, the kissing gourami's mouth is highly protrusible. As its family name suggests, the lips are lined with horny teeth. However, teeth are absent from the premaxilla, dentaries, palatine, and pharynx. The gill rakers are also well-developed and numerous. The visible scales of the body are ctenoid, whereas the scales of the top of the head are cycloid. Kissing gourami reach a maximum of 30 cm (12 in) in total length. There is no outward sexual dimorphism and it is difficult to almost impossible to distinguish the sexes. Two colour morphs are known: greenish-silvery, which have lengthwise spotty stripes on the body and opaque, dark brown fins; and pink, which have a rose to orangey-pink body and silvery scales with transparent pinkish fins.", "habitat": "Shallow, slow-moving, and thickly vegetated backwaters are the kissing gourami's natural habitat. They are midwater omnivores that primarily graze on benthic algae and aquatic plants, with insects taken from the surface. They are also filter feeders, using their many gill rakers to supplement their diet with plankton. The fish use their toothed lips to rasp algae from stones and other surfaces. This rasping action, which looks superficially like kissing, is also used by males to challenge the dominancy of conspecifics.", "distribution": "", "diet": "The kissing gourami is an omnivorous microphagic filtering fish. The mouth, teeth, gills, and intramandibular joint make the kissing gourami well-adapted for scraping nutrients from algae-covered surfaces. Its diet consists of a wide variety of food sources, such as insects, algae, and larvae of other species attached to rocks and substrates.", "family": "Helostomatidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q218891.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Helostoma temminkii 02", "author": "5snake5", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Helostoma_temminkii_02.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kissing_gourami", "revision": 1381503998, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1381503998", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "3331fdbf594ba291c88e4eb8f7cf450e5d2051a9e1f21614e1dbc3f3510042fd" }, { "id": "Q625161", "common_name": "Sand tiger shark", "scientific_name": "Carcharias taurus", "aliases": [ "Carcharias taurus", "Carcharias taurus (west coast population)" ], "summary": "The sand tiger shark (Carcharias taurus), also commonly known as the spotted ragged-tooth shark in South Africa, grey nurse shark in Australia, or blue-nurse sand tiger in India, is a species of shark that inhabits subtropical and temperate waters worldwide. It inhabits the continental shelf, from sandy shorelines (hence the name sand tiger shark) and submerged reefs to a depth of around 191 m (627 ft). They dwell in the waters of East Asia, Australia, Western and Southern Africa, the Red sea, and the east coasts of North and South America. The sand tiger shark also inhabited the Mediterranean; however, it was last seen there in 2003 and is presumed extirpated. Despite its common names, it is not closely related to either the tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) or the nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum). Despite its fearsome appearance and strong swimming ability, it is a relatively placid and slow-moving shark with no confirmed human fatalities. This species has a sharp, pointy head, and a bulky body. The sand tiger's length can reach 3.2 m (10.5 ft) but is normally 2.2–2.5 m in length. They are grey with reddish-brown spots on their backs. Shivers (groups) have been observed to hunt large schools of fish. Their diet consists of bony fish, crustaceans, squid, skates and other sharks. Unlike other sharks, the sand tiger can gulp air from the surface, allowing it to be suspended in the water column with minimal effort.", "features": "There are four species referred to as sand tiger sharks: The sand tiger shark Carcharias taurus The Indian sand tiger shark Carcharias tricuspidatus. Very little is known about this species which, described before 1900, is probably the same as (a synonym of) the sand tiger C. taurus The small-toothed sand tiger shark Odontaspis ferox. This species has a worldwide distribution, is seldom seen but normally inhabits deeper water than does C. taurus. The Big-eyed sand tiger shark Odontaspis noronhai, a deep water shark of the Americas, of which little is known. The most likely problem when identifying the sand tiger shark is when in the presence of either of the two species of Odontaspis. The sand tiger is usually spotted, especially on the hind half of the body. However, there are several other differences that are probably more reliable: The bottom part of the caudal fin (tail fin) of the sand tiger is smaller. The second (i.e., hind) dorsal fin of the sand tiger is almost as large as the first (i.e., front) dorsal fin. The first (i.e., front) dorsal fin of the sand tiger is relatively non-symmetric. The first (i.e., front) dorsal fin of the sand tiger is closer to the pelvic fin than to the pectoral fin (i.e., the first dorsal fin is positioned further backwards in the case of the sand tiger). Adult sand tigers range from 2 m (6.6 ft) to 3.2 m (10.5 ft) in length with most specimens reaching a length of around 2.2–2.5 m and 91 kg (201 lb) to 159 kg (351 lb) in weight. The head is pointy, as opposed to round, while the snout is flattened with a conical shape.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "Sand tiger sharks roam the epipelagic and mesopelagic regions of the ocean, sandy coastal waters, estuaries, shallow bays, and rocky or tropical reefs, at depths of up to 190 m (623 ft). The sand tiger shark can be found in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans, and in the Adriatic Seas. In the Western Atlantic Ocean, it is found in coastal waters around from the Gulf of Maine to Florida, in the northern Gulf of Mexico, around the Bahamas and Bermuda, and from southern Brazil to northern Argentina. It is also found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean from the Mediterranean Sea to the Canary Islands, at the Cape Verde islands, along the coasts of Senegal and Ghana, and from southern Nigeria to Cameroon. In the western Indian Ocean, the shark ranges from South Africa to southern Mozambique, but excluding Madagascar. The sand tiger shark has also been sighted in the Red Sea and may be found as far east as India. In the western Pacific, it has been sighted in the waters around the coasts of Japan and Australia, but not around New Zealand.", "diet": "The majority of prey items of sand tigers are demersal (i.e. from the sea bottom), suggesting that they hunt extensively on the sea bottom as far out as the continental shelf. Their diet consists mainly of teleosts and other elasmobranchs. Bony fish (teleosts) form about 60% of sand tigers' food, the remaining prey being sharks, skates, other rays, lobsters, crabs and squid. In Argentina, the prey includes mostly demersal fishes, e.g. the striped weakfish (Cynoscion guatucupa) and whitemouth croaker (Micropogonias furnieri). The most important elasmobranch prey is the bottom-living narrownose smooth-hound shark (Mustelus schmitti.). Benthic (i.e. free-swimming) rays and skates are also taken, including fanskates, eagle rays and the angular angel shark, with larger individuals feeding on a higher number of benthic elasmobranchs than smaller individuals. Stomach content analysis indicates that smaller sand tigers mainly focus on the sea bottom and as they grow larger they start to take more pelagic prey. This perspective of the diet of sand tigers is consistent with similar observations in the north west Atlantic and in South Africa where large sand tigers capture a wider range of shark and skate species as prey, from the surf zone to the continental shelf, indicating the opportunistic nature of sand tiger feeding. Off South Africa, sand tigers less than 2 m (6.6 ft) in length prey on fish about a quarter of their own length; however, large sand tigers capture prey up to about half of their own length. The prey items are usually swallowed as three or four chunks.", "family": "", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q625161.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Sand tiger shark (Carcharias taurus)", "author": "Bryce Watts-Parker", "license": "CC BY 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sand_tiger_shark_(Carcharias_taurus).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sand_tiger_shark", "revision": 1379505943, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1379505943", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "43bbf514a5efb23125133a6262380fe503604a220103bae24a73017074844e7f" }, { "id": "Q900344", "common_name": "Greater weever", "scientific_name": "Trachinus draco", "aliases": [ "Trachinus draco" ], "summary": "The greater weever (Trachinus draco) is a species of marine ray-finned fish in the family Trachinidae. It is a benthic fish widely distributed along the eastern Atlantic coastline (from Norway to Morocco), extending to the Mediterranean, Aegean and Black Seas. The greater weever is mostly and notoriously known for its venomous spines, which can inflict serious injuries on humans through accidental stinging. Because of this, the greater weever is classified as one of the most venomous fishes in the Mediterranean.⁠", "features": "The greater weever is an elongated and laterally flattened fish with a distinct superior mouth that is inclined upwards. The lower jaw is longer than the upper jaw. The head is compact flat and relatively big and the eyes sit almost on top of it.⁠ The upper rim of the eye has two to three small spines, in front of each eye. The five to seven spiny fin rays on its first dorsal fin and the thorns on each of the gill covers have venom glands at their basis.⁠", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Trachinidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q900344.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Trachinus draco 2", "author": "Tomasz Sienicki [user: tsca, mail: tomasz.sienicki at gmail.com]", "license": "CC BY 1.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/1.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Trachinus_draco_2.jpeg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_weever", "revision": 1382459460, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1382459460", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "54742f1c7cef2187bc1fa38144baf56cef2681d1470e91761ef07b1c64371a57" }, { "id": "Q757353", "common_name": "Great hammerhead", "scientific_name": "Sphyrna mokarran", "aliases": [ "Sphyrna mokarran", "great hammerhead shark" ], "summary": "The great hammerhead (Sphyrna mokarran) is the largest species of hammerhead shark, belonging to the family Sphyrnidae, attaining an average length of 4.6 m (15 ft) and reaching a maximum length of 6.2 m (20 ft). It is found around the globe in all the warmer parts of the oceans. The great hammerhead can be distinguished from other hammerheads by the shape of its \"hammer\" (called the \"cephalofoil\"), which is wide with an almost straight front margin, its tall, sickle-shaped first dorsal fin, and its strongly falcated pelvic fins. A solitary, strong-swimming apex predator, the great hammerhead feeds on a wide variety of prey ranging from crustaceans and cephalopods, to bony fish, to smaller sharks. Observations of this species in the wild suggest that the cephalofoil functions to immobilize stingrays, a favored prey. This species has a viviparous mode of reproduction, bearing litters of up to 2-49 pups every two years. Although potentially dangerous, the great hammerhead rarely attacks humans and can sometimes behave inquisitively toward divers. This shark is heavily fished for its large fins, which are valuable on the Chinese market as the main ingredient of shark fin soup. As a result, great hammerhead populations are declining substantially worldwide, and it has been assessed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as of 2019.", "features": "The streamlined body of the great hammerhead with the expanded cephalofoil is typical of the hammerhead sharks. Adults can be distinguished from the scalloped hammerhead and the smooth hammerhead by the shape of the cephalofoil, which has a nearly straight front margin (as opposed to arched), with prominent medial and lateral indentations. The width of the cephalofoil is 23–27% of the body length. The teeth are triangular and strongly serrated, becoming more oblique toward the corners of the mouth. Seventeen tooth rows are on either side of the upper jaw, with two or three teeth at the symphysis (the midline of the jaw), and 16–17 teeth on either side of the lower jaw and one to three at the symphysis. The first dorsal fin is distinctive, being very tall and strongly sickle-shaped, and originates over the insertions of the pectoral fins. The second dorsal fin and anal fin are both relatively large, with deep notches in the rear margins. The pelvic fins are sickle-shaped with concave rear margins, in contrast to the straight-margined pelvic fins of the scalloped hammerhead. The skin is covered with closely placed dermal denticles. Each denticle is diamond-shaped, with three to five horizontal ridges leading to marginal teeth in smaller individuals, and five or six in larger ones. The great hammerhead is dark brown to light gray to olive above, fading to white on the underside. The fins are unmarked in adults, while the tip of the second dorsal fin may be dark in juveniles.", "habitat": "The great hammerhead inhabits tropical waters around the world, between the latitudes of 40°N and 37°S. In the Atlantic Ocean, it is found from North Carolina to Uruguay, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, and from Morocco to Senegal, and the Mediterranean Sea. It is found all along the rim of the Indian Ocean, and in the Pacific Ocean from the Ryukyu Islands to Australia, New Caledonia, and French Polynesia, and from southern Baja California to Peru. It may occur off Gambia, Guinea, Mauritania, Sierra Leone, Western Sahara, and occasionally seen near Hawaii but this has not been confirmed. Great hammerheads may be found from inshore waters less than 1 m (3.3 ft) deep, to a depth of 80 m (260 ft) offshore. They favor coral reefs, but also inhabit continental shelves, island terraces, lagoons, and deep water near land. They are migratory; populations off Florida and in the South China Sea have been documented moving closer to the poles in the summer. The great hammerhead is a solitary, nomadic predator that tends to be given a wide berth by other reef sharks. If confronted, it may respond with an agonistic display, dropping its pectoral fins and swimming in a stiff or jerky fashion. Juveniles are preyed upon by larger sharks such as bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas), while adults have no major predators except for killer whales, which hunt hammerheads of any age. Yellow jacks (Carangoides bartholomaei) have been seen rubbing themselves against the hammerhead's flanks, possibly to rid themselves of parasites.", "distribution": "The great hammerhead inhabits tropical waters around the world, between the latitudes of 40°N and 37°S. In the Atlantic Ocean, it is found from North Carolina to Uruguay, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, and from Morocco to Senegal, and the Mediterranean Sea. It is found all along the rim of the Indian Ocean, and in the Pacific Ocean from the Ryukyu Islands to Australia, New Caledonia, and French Polynesia, and from southern Baja California to Peru. It may occur off Gambia, Guinea, Mauritania, Sierra Leone, Western Sahara, and occasionally seen near Hawaii but this has not been confirmed. Great hammerheads may be found from inshore waters less than 1 m (3.3 ft) deep, to a depth of 80 m (260 ft) offshore. They favor coral reefs, but also inhabit continental shelves, island terraces, lagoons, and deep water near land. They are migratory; populations off Florida and in the South China Sea have been documented moving closer to the poles in the summer.", "diet": "The great hammerhead shark is an active predator with a varied diet. Known prey of the great hammerhead include invertebrates such as crabs, lobsters, squid, and octopus; bony fishes such as tarpon, sardines, sea catfishes, toadfish, porgies, grunts, jacks, croakers, groupers, flatfishes, boxfishes, and porcupine fishes; and smaller sharks such as smoothhounds. At Rangiroa Atoll, great hammerheads prey opportunistically on grey reef sharks (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) that have exhausted themselves pursuing mates. The species is known to be cannibalistic. In the Gatun Formation of Panama, fossil teeth belonging to great hammerheads suggest the shark once preyed on juvenile Otodus megalodon, alongside the extinct snaggletooth shark Hemipristis serra, with which it was once contemporary. Great hammerheads are apex predators among sharks, and are specialists at feeding on other sharks, rays, and skates, especially stingrays. The venomous spines of stingrays are frequently found lodged inside its mouth and do not seem to bother the shark, as one specimen caught off Florida had 96 spines in and around its mouth. Great hammerheads primarily hunt at dawn or dusk, swinging their heads in broad angles over the sea floor so as to pick up the electrical signatures of stingrays buried in the sand, via numerous electroreceptory organs located on the underside of the cephalofoil. The cephalofoil also serves as a hydrofoil that allows the shark to quickly turn around and strike at a ray once detected.", "family": "Sphyrnidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q757353.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Great hammerhead2", "author": "Albert kok", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Great_hammerhead2.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_hammerhead", "revision": 1380582734, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1380582734", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "2d5a6706ca73f351c28e07fcc6a3d6aadbf1b443012ad038d0340e8414ccadff" }, { "id": "Q44064", "common_name": "Sockeye salmon", "scientific_name": "Oncorhynchus nerka", "aliases": [ "Oncorhynchus nerka", "red salmon", "kokanee", "kokanee salmon", "blueback salmon", "blue-back", "blueback", "Fraser River salmon", "redfish", "sock-eye salmon", "sox", "sockey salmon" ], "summary": "The sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka), also called red salmon, kokanee salmon, blueback salmon, or simply sockeye, is an anadromous species of salmon found in the Northern Pacific Ocean and rivers discharging into it. This species is a Pacific salmon that is primarily red in hue during spawning. They can grow up to 84 cm (2 ft 9 in) in length and weigh 2.3 to 7 kg (5–15 lb). Juveniles remain in freshwater until they are ready to migrate to the ocean, over distances of up to 1,600 km (1,000 mi). Their diet consists primarily of zooplankton. Sockeye salmon are semelparous, dying after they spawn. Some populations, referred to as kokanee, do not migrate to the ocean and live their entire lives in fresh water.", "features": "The sockeye salmon is sometimes called red or blueback salmon, due to its color. Sockeye are blue tinged with silver in color while living in the ocean. When they return to spawning grounds, their bodies become red and their heads turn green. Sockeye can be anywhere from 60 to 84 cm (2 ft 0 in – 2 ft 9 in) in length and weigh from 2.3 to 7 kg (5–15 lb). Two distinguishing features are their long, serrated gill rakers that range from 30 to 40 in number, and their lack of a spot on their tail or back.", "habitat": "Sockeye salmon range as far south as the Columbia River in the eastern Pacific (although individuals have been spotted as far south as the 10 Mile River on the Mendocino Coast of California) and in northern Hokkaido in Japan in the western Pacific. They range as far north as the Bathurst Inlet in the Canadian Arctic in the east and the Anadyr River in Siberia in the west. The farthest inland sockeye salmon travel is to Redfish Lake, Idaho, over 1,400 km (900 mi) by river from the ocean and 2,000 m (6,500 ft) in elevation. In the United States, populations of sockeye salmon have been extirpated from Idaho and Oregon.", "distribution": "Sockeye salmon range as far south as the Columbia River in the eastern Pacific (although individuals have been spotted as far south as the 10 Mile River on the Mendocino Coast of California) and in northern Hokkaido in Japan in the western Pacific. They range as far north as the Bathurst Inlet in the Canadian Arctic in the east and the Anadyr River in Siberia in the west. The farthest inland sockeye salmon travel is to Redfish Lake, Idaho, over 1,400 km (900 mi) by river from the ocean and 2,000 m (6,500 ft) in elevation. In the United States, populations of sockeye salmon have been extirpated from Idaho and Oregon.", "diet": "Sockeye salmon use patterns of limnetic feeding behavior, which encompasses vertical movement, schooling, diel feeding chronology, and zooplankton prey selectivity. They can change their position in the water column, timing and length of feeding, school formation, and choice of prey to minimize the likelihood of predation. This also ensures they still get at least the minimum amount of food necessary to survive. All of these behaviors contribute to the survivability, and therefore fitness of the salmon. Depending on location and threat of predation, the levels of aggressive feeding behavior can vary. Sockeye salmon, unlike other species of Pacific salmon, feed extensively on zooplankton during both freshwater and saltwater life stages. They also tend to feed on small aquatic organisms such as shrimp. Insects and occasionally snails are part of their diets at the juvenile stage.", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q44064.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Sockeye salmon swimming right", "author": "Milton Love, Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sockeye_salmon_swimming_right.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sockeye_salmon", "revision": 1374925949, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1374925949", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "51c73d7218a0e5d20ad25466d639f4e3c8d25dcf4643e51b656271e1101e4a12" }, { "id": "Q910363", "common_name": "Atlantic bonito", "scientific_name": "Sarda sarda", "aliases": [ "Sarda sarda" ], "summary": "The Atlantic bonito (Sarda sarda) is a large mackerel-like fish of the family Scombridae. It is common in shallow waters of the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Black Sea, where it is an important commercial and game fish.", "features": "Atlantic bonito belong to a group which have the dorsal fins very near, or separated by a narrow interspace. Its body is completely scaled, with those scales in the pectoral fin area and the lateral line usually larger in size. Bonitos (fishes in the genus Sarda) differ from tuna by their compressed bodies, their lack of teeth on the roof of the mouth, and certain differences in colouration. Atlantic bonito share Atlantic waters with the striped bonito, Sarda orientalis (the Atlantic population of which is sometimes considered a separate species, Sarda velox). The striped bonito has been taken on the Atlantic coast as far north as Cape Cod. It is similar in its habits, but somewhat smaller than the more common Atlantic bonito. The Atlantic bonito can be distinguished from its relative by its dark oblique stripes on the back and with a maxillary only about half as long as the head, whereas the striped bonito has striping on its topside nearly horizontal and a maxillary more than half the length of the head. Atlantic bonito grow up to 75 centimetres (30 in) and weigh 5–6 kilograms (11–13 lb) at this size. The world record, 18 pounds 4 ounces (8.3 kg), was caught in the Azores.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "Atlantic bonito eat mackerel, menhaden, alewives, silversides, sand lances, and other fishes, as well as squid.", "family": "Scombridae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q910363.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Sarda sarda", "author": "Sherman Foote Denton", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sarda_sarda.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_bonito", "revision": 1314240528, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1314240528", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "9bc3007c6408d91af9bec6018a30b2e433e5d3ce2fa9910dc331e542cecd465f" }, { "id": "Q1143520", "common_name": "Atlantic halibut", "scientific_name": "Hippoglossus hippoglossus", "aliases": [ "halibut", "Atlantic halibut", "Hippoglossus hippoglossus" ], "summary": "The Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) is a flatfish of the family Pleuronectidae. They are demersal fish living on or near sand, gravel or clay bottoms at depths of between 50 and 2,000 m (200 and 6,600 ft). The halibut is among the largest teleost (bony) fish in the world, and is a threatened species owing to a slow rate of growth and overfishing. Halibut are strong swimmers and are able to migrate long distances. Halibut size is not age-specific, but rather tends to follow a cycle related to halibut (and therefore food) abundance. The native habitat of the Atlantic halibut is the temperate and arctic waters of the northern Atlantic, from Labrador and Greenland to Iceland, the Barents Sea and as far south as the Bay of Biscay and Virginia. It is the largest flatfish in the world, reaching lengths of up to 4.7 m (15 ft) and weights of 320 kg (710 lb). Its lifespan can reach 50 years. Age can be estimated by counting the rings laid down inside the otolith – a bony structure found inside the inner ear of the fish.", "features": "The Atlantic halibut is a right-eyed flounder. It is flattened sideways and habitually lies on the left side of its body with both eyes migrating to the right side of its head during development. When the larvae are born, they start in the upright position like most other fish, having one eye on each side of the head. Once the larvae reach one inch in length, the left eye moves over the snout to the right side of the head. At the same time, the coloring on the left side begins to fade to white while the upper side of the fish is a uniformly dark chocolate, olive or slate color, and can be almost black. The end of the caudal fin is concave. Young fish are paler with more mottled coloration. Male adults average about 10 to 15 kilograms (25–30 lb) but can range to upwards of 25 kg (60 lb), rarely reaching 45 kg (100 lb). Females can get as large as 250 kg (600 lb).", "habitat": "This marine fish usually lives on the ocean floor at depths between 50 and 2,000 m (200 and 6,600 ft), but it occasionally comes closer to the surface. The larvae are pelagic, drifting relatively helplessly, but at around 4 cm, they migrate to the bottom. Young between the ages of two and four years live close to the shore, moving into deeper waters as they grow older.", "distribution": "Atlantic halibut are found in both the eastern and western portions of the North Atlantic. In the western Atlantic, they are found from southwestern Greenland and Labrador, Canada, to Virginia in the United States. They are found in the eastern Atlantic around Iceland, the United Kingdom, Ireland and northern Europe to Russia. A map of the Atlantic Halibut's geographic distribution can be found on the Official Website of Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries. This demersal fish is found ranging from the latitude and longitude coordinates: 79°N - 36°N, 77°W - 55°E.", "diet": "The diet of the Atlantic halibut consists mainly of other fish, for example cod, haddock, herring, pogge, sand eels and capelin, but it will also eat cephalopods, large crustaceans and other benthos organisms. During the first year of their life, halibut mostly feed on plankton. From the age of one year, they feed on krill and small fish until they are around three years old. As the halibut grows, the diet mostly consists of other fish including smaller halibut.", "family": "Pleuronectidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1143520.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Hippoglossus hippoglossus 196509307", "author": "Vsevolod Rudyi", "license": "CC BY 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hippoglossus_hippoglossus_196509307.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_halibut", "revision": 1383040880, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1383040880", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "a69bda6a6b60d89930815b55d6273ee44d5f9cd9f99d86dfd57050c5721f374a" }, { "id": "Q217759", "common_name": "Twait shad", "scientific_name": "Alosa fallax", "aliases": [ "Alosa fallax", "twaite shad" ], "summary": "The twait shad or twaite shad (Alosa fallax) is a species of fish in the family Alosidae. It is found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea and is an anadromous fish which lives in the sea but migrates into fresh water to spawn. In appearance it resembles an Atlantic herring but has a row of six to ten distinctive spots on its silvery flanks. They become mature when three or more years old and migrate to estuaries, later swimming up rivers to spawn. Populations of this fish have declined due to overfishing, pollution and habitat destruction. Conservation of this species is covered by Appendix III of the Bern Convention and Appendix II and V of the European Community Habitats Directive.", "features": "The twait shad is a typical herring-type fish and much resembles the allis shad. It has no lateral line and the belly is more rounded than that of the sprat and Baltic herring. The gill cover is ridged and the caudal peduncle has large, plate-like scales. This fish is more colourful than the Baltic herring. The back is a bluish green colour and the head brownish with a golden tinge on the operculum. The flanks are silvery, sometimes with a bronzy tinge, and there are a distinctive row of six to ten large dark spot just behind the gill cover though these may fade when the fish is dead. The adult length is typically 25 to 40 cm (10 to 16 in).", "habitat": "", "distribution": "The twait shad is found in most of Europe and throughout the Mediterranean Sea.", "diet": "", "family": "Alosidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q217759.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Alosa fallax", "author": "Hans Hillewaert", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Alosa_fallax.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twait_shad", "revision": 1370285139, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1370285139", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "8745b85b5d08c8184d27e50aa1311831ba19dc164af543502fddc5cbdb41011f" }, { "id": "Q798246", "common_name": "Brook lamprey", "scientific_name": "Lampetra planeri", "aliases": [ "western brook lamprey", "brook lamprey", "Lampetra planeri", "Brook lamprey" ], "summary": "The brook lamprey (Lampetra planeri), also known as the European brook lamprey and the western brook lamprey, is a small European lamprey species that exclusively inhabits freshwater environments. The species is related to, but distinct from, the North American western brook lamprey (Lampetra richardsoni).", "features": "The brook lamprey is a common, non-parasitic species that is endemic to Europe. Adult brook lampreys measure from 12 to 14 cm (4.7 to 5.5 in). The body is highly elongated and dark blue or greenish above, lightening to yellowish off-white on the sides and pure white on the ventral side. Like all lampreys, these fish lack paired fins and possess a circular sucking disc instead of jaws, which is filled with blunt teeth. They have a single nostril and seven small gill openings on either side behind the eye. The brook lamprey can be told from the closely related river lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis) by the fact that its two dorsal fins are more closely linked together.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "Brook lampreys can be found in small streams and larger rivers throughout northern Europe as well as Portugal, southern France, Italy, Sardinia, the Balkans and the upper reaches of the Volga.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q798246.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Sorgenti del Pescara 21 (RaBoe)", "author": "Ra Boe at German Wikipedia", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sorgenti_del_Pescara_21_(RaBoe).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brook_lamprey", "revision": 1369815204, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1369815204", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "59b3b640eda7756fe8546e2ae636810d9b83a96dcbf955b1aedbd46cee5c0034" }, { "id": "Q7119", "common_name": "Striped red mullet", "scientific_name": "Mullus surmuletus", "aliases": [ "Mullus surmuletus" ], "summary": "The striped red mullet or surmullet (Mullus surmuletus) is a species of goatfish found in the Mediterranean Sea, eastern North Atlantic Ocean, and the Black Sea. They can be found in water as shallow as 5 metres (16 ft) or as deep as 409 metres (1,342 ft) depending upon the portion of their range that they are in. This species can reach a length of 40 centimetres (16 in) SL though most are only around 25 centimetres (9.8 in). The greatest recorded weight for this species is 1 kilogram (2.2 lb). This is a commercially important species and is also sought after as a game fish.", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q7119.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Mullus surmuletus", "author": "Hans Hillewaert", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mullus_surmuletus.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Striped_red_mullet", "revision": 1370211335, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1370211335", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "3975b56de51d389357df1f9f510c608fa11b3f16d99cea1462a7b3caeec712d5" }, { "id": "Q125236", "common_name": "Blacktip shark", "scientific_name": "Carcharhinus limbatus", "aliases": [ "Carcharhinus limbatus" ], "summary": "The blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) is a species of requiem shark in the family Carcharhinidae. It is common to coastal tropical and subtropical waters around the world, including brackish habitats. Genetic analyses have revealed substantial variation within this species, with populations from the western Atlantic Ocean isolated and distinct from those in the rest of its range. The blacktip shark has a stout, fusiform body with a pointed snout, long gill slits, and no ridge between the dorsal fins. Most individuals have black tips or edges on the pectoral, dorsal, pelvic, and caudal fins. It usually attains a length of 1.5 m (4.9 ft). Swift, energetic piscivores, blacktip sharks are known to make spinning leaps out of the water while attacking schools of small fish. Their demeanor has been described as \"timid\" compared to other large requiem sharks. Both juveniles and adults form groups of varying size. Like other members of its family, the blacktip shark is viviparous; females bear one to 10 pups every other year. Young blacktip sharks spend the first months of their lives in shallow nurseries, and grown females return to the nurseries where they were born to give birth themselves. In the absence of males, females are also capable of asexual reproduction. Normally wary of humans, blacktip sharks can become aggressive in the presence of food and have been responsible for a number of attacks on people.", "features": "The blacktip shark has a robust, streamlined body with a long, pointed snout and relatively small eyes. The five pairs of gill slits are longer than those of similar requiem shark species. The jaws contain 15 tooth rows on either side, with two symphysial teeth (at the jaw midline) in the upper jaw and one symphysial tooth in the lower jaw. The teeth are broad-based with a high, narrow cusp and serrated edges. The first dorsal fin is tall and falcate (sickle-shaped) with a short, free rear tip; no ridge runs between the first and second dorsal fins. The large pectoral fins are falcate and pointed. The coloration is gray to brown above and white below, with a conspicuous white stripe running along the sides. The pectoral fins, second dorsal fin, and the lower lobe of the caudal fin usually have black tips. The pelvic fins and rarely the anal fin may also be black-tipped. The first dorsal fin and the upper lobe of the caudal fin typically have black edges. Some larger individuals have unmarked or nearly unmarked fins. Blacktip sharks can temporarily lose almost all their colors during blooms, or \"whitings\", of coccolithophores. This species attains a maximum known length of 2.8 m (9.2 ft), though a length of 1.5 m (4.9 ft) is more typical, and a maximum known weight of 123 kg (271 lb).", "habitat": "The blacktip shark has a worldwide distribution in tropical and subtropical waters. In the Atlantic, it is found from Massachusetts to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, and from the Mediterranean Sea, Madeira, and the Canary Islands to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It occurs all around the periphery of the Indian Ocean, from South Africa and Madagascar to the Arabian Peninsula and the Indian subcontinent, to Southeast Asia. In the western Pacific, it is found from the Ryukyu Islands of Japan to northern Australia, including southern China, the Philippines, and Indonesia. In the eastern Pacific, it occurs from Southern California to Peru. It has also been reported at a number of Pacific islands, including New Caledonia, Tahiti, the Marquesas, Hawaii, Revillagigedo, and the Galápagos. Most blacktip sharks are found in water less than 30 m (98 ft) deep over continental and insular shelves, though they may dive to 64 m (210 ft). Favored habitats are muddy bays, island lagoons, and the drop-offs near coral reefs; they are also tolerant of low salinity and enter estuaries and mangrove swamps. Although an individual may be found some distance offshore, blacktip sharks do not inhabit oceanic waters. Seasonal migration has been documented for the population off the East Coast of the United States, moving north to North Carolina in the summer and south to Florida in the winter. The blacktip shark is an extremely fast, energetic predator that is usually found in groups of varying size.", "distribution": "The blacktip shark has a worldwide distribution in tropical and subtropical waters. In the Atlantic, it is found from Massachusetts to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, and from the Mediterranean Sea, Madeira, and the Canary Islands to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It occurs all around the periphery of the Indian Ocean, from South Africa and Madagascar to the Arabian Peninsula and the Indian subcontinent, to Southeast Asia. In the western Pacific, it is found from the Ryukyu Islands of Japan to northern Australia, including southern China, the Philippines, and Indonesia. In the eastern Pacific, it occurs from Southern California to Peru. It has also been reported at a number of Pacific islands, including New Caledonia, Tahiti, the Marquesas, Hawaii, Revillagigedo, and the Galápagos. Most blacktip sharks are found in water less than 30 m (98 ft) deep over continental and insular shelves, though they may dive to 64 m (210 ft). Favored habitats are muddy bays, island lagoons, and the drop-offs near coral reefs; they are also tolerant of low salinity and enter estuaries and mangrove swamps. Although an individual may be found some distance offshore, blacktip sharks do not inhabit oceanic waters. Seasonal migration has been documented for the population off the East Coast of the United States, moving north to North Carolina in the summer and south to Florida in the winter.", "diet": "Fish make up some 90% of the blacktip shark's diet. A wide variety of fish has been recorded as prey for this species - sardines, menhaden, herring, anchovies, ladyfish, sea catfish, cornetfish, flatfish, threadfins, mullet, mackerel, jacks, groupers, snook, porgies, mojarras, emperors, grunts, butterfish, croakers, soles, tilapia, triggerfish, boxfish, and porcupinefish. They also feed on rays and skates, as well as smaller sharks such as smoothhounds and sharpnose sharks. Crustaceans and cephalopods are also eaten. In the Gulf of Mexico, the most important prey of the blacktip shark is the Gulf menhaden (Brevoortia patronus), followed by the Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus). Off South Africa, jacks and herring are the most important prey. Hunting peaks at dawn and dusk. The excitability and sociability of blacktip sharks makes them prone to feeding frenzies when large quantities of food are suddenly available, such as when fishing vessels dump their refuse overboard.", "family": "Carcharhinidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q125236.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Carcharhinus limbatus (2)", "author": "Albert kok", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Carcharhinus_limbatus_(2).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blacktip_shark", "revision": 1376841145, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1376841145", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "6001708129281c3d7111c2c93ef3c4acf4bd4ba8610ba418d40936954a2d3cef" }, { "id": "Q163523", "common_name": "Grey reef shark", "scientific_name": "Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos", "aliases": [ "grey reef shark", "gray reef shark", "Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos" ], "summary": "The grey reef shark or gray reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos, sometimes misspelled amblyrhynchus or amblyrhinchos) is a species of requiem shark, in the family Carcharhinidae. One of the most common reef sharks in the Indo-Pacific, it is found as far east as Easter Island and as far west as South Africa. This species is most often seen in shallow water near the drop-offs of coral reefs. It has the typical \"reef shark\" shape, with a broad, round snout and large eyes. It can be distinguished from similar species by the plain or white-tipped first dorsal fin, the dark tips on the other fins, the broad, black rear margin on the tail fin, and the lack of a ridge between the dorsal fins. Most individuals are less than 1.88 m (6.2 ft) long. The grey reef shark is a fast-swimming, agile predator that feeds primarily on free-swimming bony fishes and cephalopods. Its aggressive demeanor enables it to dominate many other shark species on the reef, despite its moderate size. Many grey reef sharks have a home range on a specific area of the reef, to which they continually return. However, they are social rather than territorial. During the day, these sharks often form groups of five to 20 individuals near coral reef drop-offs, splitting up in the evening as the sharks begin to hunt. Adult females also form groups in very shallow water, where the higher water temperature may accelerate their growth or that of their unborn young.", "features": "The grey reef shark has a streamlined, moderately stout body with a long, blunt snout and large, round eyes. The upper and lower jaws each have 13 or 14 teeth (usually 14 in the upper and 13 in the lower). The upper teeth are triangular with slanted cusps, while the bottom teeth have narrower, erect cusps. The tooth serrations are larger in the upper jaw than in the lower. The first dorsal fin is medium-sized, and no ridge runs between the second dorsal fin and it. The pectoral fins are narrow and falcate (sickle-shaped). The coloration is grey above, sometimes with a bronze sheen, and white below. The entire rear margin of the caudal fin has a distinctive, broad, black band. Dusky to black tips are on the pectoral, pelvic, second dorsal, and anal fins. Individuals from the western Indian Ocean have a narrow, white margin at the tip of the first dorsal fin; this trait is usually absent from Pacific populations. Grey reef sharks that spend time in shallow water eventually darken in color, due to tanning. Most grey reef sharks are less than 1.9 m (6.2 ft) long. The maximum reported length is 2.6 m (8.5 ft) and the maximum reported weight is 33.7 kg (74 lb).", "habitat": "The grey reef shark is native to the Indian and Pacific Oceans. In the Indian Ocean, it occurs from South Africa to India, including Madagascar and nearby islands, the Red Sea, and the Maldives. In the Pacific Ocean, it is found from Southern China to northern Australia and New Zealand, including the Gulf of Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia. This species has also been reported from numerous Pacific islands, including American Samoa, the Chagos Archipelago, Easter Island, Christmas Island, the Cook Islands, the Marquesas Islands, the Tuamotu Archipelago, Guam, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, New Caledonia, the Marianas Islands, Palau, the Pitcairn Islands, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, the Hawaiian Islands, and Vanuatu. Generally a coastal, shallow-water species, grey reef sharks are mostly found in depths less than 60 m (200 ft). However, they have been known to dive to 1,000 m (3,300 ft). They are found over continental and insular shelves, preferring the leeward (away from the direction of the current) sides of coral reefs with clear water and rugged topography. They are frequently found near the drop-offs at the outer edges of the reef, particularly near reef channels with strong currents, and less commonly within lagoons. On occasion, this shark may venture several kilometers out into the open ocean. Along with the blacktip reef shark (C. melanopterus) and the whitetip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus), the grey reef shark is one of the three most common sharks inhabiting Indo-Pacific reefs.", "distribution": "The grey reef shark is native to the Indian and Pacific Oceans. In the Indian Ocean, it occurs from South Africa to India, including Madagascar and nearby islands, the Red Sea, and the Maldives. In the Pacific Ocean, it is found from Southern China to northern Australia and New Zealand, including the Gulf of Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia. This species has also been reported from numerous Pacific islands, including American Samoa, the Chagos Archipelago, Easter Island, Christmas Island, the Cook Islands, the Marquesas Islands, the Tuamotu Archipelago, Guam, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, New Caledonia, the Marianas Islands, Palau, the Pitcairn Islands, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, the Hawaiian Islands, and Vanuatu. Generally a coastal, shallow-water species, grey reef sharks are mostly found in depths less than 60 m (200 ft). However, they have been known to dive to 1,000 m (3,300 ft). They are found over continental and insular shelves, preferring the leeward (away from the direction of the current) sides of coral reefs with clear water and rugged topography. They are frequently found near the drop-offs at the outer edges of the reef, particularly near reef channels with strong currents, and less commonly within lagoons. On occasion, this shark may venture several kilometers out into the open ocean.", "diet": "Grey reef sharks feed mainly on bony fishes and cephalopods such as squid and octopuses being the second-most important food group, and crustaceans such as crabs, lobsters, and shrimps making up the remainder. The larger sharks take a greater proportion of cephalopods. These sharks hunt individually or in groups, and have been known to pin schools of fish against the outer walls of coral reefs for feeding. Hunting groups of up to 700 grey reef sharks have been observed at Fakarava atoll in French Polynesia. They excel at capturing fish swimming in the open, and they complement hunting whitetip reef sharks, which are more adept at capturing fish inside caves and crevices. Their sense of smell is extremely acute, being capable of detecting one part tuna extract in 10 billion parts of sea water. In the presence of a large quantity of food, grey reef sharks may be roused into a feeding frenzy; in one documented frenzy caused by an underwater explosion that killed several snappers, one of the sharks involved was attacked and consumed by the others.", "family": "Carcharhinidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q163523.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Corl0207 (28225976491)", "author": "NOAA Photo Library", "license": "CC BY 2.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Corl0207_(28225976491).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grey_reef_shark", "revision": 1380914066, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1380914066", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "9dd3e7682144a1f25b888e9ddbe6b45a4eba1dbbb911d772f1b6f7a1e7088901" }, { "id": "Q206495", "common_name": "Lemon shark", "scientific_name": "Negaprion brevirostris", "aliases": [ "lemon shark", "Negaprion brevirostris" ], "summary": "The lemon shark (Negaprion brevirostris) is a species of requiem shark from the family Carcharhinidae, known for its yellowish skin, which inspires its common name. The lemon shark is classified as a \"vulnerable\" species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Lemon sharks can grow to 3.4 m (11 ft) in length. They are often found in shallow subtropical waters and are known to inhabit and return to specific nursery sites for breeding. Often feeding at night, these sharks use electroreceptors to find their main source of prey, fish. Lemon sharks enjoy the many benefits of group living, such as enhanced communication, courtship, predatory behavior, and protection. This species gives birth to live young, and the females are polyandrous and have a biennial reproductive cycle. Lemon sharks are not thought to be a large threat to humans; only 10 bites have been recorded, none of which were life-threatening. The lemon shark's lifespan is unknown, but the typical shark is 25 to 30 years old. In 2023, the oldest recorded lemon shark in captivity died at the age of 40 years.", "features": "The lemon shark's yellow coloring serves as an excellent camouflage when swimming over the sandy seafloor in its coastal habitat. The lemon shark commonly attains a length of 2.4 to 3.1 m (7.9 to 10.2 ft) and a weight up to 90 kg (200 lb) by adulthood, although sexual maturity is attained at 2.24 m (7.3 ft) in males and 2.40 m (7.9 ft) in females. The maximum recorded length and weight is 3.43 m (11.3 ft) and 183.7 kg (405 lb), respectively. The lemon shark has a flattened head with a short, broad snout, and the second dorsal fin is almost as large as the first. Like all cartilaginous fishes, lemon sharks have electroreceptors concentrated in their heads, known as the ampullae of Lorenzini. These receptors detect electrical pulses emitted by potential prey and allow these nocturnal feeders to sense their prey in the dark. Lemon sharks can be confused with bull sharks; the former have quite similarly sized first and second dorsal fins, whereas those of the latter are differently sized.", "habitat": "Information about activity patterns and the use of space is important in understanding a species' behavioral ecology. Animals often make decisions about habitat use by evaluating their environment's abiotic conditions that serve as valuable indicators of good foraging sites or predator-safe locations. Lemon sharks select habitats in warm and shallow water with a rocky or sandy bottom. The environmental temperature influences an individual's body temperature, which ultimately affects physiological processes such as growth and metabolism. Lemon sharks, therefore, select warm-water habitats to maintain optimal metabolic levels. They are believed to avoid areas with thick sea grasses because they make finding prey more difficult. Lemon sharks tend to live in or near shallow-water mangroves, which are often the nursery areas of several species of fish. The data gathered about the characteristics of shark nursery areas are mostly based on coastal species, this is due to their occurrence in bays, estuaries, river deltas, and shallow coastal waters. One theory is that lemon sharks select mangrove habitats due to the abundance of prey that resides there, while another theory posits that mangroves provide a safe haven from adult lemon sharks that occasionally feed on juvenile sharks and are unable to enter the shallow waters. Ontogenetic niche shifts, or changes in an animal's niche breadth or position, to deeper waters are known to occur in relation to a lemon shark's size. These changes occur due to the dramatic decrease in the risk of predation as body size increases.", "distribution": "Lemon sharks are found from New Jersey to southern Brazil in the tropical western Atlantic Ocean. They also live off the coast of west Africa in the southeastern Atlantic. In addition, lemon sharks have been found in the eastern Pacific, from southern Baja California to Ecuador and in Cape Verde in Sal Island. Although the lemon shark species is known for occupying the subtropical, shallow waters of coral reefs, mangroves, enclosed bays, and river mouths, they have also been found in the open ocean down to depths of 92 m (302 ft). Lemon sharks have been observed swimming up rivers, but they do not appear to travel very far into fresh water. They are found in open water primarily during migrations, tending to stay along the continental and insular shelves for most of their lives.", "diet": "", "family": "Carcharhinidae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q206495.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Lemonshark", "author": "Albert Kok (talk)", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lemonshark.JPG", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lemon_shark", "revision": 1371626415, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1371626415", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "e57c7bed03f4287d9ee7e86f74fa17db9bee900f9199ea267e9b4ae8fb2e5a10" }, { "id": "Q586662", "common_name": "School shark", "scientific_name": "Galeorhinus galeus", "aliases": [ "Tope shark", "School shark", "Soupfin shark", "Snapper shark", "Rig", "Vaalhaai", "Galeorhinus galeus" ], "summary": "The school shark (Galeorhinus galeus) is a houndshark of the family Triakidae, and the only living member of the genus Galeorhinus. Common names also include tope, tope shark, snapper shark, and soupfin shark. It is found worldwide in temperate seas at depths down to about 800 m (2,600 ft). It can grow to nearly 2 m (6 ft 7 in) long. It feeds both in midwater and near the seabed, and its reproduction is ovoviviparous. This shark is caught in fisheries for its flesh, its fins, and its liver, which has a very high vitamin A content. The IUCN has classified this species as critically endangered in its Red List of Threatened Species.", "features": "The school shark is a small, shallow-bodied shark with an elongated snout. The large mouth is crescent-shaped and the teeth are of a similar size and shape in both jaws. They are triangular-shaped, small, and flat, set at an oblique angle facing backward, serrated and with a notch. The spiracles are small. The first dorsal fin is triangular with a straight leading edge and is set just behind the pectoral fins. The second dorsal fin is about the same size as the anal fin and is set immediately above it. The terminal lobe of the caudal fin has a notch in it and is as long as the rest of the fin. School sharks are dark bluish grey on their upper (dorsal) surfaces and white on their bellies (ventral surface). Juveniles have black markings on their fins. Mature sharks range from 135 to 175 cm (53 to 69 in) for males and 150 to 195 cm (59 to 77 in) for females.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "The school shark has a widespread distribution and is found mainly near the seabed around coasts in temperate waters, down to depths around 800 m (2,600 ft). It lives in water temperatures between 10–20 °C (50–68 °F). It occurs in the Northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea, where it is uncommon and the Southwest Atlantic where it occurs between Patagonia and southern Brazil. It also occurs around the coast of Namibia and South Africa. It is present in the Northeast Pacific where it occurs between British Columbia and Baja California, and in the Southeast Pacific off Chile and Peru. It also occurs round the southern coasts of Australia, including Tasmania, and New Zealand.", "diet": "", "family": "Triakidae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q586662.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Galeorhinus galeus SI3", "author": "D Ross Robertson", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Galeorhinus_galeus_SI3.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_shark", "revision": 1362369066, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1362369066", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "4a0719ab1ce2dc9d69470653cee09e9eac045c0d82f1f936cc28247ec63389ba" }, { "id": "Q5768902", "common_name": "Sunbleak", "scientific_name": "Leucaspius delineatus", "aliases": [ "Leucaspius delineatus" ], "summary": "Leucaspius is a monospecific genus of ray-finned fish belonging to the subfamily Leuciscinae, of the family Leuciscidae. The only species in this genus is Leucaspius delineatus, known as the sunbleak, belica or moderlieschen. The species is found in Europe and Western Asia.", "features": "The belica is a slender fish with a tapered body which is usually from 4 to 6 cm (1.6 to 2.4 in) long and seldom grows larger than 10 cm (3.9 in). It has an upward-turned mouth and a short lateral line which extends about seven to ten scales from the gill cover. The anal fin is short and consists of eleven to fourteen rays. This is a silvery fish with a particularly intense band of colour running along the flank.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "The belica is found all over temperate continental Europe and barely extends to Central Asia in the Caucasus region. The southern limits of its range are essentially marked by the Pyrenees and the Alpide belt. The common name Moderlieschen is of German origin. Although it looks like a proper word that can be approximately transliterated as \"mouldy Lizzy\", it is actually a bowdlerized version of an older name which survives in parts of Germany as Mutterloseken. Literally meaning \"the little motherless one\", this ultimately refers to the fact that the sticky eggs of the moderlieschen can withstand exposure to air for a remarkably long time. Deposited on water plants, they sometimes stick to the feet of ducks and similar birds and are carried by these to ephemeral ponds. Large numbers of young moderlieschens are thus sometimes encountered when such ponds dry up, and with no adult fish being present this gave rise to the belief that they were \"motherless\". It has been introduced to Great Britain, and appears to be established in the Avalon Marshes in Somerset and has been implicated in transmitting a new species of parasitic fluke to both European otter and American mink in the area but where it may now be an important prey species for piscivorous birds.", "diet": "", "family": "Leuciscidae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q5768902.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "LeucaspiusDelineatusMale", "author": "Viridiflavus", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:LeucaspiusDelineatusMale.JPG", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leucaspius", "revision": 1355305859, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1355305859", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "5bfe62771c89e99d2b5f5cb8aca434b24d5a27d9d0f590d1dd56dbf12e28a7e9" }, { "id": "Q827441", "common_name": "Freshwater angelfish", "scientific_name": "Pterophyllum scalare", "aliases": [ "angelfish", "Zeus scalaris", "Pterophyllum scalare" ], "summary": "Pterophyllum scalare, most commonly referred to as angelfish or freshwater angelfish, is the most common species of Pterophyllum kept in captivity. It is native to the Amazon Basin in Peru, Colombia, and Brazil. Particularly to the Ucayali river in Peru, the Oyapock River in French Guiana, the Essequibo River in Guyana, the Solimões, the Amapá, and the Amazon rivers in Brazil. It is found in swamps or flooded grounds where vegetation is dense and the water is either clear or silty. Its native waters range from a neutral pH of 7.0 down to near 6.0, with a general water hardness (gH) range of 3 to 10 °dH, and water temperature ranging from 26 to 30 °C (75 to 86 °F). This is the species of angelfish most frequently found in the aquarium trade. A similar (cross-breeding possible) P. scalare exists in the Rio Orinoco. They are of the same size and shape, the only difference being the stripes; the Orinoco P. scalare has thinner, but dual, stripes. The diet of Pterophyllum scalare consists of a wide spectrum of prey; they feed on tiny fish fry and younger, juvenile fishes, young and mature shrimps, crabs, prawns, various worms, mosquito larvae, and water bugs. Additionally, they will opportunistically catch any smaller-sized floating insects that have fallen onto the surface of the water.", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q827441.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Pterophyllum scalare Natural History Museum University of Pisa", "author": "Mattia Nocciola", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pterophyllum_scalare_Natural_History_Museum_University_of_Pisa.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pterophyllum_scalare", "revision": 1336982257, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1336982257", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "1ddea9a0b91305de603e81c255c513b0f4ee556b2979d21a08415c7b495be6d2" }, { "id": "Q756859", "common_name": "Nurse shark", "scientific_name": "Ginglymostoma cirratum", "aliases": [ "Ginglymostoma cirratum" ], "summary": "The nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) is an elasmobranch fish in the family Ginglymostomatidae. The conservation status of the nurse shark is globally assessed as vulnerable in the IUCN List of Threatened Species. They are considered to be a species of least concern in the United States and in The Bahamas, but considered to be near threatened in the western Atlantic Ocean because of their vulnerable status in South America and reported threats throughout many areas of Central America and the Caribbean. They are directly targeted in some fisheries and considered by-catch in others. Nurse sharks are an important species for shark research. They are robust and able to tolerate capture, handling, and tagging extremely well.", "features": "The nurse shark has two rounded dorsal fins, rounded pectoral fins, an elongated caudal fin, and a broad head. Maximum adult length is currently documented as 3.08 m (10 ft 1+1⁄2 in), whereas past reports of 4.5 m (15 ft) and corresponding weights of up to 330 kg (730 lb) are likely to have been exaggerated. Adult nurse sharks are brownish in color. Newborn nurse sharks have a spotted coloration, which fades with age, and are about 30 cm in length when nascent.", "habitat": "The nurse shark has a wide but patchy geographical distribution along tropical and subtropical coastal waters of the Eastern Atlantic, Western Atlantic, and Eastern Pacific. In the Eastern Atlantic, it ranges from Cape Verde to Gabon (accidental north to France). In the Western Atlantic, including the Caribbean, it ranges from Rhode Island to southern Brazil, and in the Eastern Pacific from Baja California to Peru. Nurse sharks are a typically inshore, bottom-dwelling species. Juveniles are mostly found on the bottom of shallow coral reefs, seagrass flats, and around mangrove islands, whereas older individuals typically reside in and around deeper reefs and rocky areas, where they tend to seek shelter in crevices and under ledges during the day and leave their shelter at night to feed on the seabed in shallower areas. Nurse sharks are also subject to piebaldism, a genetic condition that results in a partial lack of body pigmentation and a speckled body. Nurse sharks are opportunistic predators that feed primarily on small fish (e.g. stingrays, teleosts) and some invertebrates (e.g. crustaceans, molluscs, sea urchins, tunicates, and anthozoans), as well as algae. They are typically solitary nocturnal animals, rifling through bottom sediments in search of food at night, but are often gregarious during the day forming large sedentary groups. Nurse sharks are obligate suction feeders capable of generating suction forces that are among the highest recorded for any aquatic vertebrate to date.", "distribution": "The nurse shark has a wide but patchy geographical distribution along tropical and subtropical coastal waters of the Eastern Atlantic, Western Atlantic, and Eastern Pacific. In the Eastern Atlantic, it ranges from Cape Verde to Gabon (accidental north to France). In the Western Atlantic, including the Caribbean, it ranges from Rhode Island to southern Brazil, and in the Eastern Pacific from Baja California to Peru. Nurse sharks are a typically inshore, bottom-dwelling species. Juveniles are mostly found on the bottom of shallow coral reefs, seagrass flats, and around mangrove islands, whereas older individuals typically reside in and around deeper reefs and rocky areas, where they tend to seek shelter in crevices and under ledges during the day and leave their shelter at night to feed on the seabed in shallower areas. Nurse sharks are also subject to piebaldism, a genetic condition that results in a partial lack of body pigmentation and a speckled body.", "diet": "", "family": "Ginglymostomatidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q756859.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Nurse shark", "author": "Dr. Mathew Gilligan / NOAA", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nurse_shark.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nurse_shark", "revision": 1353931925, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1353931925", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "a60b6792c8d9bd358b4e752bba07a3d3ddd6f7c20dc85a4b128ad03272ca1ac7" }, { "id": "Q321976", "common_name": "Giant oceanic manta ray", "scientific_name": "Mobula birostris", "aliases": [ "Manta birostris", "Giant manta ray", "Atlantic manta", "giant devil ray", "oceanic manta ray", "Mobula birostris" ], "summary": "The giant oceanic manta ray, giant manta ray, oceanic manta ray, or pelagic manta ray (Mobula birostris) is a species of ray in the family Mobulidae and the largest type of ray in the world. It is circumglobal and is typically found in tropical and subtropical waters but can also be found in temperate waters. Until 2017, the species was classified in the genus Manta, along with the smaller reef manta ray (Mobula alfredi). DNA testing revealed that both mantas are closer related to some Mobula species than these are to other Mobula, being claded together. As a result, the two Manta species were absorbed into Mobula to reflect the new classification.", "features": "The giant oceanic manta ray can grow up to 9 m (30 ft) in length and a disc size of 7 m (23 ft) across, with a weight around 3,000 kg (6,600 lb), but the typical size is 4.5 m (15 ft). It is dorsoventrally flattened and has large, triangular pectoral fins on either side of the disc. At the front, it has a pair of cephalic fins, which are forward extensions of the pectoral fins. These can be rolled up in a spiral for swimming or flared out to channel water into the large, forward-pointing rectangular mouth when the animal is feeding. The teeth are in a band of 18 rows and are restricted to the central part of the lower jaw. The eyes and the spiracles are on the side of the head behind the cephalic fins, and the gill slits are on the ventral (under) surface. It has a small dorsal fin, and the tail is long and whip-like. The manta ray does not have a spiny tail, as do the closely related devil rays (Mobula spp.), but has a knob-like bulge at the base of its tail. The skin is smooth with a scattering of conical and ridge-shaped tubercles. The colouring of the dorsal (upper) surface is black, dark brown, or steely blue, sometimes with a few pale spots and usually with a pale edge. The ventral surface is white, sometimes with dark spots and blotches. The markings can often be used to recognise individual fish.", "habitat": "The giant oceanic manta ray has a widespread distribution in tropical and temperate waters worldwide. In the Northern Hemisphere, it has been recorded as far north as southern California and New Jersey in the United States, Aomori Prefecture in Japan, the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt, and the Azores in the northern Atlantic. In the Southern Hemisphere, it occurs as far south as Peru, Uruguay, South Africa, and New Zealand. It is an ocean-going species and spends most of its life far from land, travelling with the currents and migrating to areas where upwellings of nutrient-rich water increase the availability of zooplankton. The oceanic manta ray is often found in association with offshore oceanic islands.", "distribution": "The giant oceanic manta ray has a widespread distribution in tropical and temperate waters worldwide. In the Northern Hemisphere, it has been recorded as far north as southern California and New Jersey in the United States, Aomori Prefecture in Japan, the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt, and the Azores in the northern Atlantic. In the Southern Hemisphere, it occurs as far south as Peru, Uruguay, South Africa, and New Zealand. It is an ocean-going species and spends most of its life far from land, travelling with the currents and migrating to areas where upwellings of nutrient-rich water increase the availability of zooplankton. The oceanic manta ray is often found in association with offshore oceanic islands.", "diet": "", "family": "Mobulidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q321976.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Manta birostris-Thailand4", "author": "jon hanson from london, UK", "license": "CC BY-SA 2.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Manta_birostris-Thailand4.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_oceanic_manta_ray", "revision": 1372043644, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1372043644", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "814b272a0dcee42871d99e98688d97ce48f6eec835fb9be63e8bd4ff37fca7b8" }, { "id": "Q1461873", "common_name": "Candiru", "scientific_name": "Vandellia cirrhosa", "aliases": [ "vampire fish", "cañero", "toothpick fish", "Vandellia cirrhosa" ], "summary": "Vandellia cirrhosa, known by the common names candiru, cañero, toothpick fish, or vampire fish, is a species of parasitic freshwater catfish in the family Trichomycteridae native to the Amazon basin where it is found in the countries of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. The name \"candiru\" is also used to refer to other catfish species, including the entire genus Vandellia. This species is known for an alleged tendency to invade and parasitize the human urethra and other bodily openings; however, despite ethnographic reports dating back to the late 19th century, the first documented case of the removal of a candiru from a human urethra did not occur until 1997, and even that incident has remained a matter of controversy. Scientifically, this fish only parasitizes larger fish which it shares its habitat with; it consumes their host's blood from their gill openings, thus the candiru is a hematophagic species.", "features": "Vandellia cirrhosa is a small, freshwater catfish. Members of the genus Vandellia can reach up to 17 cm (7 in) in standard length, but some others can grow to around 40 cm (16 in). The fish has an elongated body with an anterior dorsal fin and pelvic fin, and an anal fin slightly larger than the dorsal fin. The caudal fin is fairly small with a truncated shape. Each has a rather small head and a belly that can appear distended, especially after a large blood meal. The body is translucent, making it quite difficult to spot in the turbid waters of its home. Blood is often visible through the translucent body after feeding. The fish has small eyes with yellow irises. There are short sensory barbels around the head, together with short, backward pointing spines on the gill covers. These spines have been described as popping out in an umbrella-like fashion, which could be used to help lodge the fish into its host. All members of the subfamily Vandelliinae share the traits of blood parasitism, with parasitism in general being a shared ancestral trait of all members of Trichomycteridae. They have individual claw-like teeth for this purpose. Their bodies are very small and elongated to easily slip into the gills of host fish.", "habitat": "Candiru inhabits the Amazon and Orinoco basins of lowland Amazonia. This fish lives in shallow water with muddy, sandy, or rocky bottoms. It can be found in riffles. Its distribution is patchy and it does not seem to move very far from its spawning sites. One location that Vandellia cirrhosa is specifically known to inhabit is the Purus River of Brazil. This location is hard to study due to its geographic isolation, something that is common among the habitats of candiru.", "distribution": "Candiru inhabits the Amazon and Orinoco basins of lowland Amazonia. This fish lives in shallow water with muddy, sandy, or rocky bottoms. It can be found in riffles. Its distribution is patchy and it does not seem to move very far from its spawning sites. One location that Vandellia cirrhosa is specifically known to inhabit is the Purus River of Brazil. This location is hard to study due to its geographic isolation, something that is common among the habitats of candiru.", "diet": "Candiru are hematophagous and parasitizes the gills of larger Amazonian fish, especially catfish of the family Pimelodidae (Siluriformes) and members of the family Characidae. However, it has been known to parasitize many species in the same location, suggesting that its feeding habit is based more on availability than species preference. Vandellinae is one of only two groups of jawed vertebrates that exclusively feed on blood. The feeding mechanism of the candiru was not understood until fairly recently, but many theories had been proposed before. Some suggested that it uses its sharp teeth to latch onto an artery or vein and stays attached to the host until it has ingested enough blood. It then lets go of the host and continues swimming. Others suggested that it extracts blood from its hosts by latching onto the gill filaments, which bleed freely into the alimentary tract of the candiru. In one experiment involving Vandellia cirrhosa, no evidence of gill damage was found on the fish hosts. Thus, the experimenter suggested a hypothetical blood-pumping mechanism in which the candiru is able to quickly ingest large amounts of blood without permanently damaging the host. Modern experiments have shown that the candiru feeds by approaching a host fish and swimming alongside it until close to the gill cover. It then attempts to penetrate the gill chamber by forcing itself underneath. The candiru has also been seen entering the host through its mouth, though this behavior seems to be rare.", "family": "Trichomycteridae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1461873.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Vandellia cirrhosa after a full meal of blood", "author": "Ivan Sazima & Jansen Zuanon", "license": "CC BY 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vandellia_cirrhosa_after_a_full_meal_of_blood.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vandellia_cirrhosa", "revision": 1370942019, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1370942019", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "8ee8f8ad26d25669930d21e50429b9b682e630611d7c02d526858f957cd70781" }, { "id": "Q833503", "common_name": "Chinook salmon", "scientific_name": "Oncorhynchus tshawytscha", "aliases": [ "Oncorhynchus tshawytscha", "king salmon", "quinnat", "quinnat salmon", "spring salmon", "chrome hog", "Tyee salmon", "Chinook" ], "summary": "The Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) is the largest and most valuable species of Pacific salmon. Its common name is derived from the Chinookan peoples. Other vernacular names for the species include king salmon, quinnat salmon, tsumen, spring salmon, blackmouth, and tyee salmon. The scientific species name is based on the Russian common name chavycha (чавыча). Chinook are anadromous fish native to the North Pacific Ocean and the river systems of western North America, ranging from California to Alaska, as well as Asian rivers ranging from northern Japan to the Palyavaam River in Arctic northeast Siberia. They have been introduced to other parts of the world, including New Zealand and Patagonia. Introduced Chinook salmon are thriving in Lake Michigan and Michigan's western rivers. A large Chinook is a prized and sought-after catch for a sporting angler. The flesh of the salmon is also highly valued for its nutritional content, which includes high levels of important omega-3 fatty acids. Some populations are endangered; however, many are healthy. The Chinook salmon has not been assessed for the IUCN Red List. According to NOAA, the Chinook salmon population along the California coast is declining from factors such as overfishing, loss of freshwater and estuarine habitat, hydropower development, poor ocean conditions, and hatchery practices.", "features": "The Chinook is blue-green, red, or purple on the back and on the top of the head, with silvery sides and white ventral surfaces. It has black spots on its tail and the upper half of its body. Although spots are seen on the tail in pink salmon and silver on the tail in coho and chum salmon, Chinook are unique among the Pacific salmon in combining black spots and silver on the tail. Another distinctive feature is a black gum line that is present in both salt and fresh water. Adult fish typically range in size from 60 to 90 cm (24 to 36 in), but may be up to 150 cm (58 in) in length; they average 4.5 to 22.7 kg (10 to 50 lb), but may reach 59 kg (130 lb). Those termed Tyee typically must be more than 14 kg (30 lb).The meat can be either pink or white, depending on what the salmon have been feeding on. Chinook salmon are the largest of the Pacific salmon. In the Kenai River of Alaska, mature Chinook averaged 16.8 kg (37 lb 1 oz). The current sport-caught world record, 44.1 kg (97+1⁄4 lb), was caught on May 17, 1985, in the Kenai River. The commercial catch world record is 57 kg (126 lb) caught near Rivers Inlet, British Columbia, in the late 1970s.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "Historically, the native distribution of Chinook salmon in North America ranged from the Ventura River in California in the south to Kotzebue Sound in Alaska in the north. Recent studies have shown that Chinook salmon are historically native to the Guadalupe River watershed in California, the southernmost major metropolitan area hosting salmon runs in the United States. Populations have disappeared from large areas where they once flourished, however, or shrunk by as much as 40 percent. In some regions, their inland range has been cut off, mainly by dams and habitat alterations: in Southern California, in some areas east of the Coast Ranges of California and Oregon, and in large areas in the Snake River and upper Columbia River drainage basins. In certain areas such as California's Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta, it was revealed that extremely low numbers of juvenile Chinook salmon (less than 1%) were surviving. In the western Pacific, the distribution ranges from northern Japan (Hokkaido) in the south to the Arctic Ocean as far as the East Siberian Sea and Palyavaam River in the north. Nevertheless, they are consistently present and the distribution is well known only in Kamchatka. Elsewhere, information is scarce, but they have a patchy presence in the Anadyr River basin and parts of the Chukchi Peninsula. Also, in parts of the northern Magadan Oblast near the Shelikhov Gulf and Penzhina Bay, stocks might persist but remain poorly studied.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q833503.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Chinook Salmon Adult Male", "author": "A. Hoen and Co.", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chinook_Salmon_Adult_Male.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinook_salmon", "revision": 1376309908, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1376309908", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "652053934fe677c30e56ee67b2322deef6e09a72a8598b43f5f7f1c8d5f69226" }, { "id": "Q5125285", "common_name": "Pollock", "scientific_name": "Pollachius virens", "aliases": [ "Pollachius virens", "saithe", "Boston blue", "silver bills", "coalfish", "coley" ], "summary": "Pollachius virens is a species of marine fish in the genus Pollachius. Together with P. pollachius, it is generally referred to in the United States as pollock. It is commonly known in Britain as the coalfish, coley, or saithe ( or ), and the young fish may also be called podleys or cuddies in Scotland and northern England.", "features": "This species can be separated from P. pollachius by looking at the relative lengths of the upper and lower jaws. P. pollachius has a longer underslung lower jaw while P. virens has approximately equal upper and lower jaw lengths. This gives a very different profile to the head. In general, P. pollachius is a brown or golden colour with a dark back while P. virens is bright silver with a very dark green back. P. virens generally appears to have relatively smaller eyes. The lateral line of P. pollachius has a noticeable kink over the pectoral fins while that of P. virens is straighter. Adults can typically live up to 16–20 years and grow to 100–120 centimetres (40–45 in) but individuals up to 130 cm (50 in) and weight up to 32 kg (71 lb) have been caught. The current IGFA All-Tackle World Record is 22.7 kilograms (50 lb 1 oz) which was caught at Saltstraumen in Norway.", "habitat": "It is common in the northern parts of the Northern Atlantic, including the Bay of Biscay. Juveniles tend to be found close to shore, particularly in rocky areas, and tend to move out into deeper waters as they grow.", "distribution": "It is common in the northern parts of the Northern Atlantic, including the Bay of Biscay. Juveniles tend to be found close to shore, particularly in rocky areas, and tend to move out into deeper waters as they grow.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q5125285.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Pollachius virens 01", "author": "Tino Strauss", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pollachius_virens_01.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pollachius_virens", "revision": 1383149826, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1383149826", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "8f9ad9082650d094e6c2a709292b7ef75245449d5d1f084fbdd0b3eb0919aa8e" }, { "id": "Q2306485", "common_name": "Great barracuda", "scientific_name": "Sphyraena barracuda", "aliases": [ "Sphyraena barracuda" ], "summary": "Sphyraena barracuda, commonly known as the great barracuda, is a species of barracuda, a genus of 27 species of large ray-finned fish found in subtropical oceans worldwide.", "features": "Great barracudas are elongated fish with powerful jaws. The lower jaw of their large mouth juts out beyond their upper one. Barracudas possess strong, fang-like teeth that are unequal in size, set in sockets in the jaws and on the roof of the mouth. Their head is quite large, pointed and pike-like in appearance. The great barracuda is blue gray above, fading to silvery and chalky-white below. Sometimes, a row of darker stripes occurs on its upper side, with black blotches on each lower side. The second dorsal fin, as well as the anal and caudal fins, range from dark violet to black with white tips. Great barracudas are also large fish, and the largest of its genus. Mature specimens are usually around 60–100 cm (24–39 in) in length and weigh 2.5–9.0 kg (5.5–19.8 lb). Exceptionally large specimens can exceed 1.5 m (4.9 ft) and weigh over 23 kg (51 lb). A record-sized specimen caught on rod-and-reel weighed 46.72 kg (103.0 lb) and measured 1.7 m (5.6 ft), while an even longer specimen measured 2 m (6.6 ft). The largest great barracuda was said to have measured 3 m (9.8 ft).", "habitat": "The great barracuda is present in tropical to warm temperate waters, in subtropical parts of the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Primarily found in oceans near the equator, the great barracuda finds refuge in mangroves to deep reefs, and seagrass beds, up to depths of 110 m (360 ft). Juveniles and small adults typically inhabit locations near the shore, such as mangroves and seagrass meadows, while adults are typically found further away from shore around artificial structures, reefs, and rock outcroppings. These fish use these structures as a form of refuge. Studies conducted by a research group that tagged and monitored these fish in the Bahamas concluded that a significant proportion of the population stayed in their residential habitats for a long period of time; however, a small portion of the population have traveled outwards, suggesting they are capable of large-scale migration.", "distribution": "The great barracuda is present in tropical to warm temperate waters, in subtropical parts of the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Primarily found in oceans near the equator, the great barracuda finds refuge in mangroves to deep reefs, and seagrass beds, up to depths of 110 m (360 ft). Juveniles and small adults typically inhabit locations near the shore, such as mangroves and seagrass meadows, while adults are typically found further away from shore around artificial structures, reefs, and rock outcroppings. These fish use these structures as a form of refuge. Studies conducted by a research group that tagged and monitored these fish in the Bahamas concluded that a significant proportion of the population stayed in their residential habitats for a long period of time; however, a small portion of the population have traveled outwards, suggesting they are capable of large-scale migration.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q2306485.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Gran barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda), Yeda, Arabia Saudita, 2025-05-20, DD 118", "author": "Diego Delso", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gran_barracuda_(Sphyraena_barracuda),_Yeda,_Arabia_Saudita,_2025-05-20,_DD_118.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_barracuda", "revision": 1374591270, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1374591270", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "2a6a5f03a78835c8749a68fc60fd3503e4072277452f59c4691ad61eeb9b271a" }, { "id": "Q739380", "common_name": "Mekong giant catfish", "scientific_name": "Pangasianodon gigas", "aliases": [ "Pangasianodon gigas", "giant catfish" ], "summary": "The Mekong giant catfish (Pangasianodon gigas; Thai: ปลาบึก, RTGS: pla buek, pronounced [plāː bɯ̀k]; Khmer: ត្រីរាជ /trəy riec/; Vietnamese: cá tra dầu) is a large species of catfish (order Siluriformes) in the shark catfish family (Pangasiidae), native to the Mekong basin in Southeast Asia and adjacent China. It is considered critically endangered due to overfishing and habitat loss.", "features": "Grey to white in color and lacking stripes, the Mekong giant catfish is distinguished from other large catfish species in the river by the near-total lack of barbels and the absence of teeth. Young Mekong catfish do exhibit barbels and oral teeth, but these features diminish as they age and are absent by the time they grow to be 30–50 cm in length. Mekong giant catfish are one of the largest species of freshwater fish. In 2005, the Mekong giant catfish attained the Guinness World Record for the world's largest freshwater fish. Attaining a length of up to 3 m (9.8 ft), the giant catfish grows extremely quickly, reaching a mass of 150 to 200 kg (330 to 440 lb) in only six years. It can reportedly weigh up to 350 kg (770 lb). The largest catch recorded in Thailand since record-keeping began in 1981 was a female measuring 2.7 m (8 ft 10 in) in length and weighing 293 kg (646 lb). This specimen, caught in 2005, was widely recognized as the largest entirely freshwater fish ever caught (the largest sturgeon species, the beluga, can far exceed this size, but they are anadromous), until surpassed in June of 2022 by a giant freshwater stingray specimen caught in Cambodia. Thai fisheries officials stripped the giant catfish, caught in 2005, of its eggs as part of a breeding program, intending then to release it, but the fish died in captivity and was sold as food to local villagers.", "habitat": "The Mekong giant catfish is a threatened species in the Mekong, and conservationists have focused on it as a flagship species to promote conservation on the river. Although research projects are currently ongoing, relatively little is known about this species. Historically, the fish's natural range reached from the lower Mekong in Vietnam (above the tidally influenced brackish water of the river's delta) all the way to the northern reaches of the river in the Yunnan Province of China, spanning almost the entire 4,800 km (3,000 mi) length of the river. Due to threats, this species no longer inhabits the majority of its original habitat. It is now believed to only exist in small, isolated populations in the middle Mekong region. Fish congregate during the beginning of the rainy season and migrate upstream to spawn. They live primarily in the main channel of the river, where the water depth is over 10 m (33 ft), while researchers, fishermen and officials have found this species in the Tonlé Sap River and Lake in Cambodia, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. In the past, fishers have reported the fish in a number of the Mekong's tributaries. In December of 2024, 6 of the Mekong giant catfish were sighted and caught along the Tonle Sap River, in Cambodia. However, In 2005 the biggest Mekong giant catfish to be caught was in northern Thailand and weighed up to 292 kg. As fry, this species feeds on zooplankton in the river and is known to be cannibalistic.", "distribution": "The Mekong giant catfish is a threatened species in the Mekong, and conservationists have focused on it as a flagship species to promote conservation on the river. Although research projects are currently ongoing, relatively little is known about this species. Historically, the fish's natural range reached from the lower Mekong in Vietnam (above the tidally influenced brackish water of the river's delta) all the way to the northern reaches of the river in the Yunnan Province of China, spanning almost the entire 4,800 km (3,000 mi) length of the river. Due to threats, this species no longer inhabits the majority of its original habitat. It is now believed to only exist in small, isolated populations in the middle Mekong region. Fish congregate during the beginning of the rainy season and migrate upstream to spawn. They live primarily in the main channel of the river, where the water depth is over 10 m (33 ft), while researchers, fishermen and officials have found this species in the Tonlé Sap River and Lake in Cambodia, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. In the past, fishers have reported the fish in a number of the Mekong's tributaries. In December of 2024, 6 of the Mekong giant catfish were sighted and caught along the Tonle Sap River, in Cambodia. However, In 2005 the biggest Mekong giant catfish to be caught was in northern Thailand and weighed up to 292 kg.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q739380.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Pangasianodon gigas in Gifu World Fresh Water Aquarium - 2", "author": "KKPCW", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pangasianodon_gigas_in_Gifu_World_Fresh_Water_Aquarium_-_2.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mekong_giant_catfish", "revision": 1380239590, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1380239590", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "9a4dd06d367ee2a34faedbaac68e431277d8bde09690acaac40b13025d70291a" }, { "id": "Q847747", "common_name": "Giant grouper", "scientific_name": "Epinephelus lanceolatus", "aliases": [ "brindlebass", "bumblebee grouper", "Queensland groper", "Epinephelus lanceolatus", "brown spot" ], "summary": "The giant grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus), also known as the Queensland grouper (groper), brindle grouper or mottled-brown sea bass, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grouper from the subfamily Epinephelinae which is part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the anthias and sea basses. It has a wide Indo-Pacific distribution and is one of the largest extant species of bony fish.", "features": "The giant grouper can grow to huge size with the maximum recorded standard length being 270 centimetres (110 in), although they are more common around 180 centimetres (71 in), and a maximum published weight of 400 kilograms (880 lb). The body is robust, and has a standard length equivalent to 2.4 to 3.4 times its depth. The dorsal profile of the head and the intraorbital area are convex. The preopercle has a rounded corner and a finely serrated margin. The gill cover has a convex upper margin. There are 11 spines and 14–16 soft rays in the dorsal fin while the anal fin has 3 spines and 8 soft rays. The caudal fin is slightly rounded. There are 54 to 62 scales in its lateral line. Adults are grayish-brown in colour overlain with a mottled pattern and with darker fins. The small juveniles are yellow with wide, dark irregular bars and irregular dark spots on their fins.", "habitat": "The giant grouper is a species of shallow water fish and can be found at depths of 1 to 100 metres (3.3 to 328.1 ft). It is associated with reefs and is the largest known bony fish found on reefs. Large specimens have been caught from shore and in harbours. They are found in caves and in wrecks while the secretive juveniles occur in reefs and are infrequently observed. The adults are mainly solitary and hold territories on the outer reef and in lagoons. They have also been caught in turbid water over silt or mud sea beds by prawn fishermen. This species is normally solitary and long-lived. They are, however, curious and frequently approach divers closely. They are not generally considered dangerous to humans but divers are advised to treat large specimens with caution and not to hand feed them as there have been reports of large specimen attacking humans.", "distribution": "The giant grouper has a wide Indo-Pacific distribution, it is the most widely distributed species of grouper in the world. It occurs from the Red Sea and the eastern coasts of Africa as far south as Algoa Bay in South Africa and across the Indian Ocean into the Western Pacific Ocean as far east as the Pitcairn Islands and Hawaii. They occur as far north as southern Japan and as far south as Australia. In Australia it is found from Rottnest Island in Western Australia north and east along the tropical coasts of Australia, including offshore reefs, and then south along the eastern coast to Woy Woy, New South Wales. It also occurs around Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands and the Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs Marine National Park Reserve in the Tasman Sea. There have also been reports from the Younghusband Peninsula in South Australia and north eastern New Zealand. It is absent from the Persian Gulf but it is present off the coast of Pakistan and southern Oman. It has been listed as a potential invasive species in the Bahamas but its presence in that region requires verification.", "diet": "The giant grouper is an opportunistic ambush predator which feeds on a variety of fishes, as well as small sharks & batoids (rays), juvenile sea turtles, crustaceans and molluscs which are all swallowed whole. Fish which inhabit coral reefs and rocky areas favour spiny lobsters as prey; a 177-centimetre (70 in) specimen taken off Maui in Hawaii had a stomach content of two spiny lobsters and a number of crabs. Fish living in estuarine environments in South Africa were found to be feeding almost exclusively on the crab Scylla serrata.", "family": "Serranidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q847747.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Epinephelus lanceolatus (uShaka)", "author": "Bernard DUPONT", "license": "CC BY-SA 2.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Epinephelus_lanceolatus_(uShaka).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_grouper", "revision": 1383357839, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1383357839", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "b0296771ccf07589ff3b254da965655f06ea65174e6e696f288b1e9963d67371" }, { "id": "Q252029", "common_name": "Silky shark", "scientific_name": "Carcharhinus falciformis", "aliases": [ "Carcharhinus falciformis" ], "summary": "The silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis), also known by numerous names such as blackspot shark, gray whaler shark, olive shark, ridgeback shark, sickle shark, sickle-shaped shark and sickle silk shark, is a species of requiem shark, in the family Carcharhinidae, named for the smooth texture of its skin. It is one of the most abundant sharks in the pelagic zone, and can be found around the world in tropical waters. Highly mobile and migratory, this shark is most often found over the edge of the continental shelf down to 50 m (164 ft). The silky shark has a slender, streamlined body and typically grows to a length of 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in). It can be distinguished from other large requiem sharks by its relatively small first dorsal fin with a curving rear margin, its tiny second dorsal fin with a long free rear tip, and its long, sickle-shaped pectoral fins. It is a deep, metallic bronze-gray above and white below. With prey often scarce in its oceanic environment, the silky shark is a swift, inquisitive, and persistent hunter. It feeds mainly on bony fishes and cephalopods, and has been known to drive them into compacted schools before launching open-mouthed, slashing attacks. This species often trails schools of tuna, a favored prey. Its sense of hearing is extremely acute, allowing it to localize the low-frequency noises generated by other feeding animals, and, by extension, sources of food.", "features": "Slim and streamlined, the silky shark has a fairly long, rounded snout with barely developed flaps of skin in front of the nostrils. The circular, medium-sized eyes are equipped with nictitating membranes (protective third eyelids). Short, shallow furrows are present at the corners of the mouth. 14–16 and 13–17 tooth rows are found on either side of the upper and lower jaws, respectively (typically 15 for both). The upper teeth are triangular and strongly serrated, with a notch in the posterior edge; they are erect at the center and become more oblique towards the sides. The lower teeth are narrow, erect, and smooth-edged. The five pairs of gill slits are moderate in length. The dorsal and pectoral fins are distinctive and help to distinguish the silky shark from similar species. The first dorsal fin is relatively small, measuring less than a tenth as high as the shark is long, and originates behind the free rear tips of the pectoral fins. It has a rounded apex, an S-shaped rear margin, and a free rear tip about half as long as the fin is tall. The second dorsal fin is tiny, smaller than the anal fin, with a drawn-out free rear tip up to three times as long as the fin is tall. A narrow dorsal ridge runs between the dorsal fins. The pectoral fins are narrow and sickle-shaped, and particularly long in adults. The anal fin originates slightly ahead of the second dorsal fin and has a deep notch in the posterior margin. The caudal fin is fairly high with a well-developed lower lobe. The skin is densely covered by minute, overlapping dermal denticles.", "habitat": "The silky shark has a cosmopolitan distribution in marine waters warmer than 23 °C (73 °F). In the Atlantic Ocean, it is found from Massachusetts (USA) to Spain in the north, and from southern Brazil to northern Angola in the south, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. In the Mediterranean Sea, it has been recorded first in the Alboran Sea, subsequently in Algerian waters, the Gulf of Gabes (Tunisia) and more recently in the Ligurian Sea. It occurs throughout the Indian Ocean, as far south as Mozambique in the west and Western Australia in the east, including the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf. In the Pacific Ocean, the northern extent of its range runs from southern China and Japan to southern Baja California and the Gulf of California, while the southern extent runs from Sydney, Australia, to northern New Zealand to northern Chile. Based on life history differences, four distinct populations of silky sharks have been identified in ocean basins worldwide: in the northwestern Atlantic, in the western and central Pacific, in the eastern Pacific, and in the Indian Ocean. Primarily an inhabitant of the open ocean, the silky shark is most common from the surface to a depth of 200 m (660 ft), but may dive to 500 m (1,600 ft) or more. Tracking studies in the tropical eastern Pacific and northern Gulf of Mexico have found that cruising silky sharks spend 99% of their time within 50 m (160 ft) of the surface, and 80–85% of their time in water with a temperature of 26–30 °C (79–86 °F); the pattern was constant regardless of day or night.", "distribution": "The silky shark has a cosmopolitan distribution in marine waters warmer than 23 °C (73 °F). In the Atlantic Ocean, it is found from Massachusetts (USA) to Spain in the north, and from southern Brazil to northern Angola in the south, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. In the Mediterranean Sea, it has been recorded first in the Alboran Sea, subsequently in Algerian waters, the Gulf of Gabes (Tunisia) and more recently in the Ligurian Sea. It occurs throughout the Indian Ocean, as far south as Mozambique in the west and Western Australia in the east, including the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf. In the Pacific Ocean, the northern extent of its range runs from southern China and Japan to southern Baja California and the Gulf of California, while the southern extent runs from Sydney, Australia, to northern New Zealand to northern Chile. Based on life history differences, four distinct populations of silky sharks have been identified in ocean basins worldwide: in the northwestern Atlantic, in the western and central Pacific, in the eastern Pacific, and in the Indian Ocean. Primarily an inhabitant of the open ocean, the silky shark is most common from the surface to a depth of 200 m (660 ft), but may dive to 500 m (1,600 ft) or more. Tracking studies in the tropical eastern Pacific and northern Gulf of Mexico have found that cruising silky sharks spend 99% of their time within 50 m (160 ft) of the surface, and 80–85% of their time in water with a temperature of 26–30 °C (79–86 °F); the pattern was constant regardless of day or night.", "diet": "The silky shark is an opportunistic predator, feeding mainly on bony fishes from all levels of the water column, including tuna, mackerel, sardines, mullets, groupers, snappers, mackerel scads, sea chubs, sea catfish, eels, lanternfishes, filefishes, triggerfishes, and porcupinefishes. It may also take squid, paper nautilus, and swimming crabs, and fossil evidence indicates it scavenged on whale carcasses. Good feeding opportunities can draw silky sharks in large numbers; one such feeding aggregation in the Pacific has been documented \"herding\" a school of small fishes into a compact mass (a bait ball) and trapping it against the surface, whereupon the sharks consumed the entire school. When attacking tightly packed fish, silky sharks charge through the ball and slash open-mouthed, catching the prey fish at the corners of their jaws. Although multiple individuals may feed at once, each launches its attack independently. Studies conducted off the Florida coast and the Bahamas have shown that silky sharks are highly sensitive to sound, in particular low-frequency (10–20 Hz), irregular pulses. Experiments in which these sounds were played underwater attracted sharks from hundreds of meters away. Silky sharks likely orient to these sounds because they are similar to the noise generated by feeding animals such as birds or dolphins, thus indicating promising sources of food.", "family": "Carcharhinidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q252029.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Carcharhinus falciformis off Cuba", "author": "Alex Chernikh", "license": "CC BY 2.5", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Carcharhinus_falciformis_off_Cuba.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silky_shark", "revision": 1368921270, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1368921270", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "6b4f068fbea30f3da713e44b79973188bb347106d44a070e89ab816a3a4a9a38" }, { "id": "Q1126774", "common_name": "Sharpnose sevengill shark", "scientific_name": "Heptranchias perlo", "aliases": [ "Heptranchias perlo" ], "summary": "The sharpnose sevengill shark (Heptranchias perlo), also known as one-finned shark, perlon shark, sevengill cow shark, sharpsnouted sevengill or slender sevengill, is a species of shark in the family Hexanchidae, and the only living species in the genus Heptranchias. Found almost circumglobally in deep water, it is one of the few species of sharks with seven pairs of gill slits as opposed to the usual five. The other shark species with seven gill slits is the broadnose sevengill shark. Though small, this shark is an active, voracious predator of invertebrates and fish. When caught, this species is notably defensive and will attempt to bite. It is of minor commercial importance.", "features": "Usually measuring 60–120 cm (2.0–3.9 ft) long, sharpnose sevengill sharks attain a maximum length of 1.4 m (4.6 ft). This species has a slender, fusiform body with a narrow, pointed head. The eyes are very large and fluoresce green in live specimens. The mouth is narrow and strongly curved, containing 9–11 teeth on either side of the upper jaw and five teeth on either side of the lower. The upper teeth are narrow and hook-shaped with small lateral cusps, while the lower teeth are broad and comb-shaped (except for a symmetrical symphysial tooth). Unlike most other sharks, there are seven pairs of gill slits that extend onto the throat. A single small dorsal fin is located behind the pelvic fins, with a straight front margin, narrowly rounded tip, and concave rear margin. The pectoral fins are small with a weakly convex outer margin. The anal fin is small with nearly straight margins. The caudal peduncle is long, and the distance between the dorsal fin origin and the caudal fin is more than twice the dorsal fin base. The closely overlapping dermal denticles are very thin and transparent; each is longer than it is broad, bearing a distinct median ridge and two lateral ridges ending in marginal teeth. The coloration is brownish gray to olive above and lighter below; some individuals have dark blotches on the body or light posterior fin margins. Juveniles have dark blotches on the flank and dark tips on the dorsal fin and upper caudal lobe.", "habitat": "The sharpnose sevengill shark is uncommon, but widely distributed in the tropical and temperate regions of all oceans except for the northeastern Pacific Ocean. It is found from North Carolina to Cuba, including the northern Gulf of Mexico, and from Venezuela to Argentina in the western Atlantic. In the eastern Atlantic, it occurs from Morocco to Namibia, including the Mediterranean Sea. It is reported from the Indian Ocean off southwestern India, Aldabra Island, southern Mozambique, and South Africa. In the Pacific Ocean, it is known from Japan to China, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, and northern Chile. This is a demersal to semipelagic species usually captured at a depth of 300–600 m (980–1,970 ft), but is occasionally found close to the surface (though these reports may represent misidentifications) or down to 1,000 m (3,280 ft). It is mainly found on the outer continental shelf and upper continental slope, and may aggregate around seamounts. Despite its relatively small size, the sharpnose sevengill shark is considered a top predator in the ecosystem it inhabits. At the Great Meteor Seamount in the eastern Atlantic, this species feeds primarily on teleosts and cephalopods, and to a lesser extent on small cartilaginous fishes. Off Tunisia, crustaceans are the second-most common prey taken after teleosts. Off Australia, this species consumes mostly teleosts, with smaller individuals taking mainly Lepidorhynchus denticulatus and larger individuals taking increasing numbers of snake mackerels and cutlassfishes.", "distribution": "The sharpnose sevengill shark is uncommon, but widely distributed in the tropical and temperate regions of all oceans except for the northeastern Pacific Ocean. It is found from North Carolina to Cuba, including the northern Gulf of Mexico, and from Venezuela to Argentina in the western Atlantic. In the eastern Atlantic, it occurs from Morocco to Namibia, including the Mediterranean Sea. It is reported from the Indian Ocean off southwestern India, Aldabra Island, southern Mozambique, and South Africa. In the Pacific Ocean, it is known from Japan to China, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, and northern Chile. This is a demersal to semipelagic species usually captured at a depth of 300–600 m (980–1,970 ft), but is occasionally found close to the surface (though these reports may represent misidentifications) or down to 1,000 m (3,280 ft). It is mainly found on the outer continental shelf and upper continental slope, and may aggregate around seamounts.", "diet": "", "family": "Hexanchidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1126774.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Heptranchias perlo", "author": "NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Heptranchias_perlo.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharpnose_sevengill_shark", "revision": 1382675251, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1382675251", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "d3419c7fb15c6907c1d790d13fa16ce5edc875b18f3d1be48d7643b5d7f30b12" }, { "id": "Q1348685", "common_name": "Mozambique tilapia", "scientific_name": "Oreochromis mossambicus", "aliases": [ "Mozambique tilapia", "black tilapia", "Oreochromis mossambicus" ], "summary": "The Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) is an oreochromine cichlid fish native to southeastern Africa. Dull colored, the Mozambique tilapia often lives up to a decade in its native habitats. It is a popular fish for aquaculture. Due to human introductions, it is now found in many tropical and subtropical habitats around the globe, where it can become an invasive species because of its robust nature. These same features make it a good species for aquaculture because it readily adapts to new situations.", "features": "The native, wild-type Mozambique tilapia is laterally compressed, being deep bodied. It has long dorsal fins, the front part of which have spines. Native coloration is a dull greenish or yellowish, and weak banding may be seen. Adults reach up to 39 cm (15 in) in standard length and up to 1.1 kg (2.4 lb). It lives up to 11 years. Size and coloration may vary in captive and naturalized populations due to environmental and breeding pressures.", "habitat": "The Mozambique tilapia is native to inland and coastal waters in southeastern Africa, from the Zambezi basin in Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe to Bushman River in South Africa's Eastern Cape province. It is threatened in its home range by the introduced Nile tilapia. In addition to competing for the same resources, the two readily hybridize. This has already been documented from the Zambezi and Limpopo Rivers, and it is expected that pure Mozambique tilapia eventually will disappear from both. Otherwise it is a remarkably robust and fecund fish, readily adapting to available food sources and breeding under suboptimal conditions. Among others, it occurs in rivers, streams, canals, ponds, lakes, swamps and estuaries, although it typically avoids fast-flowing waters, waters at high altitudes and the open sea. It inhabits waters that range from 17 to 35 °C (63–95 °F).", "distribution": "The Mozambique tilapia is native to inland and coastal waters in southeastern Africa, from the Zambezi basin in Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe to Bushman River in South Africa's Eastern Cape province. It is threatened in its home range by the introduced Nile tilapia. In addition to competing for the same resources, the two readily hybridize. This has already been documented from the Zambezi and Limpopo Rivers, and it is expected that pure Mozambique tilapia eventually will disappear from both. Otherwise it is a remarkably robust and fecund fish, readily adapting to available food sources and breeding under suboptimal conditions. Among others, it occurs in rivers, streams, canals, ponds, lakes, swamps and estuaries, although it typically avoids fast-flowing waters, waters at high altitudes and the open sea. It inhabits waters that range from 17 to 35 °C (63–95 °F).", "diet": "Mozambique tilapia are omnivorous. They can consume detritus, diatoms, phytoplankton, invertebrates, small fry and vegetation ranging from macroalgae to rooted plants. This broad diet helps the species thrive in diverse locations. Due to their robust nature, Mozambique tilapias often over-colonize the habitat around them, eventually becoming the most abundant species in a particular area. When over-crowding happens and resources get scarce, adults will sometimes cannibalize the young for more nutrients. Mozambique tilapia, like other fish such as Nile tilapia and trout, are opportunistic omnivores and will feed on algae, plant matter, organic particles, small invertebrates and other fish. Feeding patterns vary depending on which food source is the most abundant and the most accessible at the time. In captivity, Mozambique tilapias have been known to learn how to feed themselves using demand feeders. During commercial feeding, the fish may energetically jump out of the water for food.", "family": "", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1348685.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Oreochromis mossambicus", "author": "Greg Hume", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Oreochromis_mossambicus.JPG", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mozambique_tilapia", "revision": 1361258920, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1361258920", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "d3b3fb549cbfcc41d08f662f4ef483ac037a9fa72eea9a297ad79a423b7224d8" }, { "id": "Q522735", "common_name": "Alligator gar", "scientific_name": "Atractosteus spatula", "aliases": [ "Atractosteus spatula" ], "summary": "The alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula) is a euryhaline ray-finned fish in the clade Ginglymodi of the infraclass Holostei , being most closely related to the bowfins. It is the largest species in the gar family (Lepisosteidae), and is among the largest freshwater fishes in North America. The fossil record traces its group's existence back to the Early Cretaceous over 100 million years ago. Gars are often referred to as \"primitive fishes\" or \"living fossils\", because they have retained some morphological characteristics of their early ancestors, such as a spiral valve intestine, which is also common to the digestive system of sharks, and the ability to breathe in both air and water. Their common name was derived from their resemblance to the American alligator, particularly their broad snouts and long, sharp teeth. It is suggested that an alligator gar can grow up to 10 ft (3.0 m) in length. The body of an alligator gar is torpedo-shaped, usually brown or olive colored, fading to a lighter gray or yellow ventral surface. In very rare occurrences, they can also be black, seen in gars that have a high level of melanin. Their scales are not like the scales of other fishes; rather, they are ganoid scales, which are bone-like, rhomboidal-shaped scales, often with serrated edges, and covered by an enamel-like substance. Ganoid scales are nearly impenetrable, and are excellent protection against predation.", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "Alligator gar inhabit a wide variety of aquatic habitats, but most are found in the Southern United States in reservoirs and lakes, in the backwaters of lowland rivers, and in the brackish waters of estuaries, bayous, and bays. Gars occur southward along the Gulf Coast of Texas, into Tamaulipas and northern Veracruz, Mexico; however, records from Nicaragua and Costa Rica are considered \"suspect and refuted\". They have occasionally been seen in the Gulf of Mexico. In Texas and Louisiana, large gars are commonly seen breaking the surface in reservoirs, bayous, and brackish marshes. They are found throughout the lower Mississippi River Valley and Gulf Coast states of the Southern United States and Mexico as far south as Veracruz, and encompassing the following states in the US: Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, and Florida. Reports suggest alligator gar were once numerous throughout much of their northern range, but valid sightings today are rare, and may occur once every few years. Records of historical distribution indicate alligator gar once inhabited regions as far north as central Kansas, Nebraska, Ohio, Iowa, and west-central Illinois, where they are now listed as extirpated. The most northerly verified catch was in Meredosia, Illinois, in 1922. In 2016, there were efforts to reintroduce alligator gar between Tennessee and Illinois, as part of an effort to control invasive Asian carp. Alligator gar is an invasive species in Mainland China, where it can be purchased as an exotic pet fish.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q522735.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Alligator Gar 10", "author": "Greg Hume", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Alligator_Gar_10.JPG", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alligator_gar", "revision": 1382078669, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1382078669", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "0b41b8581f8ca25026c00170ff7afa1167d182a79988872ef118f1976f895b99" }, { "id": "Q686439", "common_name": "Common snakehead", "scientific_name": "Channa striata", "aliases": [ "striped snakehead", "Channa striata" ], "summary": "Channa striata, the striped snakehead, is a species of snakehead fish. It is also known as the common snakehead, chevron snakehead, or snakehead murrel and generally referred simply as mudfish. It is native to South and Southeast Asia, and has been introduced to some Pacific Islands. Reports from Madagascar and Hawaii are misidentifications of C. maculata. A genetic study published in 2017 indicates that C. striata is a species complex.", "features": "It is a bony fish with endoskeleton ribcage, grows up to a meter in length, though because of fishing, this size is rarely found in the wild. It has a widespread range covering southern China, Pakistan, most of India, southern Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and most of Southeast Asia. It has more recently been introduced to the outermost parts of Indonesia, the Philippines, and Mauritius. Reports beginning in the early 20th century that it was introduced into the wild in Hawaii, particularly the island of Oahu, as well as later reports from Madagascar, are the result of misidentifications of C. maculata. The only currently confirmed Hawaiian establishment of C. striata is on a commercial fish farm. Popular media and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service were perpetuating this apparent mistake as recently as 2002. Early- to mid-20th century reports and texts referring to its introduction in California appear to be the result of a misunderstanding. It is an important food fish in its entire native range, and is of considerable economic importance. Adults are dark brown in colour with faint black bands visible across its entire body. Males and females both help to construct a nest out of water vegetation during breeding time. Eggs are guarded by both parents. Fry are reddish orange and are guarded by both parents until they turn greenish brown at around 5–6 cm. It is common in freshwater plains, where it migrates from rivers and lakes into flooded fields. Subsequently, it returns to permanent water bodies in the dry season, where it survives by burrowing in the mud.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q686439.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Gabus 070909 0074 rwg", "author": "Wie146", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gabus_070909_0074_rwg.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Channa_striata", "revision": 1371728736, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1371728736", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "b937c3e25a28e0250f031077b699b08e9f02c0f5f6b0a466440b67a217d61971" }, { "id": "Q18001776", "common_name": "Lumpfish", "scientific_name": "Cyclopterus lumpus", "aliases": [ "Cyclopterus lumpus" ], "summary": "Cyclopterus is a genus of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Cyclopteridae, the lumpsuckers or lumpfish. Its only species is Cyclopterus lumpus, the lumpsucker or lumpfish. It is found in the North Atlantic and adjacent parts of the Arctic Ocean, ranging as far south as the Chesapeake Bay (rare south of New Jersey) on the North American coast and Spain (rare south of the English Channel) on the European coast. The species has been reported twice in the Mediterranean Sea, off Croatia in 2004 and Cyprus in 2017.", "features": "Cyclopterus is sexually dimorphic with females reaching larger sizes than the males. Males typically reach 30–40 cm (12–16 in) in length while females can typically grow up to 50 cm (20 in) in length and 5 kg (11 lb 0 oz) in weight. The largest specimen recorded measured 61 cm (24 in) in length, and 9.6 kg (21 lb 3 oz) in weight. In the brackish water of the Baltic Sea, it usually does not surpass 20 cm (8 in). The body is ball-like. It has a knobbly, ridged back and three large bony tubercles on each flank. Its pelvic fins form suction discs which it uses to attach strongly to rocks or other surfaces. The head and the pectoral fins of males are larger than those of females. It has a jelly-like layer of fat under the skin. Its colour is highly variable; bluish, greyish, olive, yellowish or brownish. Mature males turn orange-reddish during the breeding season.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Cyclopteridae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q18001776.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Cyclopterus lumpus female", "author": "Clumpus", "license": "CC BY 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cyclopterus_lumpus_female.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclopterus", "revision": 1375899614, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1375899614", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "ad1925aadc8f2ddc0f137778764d79ec6e582f42e3617574e2e56354baba3228" }, { "id": "Q1071686", "common_name": "Indian mackerel", "scientific_name": "Rastrelliger kanagurta", "aliases": [ "Rastrelliger kanagurta" ], "summary": "The Indian mackerel or bigmouth mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta) is a species of mackerel in the family Scombridae. It is commonly found in the Indian and West Pacific oceans, and their surrounding seas. It is an important food fish and is commonly used in South and South-East Asian cuisine. It is known by various names, such as Pelaling in Malaysia, Kembung lelaki in Indonesia, Bangdo (बांगडो) in Konkani language, Bangdi (બાંગડી) in Gujarati, Bangda (बांगडा) in Marathi, Kajol Gouri (কাজল গৌরী) in Bengali, Ayla (അയല, ഐല) in Malayalam, Kankarta (କାନକରତା) in Odia, Kaanankeluthi (காணாங்கெலுத்தி) in Tamil, Kaanagadata(కానగడత) in Telugu, Kumbalawaa (කුම්බලාව) in Sinhala and Bangude (ಬಂಗುಡೆ) in Tulu, and Kannada. It is called alumahan in the Philippines.", "features": "The body of the Indian mackerel is moderately deep, and the head is longer than the body depth. The maxilla are partly concealed, covered by the lacrimal bone, but extend till around the hind margin of the eye. These fish have thin dark longitudinal bands on the upper part of the body, which may be golden on fresh specimens. There is also a black spot on the body near the lower margin of the pectoral fin. Dorsal fins are yellowish with black tips, while the caudal and pectoral fins are yellowish. The remaining fins are dusky. Indian mackerel reach a maximum fork length of 35 cm (14 in), but are generally around 25 cm (9.8 in) in length.", "habitat": "The Indian mackerel is found in warm shallow waters along the coasts of the Indian and Western Pacific oceans. Its range extends from the Red Sea and East Africa in the west to Indonesia in the east, and from China and the Ryukyu Islands in the north to Australia, Melanesia and Samoa in the south. It has been reported on two occasions (1967, 2010) in the Mediterranean Sea off Gaza, a likely entry via the Suez Canal. The Indian mackerel is generally found in shallow, coastal waters, where the surface water temperature is at least 17 °C (63 °F). Adults of this species are found in coastal bays, harbours and deep lagoons. They are commonly found in turbid waters rich in plankton. Juveniles feed on phytoplankton like diatoms and small zooplankton including cladocerans and ostracods. As they mature, their intestines shorten, and their diet changes to primarily include macroplankton such as the larvae of shrimp and fish.", "distribution": "The Indian mackerel is found in warm shallow waters along the coasts of the Indian and Western Pacific oceans. Its range extends from the Red Sea and East Africa in the west to Indonesia in the east, and from China and the Ryukyu Islands in the north to Australia, Melanesia and Samoa in the south. It has been reported on two occasions (1967, 2010) in the Mediterranean Sea off Gaza, a likely entry via the Suez Canal.", "diet": "", "family": "Scombridae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1071686.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Rastrelliger kanagurta JNC2855", "author": "Jean-Lou Justine", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rastrelliger_kanagurta_JNC2855.JPG", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_mackerel", "revision": 1364363445, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1364363445", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "6e190917b332196233fbd337d3dd2a5de43eb1e5c5269cdfd967c6aafeab20b5" }, { "id": "Q502228", "common_name": "Stone loach", "scientific_name": "Barbatula barbatula", "aliases": [ "Barbatula barbatula" ], "summary": "The stone loach (Barbatula barbatula) is a European species of fresh water ray-finned fish in the family Nemacheilidae. It is one of 33 species in the genus Barbatula. Stone loaches live amongst the gravel and stones of fast flowing water where they can search for food. The most distinctive feature of this small fish is the presence of barbels around the bottom jaw, which they use to detect their invertebrate prey. The body is a mixture of brown, green and yellow.", "features": "The stone loach is a small, slender bottom-dwelling fish that can grow to a length of 21 cm (8.3 in), but typically is around 12 cm (5 in). Its eyes are situated high on its head and it has three pairs of short barbels on its lower jaw below its mouth. It has a rounded body that is not much laterally flattened and is a little less deep in the body than the spined loach (Cobitis taenia) and lacks that fish's spines beneath the eye. It has rounded dorsal and caudal fins with their tips slightly notched, but the spined loach has even more rounded fins. The general colour of this fish is yellowish-brown with blotches and vertical bands of darker colour. An indistinct dark line runs from the snout to the eye. The fins are brownish with faint dark banding.", "habitat": "The stone loach is a common species and is found over most of Europe in suitable clear rivers and streams with gravel and sandy bottoms. It is present in upland areas, also chalk streams, lakes and reservoirs as long as the water is well-oxygenated. These fish sometimes venture into estuaries but not into brackish water. They live on the bottom, often partly buried, and they are particularly active at night when they rootle among the sand and gravel for the small invertebrates on which they feed. It is found in Baltic states, Eastern Europe, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Moldova, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. It has been extirpated from Greece.", "distribution": "The stone loach is a common species and is found over most of Europe in suitable clear rivers and streams with gravel and sandy bottoms. It is present in upland areas, also chalk streams, lakes and reservoirs as long as the water is well-oxygenated. These fish sometimes venture into estuaries but not into brackish water. They live on the bottom, often partly buried, and they are particularly active at night when they rootle among the sand and gravel for the small invertebrates on which they feed. It is found in Baltic states, Eastern Europe, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Moldova, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. It has been extirpated from Greece.", "diet": "", "family": "Nemacheilidae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q502228.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Barbatula barbatula", "author": "Michal Maňas", "license": "CC BY 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Barbatula_barbatula.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stone_loach", "revision": 1368492159, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1368492159", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "1dbad17cfee86357fb442bc0556a7351a940b55dc26db0616bb953040e6aeaf1" }, { "id": "Q695344", "common_name": "Whitetip reef shark", "scientific_name": "Triaenodon obesus", "aliases": [ "Triaenodon obesus", "Blunt-head Shark", "Blunthead Shark", "Light-tip Shark", "Reef Whitetip", "Reef Whitetip Shark", "White-tip Reef Shark", "White-tip Shark", "Whitetip Reef Shark", "Carcharias obesus", "Leptocharias obesus", "Triaenodon apicalis", "Trianodon obesus" ], "summary": "The whitetip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus) is a species of requiem shark, in the family Carcharhinidae. It is the only extant species of genus Triaenodon. A small shark that does not usually exceed 1.6 m (5.2 ft) in length, this species is easily recognizable by its slender body and short but broad head, as well as tubular skin flaps beside the nostrils, oval eyes with vertical pupils, and white-tipped dorsal and caudal fins. One of the most common sharks found on Indo-Pacific coral reefs, the whitetip reef shark occurs as far west as South Africa and as far east as Central America. It is typically found on or near the bottom in clear water, at a depth of 8–40 m (26–131 ft). During the day, whitetip reef sharks spend much of their time resting inside caves. Unlike other requiem sharks, which rely on ram ventilation and must constantly swim to breathe, this shark can pump water over its gills and lie still on the bottom. At night, whitetip reef sharks emerge to hunt bony fishes, crustaceans, and octopus in groups, their elongate bodies allowing them to force their way into crevices and holes to extract hidden prey. Individuals may stay within a particular area of the reef for months or years, frequently returning to the same shelter. This species is viviparous, in which the developing embryos are sustained by a placental connection to their mother. Whitetip reef sharks are rarely aggressive towards humans, though they may investigate swimmers closely.", "features": "A relatively small species, few whitetip reef sharks are longer than 1.6 m (5.2 ft). The maximum length this species attains is often given as 2.1 m (6.9 ft), though this was originally based on visual observations and may be dubious. The maximum reported weight is 18.3 kg (40 lb). The whitetip reef shark has a slim body and a short, broad head. The snout is flattened and blunt, with large flaps of skin in front of the nares that are furled into tubes. The eyes are small and oval with vertical pupils and prominent ridges above, and are often followed by a small notch. The mouth has a distinct downward slant (imparting a disgruntled expression to the shark), with short furrows at the corners. There are 42–50 tooth rows in the upper jaw and 42–48 tooth rows in the lower jaw. Each tooth has a single narrow, smooth-edged cusp at the center, flanked by a pair of much smaller cusplets. The first dorsal fin is positioned well back on the body, closer to the pelvic than the pectoral fins. The second dorsal and anal fins are large, about half to three-quarters as high as the first dorsal fin. The broad, triangular pectoral fins originate at or slightly before the level of the fifth gill slit. There is no ridge between the first and second dorsal fins. The lower lobe of the caudal fin is half the length of the upper, which has a strong notch near the tip. The dermal denticles are small and overlapping, usually with 7 horizontal ridges, giving the skin a smooth feel.", "habitat": "The whitetip reef shark is distributed widely across the entire Indo-Pacific region. It was once thought to have existed in the Atlantic Ocean, based on fossil teeth found in North Carolina dated to the Miocene epoch, although subsequent research has suggested that the teeth are of a mackerel shark, and that the whitetip has never colonized the Atlantic. In the Indian Ocean, whitetip reef sharks can be found off of northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa and all along the East African coast, from the Horn of Africa to the Red Sea and along the Indian subcontinent (including Sri Lanka). They are found near many major island chains as well, including Madagascar, Mauritius, Mayotte, the Comoros, the Aldabra Group, the Seychelles and the Chagos Archipelago. In the western and central Pacific Ocean, whitetips occur off South China, Taiwan, and the Ryukyu Islands, south to the Philippines and throughout the entire Coral Triangle, including the coastlines of Indonesia, East Timor and Papua New Guinea. Their range continues south to the northern Australia and the Great Barrier Reef. Whitetips are also found around numerous Pacific atolls and islands, including Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia, north to Hawaii and south to the Pitcairn Islands. They have also been sighted near Midway and Johnston Atolls and Laysan. In the Eastern Pacific, they may be found off the west coasts of Costa Rica and Panama south to the Galápagos Islands, and as far north as Isla Isabel, Isla Socorro, and the southern tip of Baja California (Cabo San Lucas and Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park).", "distribution": "The whitetip reef shark is distributed widely across the entire Indo-Pacific region. It was once thought to have existed in the Atlantic Ocean, based on fossil teeth found in North Carolina dated to the Miocene epoch, although subsequent research has suggested that the teeth are of a mackerel shark, and that the whitetip has never colonized the Atlantic. In the Indian Ocean, whitetip reef sharks can be found off of northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa and all along the East African coast, from the Horn of Africa to the Red Sea and along the Indian subcontinent (including Sri Lanka). They are found near many major island chains as well, including Madagascar, Mauritius, Mayotte, the Comoros, the Aldabra Group, the Seychelles and the Chagos Archipelago. In the western and central Pacific Ocean, whitetips occur off South China, Taiwan, and the Ryukyu Islands, south to the Philippines and throughout the entire Coral Triangle, including the coastlines of Indonesia, East Timor and Papua New Guinea. Their range continues south to the northern Australia and the Great Barrier Reef. Whitetips are also found around numerous Pacific atolls and islands, including Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia, north to Hawaii and south to the Pitcairn Islands. They have also been sighted near Midway and Johnston Atolls and Laysan. In the Eastern Pacific, they may be found off the west coasts of Costa Rica and Panama south to the Galápagos Islands, and as far north as Isla Isabel, Isla Socorro, and the southern tip of Baja California (Cabo San Lucas and Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park).", "diet": "With its slender, lithe body, the whitetip reef shark specializes in wriggling into narrow crevices and holes in the reef and extracting prey inaccessible to other reef sharks. Alternatively, it is rather clumsy when attempting to take food suspended in open water. This species feeds mainly on bony fishes, including eels, squirrelfishes, snappers, damselfishes, parrotfishes, surgeonfishes, triggerfishes and goatfishes, as well as octopuses, spiny lobsters, and crabs. The whitetip reef shark is highly responsive to the olfactory, acoustic, and electrical cues given off by potential prey, while its visual system is attuned more to movement and/or contrast than to object details. It is especially sensitive to natural and artificial low-frequency sounds in the 25–100 Hz range, which evoke struggling fish. Whitetip reef sharks hunt primarily at night, when many fishes are asleep and easily taken. After dusk, groups of sharks methodically scour the reef, often breaking off pieces of coral in their vigorous pursuit of prey. Multiple sharks may target the same prey item, covering every exit route from a particular coral head. Each shark hunts for itself and in competition with the others in its group. Unlike blacktip reef sharks and grey reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks do not become more excited when feeding in groups and are unlikely to be stirred into a feeding frenzy. Despite their nocturnal habits, whitetip reef sharks will hunt opportunistically in daytime. Off Borneo, this species gathers around reef drop-offs to feed on food brought up by the rising current.", "family": "Carcharhinidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q695344.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Carcharhinus albimarginatus-shark", "author": "Unknown authorUnknown author", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Carcharhinus_albimarginatus-shark.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitetip_reef_shark", "revision": 1366793850, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1366793850", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "43c104ecb8f872ccea1015340eb800223aefdc9412c2424d68d25e1cfefd0175" }, { "id": "Q143503", "common_name": "Common dentex", "scientific_name": "Dentex dentex", "aliases": [ "Dentex dentex" ], "summary": "The common dentex (Dentex dentex) is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, which includes the seabreams and porgies. This species is found in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. It is a highly valued food fish and is an important target species for fisheries and the population has shown large declines leading the International Union for Conservation of Nature to classify its conservation status as Vulnerable.", "features": "The common dentex has the dorsal fin supported by 11 spines, the spines increase in length from the first to the fourth or fifth and then are roughly equal in length from spine 6 to 12, and 11 or 12 soft rays while the anal fin has 3 spines and between 7 and 9 soft rays supporting it. The body is oval shaped and compressed. The dorsal profile of the head is smoothly rounded in adults but nearly straight in juveniles and is slightly convex in the largest specimens. The eyes are small and the space below them is wide. The cheeks are scaled as is the preoperculum except for its rear edge. The mouth is positioned low on the head and is slightly upward pointing. There are a number of rows of teeth, all are canine-like, with the most well-developed being in the front of the jaws. The young fishes are greyish with black spots on the back and upper flanks, changing to pink as they mature and the oldest specimens are bluish-grey with the dark spots fading and becoming more indistinct. The maximum published total length of the common dentex is 100 cm (39 in), although 50 cm (20 in) is more typical and the maximum published weight is 14.3 kg (32 lb).", "habitat": "The common dentex is found in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean between the Bay of Biscay and Ras Nouadhibouin Mauritania, as well as the Canaries and Madeira. It is rare as far north as the British Isles. It is also found throughout the Mediterranean Sea and into the western Black Sea. This is a benthopelagic fish found at depths down to 200 m (660 ft), although commonest at 15 to 50 m (49 to 164 ft), over rocky substrates in inshore waters.", "distribution": "The common dentex is found in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean between the Bay of Biscay and Ras Nouadhibouin Mauritania, as well as the Canaries and Madeira. It is rare as far north as the British Isles. It is also found throughout the Mediterranean Sea and into the western Black Sea. This is a benthopelagic fish found at depths down to 200 m (660 ft), although commonest at 15 to 50 m (49 to 164 ft), over rocky substrates in inshore waters.", "diet": "", "family": "Sparidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q143503.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Dentex dentex Canary", "author": "michael_bommerer", "license": "CC BY 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dentex_dentex_Canary.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_dentex", "revision": 1354653373, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1354653373", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "451a2030115c46a75b9412e97d64bbb2d8f81cf5acb95847f8b3741d8fbe4240" }, { "id": "Q1709642", "common_name": "Ilish", "scientific_name": "Tenualosa ilisha", "aliases": [ "Hilsha fish", "Hilsa herring", "Hilsa shad", "Clupea ilisha", "sable", "Sablefish", "Ilish Mach", "Tenualosa ilisha" ], "summary": "The ilish (Tenualosa ilisha) (Bengali: ইলিশ, romanized: iliś), also known as the ilishi, hilsa, pulasa, hilsa herring or hilsa shad, is a species of fish related to the herring, in the family Clupeidae. It is a very popular and sought-after food in the Bengal region and area and is the national fish of Bangladesh. It is also the state fish of the Indian state of West Bengal. As of 2023, 97% of the world's total ilish supply originates in Bangladesh. The fish contributes about 12% of the total fish production and about 1.15% of GDP of the country. On 6 August 2017, the Department of Patents, Designs and Trademarks under the Ministry of Industries in Bangladesh declared ilish as a Geographical Indication of Bangladesh. About 450,000 people are directly involved in the catching of the fish as a large part of their livelihood; around four to five million people are indirectly involved with the trade.", "features": "Females of the species grow larger than males, with male individuals not reaching over 46 cm (18 in). Females can reach lengths of up to 55 cm (22 in). Maturity is generally attained by the end of the first year or the start of the second, with males maturing at sizes of 26–29 cm (10–11 in) and females at 31–33 cm (12–13 in). Ilish fins are hyaline, having no dorsal spines but 18 – 21 dorsal soft rays and anal soft rays. The belly has 30 to 33 scutes, and there is a distinct median notch in the upper jaw. Gill rakers are fine and numerous, about 100 to 250 on the lower part of the arch. The fish shows a dark blotch behind the gill opening, followed by a series of small spots along the flank in juveniles. While alive, the color of fish is silver, shot with gold and purple.", "habitat": "The ilish is anadromous, inhabiting pelagic-neritic regions of the sea as well as brackish and freshwater habitats. They inhabit depths of up to approximately 200 m in a tropical range; 34°N - 5°N, 42°E - 97°E. These fish live in rivers and estuaries in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Myanmar and the Persian Gulf area where they can be found in the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in and around Iran and southern Iraq. The ilish is found in 11 countries: Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. Bangladesh is the top hilsa-producing country in the world, followed by Myanmar and then India.", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Clupeidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1709642.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "BHilsa123", "author": "Roddur 123", "license": "CC BY 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:BHilsa123.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilish", "revision": 1379260171, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1379260171", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "acce7bbb67baa2a38e4b4a1663740fe6b740030cfe0087539682f151832b2ed0" }, { "id": "Q304256", "common_name": "Paradise fish", "scientific_name": "Macropodus opercularis", "aliases": [ "Macropodus opercularis" ], "summary": "The fork-tailed paradisefish, or paradise gourami (often simply known as paradise fish, paradise-fish, or paradisefish [Macropodus opercularis]), is a species of pelagic, long-finned, freshwater, ray-finned fish in the family Osphronemidae, found in most fresh waters of East Asia ranging from eastern China south to northern Vietnam. This anabantiform fish can reach a standard length of 6.7 cm (2+5⁄8 in), though most are only about 5.5 cm (2+3⁄16 in). Paradise fish were the second Chinese ornamental fish introduced to the West after the goldfish, and the first freshwater tropical fish successfully bred in captivity in Europe, having been imported 1869 to France by the French aquarium fish importer Pierre Carbonnier in Paris. The paradise fish is one of the more aggressive members of its family. It is more aggressive than the three-spot gourami, yet less pugnacious in nature than the less commonly kept combtail.", "features": "", "habitat": "Paradise fish are tolerant of a wide range of water conditions, surviving in cool and warm waters alike. In the wild, they are most commonly found in shallow water containing dense vegetation, such as a marsh or rice field. They can be kept in outdoor ponds or even the simplest of unheated aquaria. They accept virtually any food, but should be given a reasonably high-protein diet (as opposed to vegetable-based foods.) They also eat mosquito larvae, black worms, brine shrimp, and small flies.", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Osphronemidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q304256.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Macropodus opercularis - side (aka) edit", "author": "André Karwath aka Aka, edited by Muhammad", "license": "CC BY-SA 2.5", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Macropodus_opercularis_-_side_(aka)_edit.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradise_fish", "revision": 1378977531, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1378977531", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "82e852256d655180b3fadc5f10cb119db1fe1e667c5f9ba83ed766e5951c22bc" }, { "id": "Q2021864", "common_name": "Opah", "scientific_name": "Lampris guttatus", "aliases": [ "Lampris guttatus" ], "summary": "Lampris guttatus, commonly known as the opah, cravo, moonfish, kingfish, and Jerusalem haddock, is a large, colorful, deep-bodied pelagic lampriform fish belonging to the family Lampridae, which comprises the genus Lampris. It is a pelagic fish with a worldwide distribution. While it is common to locations such as Hawaii and west Africa, it remains uncommon in others, including the Mediterranean. In the places where L. guttatus is prevalent, it is not a target of fishing, though it does represent an important commercial component of bycatch. It is common in restaurants in Hawaii. In Hawaiian longline fisheries, it is generally caught in deep nets targeting bigeye tuna. In 2005, the fish caught numbered 13,332. In areas where the fish is uncommon, such as the Mediterranean, its prevalence is increasing. Some researchers believe this a result of climate change. Much is still unknown about the distribution, interactions, life histories, and preferred habitats of this fish and other medium to large-sized pelagic fishes.", "features": "Lampris guttatus is a large discoid and deeply keeled fish with a conspicuous coloration. They can reach a maximum length of 2 m (6.6 ft) and a maximum weight of 86 kg (190 lb), although there are reports of the fish reaching up to 270 kg (600 lb). The body is a deep steely blue grading to rosy on the belly, with white spots in irregular rows covering the flanks. Both the median and paired fins are a bright vermillion. Jaws are vermillion, too. The large eyes stand out as well, ringed with golden yellow. The body is covered in minute cycloid scales and its silvery, iridescent guanine coating is easily abraded. They have long falcated pectoral fins inserted (more or less) horizontally. The caudal fins are broadly lunated, forked, and emarginated. The pelvic fins are similar but a little longer than pectoral fins, with about 14–17 rays. The anterior portion of a dorsal fin (with about 50–55 rays) is greatly elongated, also in a falcate profile similar to the pelvic fins. The anal fin (34–41 rays) is about as high and as long as the shorter portion of the dorsal fin, and both fins have corresponding grooves into which they can be depressed. The snout is pointed and the mouth small, toothless, and terminal. The lateral line forms a high arch over the pectoral fins before sweeping down to the caudal peduncle.", "habitat": "Lampris guttatus has a worldwide distribution, from the Grand Banks to Argentina in the Western Atlantic, from Norway and Greenland to Senegal and south to Angola in the Eastern Atlantic (also in the Mediterranean), from the Gulf of Alaska to southern California in the Eastern Pacific, in temperate waters of the Indian Ocean, and rare forays into the Southern Ocean. This species is presumed to live out its entire life in the open ocean, at mesopelagic depths of 50–500 m (160–1,640 ft), with possible forays into the bathypelagic zone. Typically, it is found within water at 8 to 22 °C. To better understand the depths L. guttatus inhabited in the tropical and temperate ocean waters, a study was performed, tagging them in the central North Pacific. Their location was found to be related to a temporal scale, inhabiting depths of 50–100 m during the night and 100–400 m during the day. The depths of the vertical habitat varied with local oceanogeographic conditions, though the patterns of deeper depths during the day is universal to the species. The endothermy of Lampris guttatus gives them a major advantage at the depths where they live. Since they are relatively warm-blooded at those depths compared to the water around them, they can move more quickly to hunt prey. Most predators at such low depths do not have the energy to be able to move much and therefore must wait for prey to pass them.", "distribution": "Lampris guttatus has a worldwide distribution, from the Grand Banks to Argentina in the Western Atlantic, from Norway and Greenland to Senegal and south to Angola in the Eastern Atlantic (also in the Mediterranean), from the Gulf of Alaska to southern California in the Eastern Pacific, in temperate waters of the Indian Ocean, and rare forays into the Southern Ocean. This species is presumed to live out its entire life in the open ocean, at mesopelagic depths of 50–500 m (160–1,640 ft), with possible forays into the bathypelagic zone. Typically, it is found within water at 8 to 22 °C. To better understand the depths L. guttatus inhabited in the tropical and temperate ocean waters, a study was performed, tagging them in the central North Pacific. Their location was found to be related to a temporal scale, inhabiting depths of 50–100 m during the night and 100–400 m during the day. The depths of the vertical habitat varied with local oceanogeographic conditions, though the patterns of deeper depths during the day is universal to the species. The endothermy of Lampris guttatus gives them a major advantage at the depths where they live. Since they are relatively warm-blooded at those depths compared to the water around them, they can move more quickly to hunt prey. Most predators at such low depths do not have the energy to be able to move much and therefore must wait for prey to pass them.", "diet": "", "family": "Lampridae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q2021864.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Lampris guttatus NOAA3", "author": "Unknown (NOAA Fisheries)", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lampris_guttatus_NOAA3.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lampris_guttatus", "revision": 1369852835, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1369852835", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "413f5e3a766cff0a82ce7536856301260fd0938d9482baeb7fde53c57efecae6" }, { "id": "Q312296", "common_name": "Iridescent shark", "scientific_name": "Pangasianodon hypophthalmus", "aliases": [ "Pangasianodon hypophthalmus" ], "summary": "The iridescent shark or iridescent shark catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) is a species of shark catfish (family Pangasiidae) native to the rivers of Southeast Asia. Despite its name, it is not a real shark. It is found in the Mekong basin as well as the Chao Phraya River, and is heavily cultivated for food. The meat is often marketed under the common name swai (from Thai สวาย). It has also been introduced into other river basins as a food source, and its striking appearance and iridescence have made it popular with fishkeeping hobbyists, among whom it is also known as the Siamese shark catfish or sutchi catfish. The swai's omnivorous diet consists of crustaceans, other fish, and plant matter.", "features": "Adults reach up to 130 cm (4.3 ft) in length and can weigh up to a maximum of 44 kg (97 lb). They have a shiny, iridescent color that gives these fish their name. However, large adults are uniformly grey. The fins are dark grey or black. Juveniles have a black stripe along the lateral line and a second black stripe below the lateral line.", "habitat": "Iridescent sharks originate in the large rivers Chao Phraya and Mekong in Asia, though they have been introduced into other rivers for aquaculture. They are a freshwater fish that natively live in a tropical climate and prefer water with a 6.5–7.5 pH, a water hardness of 2.0–29 dGH, and a temperature range of 22–26 °C (72–79 °F). They can tolerate hypoxic conditions thanks to their swim bladder which can be used as an air-breathing organ. They prefer large bodies of water similar to the deep waters of their native Mekong river basin. The iridescent shark is a migratory fish that in most regions moves upstream to spawn during the flood season while the waters are high and returns downstream to seek rearing habitats when the river water levels recede. The dates of the migrations vary depending on the river system. In the Mekong river basin, they migrate upstream in May to July and return downstream during September through December. South of the Khone Falls, upstream migration occurs in October to February, with its peak in November to December; here, it appears to be triggered by receding waters at the end of the flood season. In August 2015, an environmental group in Santander, Colombia, confirmed that iridescent sharks had been found in one of the tributaries that feed into the Magdalena River, having been accidentally introduced from illegal farm fisheries in the area. The find has caused alarm amongst the scientific community and government officials, as the Magdalena river is home to over 200 native fish species, 35 of which are endangered.", "distribution": "Iridescent sharks originate in the large rivers Chao Phraya and Mekong in Asia, though they have been introduced into other rivers for aquaculture. They are a freshwater fish that natively live in a tropical climate and prefer water with a 6.5–7.5 pH, a water hardness of 2.0–29 dGH, and a temperature range of 22–26 °C (72–79 °F). They can tolerate hypoxic conditions thanks to their swim bladder which can be used as an air-breathing organ. They prefer large bodies of water similar to the deep waters of their native Mekong river basin. The iridescent shark is a migratory fish that in most regions moves upstream to spawn during the flood season while the waters are high and returns downstream to seek rearing habitats when the river water levels recede. The dates of the migrations vary depending on the river system. In the Mekong river basin, they migrate upstream in May to July and return downstream during September through December. South of the Khone Falls, upstream migration occurs in October to February, with its peak in November to December; here, it appears to be triggered by receding waters at the end of the flood season. In August 2015, an environmental group in Santander, Colombia, confirmed that iridescent sharks had been found in one of the tributaries that feed into the Magdalena River, having been accidentally introduced from illegal farm fisheries in the area. The find has caused alarm amongst the scientific community and government officials, as the Magdalena river is home to over 200 native fish species, 35 of which are endangered.", "diet": "", "family": "Pangasiidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q312296.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Iridescent shark", "author": "User:Melanochromis", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Iridescent_shark.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iridescent_shark", "revision": 1379208497, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1379208497", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "2822a294c2e7f13845629db9428192724206cc54a7fc60e1d9acb28d790d57e9" }, { "id": "Q199372", "common_name": "Cookiecutter shark", "scientific_name": "Isistius brasiliensis", "aliases": [ "cookiecutter shark", "Luminous Shark", "Isistius brasiliensis" ], "summary": "The cookiecutter shark (Isistius brasiliensis), also called the cigar shark, is a species of small squaliform shark in the family Dalatiidae. This shark lives in warm, oceanic waters worldwide, particularly near islands, and has been recorded as deep as 3.7 km (2.3 mi). It migrates vertically up to 3 km (1.9 mi) every day, approaching the surface at dusk and descending with the dawn. Reaching only 42–56 cm (16.5–22 in) in length, the cookiecutter shark has a long, cylindrical body with a short, blunt snout, large eyes, two tiny spineless dorsal fins, and a large caudal fin. It is dark brown, with light-emitting photophores covering its underside except for a dark \"collar\" around its throat and gill slits. The name \"cookiecutter shark\" refers to its feeding method of gouging round plugs, as if cut out with a cookie cutter, out of larger animals. Marks made by cookiecutter sharks have been found on a wide variety of marine mammals and fishes, and on submarines, undersea cables, and human bodies. It also consumes whole smaller prey, such as squid. Cookiecutter sharks have adaptations for hovering in the water column, and likely rely on stealth and subterfuge to capture more active prey. Its dark collar seems to mimic the silhouette of a small fish, while the rest of its body blends into the downwelling light via its ventral photophores.", "features": "The cookiecutter shark has an elongated, cigar-shaped body with a short, bulbously rounded snout. The nostrils have a very short flap of skin in front. The large, oval, green eyes are placed forward on the head, though not so that binocular vision is extensive. Behind the eyes are large spiracles, positioned on the upper surface of the head. The mouth is short, forming a nearly transverse line, and is surrounded by enlarged, fleshy, suctorial lips. The upper jaw has 30–37 teeth, and the lower jaw has 25–31, increasing with body size. The upper and lower teeth are extremely different; the upper teeth are small, narrow, and upright, tapering to a single, smooth-edged cusp. The lower teeth are also smooth-edged, but much larger, broader, and knife-like, with their bases interlocking to form a single saw-like cutting edge. The five pairs of gill slits are small. The pectoral fins are short and roughly trapezoidal in shape. Two spineless dorsal fins are placed far back on the body, the first originating just ahead of the pelvic fins and the second located just behind. The second dorsal fin is slightly larger than the first, and the pelvic fins are larger than either. The anal fin is absent. The caudal fin is broad, with the lower lobe almost as large as the upper, which has a prominent ventral notch. The dermal denticles are squarish and flattened, with a slight central concavity and raised corners. The cookiecutter shark is chocolate brown in color, becoming subtly lighter below, and a dark \"collar\" wraps around the gill region.", "habitat": "Inhabiting all of the world's major tropical and warm-temperate oceanic basins, the cookiecutter shark is most common between the latitudes of 20°N and 20°S, where the surface water temperature is 18–26 °C (64–79 °F). In the Atlantic, it has been reported off the Bahamas and southern Brazil in the west, Cape Verde, Guinea to Sierra Leone, southern Angola, and South Africa in the east, and Ascension Island in the south. In the Indo-Pacific region, it has been caught from Mauritius to New Guinea, Australia, and New Zealand, including Tasmania and Lord Howe Island, as well as off Japan. In the central and eastern Pacific, it occurs from Fiji north to the Hawaiian Islands, and east to the Galápagos, Easter, and Guadalupe Islands. Fresh wounds observed on marine mammals suggest this shark may range as far as California in warm years. Based on catch records, the cookiecutter shark appears to conduct a diel vertical migration up to 3 km (1.9 mi) each way. It spends the day at a depth of 1–3.7 km (0.62–2.30 mi), and at night it rises into the upper water column, usually remaining below 85 m (279 ft), but on rare occasions venturing to the surface. This species may be more tolerant of low dissolved oxygen levels than sharks in the related genera Euprotomicrus and Squaliolus. It is frequently found near islands, perhaps for reproductive purposes or because they hold congregations of large prey animals. In the northeastern Atlantic, most adults are found between 11°N and 16°N, with the smallest and largest individuals being found in lower and higher latitudes, respectively.", "distribution": "Inhabiting all of the world's major tropical and warm-temperate oceanic basins, the cookiecutter shark is most common between the latitudes of 20°N and 20°S, where the surface water temperature is 18–26 °C (64–79 °F). In the Atlantic, it has been reported off the Bahamas and southern Brazil in the west, Cape Verde, Guinea to Sierra Leone, southern Angola, and South Africa in the east, and Ascension Island in the south. In the Indo-Pacific region, it has been caught from Mauritius to New Guinea, Australia, and New Zealand, including Tasmania and Lord Howe Island, as well as off Japan. In the central and eastern Pacific, it occurs from Fiji north to the Hawaiian Islands, and east to the Galápagos, Easter, and Guadalupe Islands. Fresh wounds observed on marine mammals suggest this shark may range as far as California in warm years. Based on catch records, the cookiecutter shark appears to conduct a diel vertical migration up to 3 km (1.9 mi) each way. It spends the day at a depth of 1–3.7 km (0.62–2.30 mi), and at night it rises into the upper water column, usually remaining below 85 m (279 ft), but on rare occasions venturing to the surface. This species may be more tolerant of low dissolved oxygen levels than sharks in the related genera Euprotomicrus and Squaliolus. It is frequently found near islands, perhaps for reproductive purposes or because they hold congregations of large prey animals. In the northeastern Atlantic, most adults are found between 11°N and 16°N, with the smallest and largest individuals being found in lower and higher latitudes, respectively.", "diet": "Virtually every type of medium- to large-sized oceanic animal sharing the habitat of the cookiecutter shark is open to attack; bite scars have been found on cetaceans (including porpoises, orcas, dolphins, beaked whales, sperm whales and baleen whales), pinnipeds (including fur seals, leopard seals and elephant seals), dugongs, larger sharks (including blue sharks, goblin sharks, basking sharks, great white sharks, megamouth sharks and smalltooth sand tiger sharks), stingrays (including deepwater stingrays, pelagic stingrays and sixgill stingrays), and bony fishes (including billfishes, tunas, dolphinfishes, jacks, escolars, opahs, and pomfrets). The cookiecutter shark also regularly hunts and eats entire squid with a mantle length of 15–30 cm (5.9–11.8 in), comparable in size to the shark itself, as well as bristlemouths, copepods, and other smaller prey. Parasitic attacks by the cookiecutter shark leave a round \"crater wound\", averaging 5 cm (2.0 in) across and 7 cm (2.8 in) deep. The prevalence of these attacks can be high: off Hawaii, nearly every adult spinner dolphin bears scars from this species. Diseased or otherwise weakened animals appear to be more susceptible, and in the western Atlantic observations have been made of emaciated beached melon-headed whales with dozens to hundreds of recent and healing cookiecutter shark wounds, while such wounds are rare on non-emaciated beached whales. The impact of parasitism on prey species, in terms of resources diverted from growth or reproduction, is uncertain.", "family": "Dalatiidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q199372.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Isistius brasiliensis", "author": "NOAA Observer Project", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Isistius_brasiliensis.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cookiecutter_shark", "revision": 1376675541, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1376675541", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "111060f02640fe36adad1ca97ca12f0e1aadab42286f3ed6bc7682032b9d4ce8" }, { "id": "Q941448", "common_name": "Moorish idol", "scientific_name": "Zanclus cornutus", "aliases": [ "Zanclus cornutus" ], "summary": "The Moorish idol (Zanclus cornutus) is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Zanclidae. It is the only member of the monospecific genus Zanclus and the only extant species within the Zanclidae. This species is found on reefs in the Indo-Pacific region.", "features": "The Moorish idol's body is highly laterally compressed and disc-like in shape with a tube-like snout and small bony protuberances above the eyes in adults. The mouth is small and has many long, bristle like teeth. There are no spines or serrations on the preoperculum or caudal peduncle. The dorsal fin is supported by 6 or 7 spines, which are elongated into a long filament which resembles a whip, and between 39 and 45 soft rays. The anal fin contains 3 spines and between 31 and 37 soft rays. The maximum published total length is 23 cm (9.1 in), although 21 cm (8.3 in) is more typical. They have a white background color, with two wide black vertical bands on the body with a yellow patch on the posterior end of the body and a yellow saddle on the snout. The caudal fin is black with a white margin.", "habitat": "The Moorish idol lives between depths of 1–180 metres (3 ft 3 in – 590 ft 7 in) in turbid lagoons, reef flats, and clear rocky- and coral reefs. As with many reef fishes, habitat has been found to be an important and influential factor in the abundance of Moorish idols.", "distribution": "The Moorish idol has a wide range in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. They are found from the eastern coast of Africa between Somalia and South Africa east to Hawaii and Easter Island. They are also found in the eastern Pacific from the southern Gulf of California to Peru, including many islands such as the Galapagos and Cocos Island.", "diet": "", "family": "Zanclidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q941448.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Ídolo moro (Zanclus cornutus), Anilao, Filipinas, 2023-08-25, DD 233", "author": "Diego Delso", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%C3%8Ddolo_moro_(Zanclus_cornutus),_Anilao,_Filipinas,_2023-08-25,_DD_233.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moorish_idol", "revision": 1372699654, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1372699654", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "ae9fee5bd5006c41ade501a0dc8d114a641e4e7848494baa1ec0fa67ad46cbab" }, { "id": "Q301019", "common_name": "European river lamprey", "scientific_name": "Lampetra fluviatilis", "aliases": [ "Lampetra fluviatilis", "River lamprey" ], "summary": "The European river lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis), also known as the river lamprey or lampern, is a species of freshwater lamprey.", "features": "Adult river lampreys measure from 25 to 40 cm (10 to 16 in) in the marine forms and up to 28 cm (11 in)in the lake forms. The very elongated body is uniformly dark grey on top, paler to yellowish off-white on the sides and pure white underneath. Like all lampreys, they lack paired fins and have a circular sucking disc instead of jaws. They have a single nostril and seven small gill slits on each side behind the eye. The teeth are sharp and these fish can be distinguished from the somewhat smaller brook lamprey (Lampetra planeri) by the fact that the two dorsal fins are more widely separated.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "The European river lamprey is found in coastal waters around almost all of Europe from the northwestern Mediterranean Sea north to the lakes of Finland, Scotland, Norway (Mjøsa), Wales (Cors Caron), and Russia, including rivers in the Alps; especially in Nakkila, Finland and Latvian coastal towns such as Carnikava, Salacgrīva and Pāvilosta European river lampreys are a traditional local delicacy. Its conservation status was originally listed as Near Threatened in 1996, but since 2008 it has been listed as Least Concern, following recovery of populations after pollution problems in central and western Europe. However, an assessment for the Baltic Sea published in 2014 classified the river lamprey as \"Near Threatened\" in this region, supported by the IUCN's 2024 classification. In August 2018, Spain declared it officially extinct in its territory.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q301019.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Jõesilmud2", "author": "Tiit Hunt", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:J%C3%B5esilmud2.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_river_lamprey", "revision": 1345462679, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1345462679", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "654be8682f740ec9bd92af77c16ad5ce467338b6a63d1d0c597a3b1ab6b56d4b" }, { "id": "Q1139971", "common_name": "Largehead hairtail", "scientific_name": "Trichiurus lepturus", "aliases": [ "Trichiurus lepturus" ], "summary": "The largehead hairtail (Trichiurus lepturus) or beltfish is a member of the cutlassfish family, Trichiuridae. It has a long, flat, ribbon-like body that comes to a point, with a single dorsal fin along its entire length and no ventral or caudal fins. It is an aggressive, sharp-toothed pescivore. It is a common to abundant species in tropical and temperate oceans and supports major fisheries worldwide. The Atlantic, East Pacific, and Northwest Pacific populations are also known as Atlantic cutlassfish, Pacific cutlassfish, and Japanese cutlassfish, and are sometimes classified as different species or subspecies.", "features": "Largehead hairtails are silvery steel blue in color, turning silvery gray after death. The fins are generally semi-transparent and may have a yellowish tinge. Largehead hairtails are elongated in shape with a thin pointed tail (they lack a fish tail in the usual form). The eyes are large, and the large mouth contains long pointed fang-like teeth. Largehead hairtails grow to 6 kg (10 lb) in weight, and 2.3 m (8 ft) in length. Most are only 0.5–1 m (2–3 ft) long, although they regularly reach 1.5–1.8 m (5–6 ft) in Australia.", "habitat": "Largehead hairtails are found worldwide in tropical and temperate oceans. In the East Atlantic they range from southern United Kingdom to South Africa, including the Mediterranean Sea. In the West Atlantic it ranges from Virginia (occasionally Cape Cod) to northern Argentina, including the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. In the East Pacific they range from southern California to Peru. Widespread in the Indo-Pacific region, ranging from the Red Sea to South Africa, Japan, the entire coast of Australia (except Tasmania and Victoria) and Fiji, they are absent from the central Pacific Ocean, including Hawaii. Some populations are migratory. A study of largehead hairtails in southern Japan's Bungo Channel indicated that the optimum water temperature is 20–24 °C (68–75 °F). Based on fishing catches in the Jeju Strait of South Korea, the species resides mainly in water warmer than 14 °C (57 °F), while catches are poor in colder water. Off southern Brazil it mainly occurs in waters warmer than 16 °C (61 °F). It is absent from waters below 10 °C (50 °F). The largehead hairtail prefers relatively shallow coastal regions over muddy bottoms, but it sometimes enters estuaries and has been recorded at depths of 0 to 589 m (0–1,932 ft).", "distribution": "Largehead hairtails are found worldwide in tropical and temperate oceans. In the East Atlantic they range from southern United Kingdom to South Africa, including the Mediterranean Sea. In the West Atlantic it ranges from Virginia (occasionally Cape Cod) to northern Argentina, including the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. In the East Pacific they range from southern California to Peru. Widespread in the Indo-Pacific region, ranging from the Red Sea to South Africa, Japan, the entire coast of Australia (except Tasmania and Victoria) and Fiji, they are absent from the central Pacific Ocean, including Hawaii. Some populations are migratory. A study of largehead hairtails in southern Japan's Bungo Channel indicated that the optimum water temperature is 20–24 °C (68–75 °F). Based on fishing catches in the Jeju Strait of South Korea, the species resides mainly in water warmer than 14 °C (57 °F), while catches are poor in colder water. Off southern Brazil it mainly occurs in waters warmer than 16 °C (61 °F). It is absent from waters below 10 °C (50 °F). The largehead hairtail prefers relatively shallow coastal regions over muddy bottoms, but it sometimes enters estuaries and has been recorded at depths of 0 to 589 m (0–1,932 ft).", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1139971.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Trichiurus lepturus Umitamago", "author": "Totti", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Trichiurus_lepturus_Umitamago.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Largehead_hairtail", "revision": 1383298680, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1383298680", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "2ee975c9859e10116fd3f6a93ab80fdaa440c95394cff1a91dd514f5d67cdf7a" }, { "id": "Q590731", "common_name": "Cardinal tetra", "scientific_name": "Paracheirodon axelrodi", "aliases": [ "Paracheirodon axelrodi" ], "summary": "The cardinal tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi) is a species of freshwater fish of the family Acestrorhamphidae, the American characins, of order Characiformes. It is native to the upper Orinoco and Negro Rivers in South America. Growing to about 3 cm (1.2 in) in total length, the cardinal tetra has the striking iridescent blue line characteristic of the genus Paracheirodon laterally bisecting the fish, with the body below this line being vivid red in color, hence the name \"cardinal tetra\". The cardinal tetra's appearance is similar to that of the closely related neon tetra, with which it is often confused; the neon's red coloration extends only about halfway to the nose, and the neon's blue stripe is a less vibrant blue. The cardinal tetra is a popular aquarium fish, but is less widespread than the neon tetra because until recently, it was difficult to breed in captivity. However, many breeders are now producing the fish; in most cases, one can determine if the cardinal tetra is bred or wild-caught due to damaged fins on wild-caught specimens. Some ichthyologists believe fishkeepers should continue to support the sustainable cardinal fishery of the Amazon Basin, since thousands of people work in the region to capture fish for the aquarium trade. If those fishermen lost their livelihoods catching cardinals and other tropical fish, they might turn their attention to engaging in deforestation.", "features": "The cardinal tetra has bright red ventral parts and an iridescent blue line that runs horizontally along its body. The characteristic iridescence of this and related fishes, such as the neon tetra, is a structural color, caused by refraction of light within guanine crystals that develop within special cells called iridocytes in the subcutaneous layer. The exact shade of blue seen depends on the viewing angle of the viewer relative to the fish - if the viewpoint changes so as to look at the fish more from below, the color will change hue, becoming more deeply sapphire blue and even indigo. Change of viewpoint to one above the fishes, however, and the color becomes more greenish. Cardinal tetras appear to grow larger in captivity than they do in the wild. They have a large stomach and small gut.", "habitat": "Cardinal tetras are found in the upper Orinoco of Colombia and Venezuela, as well as the upper Rio Negro of Brazil.", "distribution": "Cardinal tetras are found in the upper Orinoco of Colombia and Venezuela, as well as the upper Rio Negro of Brazil.", "diet": "The cardinal tetra forages in areas of slow-moving, shallow water. It is predominantly predatory, feeding on tiny animals found on underwater plants, roots, and leaf litter. Creatures commonly eaten include the larvae of chironomid midges and microcrustaceans such as water fleas (Cladocera) of the families Moinidae, Macrotrichidae, and Daphniidae, and copepods of the family Harpacticidae. Other organisms eaten include other fly larvae, insect eggs, rotifers, and testate amoebae.", "family": "Acestrorhamphidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q590731.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Cardinal Paracheirodon axelrodi (3)", "author": "CHUCAO", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cardinal_Paracheirodon_axelrodi_(3).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardinal_tetra", "revision": 1375231745, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1375231745", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "c9859fda03f3cdbcb7175a52ba86fec97137bf2cdd640b2ae7d2122bb8c9f27f" }, { "id": "Q694527", "common_name": "Indo-Pacific sailfish", "scientific_name": "Istiophorus platypterus", "aliases": [ "Istiophorus platypterus" ], "summary": "The Indo-Pacific sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus) is a sailfish native to the Indian and Pacific Oceans and is naturalized in the Atlantic where it has entered the Mediterranean Sea via the Suez Canal as a Lessepsian migrant. It is dark blue on top, brown-blue laterally, silvery white underbelly; upper jaw elongated in the form of a spear; first dorsal fin greatly enlarged in the form of a sail, with many black cones, its front squared off, highest at its midpoint; pelvic fins very narrow, reaching almost to the anus; body covered with embedded scales, blunt at end; lateral line curved above pectoral fin, then straight to base of tail. They have a large and sharp bill, which they use for hunting. They feed on tuna and mackerel, some of the fastest fish in the ocean. Most authorities only recognise a single species of sailfish, I. platypterus. It is theorized by marine biologists that the 'sail' (dorsal fin array) of the sailfish may serve the purpose of a cooling and heating system for this fish; this due to a network of a large number of blood vessels found in the sail and because of \"sail-raising\" behaviour exhibited by the sailfish at or near the surface waters after or before high-speed bursts. The IUCN recognizes this species as the cosmopolitan sailfish, where FishBase recognizes two species.", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q694527.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Istiophorus platypterus 101956558", "author": "Robert Webster", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Istiophorus_platypterus_101956558.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indo-Pacific_sailfish", "revision": 1350549261, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1350549261", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "60af203edacc398a817f743218b85c5d880f440342cb4eb30967d8a3f6381c78" }, { "id": "Q754061", "common_name": "Vendace", "scientific_name": "Coregonus albula", "aliases": [ "vendace", "European cisco", "Coregonus albula" ], "summary": "Coregonus albula, known as the vendace or as the Least cisco, is a species of freshwater whitefish in the family Salmonidae. It is found in lakes in northern Europe, especially Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden, Russia and Estonia, and in some lakes of Norway, the United Kingdom, northern Germany, and Poland. It is also found in diluted brackish water in the Gulfs of Finland and Bothnia, both of which are in the Baltic Sea. The length of an adult is normally about 20 cm (8 in). The maximum age is about ten years. The vendace is traditionally the most important target of freshwater fisheries in parts of Fennoscandia and Russia. Vendace roe is considered a delicacy, which has been granted a PDO status in the Swedish Bothnian Bay archipelago (Kalix löjrom).", "features": "The vendace is a slim and streamlined fish with an adipose fin - an additional small fin on the back between the dorsal fin and the tail (caudal fin) which is typical in the salmon family. Its lower jaw is longer than the upper one. It is similar in appearance to both the common whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus sensu lato), whose upper jaw is longer than its lower one, and the peled (Coregonus peled), whose jaws are of equal length. The back is bluish green or brown, the flanks are silvery and the belly white. This fish seldom grows more than 30 cm (12 in) long.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Salmonidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q754061.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Coregonus albula", "author": "Markus Kauppinen", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Coregonus_albula.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display; no cropping. Source edits are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coregonus_albula", "revision": 1379029078, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1379029078", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "ce6914671b2da33bce01a71d8707ffcb9f67ef73935f2492da93a45a4a5b0e6c" }, { "id": "Q934874", "common_name": "Coho salmon", "scientific_name": "Oncorhynchus kisutch", "aliases": [ "silver salmon", "Oncorhynchus kisutch" ], "summary": "The coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) is a species of anadromous fish in the salmon family and one of the six Pacific salmon species. Coho salmon are also known as silver salmon (or \"silvers\") and is often sold as medium red salmon. \"Coho\" was borrowed into English from the word k̓ʷə́xʷəθ, the species' name in the downriver dialect of the Halkomelem language spoken in Vancouver. The scientific species name is based on the Russian common name kizhuch (кижуч).", "features": "During their ocean phase, coho salmon have silver sides and dark-blue backs with spots on their back and upper tail lobe. During their spawning phase, their jaws and teeth become hooked. After entering fresh water, they develop bright-red sides, bluish-green heads and backs, dark bellies and dark spots on their backs. Sexually maturing fish develop a light-pink or rose shading along the belly, and the males may show a slight arching of the back. Mature adults have a pronounced red skin color with darker backs and spots, with females having darker shades than males. Coho salmon average 20 to 28 inches (50.8 to 71 cm) and 7 to 11 pounds (3.2 to 5.0 kg), occasionally reaching up to 36 pounds (16 kg). Size can vary depending on age and geographic location. Males tend to be slightly larger than females. Mature adults also develop a large kype (hooked beak) which is used to attract a mate during spawning, with males having a more pronounced kype than females. The coho salmon's lower jaw can be distinguished by a light shade at its superior edge.", "habitat": "In their freshwater stages, coho feed on plankton and aquatic invertebrates in the benthos and water column, such as Chironomids, midge larvae, and terrestrial insects that fall into the water. Upon entering the marine environment, they switch to a diet of plankton and fish, with fish making up most of their diets after a certain size. Introduced populations in the Great Lakes feed primarily on alewife and smelt. Great Lakes salmon are known to compete with native lake trout, brook trout, and brown trout for food and space when resources are scarce. Due to emerging earlier and having a larger hatching size, coho salmon typically have an advantage in these confrontations. Salmonid species on the west coast of the United States have experienced dramatic declines in abundance during the past several decades as a result of human-induced and natural factors.", "distribution": "The traditional range of the coho salmon runs along both sides of the North Pacific Ocean, from Hokkaidō, Japan and eastern Russia, around the Bering Sea to mainland Alaska, and south to Monterey Bay, California. Coho salmon have also been introduced in all the Great Lakes, as well as many landlocked reservoirs throughout the United States. Coho salmon were first introduced in Lake Erie in the 1920s to control the lake's alewife population. Large-scale stocking began in 1966, when 660,000 fingerlings were introduced in Lake Michigan. Wisconsin began a program of introduction of 500,000 fry a year, mainly on the coastline of Lake Michigan. By 1970, the species was present in all of the Great Lakes. Ontario and Minnesota adopted stocking programs in 1969, but later abandoned them. Colorado began stocking coho salmons in the early 1900s, although only limited reproduction is recorded in the Colorado River. Another stocking was done in New Hampshire in the late 1960s, which dispersed to Maine and Massachusetts and were recorded to engage in sporadic reproduction. Natural reproduction in introduced areas is generally low. Limited self-sustaining populations are recorded in Lake Superior and Michigan, but the salmon does not reproduce naturally in the Wisconsin tributaries of Lake Michigan and relies on stocking to maintain a large population. The species is no longer stocked in Lake Erie, although stray individuals from elsewhere in the Great Lakes are caught on occasion.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Both", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q934874.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Oncorhynchus keta", "author": "NOAA", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Oncorhynchus_keta.jpeg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coho_salmon", "revision": 1363438996, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1363438996", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "4343472c8bef9f96765b851f9808a35c59baa8922667aa13978d2c23abba43a9" }, { "id": "Q358337", "common_name": "Meagre", "scientific_name": "Argyrosomus regius", "aliases": [ "meagre", "croaker", "jewfish", "shade-fish", "sowa", "kir", "corvina", "salmon-bass", "stone bass", "Argyrosomus regius" ], "summary": "Argyrosomus regius, also known as the meagre, croaker, jewfish, shade-fish, sowa, kir, corvina, salmon-bass or stone bass, is a species of fish of the family Sciaenidae. This large fish has a pearly-silver to brownish coloration and a yellow-coloured mouth. It is native to the eastern Atlantic Ocean, as well as the Mediterranean and Black Seas.", "features": "Argyrosomus regius has a relatively large head with quite small eyes, the large mouth is at the terminal position and it has an elongated body. The lateral line is easily seen and extends all the way to the caudal fin. The rear dorsal fin is much longer than first one which has nine rays. The first ray of the anal fin is short and spiny while the second is very thin. The swim bladder contains several branched appendages which are vibrated to make a grunting sound which can be heard from up to 30m away and this grunting is produced by the males during the spawning season. The body colour is pearly-silver, with bronze traits dorsally. The fin bases are reddish brown and mouth cavity yellow-gold or salmon pink. The scales are large and every fourth scale is set at a different angle from the rest. It can reach up to 2.3 m (7.5 ft) in total length and 103 kg (227 lb) in weight.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "Argyrosomus regius is found in the eastern Atlantic from Norway to DR Congo, including the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea. It has colonised the Red Sea by migrating through the Suez Canal, an anti-Lessepsian migration. It is rare in the relatively cold, far north of its range, including off the British Isles (three records) and Scandinavia.", "diet": "", "family": "Sciaenidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q358337.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Lisbon, Oceanarium, Argyrosomus regius", "author": "Dguendel", "license": "CC BY 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lisbon,_Oceanarium,_Argyrosomus_regius.JPG", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argyrosomus_regius", "revision": 1366418605, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1366418605", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "0ee6b8bd3c7dfb0e8af811d1676070b686d54a7e51edafa12ad689e2ce129f84" }, { "id": "Q928382", "common_name": "Red-bellied piranha", "scientific_name": "Pygocentrus nattereri", "aliases": [ "Pygocentrus nattereri", "red piranha", "Serrasalmus nattereri" ], "summary": "The red-bellied piranha, also known as the red piranha (Pygocentrus nattereri), is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Serrasalmidae, which includes the pacus, piranhas and related fishes. The red-bellied piranha occurs in South America, found in the Amazon, Paraguay, Paraná and Essequibo basins, as well as coastal rivers of northeastern Brazil. This fish is locally abundant in its freshwater habitat. They are carnivorous foragers and feed on insects, worms, crustaceans and fish. As opportunistic feeders, they will also take advantage of edible aquatic plants as well as any fruits, nuts or seeds that may fall into the waters. They are not a migratory species but do travel to seek out conditions conducive to breeding and spawning during periods of increased rainfall. Red-bellied piranhas often travel in shoals as a predatory defense but rarely exhibit group hunting behavior. Acoustic communication is common and is sometimes exhibited along with aggressive behaviors. They are a popular aquarium fish.", "features": "The red-bellied piranha has a popular reputation as a ferocious predator, despite being primarily a scavenger. As their name suggests, red-bellied piranhas have a reddish tinge to the belly when fully grown, although juveniles are a silver color with darker spots. The species can reach up to 3.9 kg (8 lb 10 oz) in weight and 50 cm (20 in) in standard length but rarely surpass 35 cm (14 in). The rest of the body is often grey with silver-flecked scales. Sometimes, blackish spots appear behind the gills and the anal fin is usually black at the base. The pectoral and pelvic fins may vary from red to orange. Females can be distinguished from males by the slightly deeper red color of their bellies. The red-bellied piranha is typically found in white water rivers, such as the Amazon River Basin, and in some streams and lakes. Sometimes, they may inhabit flooded forests such as those found in the Brazilian Amazon. They live in shoals but do not group hunt, although they may occasionally enter into feeding frenzies. In the case of a feeding frenzy, schools of piranha will converge on one large prey individual and eat it within minutes. These attacks are usually extremely rare and are due to provocation or starvation. Breeding occurs over a two-month period during the rainy season, but that can vary by area. Females will lay around 5,000 eggs on newly submerged vegetation in nests that are built by the males.", "habitat": "The red-bellied piranha is distributed widely throughout the South American continent and is found in the Neotropical rivers of Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Suriname, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela. They live in the warm freshwater drainages of several major rivers including the Amazon, Paraguay, Paraná, and Essequibo, as well as numerous smaller systems. They can live in waters that are between 15 and 35 °C (59–95 °F) but are able to survive temperatures as low as 10 °C (50 °F) for a period. They are mainly found in whitewater, but have also been recorded in blackwater and clearwater. The red-bellied piranha live in major rivers, streams, lakes (such as oxbows and artificial lakes formed by dams), floodplains, and flooded forests. They were introduced to China, probably by the aquarium trade. First detected in 1990 they have since become invasive in the country. No piranha is found in the United States including this one. In 1998 a single specimen was found in a lake in a golf course in Simi Valley, Ventura County, California. California and Washington prohibit P. nattereri and encourage surveillance to prevent its introduction.", "distribution": "The red-bellied piranha is distributed widely throughout the South American continent and is found in the Neotropical rivers of Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Suriname, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela. They live in the warm freshwater drainages of several major rivers including the Amazon, Paraguay, Paraná, and Essequibo, as well as numerous smaller systems. They can live in waters that are between 15 and 35 °C (59–95 °F) but are able to survive temperatures as low as 10 °C (50 °F) for a period. They are mainly found in whitewater, but have also been recorded in blackwater and clearwater. The red-bellied piranha live in major rivers, streams, lakes (such as oxbows and artificial lakes formed by dams), floodplains, and flooded forests. They were introduced to China, probably by the aquarium trade. First detected in 1990 they have since become invasive in the country. No piranha is found in the United States including this one. In 1998 a single specimen was found in a lake in a golf course in Simi Valley, Ventura County, California. California and Washington prohibit P. nattereri and encourage surveillance to prevent its introduction.", "diet": "", "family": "Serrasalmidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q928382.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Pygocentrus nattereri - Karlsruhe Zoo 01", "author": "H. Zell", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pygocentrus_nattereri_-_Karlsruhe_Zoo_01.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red-bellied_piranha", "revision": 1378632190, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1378632190", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "3bccf25e9d80e878ad5d1d63cbcedad347efdec1806e8c7cf3025a47608aca71" }, { "id": "Q654583", "common_name": "Common nase", "scientific_name": "Chondrostoma nasus", "aliases": [ "Chondrostoma nasus" ], "summary": "The common nase (Chondrostoma nasus) is a European potamodromous cyprinid fish. It is often simply called the nase, but that can refer to any species of its genus Chondrostoma. Another name is sneep.", "features": "The nase has a spindle shaped physique, with a blue-grey metallic-coloured scales and orange tail. It has relatively sharp lower lip. Generally, the fish range from 25 to 40 centimetres (9.8 to 15.7 in) in length, and weigh about 1 kg (2.2 lb). However, specimens have been recorded up to 58.5 cm (23.0 in) long and 3.4 kg (7.5 lb) in weight. The maximum recorded life span of the fish is 15 years. The fish was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "The nase is found naturally in drainages of the Black Sea (Danube, Dniestr, Southern Bug, Dniepr), the southern Baltic Sea (Nieman, Odra, Vistula) and the southern North Sea (to Meuse in the west). Moreover, it has been introduced to the Rhône, Loire, Hérault, and Soca/Isonzo (Italy, Slovenia) drainages. It is a migratory fish. The fish is most important food source for a Danube salmon (Huchen).", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q654583.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Chondrostoma nasus (aka)", "author": "André Karwath aka Aka", "license": "CC BY-SA 2.5", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chondrostoma_nasus_(aka).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_nase", "revision": 1361626304, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1361626304", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "f7d7ae63d73e69dee48e326f96b7c1a533174647829a5dfff88d0a3baaafaf73" }, { "id": "Q84822", "common_name": "Small-spotted catshark", "scientific_name": "Scyliorhinus canicula", "aliases": [ "Sandy dogfish", "small-spotted catshark", "Scyliorhinus canicula" ], "summary": "The small-spotted catshark (Scyliorhinus canicula), also known as the sandy dogfish, lesser-spotted dogfish, rough-hound or morgay (in Scotland and Cornwall), is a catshark of the family Scyliorhinidae. It is found on the continental shelves and the uppermost continental slopes off the coasts of Norway and the British Isles south to Senegal and in the Mediterranean, between latitudes 63° N and 12° N. It can grow up to a length of 1 m (3 ft 3 in), and it can weigh more than 2 kg (4.4 lb). It is found primarily over sandy, gravelly, or muddy bottoms from depths of a few metres down to 400 m (1,310 ft). S. canicula is one of the most abundant elasmobranchs in the northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea. The majority of the populations are stable in most areas.", "features": "S. canicula are small, shallow-water sharks with a slender body and a blunt head. The two dorsal fins are located towards the tail end of the body. The texture of their skin is rough, similar to the coarseness of sandpaper. The nostrils are located on the underside of the snout and are connected to the mouth by a curved groove. The upper side of the body is greyish brown with dark brown spots. The underside is a light greyish white. The teeth of S. canicula are larger in males than in females; in addition, male S. canicula from West African waters have stronger, larger, and more calcinated jaws. The differences in mouth dimensions and tooth length between males and females, and between immature and adult males, could be due to different feeding habits or adaptations for reproductive behaviour.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "S. canicula is an opportunistic species, preying on a wide variety of organisms. Decapod crustaceans, molluscs and fishes are their main prey, but echinoderms, polychaetes, sipunculids and tunicates may also be eaten. Dietary preferences change with age; younger animals prefer small crustaceans, while older animals prefer hermit crabs and molluscs. Feeding intensity is highest during the summer due to the higher availability of prey life. Diet composition varies with body size. There are no significant differences in feeding habits between male and female S. canicula. Juveniles of S. canicula feed by anchoring the prey item on the dermal denticles near their tail, and tearing bite-sized pieces off with rapid head and jaw movements, a behaviour known as \"scale rasping\". Use of dermal denticles to assist in feeding was first documented in this species.", "family": "Scyliorhinidae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q84822.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Scyliorhinus canicula", "author": "Hans Hillewaert", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Scyliorhinus_canicula.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small-spotted_catshark", "revision": 1370879131, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1370879131", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "6d89070451936a66c32b15dfff4b33e77506326a8bdf1a7393858708995b71c3" }, { "id": "Q586594", "common_name": "Common stingray", "scientific_name": "Dasyatis pastinaca", "aliases": [ "Dasyatis pastinaca" ], "summary": "The common stingray (Dasyatis pastinaca) is a species of stingray in the family Dasyatidae, found in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean and Black Seas. It typically inhabits sandy or muddy habitats in coastal waters shallower than 60 m (200 ft), often burying itself in sediment. Usually measuring 45 cm (18 in) across, the common stingray has a diamond-shaped pectoral fin disc slightly wider than long, and a whip-like tail with upper and lower fin folds. It can be identified by its plain coloration and mostly smooth skin, except for a row of tubercles along the midline of the back in the largest individuals. The predominant prey of the common stingray are bottom-dwelling crustaceans, though it also takes molluscs, polychaete worms, and small bony fishes. It is aplacental viviparous: the embryos are nourished by yolk and later histotroph (\"uterine milk\") produced by the mother. Females bear 4–9 young twice per year in shallow water, after a gestation period of four months. The common stingray can inflict a painful, though rarely life-threatening, wound with its venomous tail spine. During classical antiquity, its sting was ascribed many mythical properties. This species is not sought after by commercial fisheries, but is taken in large numbers as bycatch and utilized for food, fishmeal, and liver oil. Its population is apparently dwindling across its range, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) assesses it as Vulnerable.", "features": "The common stingray has been reported to reach a width of 1.4 m (4.6 ft) and a length of 2.5 m (8.2 ft), though a width of 45 cm (18 in) is more typical. The flattened pectoral fin disc is diamond-shaped and slightly wider than it is long, with narrowly rounded outer corners. The leading margins of the disc are almost straight and converge on a pointed, slightly protruding snout; the trailing margins of the disc are convex. The eyes are smaller than the spiracles (paired respiratory openings), which are placed closely behind. There are 28–38 upper tooth rows and 28–43 lower tooth rows; the teeth are small and blunt, and arranged into flattened surfaces. There are five papillae (nipple-like structures) across the floor of the mouth. The tail is slender and whip-like, measuring approximately half as long as the disc. A stinging spine with strong serrations, measuring up to 35 cm (14 in) long and equipped with a venom gland at its base, is positioned about a third of the distance along the tail. A second or even third spine may also be present, as the spines are regularly replaced and new spines grow in before existing ones have been shed. The tail behind the spine bears a low cutaneous fold on top and a short, deep fold underneath. The body and tail are smooth, save for a few dermal denticles on the leading edge of the disk; older individuals may also develop a row of bony knobs along the midline of the back. This species is a solid gray, brown, reddish, or olive-green above, and whitish below with dark fin margins. Young rays may have white spots.", "habitat": "The common stingray is found throughout the Mediterranean and Black Seas. It also occurs, though in significantly lower numbers, in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean from southern Norway and the western Baltic Sea to Madeira and the Canary Islands. This bottom-dwelling species can be found from the shore to a depth of 200 m (660 ft), though it is not usually found deeper than 60 m (200 ft). It favors sandy or muddy bottoms in calm water, and is also sometimes encountered near rocky reefs or in estuaries, as it is tolerant of low salinity. Off the Azores, common stingrays are most abundant in summer and least abundant in winter, suggestive of a seasonal shift in range and/or depth as has been documented in other ray species. Encountered singly or in \"social\" groups, the common stingray appears to segregate by sex to some degree and may be more active at night, tending to bury itself in sediment during daytime. It feeds on a wide variety of bottom-dwelling organisms, including crustaceans, cephalopods, bivalves, polychaete worms, and small bony fishes. It reportedly does great damage to cultured shellfish beds. One study in the Gulf of İskenderun off Turkey found that crustaceans comprised some 99% of its diet, with fish prey becoming increasingly important with age.", "distribution": "The common stingray is found throughout the Mediterranean and Black Seas. It also occurs, though in significantly lower numbers, in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean from southern Norway and the western Baltic Sea to Madeira and the Canary Islands. This bottom-dwelling species can be found from the shore to a depth of 200 m (660 ft), though it is not usually found deeper than 60 m (200 ft). It favors sandy or muddy bottoms in calm water, and is also sometimes encountered near rocky reefs or in estuaries, as it is tolerant of low salinity. Off the Azores, common stingrays are most abundant in summer and least abundant in winter, suggestive of a seasonal shift in range and/or depth as has been documented in other ray species.", "diet": "", "family": "Dasyatidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q586594.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Black sea fauna stingray 01", "author": "Florin DUMITRESCU", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Black_sea_fauna_stingray_01.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_stingray", "revision": 1355313130, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1355313130", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "12f1087c3568ca89446aa8012053c38ea625cf161acfd0b5e9d8f40a9da803a6" }, { "id": "Q756771", "common_name": "Siberian sturgeon", "scientific_name": "Huso baerii", "aliases": [ "Acipenser baerii" ], "summary": "The Siberian sturgeon (Huso baerii) is a species of sturgeon in the family Acipenseridae. It is most present in all of the major Siberian river basins that drain northward into the Kara, Laptev and East Siberian Seas, including the Ob, Yenisei (which drains Lake Baikal via the Angara River) Lena, and Kolyma Rivers. It was also found in Kazakhstan and China in the Irtysh River, a major tributary of the Ob, though wild populations are extirpated in China. The species epithet honors the German Russian biologist Karl Ernst von Baer.", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Acipenseridae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q756771.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Acipenser baerii", "author": "This illustration was made by Citron You must credit this : Citron / CC-BY-SA-3.0", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Acipenser_baerii.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siberian_sturgeon", "revision": 1345873246, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1345873246", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "da4d9c42ce81a625f69129d10ea0ea0c8d1caf12bb219836315e7b53d2900748" }, { "id": "Q550211", "common_name": "Huchen", "scientific_name": "Hucho hucho", "aliases": [ "Hucho hucho", "Danube salmon" ], "summary": "The huchen (Hucho hucho) (, from German), also known as Danube salmon or redfish (German: Rotfisch), is a large species of freshwater fish in the family Salmonidae native to the Danube basin in Central and Eastern Europe. It is the type species of genus Hucho (a.k.a. the taimens), being closely related (in the same subfamily) to salmon, trout, char and lenoks.", "features": "The huchen reaches about 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) in length and more than 50 kg (110 lb) in weight. The average length is between 60 and 120 centimetres (24 and 47 in). The huchen has a slender body that is nearly round in cross-section. On the reddish brown back are several dark patches in an X or crescent shape, but most distinctive feature is its head, which is larger than in other salmonides (longer and wider), with large elongated mouth.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "The huchen is endemic to the Danube basin in Europe where the remaining population is threatened primarily by river damming, resulting in habitat fragmentation and loss through river impoundment and disruption of the longitudinal continuity of rivers, cutting away fish from its spawning grounds, with overfishing and fisheries mismanagement as an additional issue in many areas. Damming and all these other problems are especially visible in the Balkans. The upper reaches of the Danube basin, rivers and tributaries contain almost all of the recent population. This includes: In Austria: the Inn river, the Traun river, the upper Drava, with the lower Gail in Carinthia, the Pielach, in Styria the upper Mur. In Germany: middle and lower Inn, Isar (especially in Munich) In the Balkans huchen still appears in following river systems: In Slovenia: in the headwaters of Sava and its tributaries. In Croatia: in the upper and middle course of Kupa. In Bosnia and Herzegovina: in the upper and middle Una, with the upper and middle Sana; the upper and middle Vrbas, with the lower and middle Vrbanja; the main channel of the Bosna lost its population due to degradation of its waters, its banks and riverbed, but its four main tributaries, the Krivaja, the Fojnička, the Lašva and the Željeznica, are still important habitats; one of the most important huchen habitats in the Balkans and Europe is the Drina, with its numerous tributaries, especially the Lim, the Tara and the Ćehotina, and smaller ones, the Bistrica, the Prača, and the Drinjača; In Serbia: the Lim.", "diet": "As the largest fish found within many European rivers, Huchen like many other salmonoids under an ontogenetic change as they grow older. Smaller fish feed on the larvae of water insects or on insects dropped into the water. As they get older, larger individuals prey on other species of fish and small vertebrates. Common nase is the most important food source for a Danube salmon (huchen). From a study in Slovakia, older angler caught individuals primarily seemed to prey on spirlin Alburnoides bipunctatus, chub Leuciscus cephalus, brown trout Salmo trutta, and barbel Barbus barbus.", "family": "Salmonidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q550211.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Danube Salmon - Huchen (Hucho hucho)", "author": "Liquid Art", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Danube_Salmon_-_Huchen_(Hucho_hucho).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huchen", "revision": 1383319464, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1383319464", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "a211aba279eb2ea4355069db553f006871f927e3fbedf884381a60a10549e3cc" }, { "id": "Q840795", "common_name": "European smelt", "scientific_name": "Osmerus eperlanus", "aliases": [ "Osmerus eperlanus" ], "summary": "The smelt, cucumber smelt, or European smelt (Osmerus eperlanus) is a small species of fish in the family Osmeridae, native to coastal areas in Western Europe. They are a regional specialty in some countries, and are also known as sparling within Scotland.", "features": "The body of the European smelt is long and slim with a pointed head, with the dorsal fin behind the pectoral fin. The back of the fish is olive green, and the underside is white. The smelt has a distinctive silver stripe on its flanks. Its length is typically around 13 cm (5.1 in) when it first reaches maturity, and its average length is approximately 16.5 cm (6.5 in). The largest individuals can reach up to 45 cm (17.7 in) in length. They have a distinctive smell, reminiscent of cucumber.", "habitat": "The European smelt inhabits the western coasts of Europe, including the Baltic Sea, living in large lakes and estuaries in various Nordic countries but can be found as far south as the north-west of Spain. Smelt survive best in pelagic areas of oligotrophic lakes, but can inhabit much more polluted habitats, such as the lower Elbe river, and are tolerant of a wide salinity range. Within Scotland, they are found only within the rivers Cree, Forth, and Tay, but were previously recorded in 15 Scottish rivers. In the Volga River basin, the European smelt is considered a \"northern\" invasive species that entered the reservoir system from Lake Beloye. However, due to long-term climate warming and changing thermal dynamics, its population has significantly declined, and its range is currently regressing. In the local food web, it has been largely replaced by the invasive Black and Caspian Sea sprat (Clupeonella cultriventris).", "distribution": "The European smelt inhabits the western coasts of Europe, including the Baltic Sea, living in large lakes and estuaries in various Nordic countries but can be found as far south as the north-west of Spain. Smelt survive best in pelagic areas of oligotrophic lakes, but can inhabit much more polluted habitats, such as the lower Elbe river, and are tolerant of a wide salinity range. Within Scotland, they are found only within the rivers Cree, Forth, and Tay, but were previously recorded in 15 Scottish rivers. In the Volga River basin, the European smelt is considered a \"northern\" invasive species that entered the reservoir system from Lake Beloye. However, due to long-term climate warming and changing thermal dynamics, its population has significantly declined, and its range is currently regressing. In the local food web, it has been largely replaced by the invasive Black and Caspian Sea sprat (Clupeonella cultriventris).", "diet": "European smelt are opportunistic hunters that feed on copepods and cladocerans. As the fish grow, they change their diet from small zooplankton to larger crustaceans, and in rare cases will eat other fish, sometimes of their own species. They also consume the young of vendace.", "family": "Osmeridae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q840795.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Osmerus eperlanus 117759646", "author": "Виктор", "license": "CC BY 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Osmerus_eperlanus_117759646.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display; no cropping. Source edits are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_smelt", "revision": 1369958418, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1369958418", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "1ecb53558c47fbf69261816079a8ae189dd7a189e0077650af3fd92521e5686a" }, { "id": "Q575704", "common_name": "Greater amberjack", "scientific_name": "Seriola dumerili", "aliases": [ "Seriola dumerili" ], "summary": "The greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili), also known as the allied kingfish, great amberfish, greater yellowtail, jenny lind, sea donkey, purplish amberjack, reef donkey, rock salmon, sailors choice, yellowtail, and yellow trevally, is a species of predatory ray-finned fish in the family Carangidae, the jacks and pompanos. It is found in temperate, subtropical, and tropical seas around the world. It is a popular quarry species for recreational fisheries and is important in commercial fisheries. It is the largest species in the family Carangidae.", "features": "The greater amberjack is a large predatory fish which has a body colouring which varies from brownish to bluish-grey on the dorsal surfaces contrasting with the silvery-white underparts. A diagonal sooty stripe starts at the snout and runs along the centre of the back dorsal fin; another dark stripe runs from the upper jaw, across the eye to in front of the first dorsal fin. Some fish may show a light yellow to reddish-brown stripe along the flanks. The fins are dusky in colour. The second dorsal and anal fins have a low anterior lobe. Small juveniles have clear fins and a series of five vertical bands along the body and a sixth band on the caudal peduncle. The shape of the body is elongated and fusiform and it is of moderate depth and laterally compressed, and has a covering of small cycloid scales. The largest fish have been measured at 190 cm (75 in) in total length, but the more typical length found is 100 cm (39 in), while the largest published weight is 80.6 kg (178 lb).", "habitat": "The greater amberjack is found as solitary individuals or in small to moderate-sized schools, which are epibenthic and pelagic and occur in the vicinity of reefs, deep offshore caves, drop-offs, rocky outcrops, and deep seaward reefs. It sometimes enters coastal bays, while the juveniles are infrequently recorded quite far well out to sea where they shelter among floating algae, such as Sargassum, and debris. It can also be found over wrecks. Smaller individuals, less than 3 kg (6.6 lb), can be caught in shallow water, while the larger fish prefer deeper water, normally 18–72 m (59–236 ft) and have been recorded at depths of 360 m (1,180 ft).", "distribution": "The greater amberjack has an almost circumglobal distribution in the world's subtropical and tropical seas and oceans. In the Indian Ocean, it is found along the African coast from South Africa east through the Persian Gulf to Western Australia and southern Japan, reaching the Hawaiian Islands and Micronesia in the Pacific Ocean. It reaches as far south as the island of Tasmania off the coast of Australia. In the western Atlantic Ocean, this species is found around Bermuda and on the North American coast as far north as Nova Scotia extending south as far as Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. In the eastern Atlantic Ocean, it has been recorded as a vagrant as far north as the British Isles and is found off in the Bay of Biscay south to Morocco and in the Mediterranean Sea. It may occur along the west African coast, but may be confused with the similar Seriola carpenteri.", "diet": "Greater amberjacks are opportunistic predators when they are adults, which prey on benthic and pelagic fishes, as well as cephalopods and crustaceans. Common fish prey species include the bigeye scad (Selar crumenophthalmus) and sardines (Sardinella aurita and Sardina pilchardus). The juvenile fish feed on plankton, including the larvae of decapods and other small invertebrates. The juveniles switch to feeding on larger prey such as larger benthic and nektonic organisms when they attain a length of 8–12 cm (3.1–4.7 in), and once they have grown larger than 12 cm (4.7 in), they restrict their prey choice to animals that swim on or over the substrate; when they attain 20 cm (7.9 in), they are mainly piscivorous and at this size, they move from open waters to more coastal areas.", "family": "Carangidae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q575704.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Pez limón (Seriola dumerili), Madeira, Portugal, 2019-05-31, DD 31", "author": "Diego Delso", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pez_lim%C3%B3n_(Seriola_dumerili),_Madeira,_Portugal,_2019-05-31,_DD_31.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_amberjack", "revision": 1378480671, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1378480671", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "a30b1d2752a93615cd574e33a5ecc325ceddcca63133f990c20e51fb6f10ba6e" }, { "id": "Q833940", "common_name": "Cobia", "scientific_name": "Rachycentron canadum", "aliases": [ "Rachycentron canadum" ], "summary": "The cobia (Rachycentron canadum) (, KOH-bee-ə) is a species of marine carangiform ray-finned fish, the only extant representative of the genus Rachycentron and the family Rachycentridae. Its other common names include black kingfish, black salmon, ling, lemonfish, crabeater, prodigal son, codfish, and black bonito.", "features": "Attaining a maximum length of 2 m (78 in) and maximum weight of 79 kg (174 lb), the cobia has an elongated, fusiform (spindle-shaped) body and a broad, flattened head. The eyes are small and the lower jaw projects slightly past the upper. Fibrous, villiform teeth line the jaws, the tongue, and the roof of the mouth. The body of the fish is smooth with small scales. It is dark brown in color, grading to white on the belly, with two darker brown horizontal bands on the flanks. The stripes are more prominent during spawning, when they darken and the background color flashes. The large pectoral fins are normally carried horizontally, perhaps helping the fish attain the profile of a shark. The first dorsal fin has six to nine independent, short, stout, sharp spines. The family name Rachycentridae, from the Greek words rhachis (\"spine\") and kentron (\"sting\"), was inspired by these dorsal spines. The mature cobia has a forked, slightly lunated tail, which is usually dark brown. The fish lacks a swim bladder. The juvenile cobia is patterned with conspicuous bands of black and white and has a rounded tail. The previous largest cobia taken on rod and reel came from Shark Bay, Australia, and weighed 60 kg (135 lb). The new record for cobia certified by the IGFA weighed 79.6 kg (175 lb) and was caught near Rottnest Island, Australia. The cobia resembles its close relatives, the remoras of the family Echeneidae. It lacks the remora's dorsal sucker and has a stouter body.", "habitat": "It is eurythermal, tolerating a wide range of temperatures, from 1.6 to 32.2 °C. It is also euryhaline, living at salinities of 5.0 to 44.5 ppt. The cobia is normally solitary except for annual spawning aggregations, and it sometimes congregates at reefs, wrecks, harbours, buoys, and other structural oases. It is pelagic, but it may enter estuaries and mangroves in search of prey. The cobia feeds primarily on crabs, squid, and fish. Like its relatives the remoras, it follows larger animals such as sharks, turtles, and manta rays to scavenge. It is a very curious fish, showing little fear of boats. The predators of the cobia are not well documented, but the mahi-mahi (Coryphaena hippurus) is known to feed on juveniles and the shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) eats the adults. The cobia is frequently parasitized by nematodes, trematodes, cestodes, copepods, and acanthocephalans. Cobia are susceptible to multiple parasitic and bacterial infections such as Amyloodinium species, Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida and Lactococcus garvieae.", "distribution": "It is found in warm-temperate to tropical waters of the West and East Atlantic Ocean, throughout the Caribbean, and in the Indian Ocean off the coast of India, Australia, and the Pacific coast of Japan.", "diet": "", "family": "Rachycentridae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q833940.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Rachycentron canadum Robertson", "author": "D Ross Robertson", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rachycentron_canadum_Robertson.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cobia", "revision": 1342807463, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1342807463", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "8685235a948d9a8c292bb7e0f60dd1c28aff636bf4ec14747a0782f987653760" }, { "id": "Q583540", "common_name": "Stone moroko", "scientific_name": "Pseudorasbora parva", "aliases": [ "topmouth gudgeon", "stone moroko", "Pseudorasbora parva" ], "summary": "The stone moroko (Pseudorasbora parva), also known as the topmouth gudgeon, is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Gobionidae, the gudgeons. This species is native to Asia, but has been introduced and is now considered an invasive species in Europe and North America. The fish's size is rarely above 8 cm, and usually 2 to 7.5 cm (0.79 to 2.95 in) long.", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Gobionidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q583540.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Pseudorasbora parva(edited version)", "author": "Seotaro, (cleaned up and denoised by Estrilda, and edited by Laitche)", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pseudorasbora_parva(edited_version).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stone_moroko", "revision": 1369539146, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1369539146", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "f33159e66bdb5341662d3b1c3a9fddf00898cc8e4cebdfc4916572612e97696f" }, { "id": "Q919271", "common_name": "Mediterranean rainbow wrasse", "scientific_name": "Coris julis", "aliases": [ "Coris julis" ], "summary": "Coris julis also known by its common name, the Mediterranean rainbow wrasse, is a Mediterranean and Eastern Atlantic fish. Phylogenetically they belong to the Labridae family, also known as the wrasses. Within their genus, Coris, there are a total of 28 species. As discussed more in the Life History section below, they can present with more than one coloration. This is because they are diandric protogynous hermaphrodites. These fish are born as what scientists term primary males and females and can transition from a female to a secondary male. Primary individuals are described to be less than 18cm in length and all those larger are secondary males.", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "C. julis typically inhabits rock/sandy substrates at the oceans floor and can commonly be found in seagrass beds. They also bury themselves in sand between sunset and sunrise. These habitats are in shallower coastal waters, and their standard depth range has been described as 0–50m with extremes of 0–120m. Geographically, as their name indicates, these fish are found in the Mediterranean Sea with an apparently even distribution. However, it can also be found as far North as Norway and as far South as Senegal. Further south you begin to see the related species Coris atlantica which is less widespread and lives in Western-central Africa. These two species represent the only 2 in the genus Coris found in the Eastern Atlantic. The other 26 are found in the Indo-Pacific. Although based upon the study mentioned under Species Description, C. julis should be split into C. julis and C. menalura.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q919271.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Doncella (Coris julis), Cabo de Palos, España, 2022-07-17, DD 69", "author": "Diego Delso", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Doncella_(Coris_julis),_Cabo_de_Palos,_Espa%C3%B1a,_2022-07-17,_DD_69.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mediterranean_rainbow_wrasse", "revision": 1378025336, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1378025336", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "580b552979317926f4f0c01f243b0356fb256960e1c7b4e64c812c67bc606f59" }, { "id": "Q998315", "common_name": "Black marlin", "scientific_name": "Istiompax indica", "aliases": [ "black marlin", "Istiompax indica" ], "summary": "The black marlin (Istiompax indica) is a species of marlin found in tropical and subtropical areas of the Indian and Pacific Oceans approximately between 40 degrees North and 45 degrees South, while in some instances venturing into more temperate waters. Reaching lengths of over 4.5 m (15 ft), it is one of the largest marlins and also one of the largest bony fish. Marlins are among the fastest fish, but speeds are often exaggerated in popular media, such as reports of 129 km/h (80 mph). A 2016 study estimated maximum swimming speeds from muscle contraction times, which in turn limit the tail-beat frequency; the study suggested a theoretical upper limit for the black marlin's burst speed of 36 km/h (22 mph). Black marlin are fished commercially and are also a highly prized game fish. Black marlins were known to drag ancient Maldivian fishing boats for very long distances after being hooked, until the marlins finally tired; it would take many hours for the fishermen to row or sail back home. Due to the common misidentification of large billfish such as the black marlin, as well as its highly migratory habits and the lack of research into the species, much about populations are unknown. The species was first known as Tetrapturus indicus and later was reclassified as Makaira indica before taking on its current scientific name. One of the earliest scientific records of black marlin is its description by French zoologist Georges Cuvier in 1832.", "features": "Compared to striped or white marlins and sailfish, black marlins are more solid than their blue counterparts. They have a shorter, heavier bill and a rounder and lower dorsal fin. Black marlin may be distinguished from all other marlin species by their rigid pectoral fins, which, especially from a weight of around 68 kg (150 lb), are unable to be pressed flat against their sides but can be tilted further backwards for reduced drag. The black marlin showcases an extremely chrome underside and a dark blue-black dorsal side, the two colored layers are often separated by a yellow-ish chrome stripe. The black marlin is the only istiophorid in which the second dorsal fin is anterior to the second anal fin, this feature holds for all sizes. Black marlin are measured like other bill fish from the tip of their lower jaw to the fork of their tail. The black marlin is also the biggest marlin as well as one of the largest bony fishes in the world with females capable of exceeding 700 kg (1,500 lb). The maximum published length is 4.65 m (15 ft 3 in), however the average growth was found to be approximately 6-9ft. Females tend to be larger than males after about age 5, however before age 5 the females are smaller. The maximum weight is 750 kg (1,650 lb), possibly up to 900 kg (2,000 lb). Juveniles are similar in most features except their coloration is lighter, bills are shorter and they are physically smaller.", "habitat": "Black marlins spend more time closer to the surface than most other billfish, except for sailfish. Scientists found in one population of black marlin that at night the fish would spend up to 87% of their time at depths above 30 meters deep, but during the day less than 60% of their time was spent in the upper 30 meter depths of the sea. Because of this, black marlin distribution is influenced by the surface height of the ocean throughout the time of year. Black Marlin live in temperatures from 15 degrees Celsius to 30 degrees Celsius. Juvenile black marlin around Australia utilize the great barrier reef lagoon as an area to grow and develop due to an abundance of resources. During the younger life stages, black marlin will form seasonal aggregations (aggregation: temporary assemblage of individuals) throughout the great barrier reef lagoon.", "distribution": "The species occurs in the tropical and subtropical Indo-Pacific approximately between 40 degrees North and 45 degrees South, with uncommon movements into temperate waters, and rare reports from the Atlantic. There has been no evidence to suggest that there is a breeding population in the Atlantic. They are found anywhere from surface level down to depths of approximately 500 meters. The relative abundance of black marlin is currently unknown. In Taiwan, data from studies have provided evidence from population samples that there is likely a larger female to male ratio.", "diet": "French naturalist Georges Cuvier described the black marlin in 1832 as Tetrapturus indicus. Diet mostly consists of various fish and cephalopods. They may eat tuna, mackerel, snake mackerel, flying fish, squid, crustaceans, octopus, etc, but mackerel scad have been found to be the preferred prey of black marlin. Scientists have even found young sharks in the stomachs of some black marlin. When black marlin hunt prey they swallow the prey head first. Prey observed from the stomachs of black marlins often show slashes from the bill of the fish. Because of this, it is believed that these fish utilize their bills when hunting within a school of fish.", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q998315.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Istiompax indica", "author": "jamesh111", "license": "CC BY 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Istiompax_indica.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_marlin", "revision": 1380372219, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1380372219", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "384d73460c441a1245e4f4b69c5cf6ac040f843102ffabfb1865a0808cf3effa" }, { "id": "Q1411265", "common_name": "Longtail tuna", "scientific_name": "Thunnus tonggol", "aliases": [ "Blue fin tuna", "Northern bluefin", "Northern bluefin tuna", "Longtail tuna", "Indian long-tailed tuna", "Thunnus tonggol" ], "summary": "Thunnus tonggol is a species of tuna of tropical Indo-West Pacific waters. It is commonly known as the longtail tuna or northern bluefin tuna. The usage of the latter name, mainly in Australia to distinguish it from the southern bluefin tuna, leads to easy confusion with Thunnus thynnus of the Atlantic and Thunnus orientalis of the North Pacific. Compared to these \"true\" bluefins, Thunnus tonggol is more slender and has shorter pectoral fins. Thunnus tonggol reaches 145 centimetres (57 in) in length and 35.9 kilograms (79 lb) in weight. Compared to similar-sized tunas, its growth is slower and it lives longer, which may make it vulnerable to overfishing.", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1411265.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Thunnus tonggol", "author": "Muhammad Moazzam Khan", "license": "CC BY 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Thunnus_tonggol.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunnus_tonggol", "revision": 1332265911, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1332265911", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "9d1e48bb34cfe1945d2abe3231e9947c4fc6e205bb1330a6db33615f7ea85f37" }, { "id": "Q13222818", "common_name": "Mediterranean moray", "scientific_name": "Muraena helena", "aliases": [ "Muraena helena", "Roman eel" ], "summary": "The Mediterranean moray (Muraena helena) is a species of fish in the Muraenidae family. It has a long eel-like body and is found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. Its bite can be dangerous to humans.", "features": "", "habitat": "The Mediterranean moray inhabits the coastal waters of the eastern Atlantic Ocean from the British Isles to the coast of Senegal; the waters of the Canary Islands and the Azores; and the Mediterranean Sea. It prefers rocky bottoms and lives at depths between 1 and 801 metres with the 100–300 m range the most common habitat. It is a solitary and territorial species. The Mediterranean moray spends most of the day in cavities and clefts between rocks and is more active at night. It hunts fish, crabs and cephalopods, but also feeds on dead animals. Similar to well-documented interspecific, coordinated hunting associations between groupers and moray eels in tropical regions, such as the Red Sea, a similar interaction has also been observed in the Mediterranean. In the Bay of Argentiera in Sardinia, a coordinated hunting association between the dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus) and the Mediterranean moray was documented.", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q13222818.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Morena del Mediterráneo (Muraena helena), Regga, Gozo, Malta, 2021-08-23, DD 14", "author": "Diego Delso", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Morena_del_Mediterr%C3%A1neo_(Muraena_helena),_Regga,_Gozo,_Malta,_2021-08-23,_DD_14.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mediterranean_moray", "revision": 1383584822, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1383584822", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "ae93663eb02fdc9c0a2cbe1103bf0548a2920b8c17b02709eafed7a2b9363bf8" }, { "id": "Q592165", "common_name": "Caribbean reef shark", "scientific_name": "Carcharhinus perezi", "aliases": [ "Caribbean reef shark", "Carcharhinus perezi" ], "summary": "The Caribbean reef shark (Carcharhinus perezi) is a species of requiem shark, belonging to the family Carcharhinidae. It is found in the tropical waters of the western Atlantic Ocean from Florida to Brazil, and is the most commonly encountered reef shark in the Caribbean Sea. With a robust, streamlined body typical of the requiem sharks, this species is difficult to tell apart from other large members of its family such as the dusky shark (C. obscurus) and the silky shark (C. falciformis). Distinguishing characteristics include dusky-colored fins without prominent markings, a short free rear tip on the second dorsal fin, and tooth shape and number. Measuring up to 3 m (9.8 ft) long, the Caribbean reef shark is one of the largest apex predators in the reef ecosystem, feeding on a variety of fishes and cephalopods. They have been documented resting motionless on the sea bottom or inside caves, unusual behavior for an active-swimming shark. If threatened, it may perform a threat display in which it frequently changes direction and dips its pectoral fins. Like other requiem sharks, it is viviparous with females giving birth to 4–6 young every other year. Caribbean reef sharks are of some importance to fisheries as a source of meat, leather, liver oil, and fishmeal, but recently they have become more valuable as an ecotourist attraction. In the Bahamas and elsewhere, bait is used to attract them to groups of divers in controversial \"shark feedings\".", "features": "A heavy-bodied shark with a \"typical\" streamlined shape, the Caribbean reef shark is difficult to distinguish from other large requiem shark species. It usually measures 2–2.5 m (6.6–8.2 ft) long; the maximum recorded length is 3 m (9.8 ft) and the maximum reported weight is 70 kg (150 lb). The coloration is dark gray or gray-brown above and white or white-yellow below, with an inconspicuous white band on the flanks. The fins are not prominently marked, and the undersides of the paired fins, the anal fin, and the lower lobe of the caudal fin are dusky. The snout is rather short, broad, and rounded, without prominent flaps of skin beside the nostrils. The eyes are large and circular, with nictitating membranes (protective third eyelids). There are 11–13 tooth rows in either half of both jaws. The teeth have broad bases, serrated edges, and narrow cusps; the front 2–4 teeth on each side are erect and the others increasingly oblique. The five pairs of gill slits are moderately long, with the third gill slit over the origin of the pectoral fins. The first dorsal fin is high and falcate (sickle-shaped). There is a low interdorsal ridge running behind it to the second dorsal fin, which is relatively large with a short free rear tip. The origin of the first dorsal fin lies over or slightly forward of the free rear tips of the pectoral fins, and that of the second dorsal fin lies over or slightly forward of the anal fin. The pectoral fins are long and narrow, tapering to a point.", "habitat": "The Caribbean reef shark occurs throughout the tropical western Atlantic Ocean, from North Carolina in the north to Brazil in the south, including Bermuda, the northern Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea. However, it is extremely rare north of the Florida Keys. It prefers shallow waters on or around coral reefs, and is commonly found near the drop-offs at the reefs' outer edges. This shark is most common in water shallower than 30 m (98 ft), but has been known to dive to 378 m (1,240 ft). Despite its abundance in certain areas, the Caribbean reef shark is one of the least-studied large requiem sharks. They are believed to play a major role in shaping Caribbean reef communities. These sharks are more active at night, with no evidence of seasonal changes in activity or migration. Juveniles tend to remain in a localized area throughout the year, while adults range over a wider area. Caribbean reef sharks are sometimes seen resting motionless on the sea floor or inside caves; it is the first active shark species in which such a behavior was reported. In 1975, Eugenie Clark investigated the famed \"sleeping sharks\" inside the caves at Isla Mujeres off the Yucatan Peninsula, and determined that the sharks were not actually asleep as their eyes would follow divers. Clark speculated that freshwater upwellings inside the caves might loosen parasites on the sharks and produce an enjoyable \"narcotic\" effect.", "distribution": "The Caribbean reef shark occurs throughout the tropical western Atlantic Ocean, from North Carolina in the north to Brazil in the south, including Bermuda, the northern Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea. However, it is extremely rare north of the Florida Keys. It prefers shallow waters on or around coral reefs, and is commonly found near the drop-offs at the reefs' outer edges. This shark is most common in water shallower than 30 m (98 ft), but has been known to dive to 378 m (1,240 ft).", "diet": "The Caribbean reef shark feeds on a wide variety of reef-dwelling bony fishes and cephalopods, as well as some elasmobranchs such as eagle rays (Aetobatus narinari) and yellow stingrays (Urobatis jamaicensis). It is attracted to low-frequency sounds, which are indicative of struggling fish. In one observation of a 2 m (6.6 ft) long male Caribbean reef shark hunting a yellowtail snapper (Lutjanus crysurus), the shark languidly circled and made several seemingly \"half-hearted\" turns towards its prey, before suddenly accelerating and swinging its head sideways to capture the snapper at the corner of its jaws. Young sharks feed on small fishes, shrimps, and crabs. Caribbean reef sharks are capable of everting their stomachs, which likely serves to cleanse indigestible particles, parasites, and mucus from the stomach lining.", "family": "Carcharhinidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q592165.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Caribbean reef sharks2", "author": "Albert Kok3", "license": "CC0", "license_url": "http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed.en", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Caribbean_reef_sharks2.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caribbean_reef_shark", "revision": 1378057042, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1378057042", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "ca7557f81afe72be905d836c121b6549ec72daa324387a68f86054e7350f3330" }, { "id": "Q1135526", "common_name": "Common dab", "scientific_name": "Limanda limanda", "aliases": [ "Limanda limanda" ], "summary": "The common dab (Limanda limanda) is an edible flatfish of the family Pleuronectidae. It is a demersal fish native to shallow seas around Northern Europe, in particular the North Sea, where it lives on sandy bottoms down to depths of about 100 metres (330 ft). It can reach 40 centimetres (16 in) in length and can weigh up to 1 kilogram (2.2 lb), though most specimens grow no longer than 20 centimetres (7.9 in).", "features": "The common dab has a similar appearance to both the plaice and the flounder, and similarly has both its eyes normally on the right-hand side of its body. The upper surface is usually pale brown in colour with scattered darker blotches and speckles, but does not have the orange spots typical of a plaice. They are distinguished from flounder by their translucent body. The pectoral fins may be orange. The lateral line is marked by a distinctive semi-circular curve above the pectoral fin. The dorsal and anal fins form a gently rounded curve round the margin of the body. The scales have rough posterior edges and this fish has no large bony projections. A typical size is in the range 25 to 40 cm (10 to 16 in).", "habitat": "", "distribution": "The common dab is a bottom dweller, found in coastal waters in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean. Its range extends from the Bay of Biscay to Iceland and the White Sea and includes the North Sea and the western part of the Baltic Sea.", "diet": "The common dab's diet consists of zoobenthos organisms such as marine worms, molluscs, sand eels, amphipods, crustaceans, echinoderms and smaller fishes.", "family": "Pleuronectidae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1135526.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Limanda limanda", "author": "Hans Hillewaert", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Limanda_limanda.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_dab", "revision": 1361580755, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1361580755", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "b59124242b9c6fe24805e77095eb029efc43f4f508ef60a1aa27b9cfe669ad53" }, { "id": "Q754450", "common_name": "Black goby", "scientific_name": "Gobius niger", "aliases": [ "Gobius niger" ], "summary": "The black goby (Gobius niger) is a species of ray-finned fish found in the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea. It inhabits estuaries, lagoons, and inshore water over seagrass and algae. It feeds on a variety of invertebrates and sometimes small fish. This species can also be found in the aquarium trade. This fish reaches a maximum length of 18 centimetres (7 in) TL. This fish's neck is scaled and both of its dorsal fins have a black spot on the front end.", "features": "The black goby is deeper-bodied than the common goby, sand goby and two-spotted goby with a more rounded snout and generally a larger size. It has two dorsal fins that are almost continuous, the anterior one having six spines, which may project from the fin membrane, and the posterior and shorter one having soft rays. The posterior dorsal fin terminates close to the caudal peduncle in contrast to the common and sand gobies where there is a long gap. The pelvic fins are fused. The colour is some shade of dark brown with indistinct black blotches. The colour of the male becomes almost black during the breeding season and his fins become more vivid. The average size of this fish is about 5 to 7 cm (2.0 to 2.8 in)", "habitat": "The black goby is native to shallow waters in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea. Its range extends from Cape Blanc in Mauritania to Trondheim in Norway and the Baltic Sea and it is usually found at depths less than 50 metres (160 ft). Its typical habitat is lagoons, estuaries and inshore waters, on sandy or muddy bottoms and among seagrasses and seaweeds, and it occasionally moves into fresh water.", "distribution": "The black goby is native to shallow waters in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea. Its range extends from Cape Blanc in Mauritania to Trondheim in Norway and the Baltic Sea and it is usually found at depths less than 50 metres (160 ft). Its typical habitat is lagoons, estuaries and inshore waters, on sandy or muddy bottoms and among seagrasses and seaweeds, and it occasionally moves into fresh water.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q754450.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Gobius niger (Stefano Guerrieri) 1", "author": "Etrusko25", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gobius_niger_(Stefano_Guerrieri)_1.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_goby", "revision": 1306194949, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1306194949", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "2a49e4c03c1d68acf7feffab8e604a931dd1684ffdf6df9c66d130b0556e13cd" }, { "id": "Q1410142", "common_name": "South American lungfish", "scientific_name": "Lepidosiren paradoxa", "aliases": [ "Lepidosiren paradoxa" ], "summary": "The South American lungfish (Lepidosiren paradoxa), also known as the American mud-fish and scaly salamanderfish, is the single species of lungfish found in swamps and slow-moving waters of the Amazon, Paraguay, and lower Paraná River basins in South America. Notable as an obligate air-breather, it is the sole member of its family Lepidosirenidae, although some authors also place Protopterus in the family. In Brazil, it is known by the indigenous language Tupi name piramboia, which means \"snake-fish\" (Portuguese pronunciation: [piɾɐ̃ˈbɔjjɐ]), and synonyms pirarucu-bóia ([piɾɐɾuˈku ˈbɔjjɐ]), traíra-bóia ([tɾɐˈiɾɐ ˈbɔjjɐ]), and caramuru ([kɐɾɐmuˈɾu]).", "features": "The immature lungfish is spotted with gold on a black background; in the adult, this fades to a brown or gray color. Its tooth-bearing premaxillary and maxillary bones are fused as in all Dipnoi. South American lungfish also share an autostylic jaw suspension (where the palatoquadrate is fused to the cranium) and powerful adductor jaw muscles with the other extant Dipnoi. Like the African lungfishes, this species has an elongated, almost eel-like body. It may reach a length of 125 cm (4.10 ft). The pectoral fins are thin and thread-like, while the pelvic fins are somewhat larger, and set far back. The fins are connected to the shoulder by a single bone, which is a marked difference from most fish, whose fins usually have at least four bones at their base, and a marked similarity with nearly all land-dwelling vertebrates. The gills are greatly reduced and essentially non-functional in the adults. Juvenile lungfish feed on insect larvae and snails, while adults are omnivorous, adding algae and shrimp to their diets, crushing them with their heavily mineralized tooth-plates. The fish's usual habitats disappear during the dry season, so they burrow into the mud and make a chamber about 30–50 cm (12–20 in) down, leaving a few holes to the surface for air. During this aestivation, they produce a layer of mucus to seal in moisture, and slow their metabolism down greatly. Relatively little is known about the South American lungfish. They have adapted to cope with both droughts and floods due to evolving pulmonary mechanoreceptors.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Lepidosirenidae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1410142.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "F de Castelnau-poissonsPl50", "author": "François-Louis Laporte, comte de Castelnau", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:F_de_Castelnau-poissonsPl50.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_American_lungfish", "revision": 1365930471, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1365930471", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "2a50fbbccb707cf6e6bd60548947e006f64d3b553c34f2e67edbb36e8c6a9015" }, { "id": "Q743248", "common_name": "Blue whiting", "scientific_name": "Micromesistius poutassou", "aliases": [ "Micromesistius poutassou" ], "summary": "The blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou) one of the two species in the genus Micromesistius in the order of Gadiformes, which also contains cod, haddock, whiting, and pollock. It is common in the northeast Atlantic Ocean from Morocco to Iceland and Spitsbergen. It also occurs in the northern parts of the Mediterranean, where it may be locally abundant. Blue whiting also occur in the northwest Atlantic Ocean between Canada and Greenland, but is considered rare. It has a long, narrow body and a silvery underbody. The fish can attain a length of more than 40 cm. The average length of blue whiting caught off the west shores of the UK is 31 cm. A related species, southern blue whiting, Micromesistius australis, occurs in the Southern Hemisphere.", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q743248.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Micromesistius poutassou Gervais", "author": "Gervais et Boulart", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Micromesistius_poutassou_Gervais.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_whiting", "revision": 1346143072, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1346143072", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "076fc1bf34c4fa7201591e8bea98211b26f046db82c5429c4f026c89078f8b62" }, { "id": "Q1162971", "common_name": "Southern platyfish", "scientific_name": "Xiphophorus maculatus", "aliases": [ "Southern platyfish", "Xiphophorus maculatus" ], "summary": "The southern platyfish, common platy, or moonfish (Xiphophorus maculatus) is a species of freshwater fish in family Poeciliidae of order Cyprinodontiformes. A live-bearer, it is closely related to the green swordtail (X. hellerii) and can interbreed with it. It is native to an area of North and Central America stretching from Veracruz, Mexico, to northern Belize. The southern platyfish grows to a maximum overall length of 6.0 cm (2.4 in). Sexual dimorphism is slight, the male's caudal fin being more pointed. The anal fin of the male fish has evolved into a gonopodium, a stick-shaped organ used for reproduction. The female southern platyfish's anal fin is fan shaped. Wild varieties are drab in coloration, lacking the distinctive dark lateral line common to many Xiphophorus species. Xiphophorus maculatus prefers slow-moving waters of canals, ditches, and warm springs. Omnivorous, its diet includes both plants and small crustaceans, insects, and annelid worms. Breeders have developed a multitude of color varieties (e.g. orange, red, yellow, red/black, and black/white) which are common aquarium fish for hobbyists. The southern platyfish is commonly known simply as the platy (pl. platys or platies), from the fish's original generic name, Platypoecilus.", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Poeciliidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1162971.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Rainbow wag platy", "author": "Marrabbio2", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rainbow_wag_platy.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_platyfish", "revision": 1372281683, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1372281683", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "cfd49ac4a379c2d5caff733778b85487f50910d6a52a16b21760ce557dbf9f87" }, { "id": "Q934615", "common_name": "Horn shark", "scientific_name": "Heterodontus francisci", "aliases": [ "Heterodontus francisci", "California horn shark" ], "summary": "The horn shark (Heterodontus francisci) is a species of bullhead shark, in the family Heterodontidae. It is endemic to the coastal waters off the western coast of North America, from California to the Gulf of California. Young sharks are segregated spatially from the adults, with the former preferring deeper sandy flats and the latter preferring shallower rocky reefs or algal beds. A small species typically measuring 1 m (3.3 ft) in length, the horn shark can be recognized by a short, blunt head with ridges over its eyes, two high dorsal fins with large spines, and a brown or gray coloration with many small dark spots. Slow-moving, generally solitary predators, horn sharks hunt at night inside small home ranges and retreat to a favored shelter during the day. Their daily activity cycles are controlled by environmental light levels. Adult sharks prey mainly on hard-shelled molluscs, echinoderms, and crustaceans, which they crush between powerful jaws and molar-like teeth, while also feeding opportunistically on a wide variety of other invertebrates and small bony fishes. Juveniles prefer softer-bodied prey such as polychaete worms and sea anemones. The shark extracts its prey from the substrate using suction and, if necessary, levering motions with its body. Reproduction is oviparous, with females laying up to 24 eggs from February to April. After laying, the female picks up the auger-shaped egg cases and wedges them into crevices to protect them from predators.", "features": "Like other bullhead sharks, the horn shark has a short, wide head with a blunt snout and prominent supraorbital ridges over the eyes. The horn shark's supraorbital ridges are low and terminate abruptly; the space between them on top of the head is deeply concave. Each eye lacks a nictitating membrane and is followed by a tiny spiracle. The nostrils are split into inflow and outflow openings by a long flap that reaches the mouth. The inflow openings are encircled by a groove, while another groove connects the outflow openings to the mouth. The mouth is small and curved, with prominent furrows at the corners. There are 19–26 tooth rows in the upper jaw and 18–29 tooth rows in the lower jaw. The teeth at the front of the jaws are small and pointed, with a central cusp flanked by a pair of lateral cusplets; those at the sides of the jaws are much larger, elongated lengthwise, and molar-like. The body is cylindrical, with two high, somewhat falcate (sickle-shaped) dorsal fins bearing stout spines at the front. The fin spines of reef-dwelling horn sharks are shorter than those living in algal habitats, as their spines become worn down on rocks from the sharks' movements. The first dorsal fin originates over the bases of the large pectoral fins, while the second dorsal fin originates slightly anterior to the free rear tips of the pelvic fins. The caudal fin has a short lower lobe and a long, broad upper lobe with a strong notch near the tip. The horn shark's dermal denticles are small and smooth, numbering some 200/cm2 on the back in adults.", "habitat": "The horn shark inhabits the continental shelf of the eastern Pacific Ocean, occurring off the coasts of California and Baja California from Monterey Bay southward, and in the Gulf of California. Uncommon influxes of warm water northward may bring it as far as San Francisco Bay. There are unconfirmed reports of this species off Ecuador and Peru, which may be misidentifications of other species. For most of the year, horn sharks are most common at a depth of 2–11 m (6.6–36.1 ft). At the onset of winter, they migrate to water deeper than 30 m (98 ft). This species has been found in caves as deep as 200 m (660 ft). Juvenile horn sharks between 35–48 cm (1.15–1.57 ft) long prefer sandy flats with low vertical relief, in water 40–150 m (130–490 ft) deep. They often take advantage of large feeding pits excavated by the bat ray (Myliobatis californica) for shelter and food. As they mature, horn sharks shift into shallower water and their preferred habitat becomes structurally complex rocky reefs or algae beds. This strongly benthic species seldom ventures more than 2 m (6.6 ft) above the substrate. The relative abundances of the horn shark and the swell shark (Centroscyllim ventriosum), which shares the same habitat, are negatively correlated because horn sharks prefer temperatures warmer than 20 °C (68 °F) while swell sharks are more cold-tolerant. At Santa Catalina Island, a 20-year warming trend has resulted in an increase in the horn shark population and a decrease in the swell shark population.", "distribution": "The horn shark inhabits the continental shelf of the eastern Pacific Ocean, occurring off the coasts of California and Baja California from Monterey Bay southward, and in the Gulf of California. Uncommon influxes of warm water northward may bring it as far as San Francisco Bay. There are unconfirmed reports of this species off Ecuador and Peru, which may be misidentifications of other species. For most of the year, horn sharks are most common at a depth of 2–11 m (6.6–36.1 ft). At the onset of winter, they migrate to water deeper than 30 m (98 ft). This species has been found in caves as deep as 200 m (660 ft). Juvenile horn sharks between 35–48 cm (1.15–1.57 ft) long prefer sandy flats with low vertical relief, in water 40–150 m (130–490 ft) deep. They often take advantage of large feeding pits excavated by the bat ray (Myliobatis californica) for shelter and food. As they mature, horn sharks shift into shallower water and their preferred habitat becomes structurally complex rocky reefs or algae beds. This strongly benthic species seldom ventures more than 2 m (6.6 ft) above the substrate. The relative abundances of the horn shark and the swell shark (Centroscyllim ventriosum), which shares the same habitat, are negatively correlated because horn sharks prefer temperatures warmer than 20 °C (68 °F) while swell sharks are more cold-tolerant. At Santa Catalina Island, a 20-year warming trend has resulted in an increase in the horn shark population and a decrease in the swell shark population.", "diet": "95% of the adult horn shark's diet consists of hard-shelled mollusks (e.g. bivalves and gastropods), echinoderms (e.g. sea urchins) and crustaceans (e.g. crabs, shrimp, and isopods). To crack their shells, the horn shark generates the highest known bite force relative to its size of any shark, well in excess of other measured species such as the spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) and the blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus). One study found the average bite force for this species in the wild to be 95 N with a maximum of 135 N, while under experimental conditions sharks could be induced to bite with over 200 N of force. Large horn sharks that feed mainly on sea urchins (particularly the short-spined purple urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus) have their teeth and fin spines stained purple. Other prey items of adults include peanut worms, sea stars, cephalopods, and small bony fishes. Juveniles feed primarily on polychaete worms, sea anemones, and small clams, and have been known to \"pounce\" on anemones to bite off tentacles before they can be retracted. Off southern California, horn sharks are known to take advantage of seasonal opportunities. In the summer, diurnally active fishes, in particular the blacksmith (Chromis punctipinnis), are especially abundant and are easily captured at night when they lie dormant. In the winter, the sharks scavenge on market squid (Loligo opalescens), which die by the tens of thousands after their mass spawning event. Horn sharks hunt mainly using their sense of smell.", "family": "Heterodontidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q934615.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Hornhai (Heterodontus francisci)", "author": "Cymothoa exigua", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hornhai_(Heterodontus_francisci).JPG", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horn_shark", "revision": 1316186616, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1316186616", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "7345f014a48837090fe24bdb6d65a6abbcc17329c41f1507d8a80fb551055bfd" }, { "id": "Q909455", "common_name": "Black carp", "scientific_name": "Mylopharyngodon piceus", "aliases": [ "Mylopharyngodon piceus", "Chinese black roach" ], "summary": "The black carp or Chinese black roach (Mylopharyngodon piceus) is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Xenocyprididae, the East Asian minnows or sharpbellies. The black carp is the sole extant species of the genus Mylopharyngodon. It is native to lakes and rivers in East Asia, ranging from the Amur Basin across China to Vietnam. One of the largest xenocypridids in the world, the black carp has a typical length of 60–120 cm (23.5–47 in), though it can reach up to 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in) in length and 35 kg (77 lb) in weight. It is carnivorous and generally feeds on invertebrates such as snails, clams, and mussels. Black carp, together with bighead carp, silver carp, and grass carp, make up the culturally important \"four famous domestic fishes\" used in polyculture in China for over 1000 years. It has also been introduced in the United States as one of the invasive \"Asian carps\", though it is not as widely distributed worldwide as the other three. In China, black carp is widely cultivated for food and Chinese medicine, being one of the most highly esteemed and expensive domestic food fish, and partly because of its diet and limited food supply, is the most scarce and expensive in the marketplace among the \"four famous domestic fishes\".", "features": "Black carp are elongated fish with a fusiform body. They appear dusky gray, brown, or bluish black and have dark fins. Their dorsal fin is high and pointed. In comparison to grass carp, the distances from the eye to the superior and inferior edges of the preoperculum are respectively longer, contributing to the elongated appearance of the scaleless head. Unlike in grass carp, the upper lip does not appear to protrude beyond the lower lip when viewed from above with the fish's mouth closed. The black carp has large cycloid scales on its body and a forked tail fin behind a broad caudal peduncle. This fish has 24 chromosomes with a genome size of 848.70 Mbp.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Xenocyprididae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q909455.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Mylopharyngodon piceus", "author": "Leo Nico, (United States Geological Survey) (Original uploader was Zp at cs.wikipedia)", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mylopharyngodon_piceus.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_carp", "revision": 1357512751, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1357512751", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "15079f0f26ebbc9a129c4789872ee7e72885240571cc00be60f2add296378280" }, { "id": "Q2330446", "common_name": "Reef stonefish", "scientific_name": "Synanceia verrucosa", "aliases": [], "summary": "Synanceia verrucosa, the reef stonefish, is a species of venomous, marine ray-finned fish, belonging to the subfamily Synanceiinae, which is classified as being within the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes and their relatives. It is the most widespread species of stonefish, mostly found in shallow waters of the Red Sea and the Indo-Pacific. It possesses highly effective venom that can kill humans. It is the type species of Synanceia.", "features": "Synanceia verrucosa are usually brown or grey, and may have areas of yellow, orange, or red. The dorsal fin contains between 12 and 14 spines and 5 and 7 soft rays while the anal fin has 3 spines and 5 or 6 soft rays. The dorsal spines are of equal length with a thicker sheath of skin containing the venom glands at their base. The skin has no scales but there are numerous warts. The pectoral fins are fleshy. The head is wide and flattened. The skin is tough and rough with warts. The small upwardly directed eyes have a deep pit behind them with a smaller pit underneath them. This species reaches a maximum recorded total length of 40 cm (16 in) but 27 cm (11 in) is more typical.", "habitat": "This stonefish lives primarily north of the Tropic of Capricorn. It is the most widespread species in the stonefish family, and is known from shallow tropical marine waters in the western Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean, ranging from the Red Sea and coastal East Africa to French Polynesia, southern Japan and surrounding Taiwan. There is recent evidence showing the presence of S. verrucosa in the far eastern Mediterranean Sea since at least 2010 as one was caught near Yavne, Israel – an introduction due either to the release of aquarium specimens or to migrations via the Suez Canal. It has since been observed in Turkey, Lebanon, Syria and Israel. This fish lives in coral reefs. It may settle on and around rocks and plants, or rest on the seabed. The reef stonefish has evolved many adaptations to help them succeed in the reef bottom. Their skin texture and color is highly irregular which helps them hide and remain camouflaged when among rocks and corals. The 13 dorsal spines with attendant venom sacs are an additional adaptation that protect the animal when necessary.", "distribution": "This stonefish lives primarily north of the Tropic of Capricorn. It is the most widespread species in the stonefish family, and is known from shallow tropical marine waters in the western Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean, ranging from the Red Sea and coastal East Africa to French Polynesia, southern Japan and surrounding Taiwan. There is recent evidence showing the presence of S. verrucosa in the far eastern Mediterranean Sea since at least 2010 as one was caught near Yavne, Israel – an introduction due either to the release of aquarium specimens or to migrations via the Suez Canal. It has since been observed in Turkey, Lebanon, Syria and Israel. This fish lives in coral reefs. It may settle on and around rocks and plants, or rest on the seabed. The reef stonefish has evolved many adaptations to help them succeed in the reef bottom. Their skin texture and color is highly irregular which helps them hide and remain camouflaged when among rocks and corals. The 13 dorsal spines with attendant venom sacs are an additional adaptation that protect the animal when necessary.", "diet": "The reef stonefish eats mostly small fish, shrimp and other crustaceans. It captures prey by sitting motionless on the reef floor and waiting for animals to swim by. The stonefish will then engulf its prey, doing so at incredible speeds. Some stonefish have been recorded striking their prey in 0.015 seconds.", "family": "Scorpaenidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q2330446.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Synanceia verrucosa Prague 2011 2", "author": "Karelj", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Synanceia_verrucosa_Prague_2011_2.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synanceia_verrucosa", "revision": 1354641946, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1354641946", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "a10297ab914813610e82f4bf19f421b425a79716132a8ed08d9dd58580923aa9" }, { "id": "Q207630", "common_name": "Longfin mako shark", "scientific_name": "Isurus paucus", "aliases": [ "Isurus paucus", "Longfin mako" ], "summary": "The longfin mako shark (Isurus paucus) is a species of mackerel shark in the family Lamnidae, with a probable worldwide distribution in temperate and tropical waters. An uncommon species, it is typically lumped together under the name \"mako\" with its better-known relative, the shortfin mako shark (I. oxyrinchus). The longfin mako is a pelagic species found in moderately deep water, having been reported to a depth of 220 m (720 ft). Growing to a maximum length of 4.3 m (14 ft), the slimmer build and long, broad pectoral fins of this shark suggest that it is a slower and less active swimmer than the shortfin mako. Longfin mako sharks are predators that feed on small schooling bony fishes and cephalopods. Whether this shark is capable of elevating its body temperature above that of the surrounding water like the other members of its family is uncertain, though it possesses the requisite physiological adaptations. Reproduction in this species is aplacental viviparous, meaning the embryos hatch from eggs inside the uterus. In the later stages of development, the unborn young are fed nonviable eggs by the mother (oophagy). The litter size is typically two, but may be as many as eight. The longfin mako is of limited commercial value, as its meat and fins are of lower quality than those of other pelagic sharks; however, it is caught unintentionally in low numbers across its range.", "features": "The longfin mako is the larger of the two mako and the second-largest species in its family (after the great white), reaching upwards of 2.5 m (8.2 ft) in length and weighing over 70 kg (150 lb); females grow larger than males. The largest reported longfin mako was a 4.3-metre-long (14 ft) female caught off Pompano Beach, Florida, in February 1984. Large specimens can scale over 200 kg (440 lb). This species has a slim, fusiform shape with a long, pointed snout and large eyes that lack nictitating membranes (protective third eyelids). Twelve to 13 tooth rows occur on either side of the upper jaw and 11–13 tooth rows are on either side of the lower jaw. The teeth are large and knife-shaped, without serrations or secondary cusps; the outermost teeth in the lower jaw protrude prominently from the mouth. The gill slits are long and extend onto the top of head. The pectoral fins are as long or longer than the head, with a nearly straight front margin and broad tips. The first dorsal fin is large with a rounded apex, and is placed behind the pectoral fins. The second dorsal and anal fins are tiny. The caudal peduncle is expanded laterally into strong keels. The caudal fin is crescent-shaped, with a small notch near the tip of the upper lobe. The dermal denticles are elliptical, longer than wide, with three to seven horizontal ridges leading to a toothed posterior margin. The coloration is dark blue to grayish black above and white below.", "habitat": "Widely scattered records suggest that the longfin mako shark has a worldwide distribution in tropical and warm-temperate oceans; the extent of its range is difficult to determine due to confusion with the shortfin mako. In the Atlantic Ocean, it is known from the Gulf Stream off the East Coast of the United States, the Caribbean, and southern Brazil in the west, and from the Iberian Peninsula to Ghana in the east, possibly including the Mediterranean Sea and Cape Verde. In the Indian Ocean, it has been reported from the Mozambique Channel. In the Pacific Ocean, it occurs off Japan and Taiwan, northeastern Australia, a number of islands in the Central Pacific northeast of Micronesia, and southern California. An inhabitant of the open ocean, the longfin mako generally remains in the upper mesopelagic zone during the day and ascends into the epipelagic zone at night. Off Cuba, it is most frequently caught at a depth of 110–220 m (360–720 ft) and is rare at depths above 90 m (300 ft). Off New South Wales, most catches occur at a depth of 50–190 m (160–620 ft), in areas with a surface temperature around 20–24 °C (68–75 °F). The biology of the longfin mako is little-known; it is somewhat common in the western Atlantic and possibly the central Pacific, while in the eastern Atlantic, it is rare and outnumbered over 1,000-fold by the shortfin mako in fishery landings. The longfin mako's slender body and long, broad pectoral fins evoke the oceanic whitetip shark (Carcharhinus longimanus) and the blue shark (Prionace glauca), both slow-cruising sharks of upper oceanic waters.", "distribution": "Widely scattered records suggest that the longfin mako shark has a worldwide distribution in tropical and warm-temperate oceans; the extent of its range is difficult to determine due to confusion with the shortfin mako. In the Atlantic Ocean, it is known from the Gulf Stream off the East Coast of the United States, the Caribbean, and southern Brazil in the west, and from the Iberian Peninsula to Ghana in the east, possibly including the Mediterranean Sea and Cape Verde. In the Indian Ocean, it has been reported from the Mozambique Channel. In the Pacific Ocean, it occurs off Japan and Taiwan, northeastern Australia, a number of islands in the Central Pacific northeast of Micronesia, and southern California. An inhabitant of the open ocean, the longfin mako generally remains in the upper mesopelagic zone during the day and ascends into the epipelagic zone at night. Off Cuba, it is most frequently caught at a depth of 110–220 m (360–720 ft) and is rare at depths above 90 m (300 ft). Off New South Wales, most catches occur at a depth of 50–190 m (160–620 ft), in areas with a surface temperature around 20–24 °C (68–75 °F).", "diet": "", "family": "Lamnidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q207630.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Longfin mako shark (Isurus paucus)", "author": "Allen Shimada", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Longfin_mako_shark_(Isurus_paucus).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longfin_mako_shark", "revision": 1379226423, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1379226423", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "2866d5feb152d260e6322ada3fa008f6186b78ee71119861f75eef19c20e0645" }, { "id": "Q846857", "common_name": "Ship sturgeon", "scientific_name": "Huso nudiventris", "aliases": [ "Acipenser nudiventris", "Ship sturgeon", "thorn sturgeon" ], "summary": "The bastard sturgeon, also known as the fringebarbel sturgeon, ship sturgeon, spiny sturgeon, or thorn sturgeon (Huso nudiventris), is a species of fish in the family Acipenseridae. These fish are typically found along the benthos of shallower waters near shorelines or estuaries.", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "Huso nudiventris typically feed on other animals near the benthos including: insect larvae, mollusks, crustaceans, and other smaller fish.", "family": "Acipenseridae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q846857.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Shipzaur", "author": "Zaur Abbaszade", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Shipzaur.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bastard_sturgeon", "revision": 1317303483, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1317303483", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "55dbb7c0dc52826c632f2f10600fa4886d1509104a35076318c8cd72059871e3" }, { "id": "Q310390", "common_name": "Giant oarfish", "scientific_name": "Regalecus glesne", "aliases": [ "Regalecus glesne", "king of the herrings" ], "summary": "The giant oarfish (Regalecus glesne) is a species of oarfish of the family Regalecidae. It is an oceanodromous species with a worldwide distribution, excluding polar regions. Other common names include Pacific oarfish, king of herrings, and ribbonfish. R. glesne is the world's longest ray-finned fish. Its shape is ribbon-like, narrow laterally, with a dorsal fin along its entire length, stubby pectoral fins, and long, oar-shaped pelvic fins, from which its common name is derived. Its coloration is silver and blue with spots of dark pigmentation, and its fins are crimson. Its physical characteristics and undulating mode of swimming have led to speculation that it might be the source of many \"sea serpent\" sightings. In 2016, the TV show River Monsters concluded that the most likely origin of the sea serpent myth is the oarfish; host Jeremy Wade was filmed diving with two living, healthy giant oarfish in the Mediterranean Sea.", "features": "This species is the world's longest bony fish, reaching a record length of about 7–8 metres (23–26 ft), possibly up to 11 metres (36 ft), and a maximum record weight of 272 kilograms (600 lb). Older, much longer estimates, such as a believed to be 17 metres (56 ft) long, are now considered \"very likely inaccurate.\" It is commonly measured to 3 m (9.8 ft) in total length. Few R. glesne larvae have been identified and described in situ. These larvae exhibit an elongated body with rays extending from the occipital crest and a long pelvic fin, identical to that of the adult fish. Unlike the adult form of the species, the skin of the larvae is almost entirely transparent with intermittent spots of dark coloration along the organism's dorsum and head. This dark pigmentation is presumably an adaptation developed for counter-shading when the adult fish is vertical in the water column. Additionally, the larvae possess a caudal fin with four fin rays, which is a trait not present in the adult form of the species. In some larger juvenile specimens, body coloration similar to that of the adult form was observed. Observations of larvae specimen of Regalecus glesne captured off the island coast of Palagruža analyzed the size of these specimens. The larvae specimen was measured to be 103.4 millimetres (4.07 in) with a body height of around 7 millimetres (0.28 in).", "habitat": "", "distribution": "The giant oarfish has a worldwide distribution, having been found as far north as 72°N and as far south as 52°S, but is most commonly found in the tropics to middle latitudes, 180°W to 180°E. It has been categorized as oceanodromous, following its primary food source. It can be found in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, though it is more widely distributed in the Atlantic. The fish is thought to be cosmopolitan in distribution, though it is not found in the polar regions. It is thought to inhabit the sunlit epipelagic to dimly lit mesopelagic zones. The deepest verified account of R. glesne is 463–492 metres (1,519–1,614 ft) from the Gulf of Mexico, as part of the Gulf SERPENT project.", "diet": "There is little known about the feeding habits of Regalecus. Most accounts report the stomach and gut as empty, or with colored liquid inside. There is one account of R. glesne with a gut content of thousands of krill. Another report of the stomach contents of two adult R. glesne consisted of 43 heads and 7 individuals of Mediterranean krill.", "family": "Regalecidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q310390.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Regalecus glesne, Naturhistorisches Museum Wien", "author": "Sandstein", "license": "CC BY 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Regalecus_glesne,_Naturhistorisches_Museum_Wien.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_oarfish", "revision": 1358427474, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1358427474", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "0e83623eb66d0443fb9e65fc39d75d36c4fd1981bffe19ab4aa7c98ae0deb477" }, { "id": "Q1332088", "common_name": "Pelican eel", "scientific_name": "Eurypharynx pelecanoides", "aliases": [ "pelican gulper", "Gulper eel", "umbrella-mouth gulper", "Eurypharynx pelecanoides" ], "summary": "The pelican eel (Eurypharynx pelecanoides) is a deep-sea eel. It is the only known member of the genus Eurypharynx and the family Eurypharyngidae. The species belongs to the \"saccopharyngiforms\", members of which were historically placed in their own order, but are now considered true eels in the order Anguilliformes. The pelican eel has been described by many synonyms, yet nobody has been able to demonstrate that more than one species of pelican eel exists. It is also referred to as the gulper eel (which can also refer to members of the related genus Saccopharynx), pelican gulper, and umbrella-mouth gulper. The specific epithet pelecanoides refers to the pelican, as the fish's large mouth is reminiscent of that of the pelican.", "features": "The morphology of pelican eel specimens is difficult to describe because they are so fragile that they become damaged when they are recovered from the deep sea's immense pressure. However, certain observations about the physical characteristics have been noted from studied specimen. The pelican eel's most notable feature is its large mouth, which is much larger than its body. The mouth is loosely hinged, and can be opened wide enough to swallow a fish much larger than the eel itself. The lower jaw is hinged at the base of the head, with no body mass behind it, making the head look disproportionately large. Its jaw is so large that it is estimated to be about a quarter of the total length of the eel itself. While typically in a folded state, the pelican eel's mouth has the capacity to change to an inflated shape when hunting, giving the mouth a massive appearance. This transformation is possible due to the dual-mode biological morphing mechanism that takes place: geometric unfolding of the mouth followed by stretching. When the pelican eel is in pursuit of prey and opens its mouth, the head and jaw structure unfold and spread horizontally, followed by the inflation of the mouth. The inflation is made possible given the highly stretchable skin of the head, an additional characteristic that enables the eel to partake in this mechanism and engage in lunge feeding to consume large amounts of prey. When it feeds on prey, water that is ingested is expelled via the gills. Pelican eels are smaller-sized eels.", "habitat": "The pelican eel has been found in the temperate and tropical areas of all oceans. In the North Atlantic, it seems to have a range in depth from 500 to 3,000 m (1,600 to 9,800 ft). One Canadian-arctic specimen was found in Davis Strait at a depth of 1,136–1,154 m (3,727–3,786 ft), and also across the coasts of Greenland. Pelican eels have also been spotted off the coast of Portugal, as well as near the Hawaiian islands.", "distribution": "The pelican eel has been found in the temperate and tropical areas of all oceans. In the North Atlantic, it seems to have a range in depth from 500 to 3,000 m (1,600 to 9,800 ft). One Canadian-arctic specimen was found in Davis Strait at a depth of 1,136–1,154 m (3,727–3,786 ft), and also across the coasts of Greenland. Pelican eels have also been spotted off the coast of Portugal, as well as near the Hawaiian islands.", "diet": "", "family": "Eurypharyngidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1332088.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Eurypharynx pelecanoides", "author": "G. Brown Goode and Tarleton H. Bean, Oceanic Ichthyology (1896)", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eurypharynx_pelecanoides.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelican_eel", "revision": 1382182344, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1382182344", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "a3bcff473feac2789a8da26f2007c4bfe2bd9d503d8aae4e344591e8ac3ac739" }, { "id": "Q218067", "common_name": "White-eye bream", "scientific_name": "Ballerus sapa", "aliases": [ "Ballerus sapa" ], "summary": "White-eye bream (Ballerus sapa) is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Leuciscidae, which includes the daces, minnows and related fishes. This species is indigenous to Europe and Western Asia in the rivers draining into the Black, Azov, Caspian and Aral Seas, although it is invasive elsewhere.", "features": "The white-eye bream is distinguished from the zope by its small and inferior mouth, having between 47 and 54 scales on the lateral line and in having a large eye which has a diameter that is roughly equal to the length of the snout. The maximum published total length of 35 cm (14 in), although 15 cm (5.9 in) is more typical.", "habitat": "The white eyed bream is native to central and eastern Europe and western Asia in rivers that drain into the Black, Azov, Caspian and Aral Seas. It has been introduced to Lake Ladoga, the northern part of the Dvina system, the Rhine and some of the rivers draining into the Baltic Sea. It has invaded the Vistula river system by Lessepsian migration through the Dnieper–Bug Canal. This species occurs in large fast flowing lowland rivers and estuaries. The eastern, brackish populations enter the lower reach of rivers for spawning.", "distribution": "The white eyed bream is native to central and eastern Europe and western Asia in rivers that drain into the Black, Azov, Caspian and Aral Seas. It has been introduced to Lake Ladoga, the northern part of the Dvina system, the Rhine and some of the rivers draining into the Baltic Sea. It has invaded the Vistula river system by Lessepsian migration through the Dnieper–Bug Canal. This species occurs in large fast flowing lowland rivers and estuaries. The eastern, brackish populations enter the lower reach of rivers for spawning.", "diet": "", "family": "Leuciscidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q218067.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Ballerus sapa", "author": "Vladimir Yu. Arkhipov, Arkhivov", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ballerus_sapa.JPG", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White-eye_bream", "revision": 1315187872, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1315187872", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "38bb48082286661712c89e00a2dec57b07fde45a7017909d0e677798653edc27" }, { "id": "Q908440", "common_name": "Red garra", "scientific_name": "Garra rufa", "aliases": [ "Garra rufa", "nibble fish" ], "summary": "The red garra (Garra rufa), also known as the doctor fish or nibble fish, is a species of cyprinid native to a wide range of freshwater habitats in subtropical parts of Western Asia. This small fish typically is up to about 14 cm (5.5 in) in total length, but some individuals can reach as much as 24 cm (9.5 in). In the wild, G. rufa feeds on detritus, algae, and tiny animals (arthropods and other zooplankton).", "features": "", "habitat": "As traditionally defined, G. rufa is native to Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Israel-Palestine, Iraq and Iran. Some of the main systems where it is found are the Kızıl, Seyhan, Ceyhan, Orontes, Queiq, Jordan, Tigris–Euphrates, Kor, and Mond River Basins, but the species also inhabits other coastal river basins in the Levant and Iran, as well as the endorheic Lake Maharlu system. It lives in rivers, streams, canals, reservoirs, ponds, and lakes, although it tends to avoid stagnant waters. It often is common or abundant, even in areas that are heavily influenced by humans, such as polluted canals. The taxonomy of this species has been labelled with uncertainty. As traditionally defined (sensu lato), some morphological variations exist over its relatively large range and it has been recognized for several years that it likely was a species complex. Several subspecies have been described, but their validity is questionable, and in the last few decades, authorities have generally not recognized them. Nevertheless, reviews published since 2014 have provided genetic and morphologic evidence for recognizing some of them as separate species, while other new species have been described from the species complex. This includes G. turcica (formerly a subspecies) from its Turkish range, except the Tigris–Euphrates system, G. jordanica (new species) from the northern Dead Sea basin, including the Jordan River, in Israel, Jordan and Syria, G. gymnothorax (formerly a subspecies) from the Karun, Balarud and Bashar systems in Iran, G. mondica (new species) of the Mond River basin in Iran, and G.", "distribution": "As traditionally defined, G. rufa is native to Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Israel-Palestine, Iraq and Iran. Some of the main systems where it is found are the Kızıl, Seyhan, Ceyhan, Orontes, Queiq, Jordan, Tigris–Euphrates, Kor, and Mond River Basins, but the species also inhabits other coastal river basins in the Levant and Iran, as well as the endorheic Lake Maharlu system. It lives in rivers, streams, canals, reservoirs, ponds, and lakes, although it tends to avoid stagnant waters. It often is common or abundant, even in areas that are heavily influenced by humans, such as polluted canals. The taxonomy of this species has been labelled with uncertainty. As traditionally defined (sensu lato), some morphological variations exist over its relatively large range and it has been recognized for several years that it likely was a species complex. Several subspecies have been described, but their validity is questionable, and in the last few decades, authorities have generally not recognized them. Nevertheless, reviews published since 2014 have provided genetic and morphologic evidence for recognizing some of them as separate species, while other new species have been described from the species complex. This includes G. turcica (formerly a subspecies) from its Turkish range, except the Tigris–Euphrates system, G. jordanica (new species) from the northern Dead Sea basin, including the Jordan River, in Israel, Jordan and Syria, G. gymnothorax (formerly a subspecies) from the Karun, Balarud and Bashar systems in Iran, G. mondica (new species) of the Mond River basin in Iran, and G.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q908440.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Garra Rufa", "author": "Dances", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Garra_Rufa.JPG", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_garra", "revision": 1376328228, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1376328228", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "5533830a44b0edda483be99b0fa05a39864acae52c38b52bd907b788d6ecb6cd" }, { "id": "Q333375", "common_name": "Silver arowana", "scientific_name": "Osteoglossum bicirrhosum", "aliases": [ "Osteoglossum bicirrhosum" ], "summary": "The silver arowana (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum) is a South American freshwater bony fish of the family Osteoglossidae. Silver arowanas are sometimes kept in aquariums, but they are predatory and require a very large tank. The generic name Osteoglossum means \"bone-tongued\" and the specific name bicirrhosum means \"two barbels\" (from the Greek language).", "features": "This fish has relatively large scales, a long body, and a tapered tail, with the dorsal and anal fins extending all the way to the small caudal fin, with which they are nearly fused. Its maximum total length is typically considered to be 0.9 m (3.0 ft), but there are reports of individuals up to 1.2 m (3.9 ft). Unlike the black arowana, the silver arowana has the same coloring throughout its lifespan. Adults of the two species are very similar, but can be separated by meristics. Arowanas are sometimes called 'dragon fish' by aquarists because their shiny, armor-like scales and double barbels are reminiscent of descriptions of dragons in East Asian folklore.", "habitat": "This South American species is native to the Amazon, Essequibo and Oyapock basins. It is absent from the Rio Negro basin, except the Branco River, which is inhabited by both silver and black arowanas. The silver arowana occurs in both black- and whitewater habitats, including flooded forests.", "distribution": "This South American species is native to the Amazon, Essequibo and Oyapock basins. It is absent from the Rio Negro basin, except the Branco River, which is inhabited by both silver and black arowanas. The silver arowana occurs in both black- and whitewater habitats, including flooded forests.", "diet": "", "family": "Osteoglossidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q333375.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Osteoglossum bicirrhosum", "author": "User:Qwertzy2", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Osteoglossum_bicirrhosum.JPG", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_arowana", "revision": 1354935591, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1354935591", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "a8a602dbff57a83a903cd953041517be3e6fede7b5789ed5fdf95e0a85533c16" }, { "id": "Q300997", "common_name": "Allis shad", "scientific_name": "Alosa alosa", "aliases": [ "Alosa alosa" ], "summary": "The allis shad (Alosa alosa) is a widespread Northeast Atlantic species of fish in the Alosidae family. It is an anadromous fish which migrates into fresh water to spawn. It is found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, the western Baltic Sea and the western Mediterranean Sea. In appearance it resembles an Atlantic herring but has a distinctive dark spot behind the gill cover and sometimes a row of up to six spots behind this. It sometimes hybridises with the twait shad (A. fallax). This fish becomes mature when three or more years old and migrates to estuaries, later swimming up rivers to spawn. Populations of this fish have declined due to overfishing, pollution and habitat destruction. Conservation of this species is covered by Appendix III of the Bern Convention and Appendix II and V of the European Community Habitats Directive.", "features": "The allis shad is a typical herring-type fish. It has no lateral line and a somewhat rounded belly. The gill cover is ridged and the scales large. The back is a bluish-green colour and the head brownish with a golden tinge on the operculum. The flanks are silvery, sometimes with a bronzy tinge, and a distinctive large dark spot occurs just behind the gill cover, and occasionally one to six smaller spots behind that. The adult length is typically 30 to 60 cm (12 to 24 in).", "habitat": "", "distribution": "The allis shad is found in the eastern Atlantic in waters bordering most of Europe and northwestern Africa, and it enters to the western Baltic and western Mediterranean Seas, but it is rare outside and increasingly within France. There are no longer breeding populations in Morocco or Mediterranean Spain.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q300997.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Alosa alosa", "author": "Krüger", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Alosa_alosa.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allis_shad", "revision": 1380627182, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1380627182", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "1b7acb45fb87a1b9a81b8faec661aeb1d6c4befac76946fb0cce0158b3affbd3" }, { "id": "Q260106", "common_name": "Freshwater butterflyfish", "scientific_name": "Pantodon buchholzi", "aliases": [ "Pantodon buchholzi" ], "summary": "The freshwater butterflyfish or African butterflyfish (Pantodon buchholzi) is a species of osteoglossiform fish native to freshwater habitats in the Niger and Congo basins of Western and Central Africa. It is the only extant species in the family Pantodontidae. Despite the name, it is not closely related to saltwater butterflyfishes.", "features": "", "habitat": "The freshwater butterflyfish is a relatively small species, usually reaching no more than 13 cm (5.1 in) in length. Its pectoral fins are very large relative to body size. It has a large and well-vascularized swim bladder, enabling it to breathe air at the surface of the water. It is carnivorous, feeding primarily on aquatic insects and smaller fishes. The freshwater butterflyfish is a specialized surface hunter. Its eyes are constantly trained to the surface and its upturned mouth is specifically adapted to capturing small prey along the water surface. If enough speed is built up in the water, a butterflyfish can jump and glide a small distance above the surface to avoid predation. As it glides, it wiggles its pectoral fins with the help of specialized, enlarged pectoral muscles, and it is this ability that gave this fish its common name. When freshwater butterflyfish spawn, they produce a mass of large floating eggs at the surface. Fertilisation is believed to be internal. Eggs hatch in about seven days. The freshwater butterflyfish is commonly seen in Lake Chad, the Congo Basin, throughout lower Niger, Cameroon, Ogooue, and upper Zambezi. They have also been seen in the Niger Delta, lower Ogooue, and in the lower Cross River. Within these bodies of water, this species is found in slightly acidic standing water with high amounts of surface foliage for cover. This species requires a year-round temperature of 73–86 °F (23–30 °C).", "distribution": "The freshwater butterflyfish is commonly seen in Lake Chad, the Congo Basin, throughout lower Niger, Cameroon, Ogooue, and upper Zambezi. They have also been seen in the Niger Delta, lower Ogooue, and in the lower Cross River. Within these bodies of water, this species is found in slightly acidic standing water with high amounts of surface foliage for cover. This species requires a year-round temperature of 73–86 °F (23–30 °C).", "diet": "", "family": "Pantodontidae", "water_type": "Both", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q260106.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Pantodon buchholzi", "author": "Toniher", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pantodon_buchholzi.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freshwater_butterflyfish", "revision": 1366541714, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1366541714", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "43dfcf6bf7e9bb521529202feb2029c91f6df9a374650d3ecd78682e6a339a9f" }, { "id": "Q1130118", "common_name": "Salema porgy", "scientific_name": "Sarpa salpa", "aliases": [ "Sarpa salpa" ], "summary": "The salema porgy (Sarpa salpa), also known as the dreamfish, salema, cow bream, karanteen, salpa, saupe, strepie or goldline, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, which includes the seabreams and porgies. It is the only species in the monospecific genus Sarpa. It is found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea and southwestern Indian Ocean.", "features": "The salema porgy has a moderately slender, neatly oval body which has a depth which fits into its standard length 2.8 times. The dorsal fin is supported by 11 spines and 14 or 15 soft rays while the anal fin contains 3 spines and between 13 and 15 soft rays. There are scales on the cheeks under the eyes. There is a scaly sheath at the base of the anal fin but the area between the eyes, the base of the anal fin and the flange of the preoperculum are scaleless. There is a single row of notched incisor-like teeth on the upper jaw and pointed incisor-like teeth on the lower jaw, and there are no molar-like teeth. The body is silvery with between 8 and 10 horizontal golden lines along the sides with a black spot at the base of the pectoral fin. Males are typically 15 to 30 cm (6–12 in) in length, while females are usually 31 to 45 cm (12–18 in). The maximum size is 51 cm (20 in).", "habitat": "", "distribution": "The salema porgy is found in the East Atlantic, where it ranges from the Bay of Biscay to South Africa, as well as in the Mediterranean. It has occasionally been found as far north as Great Britain. It is generally common and found from near the surface to a depth of 70 m (230 ft).", "diet": "Salema porgies are largely herbivorous; a study in Libya found that sea grass dominated the diet, with algae being the second most important item and crustaceans the third. Off Corsica, the seagrass Posidonia oceanica and its epiphytes were found to be the main food of adults while the juveniles were plankton eaters. The salema porgy is a plant-herbivore and due to overpopulation in Portugal had overgrazed seagrass in the area as of 2014. Three substitutes were tested as a substitute for the Portuguese floor. Cymodocea nodosa, Zostera marina, and Zostera noltii were given to an adult S. salpa for testing. It preferred the Zostera noltii, therefore the Cymodocea nodosa and Zostera marina are preferred for seagrass restorations in areas with large populations of S. salpa.", "family": "Sparidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1130118.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Salema (Sarpa salpa), Catania, Sicilia, Italia, 2025-04-04, DD 90", "author": "Diego Delso", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Salema_(Sarpa_salpa),_Catania,_Sicilia,_Italia,_2025-04-04,_DD_90.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salema_porgy", "revision": 1382573788, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1382573788", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "0a4af24191709e668493f34b02540519441f8a1efe738256f7f492ff1ecc2e82" }, { "id": "Q1160972", "common_name": "Rabbit fish", "scientific_name": "Chimaera monstrosa", "aliases": [ "Rabbitfish", "ratfish", "Chimaera monstrosa" ], "summary": "Chimaera monstrosa, commonly known as the rabbit fish or rat fish, is a northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean species of cartilaginous fish in the family Chimaeridae. The rabbit fish is known for its characteristically large head and small, tapering body. With large eyes, nostrils, and tooth plates, the head gives them a rabbit-like appearance, hence the nickname \"Rabbit fish\". They can grow to 1.5 metres (5 ft) and live for up to 30 years.", "features": "The appearance of C. monstrosa shares characteristics of its distant relatives, sharks. It characteristically has a large head and a tapering body that ends in its whip-like tail, and has a short snout with an overhanging mouth. The top dorsal fin is positioned high on the spine of the fish, and is triangular and tall in height, with the fin spine extending beyond the tip of the fin. Positioned in the mid-section of the fish, the spine runs throughout the length of the fish and continuously joins with the upper part of the caudal fin; this dorsal spine is also mildly poisonous and can cause painful stings. One distinguishing feature of the fish, compared to its close relatives, is the anal fin, which is distinctly separated from its lancet-shaped caudal fin. The color is silver-green with spots of brown. Additionally, they have marmor-white stripes in all directions with a distinct lateral line can be seen clearly on the head. The rabbit fish can grow up to 1.5 m (5 ft) long, and weigh 2.5 kg (5.5 lb). More specifically, this chimaera species is characterized by a slow-growth rate, and a long life expectancy. In the study of one population, the theoretical asymptotic length of this fish was estimated at 78.87 cm with a yearly growth rate of 6.73% per year. With these estimates of growth, the study also suggests the maximum ages of the fish to be 30 years for males and 26 for females, with the maturity age of the sample being 13.4 years for males and 11.2 years for females.", "habitat": "The geographic habitat of the fish has been registered around the Mediterranean Sea and the Eastern parts of the Atlantic Ocean. This geographic range starts northwards Morocco and extends to the northern areas of Norway and Iceland in the northern North Sea. Within these geological areas, the depth range of C. monstrosa is 50 to 1,000 metres (160 to 3,280 ft), but it is most abundant in upper to middle continental slope habitats at depths of 300 to 500 metres (980 to 1,640 ft). The maximum reported depth of C. monstrosa is 1,663 metres (5,456 ft). Within these parameters, the water temperatures of the species habitats are most commonly in the range 4.7–8.0 °C (40.5–46.4 °F). There have been reports of summer inshore migration of C. monstrosa to lay eggs in depths as low as 100 m (330 ft). For their habitat, they prefer seabeds of mud or soft substrate.", "distribution": "The geographic habitat of the fish has been registered around the Mediterranean Sea and the Eastern parts of the Atlantic Ocean. This geographic range starts northwards Morocco and extends to the northern areas of Norway and Iceland in the northern North Sea. Within these geological areas, the depth range of C. monstrosa is 50 to 1,000 metres (160 to 3,280 ft), but it is most abundant in upper to middle continental slope habitats at depths of 300 to 500 metres (980 to 1,640 ft). The maximum reported depth of C. monstrosa is 1,663 metres (5,456 ft). Within these parameters, the water temperatures of the species habitats are most commonly in the range 4.7–8.0 °C (40.5–46.4 °F). There have been reports of summer inshore migration of C. monstrosa to lay eggs in depths as low as 100 m (330 ft). For their habitat, they prefer seabeds of mud or soft substrate.", "diet": "Chimaera monstrosa is classified as a benthophagous species. This means that its main diet comprises bottom-feeding invertebrates. This includes animals such as crabs, molluscs, octopuses, sea-worms, and sea urchins. However, studies have also shown that C. monstrosa are opportunistic feeders. Comparing the digestive tracts of individuals with varying body sizes, a study found that the diet of the species was widely diverse in relation to size. Specimens smaller than 22 cm (9 inches) mainly fed on amphipods, while those with lengths between 22 and 46 cm (9 and 18 inches) fed on both amphipods and decapods. Larger individuals (more than 46 cm or 18 inches) had a narrow diet spectrum, consuming mainly decapods. Conditioned by predator size group, significant differences in diet were observed between geographical areas and depths. This suggests that despite some degree of prey specialization according to predator size, this deep-water species can change its diet in accordance with the food-restricted environment that characterizes its habitat.", "family": "Chimaeridae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1160972.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "100578086 Chimaera monstrosa", "author": "Viktor V. Grøtan", "license": "CC BY 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:100578086_Chimaera_monstrosa.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbit_fish", "revision": 1381286478, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1381286478", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "2c4167f5dca7e62c123fd5a44c4d8d57f6d650c7aabf8f55a61133359831f72f" }, { "id": "Q265081", "common_name": "Black neon tetra", "scientific_name": "Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi", "aliases": [ "Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi" ], "summary": "The black neon tetra (Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi) is a freshwater fish of the characin family (Characidae) of the order Characiformes. It is native to the Paraguay basin of southern Brazil. They are often found in the aquarium trade, and a feral population has been established in the rio Paraíba do Sul basin due to the trade.", "features": "This species is of typical elongated tetra appearance; it is of plain basic coloration, but with two distinct, adjacent, longitudinal stripes, white above black. The eye has two thin but distinctive color bands across the top, red above yellow. It grows to a maximum overall length of approximately 4 cm (1.6 in). Befitting its common name, it slightly resembles the neon tetra, which belongs to a different genus (Paracheirodon). Females are often larger than males. The variety named Diamond or Brilliant does not have a white stripe but instead displays more reflective scales around the head. The fish's natural diet consists of small invertebrates and plants. H. herbertaxelrodi is commonly kept as an aquarium fish by hobbyists. The black neon tetra is sometimes called the black tetra, but that name more properly refers to a different species, Gymnocorymbus ternetzi.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q265081.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Black-Neon-Tetra", "author": "Atulbhats", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Black-Neon-Tetra.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_neon_tetra", "revision": 1354729104, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1354729104", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "1089ceafae87f1a28356677d0b71a6b9f3457379c78cfc1bf1c262b12789ffe6" }, { "id": "Q1118043", "common_name": "Bignose shark", "scientific_name": "Carcharhinus altimus", "aliases": [ "bignose shark", "Carcharhinus altimus" ], "summary": "The bignose shark (Carcharhinus altimus) is a species of requiem shark, in the family Carcharhinidae. Distributed worldwide in tropical and subtropical waters, this migratory shark frequents deep waters around the edges of the continental shelf. It is typically found at depths of 90–430 m (300–1,410 ft), though at night it may move towards the surface or into shallower water. The bignose shark is plain-colored and grows to at least 2.7–2.8 m (8.9–9.2 ft) in length. It has a long, broad snout with prominent nasal skin flaps, and tall, triangular upper teeth. Its pectoral fins are long and almost straight, and there is a ridge on its back between the two dorsal fins. Hunting close to the sea floor, the bignose shark feeds on bony and cartilaginous fishes, and cephalopods. It is viviparous, meaning the embryos are sustained to term via a placental connection. Females bear litters of three to 15 pups after a 10-month gestation period. Despite its size, this shark lives too deep to pose much danger to humans. It is caught incidentally by commercial fisheries in many parts of its range; the meat, fins, skin, liver oil, and offal may be used. The various fishing pressures within its range are cause for concern given its slow reproductive rate, and it may have already declined in the northwestern Atlantic and elsewhere.", "features": "Rather heavily built, the bignose shark has a long, broad, and blunt snout with the nostrils preceded by well-developed, triangular flaps of skin. The moderately large, circular eyes are equipped with nictitating membranes (protective third eyelids). The mouth is broadly curved and lacks obvious furrows at the corners. The upper teeth number 14–16 rows on either side and have tall, broad, triangular cusps with serrated edges; they are erect at the jaw center and become increasingly oblique towards the sides. The lower teeth number 14–15 rows on either side and have narrow, erect cusps with extremely fine serrations. The five pairs of gill slits are moderately long. The long and wide pectoral fins have pointed tips and nearly straight margins. The first dorsal fin originates roughly over the rear of the pectoral fin bases; it is fairly tall and falcate (sickle-shaped), with a blunt apex and a long free rear tip. The second dorsal fin is relatively large with a short free rear tip, and is positioned slightly ahead of the anal fin. A high midline ridge is present between the dorsal fins. The caudal peduncle has a crescent-shaped notch at the origin of the upper caudal fin margin. The caudal fin has a large lower lobe and a strong ventral notch near the tip of the upper lobe. The dermal denticles are closely spaced but non-overlapping, such as that the skin shows between them; each is oval with three horizontal ridges leading to marginal teeth.", "habitat": "According to patchy records from around the world, the bignose shark appears to have a circumglobal distribution in tropical and subtropical waters. In the Atlantic Ocean, it occurs from Delaware Bay to Brazil, in the Mediterranean Sea, and off West Africa. In the Indian Ocean, it is known in South Africa and Madagascar, the Red Sea, India, and the Maldives. In the Pacific Ocean, it has been recorded from China to Australia, around Hawaii, and from the Gulf of California to Ecuador. It is reportedly common off Florida, the Bahamas, and the West Indies, and rare off Brazil. It is now common in the south-western Mediterranean Sea. The bignose shark is found near the edge of the continental shelf and over the upper continental slope, generally swimming close to the sea floor at depths of 90–430 m (300–1,410 ft). Young sharks may venture into water as shallow as 25 m (82 ft). Night-time captures of this species from close to the surface suggest it may perform a diel vertical migration, moving from deep water upwards or toward the coast at night. In the northwestern Atlantic, the bignose shark conducts a poorly documented seasonal migration, spending summer off the US East Coast and winter in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. Individual sharks have been recorded traveling distances between 1,600 and 3,200 km (1,000 and 2,000 mi).", "distribution": "According to patchy records from around the world, the bignose shark appears to have a circumglobal distribution in tropical and subtropical waters. In the Atlantic Ocean, it occurs from Delaware Bay to Brazil, in the Mediterranean Sea, and off West Africa. In the Indian Ocean, it is known in South Africa and Madagascar, the Red Sea, India, and the Maldives. In the Pacific Ocean, it has been recorded from China to Australia, around Hawaii, and from the Gulf of California to Ecuador. It is reportedly common off Florida, the Bahamas, and the West Indies, and rare off Brazil. It is now common in the south-western Mediterranean Sea. The bignose shark is found near the edge of the continental shelf and over the upper continental slope, generally swimming close to the sea floor at depths of 90–430 m (300–1,410 ft). Young sharks may venture into water as shallow as 25 m (82 ft). Night-time captures of this species from close to the surface suggest it may perform a diel vertical migration, moving from deep water upwards or toward the coast at night. In the northwestern Atlantic, the bignose shark conducts a poorly documented seasonal migration, spending summer off the US East Coast and winter in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. Individual sharks have been recorded traveling distances between 1,600 and 3,200 km (1,000 and 2,000 mi).", "diet": "", "family": "Carcharhinidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1118043.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Carcharhinus altimus nefsc", "author": "Apex Predators Program, NOAA/NEFSC", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Carcharhinus_altimus_nefsc.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bignose_shark", "revision": 1367477954, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1367477954", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "ac6fc54456b4086ef2dba37450847e148f8718dc752ee965353bacd8e1be9303" }, { "id": "Q838199", "common_name": "Round goby", "scientific_name": "Neogobius melanostomus", "aliases": [ "Round goby", "Neogobius melanostomus" ], "summary": "The round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) is a euryhaline bottom-dwelling species of fish of the family Gobiidae. It is native to Central Eurasia, including the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. Round gobies have established large non-native populations in the Baltic Sea, several major Eurasian rivers, and the North American Great Lakes.", "features": "Round gobies are small, soft-bodied fish characterized by a distinctive black spot on the first dorsal fin. The eyes are large and protrude slightly from the top of the head and, like most gobies, the pelvic fins are fused to form a single disc (shaped like a suction cup) on the belly. Round gobies range in length from 10 to 25 centimetres (4 to 10 inches), with a maximum size of 24.6 cm (9.7 in). They weigh between 5.0 and 79.8 grams (0.176 and 2.816 ounces), their weight increasing with age. Male round gobies are larger than females. Juvenile round gobies (less than one year old) are grey. Upon maturation, round gobies become mottled with grey, black, brown, and olive green markings. Adult male round gobies turn inky black during the spawning season and develop swollen cheeks. Male and female round gobies are easily differentiated by the shape of their urogenital papilla, which in males is white to grey and long and pointed and in females is brown, short, and blunt-tipped.", "habitat": "Round gobies are widespread in the Sea of Marmara and in the rivers of its basin and can also be found in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, along all coasts and fresh waters of their basins as well as in the coastal lakes and lagoons. They are also found in the rivers of Crimea and the Caucasus (Mezib, Pshada, Vulan, Kodori, and Çoruh) and in the Caspian Sea, represented by subspecies Neogobius melanostomus affinis. Round gobies are euryhaline (salt-tolerant) and live in both freshwater and marine ecosystems, up to a mineralization of 18–24%. They are commonly found on continental shelves with sandy and rocky bottoms with low silting at depths from 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) to 10–17 m (33–56 ft).", "distribution": "Round gobies are widespread in the Sea of Marmara and in the rivers of its basin and can also be found in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, along all coasts and fresh waters of their basins as well as in the coastal lakes and lagoons. They are also found in the rivers of Crimea and the Caucasus (Mezib, Pshada, Vulan, Kodori, and Çoruh) and in the Caspian Sea, represented by subspecies Neogobius melanostomus affinis. Round gobies are euryhaline (salt-tolerant) and live in both freshwater and marine ecosystems, up to a mineralization of 18–24%. They are commonly found on continental shelves with sandy and rocky bottoms with low silting at depths from 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) to 10–17 m (33–56 ft). Since 1990, the round goby has been registered as introduced in the North American Great Lakes, in parts of Europe, and in the Baltic Sea as an invasive species. The first catch in North America was documented by Jude et al. 1992 and Crossman et al. 1992, caught by an angler in Sarnia, Ontario, fishing the St. Clair River on June 28, 1990. The studies of Jude, Crossman, together with Jude et al. 1995 found a range of sizes between 29 and 180 millimetres (1+1⁄8 and 7+1⁄8 in) in the St. Clair. Round gobies are also rapidly expanding into tributaries of the Great Lakes in North America and were recently discovered in at least one of the Finger Lakes in New York State (Cayuga Lake). The first round goby in the Hudson River was discovered by the state of New York in 2021. The round goby is also considered invasive in parts of Europe.", "diet": "Round gobies actively feed both nocturnally and diurnally and are believed to detect prey only while stationary. The primary diet of round gobies includes mollusks, crustaceans, worms, zebra mussels, insect larvae, and other small invertebrates (insects and amphipods) living on the bottom of lakes and streams. In spring, the main elements of their diet in the Sasyk Lagoon are Hydrobia, Cerastoderma, and Abra. In the same season, near the Romanian coasts of the Black Sea, the round goby feeds on polychaetes, crustaceans (Idotea balthica, Pachygrapsus marmoratus, Xantho poressa, etc.), and juvenile gobies. Near Sevastopol, the round goby feeds on molluscs (Mytilaster lineatus and Abra sp.). In the Baltic Sea, they impact Mytilus edulis populations. In the Gulf of Odessa, twenty-three items are identified in the diet of the round goby; Mytilus galloprovincialis, Setia pulcherrima, Mytilaster lineatus, Lentidium mediterraneum, Idotea balthica, and Alitta (Nereis) succinea dominate in the spring, while in the summer, the diet consists mainly of Sphaeroma pulchellum and L. mediterraneum. The mussels M. galloprovincialis and M. lineatus are important in all seasons. In the Great Lakes, where it is invasive, they prey on Dreissena polymorpha, another Great Lakes exotic from the same native region.", "family": "Gobiidae", "water_type": "Both", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q838199.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "A large neogobius melanostomus", "author": "Peter van der Sluijs", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:A_large_neogobius_melanostomus.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Round_goby", "revision": 1370273600, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1370273600", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "bef14c3acf0707870a1b1cd7a9214005cb2a35c669e7e570f8793f9dbd6174a8" }, { "id": "Q1120403", "common_name": "Common seadragon", "scientific_name": "Phyllopteryx taeniolatus", "aliases": [ "Weedy sea dragon", "Weedy seadragon", "Common seadragon", "Phyllopteryx taeniolatus" ], "summary": "The common seadragon or weedy seadragon (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus) is a marine fish of the order Syngnathiformes, which also includes the similar pipefishes, seahorses, and trumpetfishes among other species. Adult common seadragons are a reddish colour, with yellow and purple striped markings; they have small, leaf-like appendages that resemble kelp or seaweed fronds, providing camouflage, as well as a number of short spines for protection. As with seahorses and the other syngnathids, the seadragon has a similarly tubular snout and a fused, toothless jaw into which it captures small invertebrate prey at lightning speed. Males have narrower bodies and are darker than females. Seadragons have a long dorsal fin along the back and small pectoral fins on either side of the neck, which provide balance. Weedy seadragons can reach 45 cm (18 in) in length. The common seadragon is the marine emblem of the Australian state of Victoria.", "features": "", "habitat": "The common seadragon is endemic to Australian and insular coastal waters of the eastern Indian Ocean northern Southern Ocean and the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It can generally be found along the entire southern coastline of the Australian continent, including Tasmania and other offshore islands. It can be observed regularly from around Port Stephens, New South Wales to Geraldton, Western Australia, as well as off the coast of South Australia and the Great Australian Bight. The common seadragon inhabits coastal waters down around 10 m (33 ft) to 30 m (98 ft) deep. It is associated with rocky reefs, seaweed beds, seagrass meadows and structures colonised by seaweed.", "distribution": "The common seadragon is endemic to Australian and insular coastal waters of the eastern Indian Ocean northern Southern Ocean and the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It can generally be found along the entire southern coastline of the Australian continent, including Tasmania and other offshore islands. It can be observed regularly from around Port Stephens, New South Wales to Geraldton, Western Australia, as well as off the coast of South Australia and the Great Australian Bight. The common seadragon inhabits coastal waters down around 10 m (33 ft) to 30 m (98 ft) deep. It is associated with rocky reefs, seaweed beds, seagrass meadows and structures colonised by seaweed.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1120403.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Phyllopteryx taeniolatus1", "author": "Richard Ling -->Rling", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Phyllopteryx_taeniolatus1.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_seadragon", "revision": 1351995426, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1351995426", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "46acfe6ef3b70215bec7a9ec3e1f39345041aef84fed0614abee831848128947" }, { "id": "Q1460026", "common_name": "Goliath tigerfish", "scientific_name": "Hydrocynus goliath", "aliases": [ "Mbenga", "Hydrocynus goliath" ], "summary": "Hydrocynus goliath, commonly known as the goliath tigerfish, giant tigerfish, or mbenga, is a large species of African predatory freshwater fish in the family Alestidae. It is native to the Congo River Basin and Lake Tanganyika in Africa.", "features": "The goliath tigerfish has a characteristic silvery gray dorsum and flanks, with a thunniform body plan similar to that of tuna, featuring black adipose fins. The goliath tigerfish is described as the \"Monster Fish of the Congo\" by a 2008 documentary by National Geographic, a reflection of its monster-like qualities and of its perception by local people and hunters. This large-toothed, highly predatory fish grows to an average length of 1.5 m (4.9 ft) and a weight of 50 kg (110 lb). The largest recorded specimen weighed 70 kg (154 lb), and they can reach a maximum recorded length of about 2 m (6.6 ft), making them the largest of the tigerfish of genus Hydrocynus. In addition to being the largest in body size of their genus, they also have incredibly large conical teeth. Due to their predatory nature, they possess well-developed pharyngeal teeth similar to those of sharks and piranhas. Their teeth are spaced out along the jaw and shaped like daggers in order to facilitate biting pieces out of prey fish or tearing prey into smaller pieces for digestion. The premaxilla holds six to seven teeth while the dentary or lower jaw holds five, for a total of 12 to 20 upper teeth plus 8 to 14 lower teeth. Its teeth fit into distinct grooves along its jaws, interlocking together with the smallest teeth found at the very back of the jaws. In each jaw quadrant, all teeth are replaced at the same time over the course of about five days.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "The goliath tigerfish is one of five recognized African species of the Hydrocynus genus and is found in the Congo River Basin (including Lualaba River and Lake Upemba), and Lake Tanganyika. The type locality is the city of Mbandaka in the Main Congo, where it was discovered in 1898 by French explorer Boulenger. They are typically found in highly oxygenated fast-flowing waters such as those found in deep river channels and open lakes, making them strong swimmers able to capture prey even in turbulent waters. A 2011 study which reconstructs the phylogenetic history of genus Hydrocynus using comparisons of a protein-coding gene called cytochrome b, revealed several mtDNA clades in this region, suggesting a higher tigerfish species richness than traditionally recognized. The study's analyses indicate that populations of H. goliath may have been prevented from upstream dispersal in the geologic past by knickpoints, or sharp changes in the channel bed slope, in the Luvua river. This prevention of upstream dispersal would restrict H. goliath to the Congo River Basin as reflected in the modern range of the species. Four additional species (H. vittatus and three unknown species) appear to be present in this Basin, while two (H. vittatus and an unknown species) appear to be present in Lake Tanganyika. Based on the study's sequence comparisons, H. goliath possesses low nucleotide diversity, suggesting that existing populations originate from a historically small effective population which underwent rapid population growth at some point in the past.", "diet": "Hydrocynus goliath is a piscivore, feeding on any fish it can overpower, including smaller members of the same species. Their large, powerful, rigid teeth make them one of the most successful predators of the Congo basin, dangerous for the smaller fish they prey on as well as for the hunters who attempt to capture them for sport and for food. They have been known to attack larger animals, taking \"chunks\" out of large fish, crocodiles, and even humans. When hunting, this fish uses the calmer eddies of the rapids to ambush its prey, using its keen sight to detect prey. When a target is noticed, the fish accelerates to chase it down. The Nile crocodile is the only known natural predator of mature goliath tigerfish. Humans are also considered predators as they hunt tigerfish for food and sport.", "family": "Alestidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1460026.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Hydrocynus goliath - Poisson-chien - Aqua porte Dorée 06", "author": "Cedricguppy - Loury Cédric", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hydrocynus_goliath_-_Poisson-chien_-_Aqua_porte_Dor%C3%A9e_06.JPG", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrocynus_goliath", "revision": 1382137704, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1382137704", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "1fdc9a47214ec94150184e6bfc2841e3906238a7c6fef514d6253e755a0c9a14" }, { "id": "Q1920243", "common_name": "Atlantic goliath grouper", "scientific_name": "Epinephelus itajara", "aliases": [ "Epinephelus itajara" ], "summary": "The Atlantic goliath grouper, the jewfish or itajara (Epinephelus itajara), is a saltwater fish of the grouper family and one of the largest species of bony fish. The species can be found in the West Atlantic ranging from northeastern Florida, south throughout the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, and along South America to Brazil. In the East Pacific it ranges from Mexico to Peru. In the East Atlantic, the species ranges in West Africa from Senegal to Cabinda. The species has been observed at depths ranging from 1 to 100 meters (3 to 300 ft).", "features": "The Atlantic goliath grouper can grow to lengths of 2.5 meters (8 feet) and weigh up to 363 kilograms (800 pounds). The species ranges in coloration from brownish yellow to grey to greenish and has small black dots on the head, body and fins. Individuals less than 1 meter (3 feet) in length have three to four faint vertical bars present on their sides. The species has an elongate body with a broad, flat head and small eyes. The lower jaw has three to five rows of teeth with no front canines. The scales are ctenoid. The dorsal fins are continuous with the rays of the soft dorsal fin being longer than the spines of the first dorsal fin. The pectoral fins are rounded and notably larger than the pelvic fins. The caudal fin is also rounded. The species typically preys on slow moving fish (including stingrays, catfish, toadfish, burrfish and cowfish) and crustaceans, but very few, if any, snappers or other groupers. It may incidentally take octopus and young sea turtles.", "habitat": "Adult individuals are typically found in rocky reefs, wrecks, artificial reefs, and oil platforms. The species can also be found in coral reef habitats, but are much more abundant in rocky reef environments. Juveniles mainly inhabit mangrove environments, but can also be found in holes and under ledges of swift tidal creeks that drain mangroves. Mangroves serve as an essential nursery habitat for the Atlantic goliath grouper and provide specific suitable water conditions to nurture healthy, sustained goliath grouper populations. Juvenile goliath groupers may remain in mangrove nursery habitats for 5 to 6 years before leaving towards deeper offshore reef habitats at around 1 meter in length.", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1920243.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Itajara", "author": "Albert kok", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Itajara.JPG", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_goliath_grouper", "revision": 1378640902, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1378640902", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "0ec4c05a35bcf3c9a3760aef02cb257c29fd61e97662226b4ab5299a847f0d73" }, { "id": "Q1126782", "common_name": "Silvertip shark", "scientific_name": "Carcharhinus albimarginatus", "aliases": [ "silvertip shark", "Carcharhinus albimarginatus" ], "summary": "The silvertip shark (Carcharhinus albimarginatus) is a large species of requiem shark in the family carcharhinidae, with a fragmented distribution throughout the tropical Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is often encountered around offshore islands and coral reefs, and has been known to dive to a depth of 800 m (2,600 ft). The silvertip shark resembles a larger and bulkier grey reef shark (C. amblyrhynchos), but can be easily identified by the prominent white margins on its fins. It attains a maximum length of 3 m (10 ft). It feeds on a wide variety of bony fishes, as well as eagle rays, smaller sharks, and cephalopods. This species dominates other requiem sharks of equal size when competing for food, and larger individuals are often heavily scarred from conflicts with others of its species. As with other members of its family, the silvertip shark is viviparous, with females giving birth to one to 11 pups in the summer. Silvertip sharks are regarded as potentially dangerous to humans, as they often approach divers quite closely. This slow-reproducing species is taken by commercial fisheries for its meat, fins, skin, cartilage, and jaws and teeth, which has apparently led to local population declines or extirpations.", "features": "The silvertip shark is a robust and streamlined species with a moderately long, broad snout and large, round eyes. The five pairs of gill slits are short. It has 12–14 tooth rows on each side of both jaws, with one or two small teeth at the symphysis (middle of the jaws). The upper teeth are broad with oblique triangular cusps and coarse serrations near the base; the lower teeth have erect cusps with fine serrations. The first dorsal fin is large and triangular, originating above or slightly forward of the free pectoral fin tips. A ridge occurs between the first and second dorsal fins. The pectoral fins are proportionately longer than in most requiem sharks and falcate (sickle-like) in shape, with pointed tips. The coloration is blue-gray above with a bronze sheen, and white below. A subtle white band runs along the sides, with distinctive white tips and borders on all fins. Silvertip sharks can grow up to 3 m (9.8 ft) long, but typically measure 2.0–2.5 m (6.6–8.2 ft) in length. The maximum reported weight is 162.2 kg (358 lb). Females are larger than males.", "habitat": "The silvertip shark is widely but not continuously distributed in the tropical Indian and Pacific Oceans. In the western Indian Ocean, this species occurs from the Red Sea to South Africa, including Madagascar, the Seychelles, the Aldabra Group, Mauritius and the Chagos Archipelago. In the western Pacific, it is known from off southern Japan to northern Australia, including Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia, Guam, Palau, the Solomon Islands, the Marshall Islands, the Phoenix Islands and Tahiti. In the eastern Pacific, it occurs from southern Baja California to Colombia, including the Cocos, Galapagos, and Revillagigedo Islands. Its presence in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea is unconfirmed. Silvertip sharks are found over continental and insular shelves at a depth of 30–800 m (98–2,625 ft), occupying all levels of the water column. They are most common around isolated islands, coral banks, and reef drop-offs. Juveniles frequent coastal shallows or lagoons, while adults occur in deeper water, with little overlap between the two age groups. Though silvertip sharks are quite mobile, they exhibit fidelity to certain areas, with reports of territorial behavior. They are usually encountered alone or in pairs. Small groups of adult females have been seen in deep water. Individual silvertip sharks behave very aggressively towards one another, and many are heavily scarred. They are also reported to dominate Galapagos sharks (C. galapagensis) and blacktip sharks (C. limbatus) of equal size when competing for food.", "distribution": "The silvertip shark is widely but not continuously distributed in the tropical Indian and Pacific Oceans. In the western Indian Ocean, this species occurs from the Red Sea to South Africa, including Madagascar, the Seychelles, the Aldabra Group, Mauritius and the Chagos Archipelago. In the western Pacific, it is known from off southern Japan to northern Australia, including Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia, Guam, Palau, the Solomon Islands, the Marshall Islands, the Phoenix Islands and Tahiti. In the eastern Pacific, it occurs from southern Baja California to Colombia, including the Cocos, Galapagos, and Revillagigedo Islands. Its presence in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea is unconfirmed. Silvertip sharks are found over continental and insular shelves at a depth of 30–800 m (98–2,625 ft), occupying all levels of the water column. They are most common around isolated islands, coral banks, and reef drop-offs. Juveniles frequent coastal shallows or lagoons, while adults occur in deeper water, with little overlap between the two age groups.", "diet": "The diet of the silvertip shark consists primarily of bony fishes, such as grouper, mackerel, tuna, bonito, lanternfish, flyingfish, escolar, bananafish, wahoo, wrasses, and soles. Eagle rays, smaller sharks, octopus, and squid are occasionally taken. Larger sharks tend to be more sluggish and take more benthic prey. The differently shaped dentition in their upper and lower jaws allows them to tackle large prey, gripping and sawing off chunks of flesh with violent twists and turns. Silvertip sharks have been observed swimming around the periphery of groups of feeding sharks of other species, occasionally dashing in to steal food. This species often approaches ships, as they are attracted to certain artificial, low-frequency sounds.", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1126782.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Carcharhinus albimarginatus hicks reef", "author": "Kendall Clements / University of Auckland", "license": "CC BY 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Carcharhinus_albimarginatus_hicks_reef.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silvertip_shark", "revision": 1370702786, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1370702786", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "afcb9a52be4e19b60e0d2ffe62729b2d43634006e2c1ba1c9e35e1451791e9db" }, { "id": "Q1052665", "common_name": "Patagonian toothfish", "scientific_name": "Dissostichus eleginoides", "aliases": [ "Dissostichus eleginoides", "Chilean seabass", "Chilean sea bass" ], "summary": "The Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides), also known as Chilean sea bass and mero, is a species of notothen found in cold waters (1–4 °C or 34–39 °F) between depths of 45 and 3,850 m (150 and 12,630 ft) in the southern Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans and Southern Ocean on seamounts and continental shelves around most Subantarctic islands. The average weight of a commercially caught Patagonian toothfish is 7–10 kg (15–22 lb), depending on the fishery, with large adults occasionally exceeding 100 kg (220 lb). They are thought to live up to 50 years and to reach a length up to 2.3 m (7.5 ft). Several commercial fisheries exist for Patagonian toothfish, which are detailed below. A close relative, the Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni), is found farther south around the edges of the Antarctic shelf, and a Marine Stewardship Council-certified fishery is active in the Ross Sea; it is also sometimes marketed as Chilean sea bass.", "features": "The Patagonian toothfish has a streamlined, fusiform body that has a depth that fits into its standard length 5 to 6.4 times. It has a flattened head with a wide, flat area between the eyes. The snout is longer than the diameter of the eyes. The mouth is large, extending past the middle of the eye. There are two rows of teeth in the upper jaw, the teeth in the outer row being the larger and canine-like. The lower jaw has a row of spaced canine-like teeth. Additional canine-like teeth are found outside the teeth rows at the joint of the upper and lower jaws. There are two lateral lines; both made up of tubed scales, an upper one and another along the mid flanks. The upper lateral line has 88–104 scales while the lower line has 61–77 scales. The first dorsal fin has 8 to 10 spines; the second dorsal fin has 28 to 30 soft rays, while the anal fin also has 28–30 soft rays. The caudal fin is emarginate. The pectoral fins are large and shaped like fans. The head and body are covered in ctenoid scales except for the front of the head. This species attains a maximum total length of 215 cm (85 in) although 70 cm (28 in) is more typical, and a maximum published weight of 200 kg (440 lb). The overall colour is brownish-grey with darker blotches.", "habitat": "The Patagonian toothfish is found in the southeastern Pacific and southwestern Atlantic Oceans. It occurs in southern Chile around the coast of Patagonia, in Argentina, and the Falkland Islands. It has also been recorded at Macquarie Island in the southwestern Pacific Ocean and the Southern Ocean at South Georgia and from the sub-Antarctic islands and seamounts of the Indian Sector. There is a single record of a vagrant from the Davis Strait in the northwestern Atlantic Ocean off Greenland, it is thought that this individual migrated over 10,000 km (6,200 mi) and that it transited across the tropical areas in deep, cold regions of the ocean. The juveniles are semi-pelagic, becoming demersal at depths between 150 and 400 m (490 and 1,310 ft). Adults move to deeper habitats, being found at depths in excess of 1,000 m (3,300 ft).", "distribution": "The Patagonian toothfish is found in the southeastern Pacific and southwestern Atlantic Oceans. It occurs in southern Chile around the coast of Patagonia, in Argentina, and the Falkland Islands. It has also been recorded at Macquarie Island in the southwestern Pacific Ocean and the Southern Ocean at South Georgia and from the sub-Antarctic islands and seamounts of the Indian Sector. There is a single record of a vagrant from the Davis Strait in the northwestern Atlantic Ocean off Greenland, it is thought that this individual migrated over 10,000 km (6,200 mi) and that it transited across the tropical areas in deep, cold regions of the ocean. The juveniles are semi-pelagic, becoming demersal at depths between 150 and 400 m (490 and 1,310 ft). Adults move to deeper habitats, being found at depths in excess of 1,000 m (3,300 ft).", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1052665.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Toothfish", "author": "U.S. Food and Drug Administration", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Toothfish.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patagonian_toothfish", "revision": 1361212050, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1361212050", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "23d62fe3b2ef29dea129f73ec0a74a92f6bfaa8adfbbb01115d6e26875cf488c" }, { "id": "Q304539", "common_name": "Sandbar shark", "scientific_name": "Carcharhinus plumbeus", "aliases": [ "Carcharhinus plumbeus" ], "summary": "The sandbar shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus), also known as the brown shark or thickskin shark, is a species of requiem shark, and part of the family Carcharhinidae, native to the Atlantic Ocean and the Indo-Pacific. It is distinguishable by its very high first dorsal fin and interdorsal ridge. It is not to be confused with the similarly named sand tiger shark, or Carcharias taurus.", "features": "", "habitat": "The sandbar shark, true to its nickname, is commonly found over muddy or sandy bottoms in shallow coastal waters such as bays, estuaries, harbors, or the mouths of rivers, but it also swims in deeper waters (200 m or more) as well as intertidal zones. Sandbar sharks are found in tropical to temperate waters worldwide; in the western Atlantic they range from Massachusetts to Brazil. Juveniles are common to abundant in the lower Chesapeake Bay, and nursery grounds are found from Delaware Bay to South Carolina. Other nursery grounds include Bonjuk Bay in Marmaris, Muğla/Turkey and the Florida Keys.", "distribution": "The sandbar shark, true to its nickname, is commonly found over muddy or sandy bottoms in shallow coastal waters such as bays, estuaries, harbors, or the mouths of rivers, but it also swims in deeper waters (200 m or more) as well as intertidal zones. Sandbar sharks are found in tropical to temperate waters worldwide; in the western Atlantic they range from Massachusetts to Brazil. Juveniles are common to abundant in the lower Chesapeake Bay, and nursery grounds are found from Delaware Bay to South Carolina. Other nursery grounds include Bonjuk Bay in Marmaris, Muğla/Turkey and the Florida Keys.", "diet": "", "family": "Carcharhinidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q304539.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Carcharhinus plumbeus georgia", "author": "Brian Gratwicke", "license": "CC BY 2.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Carcharhinus_plumbeus_georgia.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandbar_shark", "revision": 1357541993, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1357541993", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "0533caa5cb9170a8c042abfdb7574b93d3208d09470f0af1b120924c4697c2df" }, { "id": "Q833586", "common_name": "Dusky shark", "scientific_name": "Carcharhinus obscurus", "aliases": [ "Carcharhinus obscurus" ], "summary": "The dusky shark (Carcharhinus obscurus) is a species of requiem shark, in the family Carcharhinidae, occurring in tropical and warm-temperate continental seas worldwide. A generalist apex predator, the dusky shark can be found from the coast to the outer continental shelf and adjacent pelagic waters, and has been recorded from a depth of 400 m (1,300 ft). Populations migrate seasonally towards the poles in the summer and towards the equator in the winter, traveling hundreds to thousands of kilometers. One of the largest members of its genus, the dusky shark reaches more than 4 m (13 ft) in length and 350 kg (770 lb) in weight. It has a slender, streamlined body and can be identified by its short round snout, long sickle-shaped pectoral fins, ridge between the first and second dorsal fins, and faintly marked fins. Adult dusky sharks have a broad and varied diet, consisting mostly of bony fishes, sharks and rays, and cephalopods, but also occasionally crustaceans, sea stars, bryozoans, sea turtles, marine mammals, and carrion. This species is viviparous with a three-year reproductive cycle; females bear litters of 3–14 young after a gestation period of 22–24 months, after which there is a year of rest before they become pregnant again. This shark, tied with the Spiny dogfish as a result is the animal with the longest gestation period.", "features": "Alongside the bull shark, the dusky shark is the largest members of its genus, commonly reaching a length of 3.2 m (10 ft) and a weight of 160–180 kg (350–400 lb); the maximum recorded length and weight are 4.2 m (14 ft) and 372 kg (820 lb) respectively. However, the maximum reported size of the species is 4.5 m (15 ft), while the maximum weight is reported to reach up to 500 kg (1,100 lb). Females grow larger than males. This shark has a slender, streamlined body with a broadly rounded snout no longer than the width of the mouth. The nostrils are preceded by barely developed flaps of skin. The medium-sized, circular eyes are equipped with nictitating membranes (protective third eyelids). The mouth has very short, subtle furrows at the corners and contains 13–15 (typically 14) tooth rows on either side of both jaws. The upper teeth are distinctively broad, triangular, and slightly oblique with strong, coarse serrations, while the lower teeth are narrower and upright, with finer serrations. The five pairs of gill slits are fairly long. The large pectoral fins measure around one-fifth as long as the body, and have a falcate (sickle-like) shape tapering to a point. The first dorsal fin is of moderate size and somewhat falcate, with a pointed apex and a strongly concave rear margin; its origin lies over the pectoral fin free rear tips. The second dorsal fin is much smaller and is positioned about opposite the anal fin. A low dorsal ridge is present between the dorsal fins.", "habitat": "The range of the dusky shark extends worldwide, albeit discontinuously, in tropical and warm-temperate waters. In the western Atlantic Ocean, it is found from Massachusetts and the Georges Bank to southern Brazil, including the Bahamas and Cuba. In the eastern Atlantic Ocean, it has been reported from the western and central Mediterranean Sea, the Canary Islands, Cape Verde, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and possibly elsewhere including Portugal, Spain, Morocco, and Madeira. In the Indian Ocean, it is found off South Africa, Mozambique, and Madagascar, with sporadic records in the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and perhaps the Red Sea. In the Pacific Ocean, it occurs off Japan, mainland China and Taiwan, Vietnam, Australia, and New Caledonia in the west, and from southern California to the Gulf of California, around Revillagigedo, and possibly off northern Chile in the east. Records of dusky sharks from the northeastern and eastern central Atlantic, and around tropical islands, may in fact be of Galapagos sharks. Mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite evidence suggest that Indonesian and Australian sharks represent distinct populations. Residing off continental coastlines from the surf zone to the outer continental shelf and adjacent oceanic waters, the dusky shark occupies an intermediate habitat that overlaps with its more specialized relatives, such as the inshore sandbar shark, the pelagic silky shark (C. falciformis) and oceanic whitetip shark, the deepwater bignose shark, and the islandic Galapagos shark and silvertip shark (C. albimarginatus).", "distribution": "The range of the dusky shark extends worldwide, albeit discontinuously, in tropical and warm-temperate waters. In the western Atlantic Ocean, it is found from Massachusetts and the Georges Bank to southern Brazil, including the Bahamas and Cuba. In the eastern Atlantic Ocean, it has been reported from the western and central Mediterranean Sea, the Canary Islands, Cape Verde, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and possibly elsewhere including Portugal, Spain, Morocco, and Madeira. In the Indian Ocean, it is found off South Africa, Mozambique, and Madagascar, with sporadic records in the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and perhaps the Red Sea. In the Pacific Ocean, it occurs off Japan, mainland China and Taiwan, Vietnam, Australia, and New Caledonia in the west, and from southern California to the Gulf of California, around Revillagigedo, and possibly off northern Chile in the east. Records of dusky sharks from the northeastern and eastern central Atlantic, and around tropical islands, may in fact be of Galapagos sharks. Mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite evidence suggest that Indonesian and Australian sharks represent distinct populations. Residing off continental coastlines from the surf zone to the outer continental shelf and adjacent oceanic waters, the dusky shark occupies an intermediate habitat that overlaps with its more specialized relatives, such as the inshore sandbar shark, the pelagic silky shark (C. falciformis) and oceanic whitetip shark, the deepwater bignose shark, and the islandic Galapagos shark and silvertip shark (C. albimarginatus).", "diet": "The dusky shark is a generalist that takes a wide variety of prey from all levels of the water column, though it favors hunting near the bottom. A large individual can consume over a tenth of its body weight at a single sitting. The bite force exerted by a 2 m (6.6 ft) long dusky shark has been measured at 60 kg (130 lb) over the 2 mm2 (0.0031 in2) area at the tip of a tooth. This is the highest figure thus far measured from any shark, though it also reflects the concentration of force at the tooth tip. Dense aggregations of young sharks, forming in response to feeding opportunities, have been documented in the Indian Ocean. The known diet of the dusky shark encompasses pelagic fishes, including herring and anchovies, tuna and mackerel, billfish, jacks, needlefish and flyingfish, threadfins, hairtails, lancetfish, and lanternfish; demersal fishes, including mullets, porgies, grunts, and flatheads, eels, lizardfish, cusk eels, gurnards, and flatfish; reef fishes, including barracudas, goatfish, spadefish, groupers, scorpionfish, and porcupinefish; cartilaginous fishes, including dogfish, sawsharks, angel sharks, catsharks, thresher sharks, smoothhounds, smaller requiem sharks, sawfish, guitarfish, skates, stingrays, and butterfly rays; and invertebrates, including gastropods, cephalopods, decapod crustaceans, barnacles, and sea stars. Very rarely, the largest dusky sharks may also consume sea turtles, marine mammals (mainly as carrion), and human refuse.", "family": "Carcharhinidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q833586.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Carcharhinus obscurus at Seaworld", "author": "Happy Little Nomad from Everywhere, Anywhere", "license": "CC BY-SA 2.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Carcharhinus_obscurus_at_Seaworld.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dusky_shark", "revision": 1382666351, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1382666351", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "95b4d73b3537716e8ece6abfcbd38d7985e8cce9e30f7cebc7156bd0db9b7794" }, { "id": "Q752683", "common_name": "European pollock", "scientific_name": "Pollachius pollachius", "aliases": [ "Atlantic pollock", "Pollachius pollachius" ], "summary": "Pollachius pollachius is a species of marine fish in the family Gadidae. FAO uses the English name pollack for this species, whereas in American English it is known as European pollock. Other vernacular names include lythe, and in the Isle of Man, callig. It is common in the north-eastern parts of the Northern Atlantic, including the Bay of Biscay and North Sea. Adults can grow up to 130 cm (51 in) and weigh up to 12.5 kg (28 lb), although more commonly their maximum length is 75 cm (30 in).", "features": "", "habitat": "Pollack are fast-growing and relatively short-lived. The maximum reported age is 15 years. They are said to spawn offshore, although their spawning grounds are poorly known; a study of a fjord population in Norway suggested local spawning. Pollack are benthopelagic, that is, they live near the sea floor. They seem to be relatively sedentary.", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Gadidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q752683.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Pollachius pollachius aquarium", "author": "This illustration was made by Citron You must credit this : Citron / CC-BY-SA-3.0", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pollachius_pollachius_aquarium.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pollachius_pollachius", "revision": 1367636563, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1367636563", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "2a47ce641eb80b13bbf52836955b3f9ba6298442f4faed5b6fd1b2b5c8bdaf3a" }, { "id": "Q782345", "common_name": "Australian lungfish", "scientific_name": "Neoceratodus forsteri", "aliases": [ "Neoceratodus forsteri", "Australian lungfish" ], "summary": "The Australian lungfish (Neoceratodus forsteri), also known as the Queensland lungfish, Burnett salmon and barramunda, is the only surviving member of the family Neoceratodontidae, and endemic to Australia. It is one of only six extant lungfish species in the world. Fossil records of this group date back 380 million years, around the time when the higher vertebrate classes were beginning to evolve. Fossils of lungfish almost identical to this species have been uncovered in northern New South Wales, indicating that Neoceratodus has remained virtually unchanged for well over 100 million years, making it a living fossil and one of the oldest living vertebrate genera on the planet. It is one of six extant representatives of the ancient air-breathing Dipnoi (lungfishes) that flourished during the Devonian period (about 413–365 million years ago) and is the outgroup to all other members of this lineage. The five other freshwater lungfish species, four in Africa and one in South America, are very different morphologically from N. forsteri. The Queensland lungfish can live for several days out of the water, if it is kept moist, but will not survive total water depletion, unlike its African counterparts. The small settlement of Ceratodus in the Wide Bay–Burnett region of Queensland derives its name from that of the Australian lungfish. The species was named, by Gerard Krefft, in honour of the squatter and politician William Forster.", "features": "Australian lungfish are olive-green to dull brown on the back, sides, tail, and fins, and pale yellow to orange on the underside. They have been described as having a reddish colouring on their sides which gets much brighter in the males during the breeding season. This colouration is the only obvious distinguishing sexual characteristic of the lungfish. They have stout elongated bodies and flattened heads with small eyes. The eyes have five types of photoreceptors; four types of cones and a rod. Some of these photoreceptors can reach 20–24 μm in diameter, possibly the largest in the animal kingdom. The mouth is small and in a subterminal position. The lungfish can grow to a length of about 150 cm (4.9 ft), and a weight of 43 kg (95 lb). It is commonly found to be about 100 cm (3.3 ft) and 20 kg (44 lb) on average. Both sexes follow similar growth patterns, although the females grow to a slightly larger size. They are covered in slime when taken from the water. The skeleton of the lungfish is partly bone and partly cartilage. The vertebrae are pure cartilage, while the ribs are hollow tubes filled with a cartilaginous substance. The body of the lungfish is covered with large, bony scales. Ten rows occur on each side, grading to small scales on the fins. The scales are each embedded in their own pockets, and overlap extensively, such that vulnerable areas of the body are covered by a thickness of at least four scales. Two unusually large and thick interlocking scales cover the back of the head where the bony skull is thin.", "habitat": "The Australian lungfish is native only to the Mary and Burnett River systems in south-eastern Queensland. It has been successfully distributed to other, more southerly rivers, including the Brisbane, Albert, Stanley, and Coomera Rivers, and the Enoggera Reservoir in the past century. The Australian lungfish has also been introduced to the Pine, Caboolture, and Condamine Rivers, but current survival and breeding success are unknown. Formerly widespread, at one time at least seven species of lungfish were in Australia. This species lives in slow-flowing rivers and still water (including reservoirs) that have some aquatic vegetation on banks. It occurs over mud, sand, or gravel bottoms. Australian lungfish are commonly found in deep pools of 3–10 m (9.8–32.8 ft) depth and live in small groups under submerged logs, in dense banks of aquatic macrophytes, or in underwater caves formed by soil being washed away under tree roots on river banks. The lungfish is tolerant of cold, but prefers waters with temperatures in the range 15–25 °C (59–77 °F). The Australian lungfish cannot survive complete desiccation of its habitat, but it can live out of water for several days if the surface of its skin is constantly moist. Unlike the African species, Protopterus, it does not survive dry seasons by secreting a mucous cocoon and burying itself in the mud. The Australian lungfish is essentially a sedentary species, spending its life within a restricted area. Its home range rarely extends beyond a single pool or, occasionally, two adjacent pools.", "distribution": "The Australian lungfish is native only to the Mary and Burnett River systems in south-eastern Queensland. It has been successfully distributed to other, more southerly rivers, including the Brisbane, Albert, Stanley, and Coomera Rivers, and the Enoggera Reservoir in the past century. The Australian lungfish has also been introduced to the Pine, Caboolture, and Condamine Rivers, but current survival and breeding success are unknown. Formerly widespread, at one time at least seven species of lungfish were in Australia. This species lives in slow-flowing rivers and still water (including reservoirs) that have some aquatic vegetation on banks. It occurs over mud, sand, or gravel bottoms. Australian lungfish are commonly found in deep pools of 3–10 m (9.8–32.8 ft) depth and live in small groups under submerged logs, in dense banks of aquatic macrophytes, or in underwater caves formed by soil being washed away under tree roots on river banks. The lungfish is tolerant of cold, but prefers waters with temperatures in the range 15–25 °C (59–77 °F). The Australian lungfish cannot survive complete desiccation of its habitat, but it can live out of water for several days if the surface of its skin is constantly moist. Unlike the African species, Protopterus, it does not survive dry seasons by secreting a mucous cocoon and burying itself in the mud. The Australian lungfish is essentially a sedentary species, spending its life within a restricted area. Its home range rarely extends beyond a single pool or, occasionally, two adjacent pools.", "diet": "", "family": "Neoceratodontidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q782345.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Neoceratodus forsteri, 2014-09-19", "author": "Mitch Ames", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Neoceratodus_forsteri,_2014-09-19.JPG", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_lungfish", "revision": 1376378488, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1376378488", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "69930cc9b2e0cee09fbf604074fc989e405b9ced5e1591300567caab2cb3f887" }, { "id": "Q1195079", "common_name": "Pacific saury", "scientific_name": "Cololabis saira", "aliases": [ "Cololabis saira" ], "summary": "The Pacific saury (Cololabis saira) is species of fish in the family Scomberesocidae. Saury is a seafood in several East Asian cuisines and is also known by the name mackerel pike.", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Scomberesocidae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1195079.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Sanma by beemartins in Matsushima, Miyagi", "author": "beemartins from Matsushima, Miyagi", "license": "CC BY 2.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sanma_by_beemartins_in_Matsushima,_Miyagi.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_saury", "revision": 1354856741, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1354856741", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "65f90a29b15bdb1d1964878088cba28c59a6ffc02b898f28ee9587922f7ce3fa" }, { "id": "Q1142258", "common_name": "Southern bluefin tuna", "scientific_name": "Thunnus maccoyii", "aliases": [ "southern bluefin tuna", "Southern bluefin tuna", "Thunnus maccoyii" ], "summary": "The southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii) is a tuna of the family Scombridae found in open southern Hemisphere waters of all the world's oceans mainly between 30°S and 50°S, to nearly 60°S. At up to 2.5 metres (8 ft 2 in) and weighing up to 260 kilograms (570 lb), it is among the larger bony fishes. Southern bluefin tuna, like other pelagic tuna species, are part of a group of bony fishes that can maintain their body core temperature up to 10 °C (18 °F) above the ambient temperature. This advantage enables them to maintain high metabolic output for predation and migrating large distances. The southern bluefin tuna is an opportunistic feeder, preying on a wide variety of fish, crustaceans, cephalopods, salps, and other marine fishes and crustaceans.", "features": "", "habitat": "One of the adaptations that allow bluefin tunas to have large migratory patterns is their endothermic nature, whereby they conserve heat in their blood and prevent its loss to the environment. They maintain their body temperature above the ambient water temperature in order to improve their locomotor muscle efficiency, especially at high speeds and when pursuing prey below the thermocline region. It has been hypothesized that tunas can rapidly alter their whole-body thermal conductivity by at least two orders of magnitude. This is done by disengaging the heat exchangers to allow rapid warming as the tuna ascend from cold water into warmer surface waters, and are then reactivated to conserve heat when they return into the depths. Through this unique ability, tunas can reach out into otherwise hazardously cold water in order to hunt for food or escape from predators. Variations in their muscle temperatures are not necessarily influenced by water temperatures or that of swimming speeds, which indicates the ability of the bluefin tuna to control the level of efficiency of their heat exchange system. Relating to the efficiency of oxygen extraction, tuna gill structure maximizes contact between water and the respiratory epithelium, which minimizes anatomical and physiological \"dead space\" in order to enable more than 50% oxygen-extraction efficiencies. This allows the fish to maintain a high rate of oxygen consumption as it continually swims out to others areas of oceans in search of food and ground for growth and reproduction.", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Scombridae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1142258.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Thunnus maccoyii", "author": "Gustavo200897", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Thunnus_maccoyii.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_bluefin_tuna", "revision": 1377200632, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1377200632", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "c9dc9ea3f9c5685a23ecd3c7aad6cd6f68a665a7bef081b5380d09bacf3a0e7b" }, { "id": "Q10866107", "common_name": "Three spot gourami", "scientific_name": "Trichopodus trichopterus", "aliases": [ "Trichopodus trichopterus" ], "summary": "The three spot gourami (Trichopodus trichopterus), also known as the opaline gourami, blue gourami, and gold gourami, is a species of fish native to southeastern Asia, but also introduced elsewhere. This gourami gets its name from the two spots along each side of its body in line with the eye, considered the third spot. This species is of minor commercial importance as a food fish in its native range and is also farmed. It is also popular in the aquarium trade. The species reaches 15 cm (5.9 inches) in standard length.", "features": "", "habitat": "Three spot gourami are native to standing or slow-moving freshwater habitats in southeastern Asia, ranging from Yunnan (China), through mainland southeast Asia (Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam) to Indonesia (Java, Borneo and Sumatra). They have been widely introduced outside their native range, such as the Philippines, India, Sulawesi, and southwestern Trinidad. These fish live in marshes, swamps, canals, and lowland wetlands. They migrate during the flood season from permanent water bodies to flooded areas, such as seasonally flooded forests in the middle and lower Mekong. During the dry season, they return to these permanent water bodies. These fish feed on zooplankton, crustaceans, and insect larvae. The male builds a bubble nest for the eggs, which he protects aggressively.", "distribution": "Three spot gourami are native to standing or slow-moving freshwater habitats in southeastern Asia, ranging from Yunnan (China), through mainland southeast Asia (Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam) to Indonesia (Java, Borneo and Sumatra). They have been widely introduced outside their native range, such as the Philippines, India, Sulawesi, and southwestern Trinidad. These fish live in marshes, swamps, canals, and lowland wetlands. They migrate during the flood season from permanent water bodies to flooded areas, such as seasonally flooded forests in the middle and lower Mekong. During the dry season, they return to these permanent water bodies. These fish feed on zooplankton, crustaceans, and insect larvae. The male builds a bubble nest for the eggs, which he protects aggressively.", "diet": "The three spot gourami is an omnivore and requires both algae-based and meaty foods. An algae-based flake food, along with freeze-dried bloodworms, tubifex worms, and brine shrimp provide these fish with the proper nutrition. Live foods such as mosquito larvae and daphnia are also beneficial.", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q10866107.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Trichogster trichopterus 13", "author": "Gourami Watcher", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Trichogster_trichopterus_13.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_spot_gourami", "revision": 1372019097, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1372019097", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "8f5584c1407026b9344baf0593abbbec83c7fe3805f9d1c7c0a5f75fb4040171" }, { "id": "Q1478899", "common_name": "Leopard shark", "scientific_name": "Triakis semifasciata", "aliases": [ "Triakis semifasciata" ], "summary": "The leopard shark (Triakis semifasciata) is a species of houndshark, in the family Triakidae. It is found along the Pacific coast of North America, from the U.S. state of Oregon to Mazatlán in Mexico. Typically measuring 1.2–1.5 m (3.9–4.9 ft) long, this slender-bodied shark is immediately identifiable by the striking pattern of black saddle-like markings and large spots over its back, from which it derives its common name. Large schools of leopard sharks are a common sight in bays and estuaries, swimming over sandy or muddy flats or rock-strewn areas near kelp beds and reefs. They are most common near the coast, in water less than 4 m (13 ft) deep. Active-swimming predators, groups of leopard sharks often follow the tide onto intertidal mudflats to forage for food, mainly clams, spoon worms, crabs, shrimp, bony fish, and fish eggs. Most leopard sharks tend to remain within a particular area rather than undertaking long movements elsewhere, which has led to genetic divergence between populations of sharks living in different regions. This species is aplacental viviparous, meaning that the young hatch inside the uterus and are nourished by yolk. From March to June, the female gives birth to as many as 37 young after a gestation period of 10–12 months. It is relatively slow-growing and takes many years to mature. Harmless to humans, the leopard shark is caught by commercial and recreational fisheries for food and the aquarium trade.", "features": "The leopard shark has a moderately stout body, with a short, rounded snout. There are well-developed, triangular flaps of skin in front of the nares. The eyes are large and oval, with a nictitating membrane (a protective third eyelid). The line of the mouth is strongly curved. There are furrows at the corners of the mouth extending onto both jaws, with those on the lower jaw almost long enough to meet at the midline. The tooth rows number 41–55 in the upper jaw and 34–45 in the lower jaw; each tooth has a slightly oblique, smooth-edged cusp in the center and 1–2 small cusplets on either side. These teeth are arranged into a flat, \"pavement\"-like surface with overlapping ridges. The large first dorsal fin is positioned about halfway between the pectoral and pelvic fins; the second is almost as large as the first and much larger than the anal fin. The pectoral fins are wide and triangular. The lower lobe of the caudal fin is well-developed in adults but less than half the length of the upper lobe, which has a strong ventral notch near the tip. The coloration is unique, consisting of prominent black \"saddles\" and large black spots running along the back, on a silvery to bronzy gray background. Adult sharks often have more spots and saddles with lighter centers compared to juveniles. The underside is whitish and plain. The average length of a leopard shark is 1.2–1.5 m (3.9–4.9 ft). Rarely males may grow to 1.5 m (4.9 ft) and females 1.8 m (5.9 ft), and there is a record of an exceptional female that measured 2.1 m (6.9 ft) long.", "habitat": "The leopard shark occurs in the Northeastern Pacific Ocean, from the temperate continental waters of Coos Bay, Oregon to the tropical waters of Mazatlán, Mexico, including the Gulf of California. It favors muddy or sandy flats within enclosed bays and estuaries, and may also be encountered near kelp beds and rocky reefs, or along the open coast. Numbers have been known to gather near discharges of warm effluent from power plants. Leopard sharks generally swim close to the bottom and are most abundant from the intertidal zone to a depth of 4 m (13 ft), though they may be found as deep as 91 m (299 ft). Many leopard sharks, particularly in the north, leave their coastal habitats in winter and return in early spring. A study in Tomales Bay in northern California determined that they depart when the water temperature drops below 10–12 °C (50–54 °F); one tagged shark was found to have swum some 140 km (87 mi) south. While a few leopard sharks have been documented traveling hundreds of kilometers, most individuals tend to remain in a localized area for much of their lives. This low level of dispersal has led to genetic divergence across its range. Seven discrete gene pools have been identified along the Californian coast between Humboldt Bay and San Diego. Of these, the Humboldt Bay subpopulation is perhaps the most isolated, with the sharks there maturing at a larger size and producing fewer offspring than those from other areas. By contrast, the area around Los Angeles represents a genetic transitional zone between subpopulations whose boundaries are more diffuse.", "distribution": "The leopard shark occurs in the Northeastern Pacific Ocean, from the temperate continental waters of Coos Bay, Oregon to the tropical waters of Mazatlán, Mexico, including the Gulf of California. It favors muddy or sandy flats within enclosed bays and estuaries, and may also be encountered near kelp beds and rocky reefs, or along the open coast. Numbers have been known to gather near discharges of warm effluent from power plants. Leopard sharks generally swim close to the bottom and are most abundant from the intertidal zone to a depth of 4 m (13 ft), though they may be found as deep as 91 m (299 ft). Many leopard sharks, particularly in the north, leave their coastal habitats in winter and return in early spring. A study in Tomales Bay in northern California determined that they depart when the water temperature drops below 10–12 °C (50–54 °F); one tagged shark was found to have swum some 140 km (87 mi) south. While a few leopard sharks have been documented traveling hundreds of kilometers, most individuals tend to remain in a localized area for much of their lives. This low level of dispersal has led to genetic divergence across its range. Seven discrete gene pools have been identified along the Californian coast between Humboldt Bay and San Diego. Of these, the Humboldt Bay subpopulation is perhaps the most isolated, with the sharks there maturing at a larger size and producing fewer offspring than those from other areas. By contrast, the area around Los Angeles represents a genetic transitional zone between subpopulations whose boundaries are more diffuse.", "diet": "The diet of the leopard shark consists of small benthic and littoral animals, most significantly crabs (Cancridae, Grapsidae, and Hippoidea), shrimp, bony fish (including anchovies, herring, topsmelt, croakers, surfperch, gobies, rockfish, sculpins, flatfish, and midshipmen), fish eggs, clams, and the echiurid fat innkeeper worm (Urechis caupo). This opportunistic hunter has also been known to eat ghost shrimp, polychaete worms, and the young of smoothhounds, shovelnose guitarfish (Rhinobatos productus), and bat rays (Myliobatis californicus). Eelgrass (Zostera) and algae may be swallowed incidentally. The leopard shark captures prey by expanding its buccal cavity to create a suction force, which is facilitated by its labial cartilages swinging forward to form the mouth into a tube. Simultaneously, the shark protrudes its jaws forward to grip the prey between its teeth. As with other sharks, the teeth of the leopard shark are periodically shed and replaced; it takes 9–12 days for a replacement tooth to move into position. Leopard sharks have been caught with stomachs filled with clam siphons, which the sharks seize before the clams can retract and break off with a levering motion of their bodies. On occasion, the shark tears the entire clam body out of its shell this way. Other sharks examined have had stomachs containing whole innkeeper worms with no bite marks, suggesting that the sharks sucked them out of their burrows.", "family": "Triakidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1478899.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Leopard shark in kelp", "author": "Mfield, Matthew Field, www.photography.mattfield.com", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Leopard_shark_in_kelp.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leopard_shark", "revision": 1370928395, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1370928395", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "ed2da2a746441fc340cac1a456b96f4be3e8d677b26c0c8de0a05f725a5cd3a9" }, { "id": "Q873701", "common_name": "Scalloped hammerhead", "scientific_name": "Sphyrna lewini", "aliases": [ "Sp", "Sphyrna lewini" ], "summary": "The scalloped hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini) is a species of hammerhead shark in the family Sphyrnidae. It was originally known as Zygaena lewini. The Greek word sphyrna translates into \"hammer\" in English, referring to the shape of this shark's head, which is its most distinguishing characteristic. The shark's eyes and nostrils are at the tips of the extensions. It is a fairly large hammerhead, but is still smaller than both the great and smooth hammerheads. This shark is also known as the bronze, kinky-headed, or southern hammerhead. It primarily lives in warm, temperate, and tropical coastal waters all around the globe between latitudes 46°N and 36°S, down to a depth of 500 m (1,600 ft). It is the most common of all hammerheads.", "features": "The scalloped hammerhead is easily distinguished from other hammerhead sharks by the central indentation on the anterior margin of the head. There are also two indentations on either side of the central indentation, which gives the \"scalloped\" look. They have a very large first dorsal fin that is slightly hooked and a smaller second dorsal fin. Scalloped hammerhead sharks are typically uniform grey, grayish brown, bronze, or olive with a white underside for countershading. Typically, males measure 1.5 to 1.8 m (4.9 to 5.9 ft) and weigh about 29 kg (64 lb) when they attain sexual maturity, whereas the larger females measure 2.5 m (8.2 ft) and weigh about 36.2 kg (80 lb) at sexual maturity. The maximum length of the scalloped hammerhead is 4.3 m (14 ft) and the maximum weight is 152.4 kg (336 lb), per FishBase. A female caught off Miami was found to have measured 3.26 m (10.7 ft) and reportedly weighed 200 kg (440 lb), though was in a gravid state then. These sharks have a very high metabolic rate, which governs behavior in acquiring food. They occupy tertiary trophic levels. The scalloped hammerhead shark, like many other species, uses the shore as a breeding ground. Due to high metabolic rates, young scalloped hammerhead sharks need a lot of food, or they will starve. S. lewini is also noted for its large and complex brain, with high levels of cognitive capabilities, social intelligence, sensorimotor functions, intricate migrations, complex habitat relationships, and athletic capture of prey.", "habitat": "The scalloped hammerhead is a coastal pelagic species; it occurs over continental and insular shelves and in nearby deeper water. It is found in warm temperate and tropical waters, worldwide from 46°N to 36°S. It can be found down to depths over 500 m (1,600 ft), but is most often found above 25 m (82 ft). During the day, they are more often found close to shore, and at night, they hunt further offshore. Adults are found alone, in pairs, or in small schools, while young sharks occur in larger schools. Juveniles and pups thrive in shallow coastal waters, such as bays and mangroves, which provide shelter from predators and waters high in nutrients from deposited sediments. Research carried out by the nongovernmental organization Misión Tiburón, using conventional and acoustic shark tagging methods, found that adult scalloped hammerheads migrate from the pelagic waters surrounding Cocos Island to the mangroves in the tropical fjord of Golfo Dulce - a tropical fjord on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. Here, female sharks give birth to live young; juveniles remain in the shallow root system of the mangroves for around three years. After this time they leave Golfo Dulce and migrate back to Cocos Island, to feed in pelagic waters.", "distribution": "The scalloped hammerhead is a coastal pelagic species; it occurs over continental and insular shelves and in nearby deeper water. It is found in warm temperate and tropical waters, worldwide from 46°N to 36°S. It can be found down to depths over 500 m (1,600 ft), but is most often found above 25 m (82 ft). During the day, they are more often found close to shore, and at night, they hunt further offshore. Adults are found alone, in pairs, or in small schools, while young sharks occur in larger schools. Juveniles and pups thrive in shallow coastal waters, such as bays and mangroves, which provide shelter from predators and waters high in nutrients from deposited sediments. Research carried out by the nongovernmental organization Misión Tiburón, using conventional and acoustic shark tagging methods, found that adult scalloped hammerheads migrate from the pelagic waters surrounding Cocos Island to the mangroves in the tropical fjord of Golfo Dulce - a tropical fjord on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. Here, female sharks give birth to live young; juveniles remain in the shallow root system of the mangroves for around three years. After this time they leave Golfo Dulce and migrate back to Cocos Island, to feed in pelagic waters.", "diet": "Scalloped hammerheads are generalists and opportunistic predators, eating whatever is available and abundant in their area. There is no difference in what male and female sharks eat, but larger sharks are noted to eat larger prey than smaller, juvenile hammerheads. Juveniles typically feed on inshore fish, while adults feed on inshore fish as well as larger organisms that live in deeper waters. Specifically, this shark feeds primarily on bony fish such as sardines, mackerel, and herring, and occasionally they feed on cephalopods such as squid, octopus, and cuttlefish, and crustaceans such as lobsters, shrimps, and crabs. Larger specimens may also feed on smaller species of shark, such as the blacktip reef shark, Carcharhinus melanopterus, and rays. Hammerheads located in the Indo-West Pacific have been observed to prey on sea snakes.", "family": "Sphyrnidae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q873701.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini) Costa Rica (cropped)", "author": "Kris-Mikael Krister", "license": "CC BY 2.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Scalloped_hammerhead_shark_(Sphyrna_lewini)_Costa_Rica_(cropped).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scalloped_hammerhead", "revision": 1370413460, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1370413460", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "a09fd9d26ea54c1b79851f29613d0971e4679324c842060243bae6dc0f5f04b3" }, { "id": "Q1364894", "common_name": "Port Jackson shark", "scientific_name": "Heterodontus portusjacksoni", "aliases": [ "Heterodontus portusjacksoni" ], "summary": "The Port Jackson shark (Heterodontus portusjacksoni) is a nocturnal, oviparous (egg laying) type of bullhead shark of the family Heterodontidae, found in the coastal region of southern Australia, including the waters off Port Jackson. It has a large, blunt head with prominent forehead ridges and dark brown harness-like markings on a lighter grey-brown body, and can grow up to 1.65 metres (5.5 ft) long. They are the largest in the genus Heterodontus. The Port Jackson shark is a migratory species, traveling south in the summer and returning north to breed in the winter. It feeds on hard-shelled mollusks, crustaceans, sea urchins, and fish. Identification of this species is very easy due to the pattern of harness-like markings that cross the eyes, run along the back to the first dorsal fin, then cross the side of the body, in addition to the spine in front of both dorsal fins.", "features": "Port Jackson sharks can grow up to 1.65 metres (5.5 ft) long and are similar to others of their genus, bearing a broad, blunt, flat head, an anal fin, and crests above its eyes. However, the species possesses characteristics that make them easily identifiable, such as their teeth and the harness-like markings which run for a majority of their body length. These markings run from their eyes to their first dorsal fin and then across the rest of their bodies. Both dorsal fins are close to equal size, each with a spine at the foremost edge. These spines are rumored to be venomous. Other features that help distinguish them are their small mouths as well as their nostrils, which are connected to their mouths. The sharks have grey-brown bodies covered by black banding, which covers a large portion of their sides and backs. One of these bands winds over the face and progresses to the shark's eyes. Another harness-shaped band goes around the back, continuing to the pectoral fins and sides. Thin, dark stripes are also present on the backs of Port Jackson sharks. These progress from the caudal fin to the first dorsal fin.", "habitat": "The Port Jackson shark is endemic to the temperate waters around southern Australia and can be found in an area stretching from southern Queensland, south to Tasmania, and west to the central coast of Western Australia. Dubious reports exist of catchings as far north as Western Australia's York Sound. A single specimen of this species was collected in a set net at Mākara, Wellington in 1954. Two more specimens reported as being from New Zealand were presented to the British Museum however although these two specimens have been located they have no information on their collection location to confirm this assertion. and on one occasion, it has occurred off the coast of New Zealand. Genetic studies suggest two Australian groups, one found from Northeastern Victoria to Western Australia and the second found from Southern Queensland to New South Wales. The species is believed to have originated somewhere off the coast of South Africa. It usually lives at depths of less than 100 metres (330 ft), but has been known to go as deep as 275 metres (902 ft). The shark's territory is habitually on or near the sea bottom, which is also its feeding area. Rocky environments are the most common habitat, though sandy and muddy ones, as well as seagrass beds, are sometimes used. During the day, when it is usually not active, it can be found in flat areas which offer some shelter from currents (including caves) or near other sheltering positions such as rocky outcrops.", "distribution": "The Port Jackson shark is endemic to the temperate waters around southern Australia and can be found in an area stretching from southern Queensland, south to Tasmania, and west to the central coast of Western Australia. Dubious reports exist of catchings as far north as Western Australia's York Sound. A single specimen of this species was collected in a set net at Mākara, Wellington in 1954. Two more specimens reported as being from New Zealand were presented to the British Museum however although these two specimens have been located they have no information on their collection location to confirm this assertion. and on one occasion, it has occurred off the coast of New Zealand. Genetic studies suggest two Australian groups, one found from Northeastern Victoria to Western Australia and the second found from Southern Queensland to New South Wales. The species is believed to have originated somewhere off the coast of South Africa. It usually lives at depths of less than 100 metres (330 ft), but has been known to go as deep as 275 metres (902 ft). The shark's territory is habitually on or near the sea bottom, which is also its feeding area. Rocky environments are the most common habitat, though sandy and muddy ones, as well as seagrass beds, are sometimes used. During the day, when it is usually not active, it can be found in flat areas which offer some shelter from currents (including caves) or near other sheltering positions such as rocky outcrops.", "diet": "", "family": "Heterodontidae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1364894.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Heterodontus portusjacksoni wilsons promontory", "author": "Mark Norman / Museum Victoria", "license": "CC BY 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Heterodontus_portusjacksoni_wilsons_promontory.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Jackson_shark", "revision": 1380827871, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1380827871", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "1a8ceb47c2855f1c3703f4971dc20c18351220521af7e0e1f07020dc73813e25" }, { "id": "Q469946", "common_name": "Lake trout", "scientific_name": "Salvelinus namaycush", "aliases": [ "Salvelinus namaycush", "Oswego bass", "namaycush", "tuladi", "ciscoette", "ciscovet", "siscowet", "lunge", "Oswego", "Mackinaw trout", "siskiwit" ], "summary": "The lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) is a freshwater char living mainly in lakes in Northern North America. Other names for it include mackinaw, namaycush, lake char (or charr), touladi, togue, laker, and grey trout. In Lake Superior, it can also be variously known as siscowet, paperbelly and lean. The lake trout is prized both as a game fish and as a food fish. Those caught with dark coloration may be called mud hens.", "features": "Lake trout have a common Salmonidae body, with an elongated figure, a single dorsal and adipose fin, and lack spines on any of their fins. The pattern of lake trout is a uniform olive-grey, darker near the back, and white on the belly. They are covered in light beige or white spots along the body. The fins are yellow-ish, and may have white tips. During spawning, the belly becomes more yellow-orange, and the fins develop a red hue with more developed white edges. They have small but sharp teeth, which are more visible compared to other species of trout during non-spawning periods. Lake trout are the largest of the chars; the record weighed almost 102 pounds (46 kg) with a length of 50 inches (130 cm), and was caught with a gillnet. 15–40-pound (6.8–18.1-kilogram) fish are not uncommon, and the average length is 24–36 inches (61–91 centimetres). The largest caught on a rod and reel according to the IGFA was 72 pounds (33 kg), caught in Great Bear Lake in 1995 with a length of 59 inches (150 cm). In the Tahoe region, the fish do not exceeded 36 pounds (16 kg), but are on average over 10 pounds (4.5 kg).", "habitat": "", "distribution": "From a zoogeographical perspective, lake trout have a relatively narrow distribution. They are native only to the northern parts of North America, principally Canada, but also Alaska and, to some extent, the Northeastern United States. Lake trout have been widely introduced into non-native waters in North America and into many other parts of the world, mainly Europe, but also into South America and certain parts of Asia. Although lake trout were introduced into Yellowstone National Park's Shoshone, Lewis and Heart lakes legally in the 1890s, they were illegally or accidentally introduced into Yellowstone Lake in the 1980s where they are now considered invasive. They have also notably been introduced into the Tahoe region, such as in Lake Tahoe and Donner Lake.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q469946.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Lake trout fishes salvelinus namaycush", "author": "Knepp Timothy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lake_trout_fishes_salvelinus_namaycush.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_trout", "revision": 1361838698, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1361838698", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "f08592f78eb86e056a6243c6f65a27d92557b8d8bd168c3653b49f267aa029f3" }, { "id": "Q519849", "common_name": "Black tetra", "scientific_name": "Gymnocorymbus ternetzi", "aliases": [ "Gymnocorymbus ternetzi" ], "summary": "The black tetra (Gymnocorymbus ternetzi), also known as the petticoat tetra, high-fin black skirt tetra, black skirt tetra, black widow tetra and blackamoor, is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Acestrorhamphidae, the American characins. It is native to the Paraguay River basin of south-central Brazil (mainly Pantanal region), Paraguay and northeast Argentina, but there are also populations in the upper Paraná and Paraíba do Sul Rivers that likely were introduced. It was formerly reported from the Guapore River, but this population is part of G. flaviolimai, which is found throughout the Madeira River basin and was described in 2015. The black tetra is often kept in aquariums. The black tetra can grow up to 7.5 cm (3.0 in) in length. It has a roughly tetragonal body shape and is greyish in colour, fading from near black at the tail to light at the nose. Two prominent, black, vertical bars appear just posterior to the gills. It is easily distinguished from all of its congeners by the presence of a dense field of dark chromatophores spread homogeneously over the posterior half of the body, unlike the lack of such pigmentation in all congeners. The black widow tetra is a shoaling fish that feeds on small crustaceans, insects, and worms.", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Acestrorhamphidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q519849.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Gymnocorymbus ternetzi", "author": "emptyvi", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gymnocorymbus_ternetzi.JPG", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_tetra", "revision": 1358361719, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1358361719", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "7fa7125aa68a4296837df9ce2eaa96493b61aba64219f374932266091306cde3" }, { "id": "Q655565", "common_name": "Spotted eagle ray", "scientific_name": "Aetobatus narinari", "aliases": [ "Aetobatus narinari" ], "summary": "The spotted eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari) is a cartilaginous fish of the eagle ray family, Aetobatidae. As traditionally recognized, it is found globally in tropical regions, including the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. Recent authorities have restricted it to the Atlantic (including the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico) with other populations recognized as the ocellated eagle ray (A. ocellatus) and Pacific white-spotted eagle ray (A. laticeps). Spotted eagle rays are most commonly seen alone, but occasionally swim in groups. They are ovoviviparous, the female retaining the eggs then releasing the young as miniature versions of the parent. This ray can be identified by its dark dorsal surface covered in white spots or rings. Near the base of the ray's relatively long tail, just behind the pelvic fins, are several venomous, barbed stingers. Spotted eagle rays commonly feed on small fish, mollusks, and crustaceans, and will sometimes dig with their snouts to look for food buried in the sand of the sea bed. These rays are commonly observed leaping out of the water, and on at least two occasions have been reported as having jumped into boats, in one incident resulting in the death of a woman in the Florida Keys. The spotted eagle ray is hunted by a wide variety of sharks. The rays are considered near threatened on the IUCN Red List. They are fished mainly in Southeast Asia and Africa, the most common market being in commercial trade and aquariums.", "features": "Spotted eagle rays have flat disk-shaped bodies, deep blue or black with white spots on top with a white underbelly, and distinctive flat snouts similar to a duck's bill. Their tails are longer than those of other rays and may have 2–6 venomous spines behind the pelvic fins. The front of the wing-like pectoral disk has five small gills in its underside. Mature spotted eagle rays can be up to 5 meters (16 ft) in length; the largest spotted eagle rays have a wingspan of up to 3 meters (10 ft) and a mass of 230 kilograms (507 lb).", "habitat": "As traditionally defined, spotted eagle rays are found globally in tropical regions from the Indo-Pacific region from the western Pacific Ocean, the Indian Ocean, and the western Atlantic Ocean. They are found in shallow coastal water by coral reefs and bays, in depths down to 80 meters (262 ft). Spotted eagle rays are found in warm and temperate waters worldwide. In the western Atlantic Ocean it is found off the eastern coast of United States of America, the Gulf Stream, the Caribbean, and down past the southern part of Brazil. In the Indian Ocean, it is found from the Red Sea down to South Africa and eastward to the Andaman Sea. In the Western Pacific Ocean it can be found near Japan and north of Australia. In the Central Pacific Ocean, it can be found throughout the Hawaiian Islands. In the Eastern-Pacific Ocean, it is found in the Gulf of California down through Puerto Pizarro, an area that includes the Galapagos Islands. Spotted eagle rays are most commonly seen in bays and reefs. They spend much of their time swimming freely in open waters, generally in schools close to the surface, and can travel long distances in a day. Within these regions, there are significant variations in genetics and morphology. As a consequence, recent authorities have split it into three: This restricts the true spotted eagle ray (A. narinari) to the Atlantic, while the Indo-Pacific population is the ocellated eagle ray (A. ocellatus) and the East Pacific is the Pacific white-spotted eagle ray (A. laticeps).", "distribution": "As traditionally defined, spotted eagle rays are found globally in tropical regions from the Indo-Pacific region from the western Pacific Ocean, the Indian Ocean, and the western Atlantic Ocean. They are found in shallow coastal water by coral reefs and bays, in depths down to 80 meters (262 ft). Spotted eagle rays are found in warm and temperate waters worldwide. In the western Atlantic Ocean it is found off the eastern coast of United States of America, the Gulf Stream, the Caribbean, and down past the southern part of Brazil. In the Indian Ocean, it is found from the Red Sea down to South Africa and eastward to the Andaman Sea. In the Western Pacific Ocean it can be found near Japan and north of Australia. In the Central Pacific Ocean, it can be found throughout the Hawaiian Islands. In the Eastern-Pacific Ocean, it is found in the Gulf of California down through Puerto Pizarro, an area that includes the Galapagos Islands. Spotted eagle rays are most commonly seen in bays and reefs. They spend much of their time swimming freely in open waters, generally in schools close to the surface, and can travel long distances in a day. Within these regions, there are significant variations in genetics and morphology. As a consequence, recent authorities have split it into three: This restricts the true spotted eagle ray (A. narinari) to the Atlantic, while the Indo-Pacific population is the ocellated eagle ray (A. ocellatus) and the East Pacific is the Pacific white-spotted eagle ray (A. laticeps).", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q655565.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Eagle Ray Turks and Caicos Dec 15 2006", "author": "the manta ray had a family", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eagle_Ray_Turks_and_Caicos_Dec_15_2006.JPG", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spotted_eagle_ray", "revision": 1363295877, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1363295877", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "cb4381e2719dc7296e2e9d5c1689dda4de9d44cd97ad23b39af6bacaab9fa983" }, { "id": "Q18510882", "common_name": "African knifefish", "scientific_name": "Gymnarchus niloticus", "aliases": [ "Gymnarchus niloticus" ], "summary": "Gymnarchus niloticus – the aba, aba aba or frankfish – is an electric fish, living at the bottoms of rivers and lakes. It is the only species in the genus Gymnarchus and the family Gymnarchidae, within the order Osteoglossiformes. It is a long slender fish with no pelvic or anal fins, and a tail fin shaped like a rat's tail. It swims using its elongated dorsal fin, allowing it to keep its body straight while it moves. This in turn enables it to produce a steady but weak electric field, which it uses to locate its prey. It is large for a river fish; adults can reach 1.6 m (5.2 ft) in length and 19 kg (42 lb) in weight. In 1950, Hans Lissmann noticed that the fish could swim equally well forwards or backwards, clearly relying on a sense other than vision. He demonstrated that it could locate prey by electroreception, making it the first fish known to have this ability. The fish is considered good to eat in West Africa, where it has a wide but scattered distribution. It is important culturally, as it is given as a gift in community celebrations and marriages. Globally, its conservation status is 'least concern' but it faces local threats in West Africa from human activities including overfishing and pollution.", "features": "Gymnarchus niloticus is a part of the ancient taxon of bony-tongue fishes (Osteoglossomorpha). It has a long and slender body, with brown/grey coloration on the top half of its body and a white underside. Four small and bony gills are present on both the left and right sides of the body, but the species is an obligate air-breather. There is a single lung on the right of the body, which arises via a slit on the right of the throat; the body is covered in small round cycloid scales. Their anguilliform swimming mode helps them swim effectively in open water as well as more viscous media like thick mud or sand. This species uniquely has no pelvic or anal fins, while its caudal fin is shaped like a rat's tail. Its pectoral fins are small and rounded. The dorsal fin is elongated, running along the back of the fish towards the blunt, finless tail. The dorsal fin is the main source of propulsion, whereas typical fishes use their tail fin, powered by the large muscles of the back and tail, to generate thrust. This enables it to swim backwards as easily as forwards. Adults grow up to 1.6 m (5.2 ft) in length and 19 kg (42 lb) in weight. They show signs of negative allometric growth, meaning they get slimmer as they increase in size. The larval fish has an unusual arrangement of nerves in the head. The fish's karyotype is either 2n=34 or 2n=54 chromosomes, reported from different locations, suggesting there could be two species in the genus.", "habitat": "Gymnarchus niloticus is predatory both as a juvenile and as an adult. Juveniles mainly catch aquatic insects and decapod crustaceans. Adults catch a variety of small prey including aquatic insects (28%) and fish (27%), with smaller quantities of copepods, shrimps, crabs, frogs, and snails. The species is bottom-dwelling and lives in fresh water.", "distribution": "Gymnarchus niloticus is a freshwater fish endemic to the tropical freshwaters of Africa. It is found in lakes and rivers in the Nile, Turkana, Chad, Niger, Volta, Senegal, and Gambia basins.", "diet": "", "family": "Gymnarchidae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q18510882.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Gymnarchus007", "author": "Wiki-Harfus; modified by Wildfeuer", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gymnarchus007.JPG", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gymnarchus", "revision": 1354645909, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1354645909", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "645b9d577679185d1ffca37771d1a0eb3e8f211310d28416901835f5807e66ec" }, { "id": "Q187808", "common_name": "Bala shark", "scientific_name": "Balantiocheilos melanopterus", "aliases": [ "tricolor shark", "silver shark", "shark minnow", "Balantiocheilos melanopterus", "Silver shark", "parmička žraločí" ], "summary": "The bala shark (Balantiocheilos melanopterus), also known as the tricolor shark, tricolor sharkminnow, silver shark, or silver sharkminnow, is a fish of the family Cyprinidae, and is one of the two species in the genus Balantiocheilos. This species is not a true shark, but is commonly referred to as one because of its torpedo-shaped body and large fins.", "features": "", "habitat": "Bala sharks are found in midwater depths in large and medium-sized rivers and lakes. They feed on phytoplankton, but mostly on small crustaceans, rotifers, and insects and their larvae.", "distribution": "The bala shark occurs in the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo. Previous records further north in the Mekong and Chao Phraya River is due to confusion with the recently described and possibly extinct B. ambusticauda (although the presence of any Balantiocheilos in the Mekong is questionable).", "diet": "", "family": "Cyprinidae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q187808.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Balantiocheilos melanopterus - Karlsruhe Zoo 02", "author": "H. Zell", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Balantiocheilos_melanopterus_-_Karlsruhe_Zoo_02.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bala_shark", "revision": 1381635853, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1381635853", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "9e018165eb617b900dd8e794b9ba8c7595abc9e479196070adc64a9ae230bee2" }, { "id": "Q201177", "common_name": "Kaluga", "scientific_name": "Sinosturio dauricus", "aliases": [ "Huso dauricus" ], "summary": "The kaluga (Sinosturio dauricus), also known as the kaluga sturgeon, river beluga sturgeon, is a large predatory sturgeon found in the Amur River basin from Russia to China and near Hokkaido in Japan. With a maximum size of at least 1,000 kg (2,205 lb) and 5.6 m (18 ft), the kaluga is one of the biggest of the sturgeon family. Unlike the slightly larger beluga, this fish has five major rows of dermal scutes and feeds on salmon and other fish in the Amur with nail-like teeth in its jaws. They have grey-green to black backs with a yellowish green-white underbelly. Akin to the beluga, it spends part of its life in salt water, being semi-anadromous. The kaluga has been hunted to near extinction for its valuable roe. Despite constant anti-poaching patrols, poachers still continue to catch the fish. In Russia, illegally fishing for kaluga anywhere on the Amur River is a felony punishable by law. However, kalugas are known to have an aggressive nature, and instances of them toppling fishing boats and drowning fishermen have been reported, although no concrete evidence exists of them assaulting or hunting people.", "features": "The kaluga sturgeon is a massive fish, also known as the \"river beluga sturgeon\". It has a triangular head with several bony plates. Its body is an elongated fusiform body with five rows of bony scutes: a dorsal row with 10–16 elements (the first is largest), two lateral (32–46 scutes), and two ventral (8–12 scutes) between rows of small bony scutes grains and rarely more large plate. Lateral scutes are smaller than the dorsal and ventral scutes. The mouth takes up the entire lower surface of the snout; it is lateral, crescent-shaped, and extremely large. Parts of the mouth can move to the side of the head. Under the snout and in front of the mouth there is a transverse row of four flattened laterally barbels. The inner two barbels are more anterior than the outer ones, but they are similar in length. The snout of the kaluga sturgeon is short and sharply pointed. It has very small eyes, located immediately behind its nostrils.", "habitat": "Kaluga sturgeon are semi-anadromous, spending some of its life in salt water but most of its life in freshwater. Kalugas are one of the four species of sturgeons to exist in the Amur, which is one of the largest rivers in East Asia and for part of its length forms the border between China and Russia. There are two populations of Kaluga that exist in this river. One group of Kalugas spawn in the main stem of the river, while others spawn downstream and work their way to the middle of the river. In the early life of a Kaluga, the offspring prefer to live in a clear habitat setting. They prefer the point of the river where there is an illuminated white bottom and open space for them to swim way above the bottom of the river. The Kaluga also prefers to avoid any cover from the river. Observations suggest that the Kaluga embryos might do this to avoid predators near the bottom of the river. The Kaluga sturgeon are currently endangered now because of human interaction. However, environmental factors such as warm water temperatures pose risk for fungus over free embryos and could be a cause of death also. The migration intensity of Kaluga is also a big factor in the life of a Kaluga. Water velocity in the stream has a great effect on the migration of the free embryos, meaning that the greater the force of the stream of water is the more likely the embryo migrates. Migration plays a big role in Kaluga's early life. The migration of baby Kaluga is considered a passive migration because the embryos have no control over where the river flow takes them.", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q201177.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Huso dauricus in Primorskiy Oceanarium (October 2024)-1", "author": "Vyacheslav Bukharov", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Huso_dauricus_in_Primorskiy_Oceanarium_(October_2024)-1.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaluga_(fish)", "revision": 1345069324, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1345069324", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "cdee649d2aaa9c78bb5370c4df89d0c54ea6789d286bf38e8494505ecb75020e" }, { "id": "Q826713", "common_name": "Pumpkinseed", "scientific_name": "Lepomis gibbosus", "aliases": [ "Lepomis gibbosus" ], "summary": "The pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus), also referred to as sun perch, pond perch, common sunfish, punkie, sunfish, sunny, and kivver, is a small to medium–sized freshwater fish of the genus Lepomis (true sunfishes), from the sunfish family (Centrarchidae) in the order Centrarchiformes. It is endemic to eastern North America.", "features": "Pumpkinseeds have a body shaped much like a pumpkin seed (thus the common name), typically about 10 cm (4 in) but up to 28 cm (11 in) in length. They typically weigh less than 1 pound (450 g), with the world record being 1 pound 8 ounces (680 g), caught at Honeoye Lake in Upstate New York in 2016. The pumpkinseed is vibrantly colored and may be orange, green, yellow or blue, with speckles over their sides and back and a yellow-orange breast and belly. The sides are covered with vertical bars that are a faint green or blue, which are typically more prevalent in female pumpkinseeds. Orange spots may cover the dorsal, anal, and caudal fins, and the cheeks have blue lines across them. The pumpkinseed is noted for the orange-red spot on the margin of its black gill cover. The pectoral fins can be amber or clear, while the dorsal spines are black. They have a small mouth with an upper jaw stopping right under the eye. Pumpkinseeds are very similar to the larger bluegill, and are often found in the same habitats. One difference between the two species is their opercular flap, which is black in both species, but the pumpkinseed has a crimson spot in the shape of a half moon on the back portion. Pumpkinseeds have seven or eight vertical, irregular bands on their sides that are duller in color compared to the bluegill.", "habitat": "Pumpkinseeds typically live in warm, calm lakes, ponds, and pools of creeks and small rivers with plenty of vegetation. They prefer clear water where they can find shelter to hide. They tend to stay near the shore, and can be found in numbers within shallow and protected areas. They will feed at all water levels from the surface to the bottom in the daylight, and their heaviest feeding will be in the afternoon. Pumpkinseed sunfish usually travel together in schools that can also include bluegills and other sunfish. Pumpkinseeds are more tolerant of low oxygen levels than bluegills are, but less tolerant of warm water. Groups of young fish school close to shore, but adults tend to travel in groups of two to four in slightly deeper yet still covered waters. Pumpkinseeds are active throughout the day, but they rest at night near the bottom or in shelter areas in rocks or near submerged logs.", "distribution": "The pumpkinseed's native range in North America is from north to New Brunswick, Canada, down the east coast of the United States south to South Carolina, and extending inland to the middle of North America from Pennsylvania to Iowa, depending on various river systems. It has, however, been introduced throughout most of North America, and can now be found from Washington and Oregon on the Pacific Coast to Georgia further south on the Atlantic Coast. They are primarily found in the northeastern United States and more rarely in the south-central or southwestern region of the continent. In Europe, the pumpkinseed is considered an invasive species. Since introduced to European waters, it could outcompete native fish, and the species is included since 2019 in the concern list of Invasive Alien Species of Union (the Union list). It cannot be imported, bred, transported, commercialized, or intentionally released into the environment in the whole of the European Union. The pumpkinseed has also been introduced to the United Kingdom, having arrived in the country around the same time as the populations in Continental Europe. Its range is believed to be restricted to Southern England and the West Country, with stable populations found in East Sussex, West Sussex and Somerset, though the species may potentially be present in the vicinity of London as well.", "diet": "Pumpkinseeds are carnivorous and feed on a variety of small prey both at the water surface and at the bottom. Among their favorites are insects, small molluscs and crustaceans (such as small crawfish), worms, minnow fry, small frogs or tadpoles, and even cannibalizing other smaller pumpkinseeds. They are effective at destroying mosquito larvae and even occasionally consume small pieces of aquatic vegetation and detritus. They also will readily consume human food scraps, most notably bread which is commonly used for bait. The pumpkinseed sunfish has a terminal mouth, allowing it to open at the anterior end of the snout. Pumpkinseed sunfish that live in waters with larger gastropods have larger mouths and associated jaw muscles to crack the shells.", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q826713.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Lepomis adult", "author": "Lorenz Seebauer", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lepomis_adult.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pumpkinseed", "revision": 1354729518, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1354729518", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "7b2f92cebdab18f23ebe86cc508883f82f0f8c811521b284f4e91feeb241381a" }, { "id": "Q1759426", "common_name": "Royal angelfish", "scientific_name": "Pygoplites diacanthus", "aliases": [ "royal angelfish", "Regal angelfish", "Pygoplites diacanthus" ], "summary": "The royal angelfish (Pygoplites diacanthus), or regal angelfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a marine angelfish belonging to the family Pomacanthidae, and the monotypic genus Pygoplites. It is found in tropical Indo-Pacific oceans. It can grow as long as 25 cm (9.8 in).", "features": "The body of the royal angelfish is moderately elongate and is very compressed. The preorbital bone is convex and has no strong spines. There is 1 prominent spine at an angle at the preopercal. The ventral edge of the interopercle is smooth. The eyes are moderately small along with the mouth that is terminal. The mouth is also protractile. They have a maximum length of 25.0 cm (9.8 in). They have a total of 14 dorsal spines, and 17–19 soft dorsal rays. They have 3 anal spines and 17–19 anal soft rays. They also have 16–17 pectoral fin rays. Their caudal fin is rounded. The precise coloration of this fish can vary as regional differences can occur, most notably in populations from the Indian Ocean, Red Sea, and South Pacific Ocean. A commonality, however, is a body edged in narrow blue-white and orange stripes that are narrow and angle backward. The posterior portion of dorsal fin is black or blue with close-set blue dots, and the posterior portion of anal fin has alternating yellow and blue bands running parallel to body contour. The caudal fin is yellow. Juveniles are colored with a large dark spot on basal portion of the soft dorsal fin. They have been reported of living 15 years. Recent research indicates that the Pygoplites comprises two morphs, with the variants potentially hybridizing at Christmas Island.", "habitat": "The royal angelfish occurs at depths ranging from 0 to 80 m (0 to 262 ft), in coral rich areas of lagoons, reefs, and are also often found in the vicinity of caves. It is a carnivorous species that feeds on sponges and tunicates located throughout reefs and underwater caves. They are a non-migratory species that can be found solitary, in pairs, or groups. The juveniles usually shelter in cracks and crevices.", "distribution": "The royal angelfish is widely distributed throughout the Indo-Pacific. The species can be found in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean around East Africa and the Maldives, stretching to the Tuamoto Islands, New Caledonia, and Great Barrier Reef. The northernmost limits of its range ends in the southern East China Sea around Taiwan and the Ryukyu Islands and Ogasawara Islands of Japan.", "diet": "", "family": "Pomacanthidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1759426.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Pez ángel real (Pygoplites diacanthus), parque nacional Ras Muhammad, Egipto, 2022-03-26, DD 155", "author": "Diego Delso", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pez_%C3%A1ngel_real_(Pygoplites_diacanthus),_parque_nacional_Ras_Muhammad,_Egipto,_2022-03-26,_DD_155.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_angelfish", "revision": 1375261564, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1375261564", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "e915e54fbc0df4f23f520bf4ebf2088f73f580b4bec2bdbb5d0bdbeed56b570e" }, { "id": "Q311730", "common_name": "Bombay duck", "scientific_name": "Harpadon nehereus", "aliases": [ "Harpadon nehereus", "Lote Mach", "Loitte fish", "Lotte Mach" ], "summary": "Harpadon nehereus, commonly known as the Bombay duck or bummalo, is a species of lizardfish. Adults may reach a maximum length of 40 cm (16 in), but the usual size is around 25 cm (10 in).", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "The Bombay duck lives in the tropical areas of the Indo-Pacific, with a discontinuous distribution along the Indian coast. It has traditionally been caught in the waters off Maharashtra, Gujarat in the Lakshadweep Sea, where it is an important item of the yearly catch. It is fished in the Bay of Bengal and the South China Sea in smaller numbers.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q311730.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Harpodon nehereus Griesbach 118", "author": "C.L. Griesbach", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Harpodon_nehereus_Griesbach_118.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombay_duck", "revision": 1362510794, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1362510794", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "74b9df4f5737119685c609050f17aae5ae41de5d4d3c8001bc481718d84c3de9" }, { "id": "Q311651", "common_name": "Smalltooth sawfish", "scientific_name": "Pristis pectinata", "aliases": [ "Pristis pectinata" ], "summary": "The smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata) is a species of sawfish in the family Pristidae. It is found in shallow tropical and subtropical waters in coastal and estuarine parts of the Atlantic. Reports from elsewhere are now believed to be misidentifications of other species of sawfish. It is a critically endangered species that has disappeared from much of its historical range.", "features": "The smalltooth sawfish reputedly reaches a total length of up to 7.6 m (25 ft), but this is likely an exaggeration and the largest confirmed size is 5.54 m (18.2 ft). It weighs up to 350 kg (770 lb). Its upperparts are brownish-gray, gray, bluish-gray or blackish, and the underparts are whitish. Unlike the largetooth sawfish (P. pristis), the only other sawfish in the Atlantic, the smalltooth sawfish has a leading edge of the dorsal fin that is placed roughly above the leading edge of the pelvic fins (when the sawfish is seen from above or the side), relatively short pectoral fins and lack of a distinct lower lobe to the tail (lower lobe very small or absent). It can be separated from the more similar dwarf sawfish (P. clavata) and green sawfish (P. zijsron) by the distribution (both are only found in the Indo-Pacific) and the dorsal fin (its leading edge is placed slightly or clearly behind the leading edge of the pelvic fins in the dwarf and green sawfish). The smalltooth sawfish has a relatively narrow rostrum (\"saw\") with 20–32 teeth on each side.", "habitat": "The smalltooth sawfish is found in tropical and subtropical parts of the Atlantic, including the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. Its original range was the smallest of the sawfish species, covering about 2,100,000 km2 (810,000 mi2). In the west it once ranged from the United States to Uruguay and in the east from Senegal to Angola. Today it has disappeared from much of its historical range. There are old reports from the Mediterranean Sea, but this likely involved vagrants and according to the FAO the species can be considered locally extinct in the Mediterranean Sea. Smalltooth sawfish are mostly found in coastal marine and estuarine brackish waters. It prefers water less than 8 m (26 ft) deep, but adults are occasionally seen offshore at depths of up to 122 m (400 ft). During periods with increased salinity, juveniles have been seen far up rivers. This species is mostly found in places with soft bottoms such as mud or sand, but may also occur over hard rocky bottoms or at coral reefs. They are often found in areas with mangrove or seagrass. The lower water temperature limit is 16–18 °C (61–64 °F).", "distribution": "The smalltooth sawfish is found in tropical and subtropical parts of the Atlantic, including the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. Its original range was the smallest of the sawfish species, covering about 2,100,000 km2 (810,000 mi2). In the west it once ranged from the United States to Uruguay and in the east from Senegal to Angola. Today it has disappeared from much of its historical range. There are old reports from the Mediterranean Sea, but this likely involved vagrants and according to the FAO the species can be considered locally extinct in the Mediterranean Sea. Smalltooth sawfish are mostly found in coastal marine and estuarine brackish waters. It prefers water less than 8 m (26 ft) deep, but adults are occasionally seen offshore at depths of up to 122 m (400 ft). During periods with increased salinity, juveniles have been seen far up rivers. This species is mostly found in places with soft bottoms such as mud or sand, but may also occur over hard rocky bottoms or at coral reefs. They are often found in areas with mangrove or seagrass. The lower water temperature limit is 16–18 °C (61–64 °F).", "diet": "", "family": "Pristidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q311651.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Pristis pectinata SI", "author": "D Ross Robertson", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pristis_pectinata_SI.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smalltooth_sawfish", "revision": 1381425259, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1381425259", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "316fc0cea1db82dd394a903e88af9b852e49ad19fc6df548a622d5231a36fa0b" }, { "id": "Q833957", "common_name": "Brown bullhead", "scientific_name": "Ameiurus nebulosus", "aliases": [ "mud pout", "horned pout", "hornpout", "mudcat", "Ameiurus nebulosus" ], "summary": "The brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus) is a fish of the family Ictaluridae that is widely distributed in North America. It is a species of bullhead catfish and is similar to the black bullhead (Ameiurus melas) and yellow bullhead (Ameiurus natalis). It was originally described as Pimelodus nebulosus by Charles Alexandre Lesueur in 1819, and is also referred to as Ictalurus nebulosus. The brown bullhead is also widely known as the \"mud pout\", \"horned pout\", \"hornpout\", or simply \"mud cat\", a name also used with the other bullhead species. The brown bullhead is important as a clan symbol of the Ojibwe people. In their tradition, the bullhead or wawaazisii is one of six beings that came out of the sea to form the original clans.", "features": "The brown bullhead grows to be approximately 21 inches (53 cm) in length and is a darker brown-green dorsally, growing lighter green and yellow towards the ventral surface. The belly is off-white or cream, and the fish has no scales. Additionally, there are darker, brown-black speckles along the entire surface of the fish. The brown bullhead has a dorsal fin that bears a spine, a single adipose fin posterior to the dorsal fin, abdominal pelvic fins, and an anal fin with 21 to 24 rays. The tail is only slightly notched, with the dorsal and ventral lobes angling inward. The pectoral fins have spines that bear five to eight serrated teeth on their posterior edge. The fish has eight barbels around its mouth. The barbels on the chin are black to yellowish brown. Juvenile brown bullheads are similar in appearance, but are more likely to be of a single solid color. The brown bullhead's mouth is terminal or slightly subterminal, with the upper jaw projecting slightly past the lower jaw. This position enables bottom feeding. The brown bullhead may be distinguished from flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) by the absence of lateral posterior extensions on the tooth patch of the brown bullhead's upper jaw. Adult brown bullheads range in size from 200 to 500 mm (7.9 to 19.7 in) and weigh between 0.5 kg (1.1 lb) and 3.6 kg (7.9 lb) (in extreme cases). Brown bullheads are ectothermic, heterothermic, and bilaterally symmetrical.", "habitat": "The brown bullhead thrives in a variety of habitats, including lakes, ponds, and slow-moving streams with low oxygen or muddy conditions. In many areas of the United States, brown bullheads are opportunistic bottom feeders. The species has few natural predators and is not popular with anglers in most areas (albeit very popular in some such as the Oneida Lake area of Upstate New York, where it is featured each spring by local restaurants), so it has thrived. Catfish are found in a variety of habitats, from lakes or murky ponds to drainage ditches. They are scarce during the day, but come out at night to feed, searching the bottom of a lake or river for food. They eat insects, leeches, snails, fish, clams, and many plants. They are also known to eat corn, which can be used as bait. Similarly to other catfish, they spawn only after the temperature of the water has reached 80 °F (27 °C) in June and July. However, cooler temperatures are required before brown bullheads will spawn in the northern US. Brown bullheads can withstand a wide range of water temperatures and low oxygen levels. Brown bullheads can survive waters with heavy pollution and dissolved oxygen values as low as 0.2 ppm. Because of bullheads' tolerance of low oxygen levels, they are less threatened by winterkill and are capable of surviving in relatively extreme environments.", "distribution": "The native range of the brown bullhead is in the Atlantic and Gulf Slope drainages. More specifically, it is found from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick to Mobile Bay, Alabama, and in the Great Lakes, Hudson Bay, and Mississippi River basins (from Quebec to Saskatchewan, south to Louisiana, and west to Texas). However, there is evidence that the brown bullhead was historically absent from the Gulf Coast west of the Apalachicola River and east of the Mississippi River. The species is also abundant in many regions as a result of stocking for food or sport. These locations include Georgia, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Virginia, and Washington. Brown bullheads are a social non-migratory species that are known to form schools.", "diet": "Brown bullheads are omnivorous benthic bottom feeders. Their diet consists of algae, leeches, worms, mollusks, crustaceans, insects, crayfish, other smaller fish species and fish eggs. Brown bullheads are typically nocturnal feeders, but have been reported to feed diurnally. Bullheads have poor eyesight and are heavily reliant on their sensitive barbels to locate their food. The fish are omnivorous and will reportedly eat almost anything that fits in their mouth.", "family": "Ictaluridae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q833957.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Ameiurus nebulosus", "author": "Noel Burkhead / USGS", "license": "CC BY-SA 2.5", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ameiurus_nebulosus.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_bullhead", "revision": 1366299584, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1366299584", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "ac07d32a036dcae25fe3d259a06b08a78c4695878d322f789d4558731468d6ca" }, { "id": "Q1140081", "common_name": "Japanese eel", "scientific_name": "Anguilla japonica", "aliases": [ "Japanese eel", "Anguilla japonica" ], "summary": "The Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica; nihon unagi (日本鰻)) is a species of anguillid eel found in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, China, and Vietnam, as well as the northern Philippines. Like all the eels of the genus Anguilla and the family Anguillidae, it is catadromous, meaning it spawns in the sea but lives most of its adult life in freshwater. In Japan, it is called unagi, and is an essential part of the food culture, with many restaurants serving grilled eel called kabayaki. However, presumably due to a combination of overfishing and habitat loss or changing water conditions in the ocean interfering with spawning and the transport of their leptocephali this species is endangered. In Japan, research has been conducted on the full life-cycle aquaculture of the Japanese eel as a means of addressing the underlying problem of declining wild populations. In 2010, Japan became the first country to induce spawning using broodstock that had been raised from artificially obtained eggs. In 2026, kabayaki prepared from fully farmed Japanese eel was commercially introduced for the first time.", "features": "", "habitat": "The Japanese eel and other anguillid eels live in freshwater and estuaries, an area where a freshwater river meets the ocean. Japanese eel eggs have been collected and genetically identified on a research vessel. The collections of eggs and recently hatched larvae have been made along the western side of the seamount chain of the West Mariana Ridge. Mature adults of the Japanese eel and giant mottled eel were captured using large midwater trawls in 2008 by Japanese scientists at the Fisheries Research Agency. The adults of the Japanese eel appear to spawn in the upper few hundred meters of the ocean, based on the recent catches of their spawning adults, eggs, and newly hatched larvae. The timing of catches of eggs and larvae and the ages of larger larvae have shown that Japanese eels only spawn during the few days just before the new moon period of each month during their spawning season. After hatching in the ocean, the leptocephali are carried westward by the North Equatorial Current and then northward by the Kuroshio Current to East Asia. before they metamorphose into the glass eel stage. The glass eels then enter the estuaries and headwaters of rivers and many travel upstream. In fresh water and estuaries, the diet of yellow eels consists mainly of shrimp, other crustaceans, aquatic insects, and small fishes.", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Anguillidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1140081.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Anguilla japonica", "author": "opencage", "license": "CC BY-SA 2.5", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Anguilla_japonica.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_eel", "revision": 1378412001, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1378412001", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "5435b52588f961c9ecd8ad5f6b60ef19308e90562280444e209cba8f509e1524" }, { "id": "Q499866", "common_name": "Persian sturgeon", "scientific_name": "Huso persicus", "aliases": [ "Acipenser persicus" ], "summary": "The Persian sturgeon (Huso persicus) is a species of fish in the family Acipenseridae. It is found in the Caspian Sea and to a lesser extent the Black Sea and ascends certain rivers to spawn, mainly the Volga, Kura, Araks and Ural Rivers. It is heavily fished for its flesh and its roe and is limited in its up-river migrations by damming of the rivers. Young fish feed on small invertebrates, graduating to larger prey such as crabs and fish as they grow. The threats faced by this fish include excessive fishing with the removal of immature fish before they have bred, damming of the rivers, loss of spawning areas and water pollution. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has listed the fish as critically endangered and has suggested that the increased provision of hatcheries could be of benefit.", "features": "", "habitat": "The Persian sturgeon is a heterotroph equipped with tactile and gustatory receptors; when feeding it simply sucks in its food. The eating habits of the sturgeon change throughout its life. As it begins life the sturgeon feeds on invertebrates including Mysid shrimp, Chironomid flies and gammarid amphipods. At approximately age 2–3 years many feed on crabs or fish, and finally in adulthood the Persian sturgeon consumption is primarily fish. The sturgeon mainly reproduces in the Volga, Kura, Araks, and Ural rivers. This sexual reproduction occurs in waters that are 20–25 °C (68–77 °F). Spawning occurs at different times for the different rivers. There is spawning in the Volga river from late July to early August, in the Krua river from April to mid-September and in the Ural river from June to July. Other than at times of spawning the sturgeon is a bottom dweller in the mud or sand.", "distribution": "The Persian sturgeon feeds at the shelf zone of the sea, primarily in the eastern part of the South Caspian. Individual specimens are found in the North Caspian, western part of the Middle and South Caspian.", "diet": "", "family": "Acipenseridae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q499866.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Acipenser persicus", "author": "A. Abdoli", "license": "CC0", "license_url": "http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed.en", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Acipenser_persicus.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persian_sturgeon", "revision": 1367548956, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1367548956", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "e55677434987788fb14678a9b49bb46b98129d970ad5f93e4ead3df8df57ba47" }, { "id": "Q376480", "common_name": "Adriatic sturgeon", "scientific_name": "Huso naccarii", "aliases": [ "Acipenser naccarii" ], "summary": "The Adriatic sturgeon (Huso naccarii) is a species of fish in the family Acipenseridae. It is native to the Adriatic Sea and large rivers which flow in it of Albania, Greece, Italy, Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia. Prior to 2025, it was placed in the genus Acipenser, but this placement was found to be paraphyletic, and it is more accurately placed in the genus Huso.", "features": "The Adriatic sturgeon reaches a maximum length exceeding 2 m (6.6 ft); the published maximum weight was 25 kg (55 lb), but large wild fish recently caught were evidently exceeding 40 kg (88 lb). Like other sturgeons it has an elongated body, heterocercal tail, partially cartilaginous skeleton, naked skin and longitudinal series of bony scutes on the body. The rostrum is tendentially conical and rather short (1/3 of the head), the head is broad and rounded at the apex, with a protractile mouth which lower lip is thin with a central cleft, and four barbels (circular section) which are closer to the tip of the snout than they are to the mouth. The series of longitudinal scutes are five: dorsal (1 series, 10–14 scutes), lateral (2 series, one per side, 30–42 scutes each) and ventral series (2 series, one per side, 8–11 scutes each). The dorsal fin has no spines and 36 to 48 soft rays, and the anal fin has 24 to 31 soft rays. The dorsal colouring is olive-brown, the flanks are paler and the underside white. Juveniles have a flattened and triangular rostrum, with a distinctive colouring on the back, dark brown with wide paler areas casually distributed. Adriatic sturgeon was reported as very similar to the critically endangered European sea sturgeon (Acipenser sturio), once sympatric in the Adriatic sea, but distinctive characters for H. naccarii are: shorter and stocky snout; darker back, brown; less and lesser scutes in the lateral series; larger mouth; barbels closer to the tip of the snout (in A.", "habitat": "The typical habitat of H. naccarii are large, deep rivers with strong current, which flows in the Adriatic sea, mainly in its north-western portion. In the sea it lives in lagoons and close to the estuaries, mainly on muddy and sandy substrates, at a depth of 10–40 m (30–130 ft). Juveniles of Adriatic sturgeon can adapt at a salinity of 20–30‰, as opposed to other species of sturgeons. However, despite some H. naccarii have been captured in the Adriatic Sea, it has been shown that this sturgeon tolerates with difficulty high salinity for extended periods, spending short periods in marine environments for foraging activities. The low tolerance to full-strength salt water constitutes a strong constraint to migration across Adriatic Sea where the salt contents can reach up to 37‰. Furthermore, it has been shown, tracking the movements of tagged fish in some cold and oxygenated rivers of northern Italy (Piave, Sile, Livenza), that H. naccarii regularly moves to areas where the salt intrusion from the sea involves an electrical conductivity of 1000–4000 μS in the water (about 0.6–2.5‰ salinity at 18 °C (64 °F)), on equal terms of other environmental variables.", "distribution": "The Adriatic sturgeon can be found in freshwater and marine environments, including estuaries and brackish water. Historically it was to be found in the Adriatic Sea and the rivers flowing into it on either side. In 1932 its range in the sea was reported to be from Venice and Trieste to Greece and Corfu. It used to be present in the rivers Adige, Brenta, Bacchiglione, Piave, Livenza and Tagliamento. In the Po and its tributaries, it used to be present as far upstream as Turin, and it was reported numerous in the Ticino and Adda rivers. It traditionally occurred along the Albanian coasts, and in the rivers of Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro, including Lake Skadar.", "diet": "Adriatic sturgeons tend toward an opportunistic feeding, swallowing substrate together with prey and organic matter, including small decaying carrions. In the rivers they mainly eat gammarids, diptera larvae and oligochaetes, sometimes small fish, which they suck up with their toothless, funnel-like mouths; considering the present invasion in the Po and other rivers of the allochthonous Corbicula sp., probably these freshwater clams are now an important prey. In the sea they eat gammarids, shrimps, crabs, demersal fish, molluscs (cephalopods, gastropods, bivalves) and vegetal matter. In both cases, the analysis of the digestive tract revealed a high presence of inorganic matter (sand, silt, mud, etc., even plastic) mixed with food.", "family": "Acipenseridae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q376480.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Huso naccarii.001 - Aquarium Finisterrae", "author": "Fernando Losada Rodríguez", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Huso_naccarii.001_-_Aquarium_Finisterrae.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adriatic_sturgeon", "revision": 1376004480, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1376004480", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "ed723632b34abaa75e73aca382feefd9de44059a2b0d56724ae7cc36fa927ecf" }, { "id": "Q728408", "common_name": "Spined loach", "scientific_name": "Cobitis taenia", "aliases": [ "Cobitis taenia" ], "summary": "The spined loach (Cobitis taenia) is a common freshwater fish in Europe. It is sometimes known as the spotted weather loach, not to be confused with the \"typical\" weather loaches of the genus Misgurnus. This is the type species of the spiny loach genus (Cobitis) and the true loach family (Cobitidae).", "features": "The spined loach typically reaches an adult length of 8–10 cm (3.1–3.9 in), although females may grow up to 12 cm (4.7 in). Adults weigh between 20–60 g (0.7–2.1 oz). Their backs feature a yellow-brown colouring interspersed with many small grey or brown scales on the spinal ridge. The scales on the belly are pale yellow or orange. The body overall is long and thin. There are six barbels around the mouth. Under the eyes there is a two-pointed spike, with which the fish can inflict a painful sting.", "habitat": "Clear oxygen-rich water is preferred by the spined loach, be it slowly flowing brooks, rivers or still water. They are found near flat and sandy or stony areas, frequently in large numbers. The spined loach is often kept as an ornamental fish in aquaria. During the day, they bury themselves in the bed of the body of water, leaving only the head and tail exposed. At night, when the loach is most active, sand on the riverbed is consumed, and with it small animals and other organic material. Sand, stripped of nutrients, is ejected through the gills. This process must continue all night for the fish to get enough calories to survive. Spined loaches can breathe intestinally. This stop-gap measure sustains the spined loach when the water around it is oxygen-poor. At the water's surface, swallowed air brings oxygen into the intestine. The expended air is expelled through the anus. The spawning season is from April to June. The females produce between 300 and 1,500 eggs close to the ground, on stones, roots or plants. The eggs are then fertilized by the males. The larvae hatch in 4 to 6 days. The spined loach's lifespan is between 3 and 5 years, with the maximum reached in captivity being 10 years.", "distribution": "It is found from the Volga River basin to France. Generally it occurs across much of temperate Europe north of the Alpide belt, with the exceptions of Ireland, Scotland, Wales and northern Scandinavia. Some populations are also found just south of the Alpides. In the UK, the spined loach appears to be restricted to five east-flowing river systems in eastern England – the Rivers Trent, Welland, Witham, Nene and Great Ouse. Populations of southwestern Europe were formerly included in this species, but actually represent distinct branches of Cobitis. A member of subgenus Cobitis, close relatives of the spined loach are C. elongatoides, C. fahirae, C. tanaitica or C. vardarensis, which replace it in northern Greece, much of Romania, and western Turkey.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q728408.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Steinbeisser 001", "author": "J.C. Harf (User Wiki-Harfus on de.wikipedia)", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Steinbeisser_001.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spined_loach", "revision": 1322505154, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1322505154", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "c4b2372b2ba834d3c7d1254d7d96d2a6c33ac8d73bbd03e3d9cfa12259b32699" }, { "id": "Q754894", "common_name": "Ninespine stickleback", "scientific_name": "Pungitius pungitius", "aliases": [ "Pungitius pungitius" ], "summary": "The ninespine stickleback (Pungitius pungitius), also called the ten-spined stickleback, is a freshwater species of fish in the family Gasterosteidae that inhabits temperate waters. It is widely but locally distributed throughout Eurasia and North America. Despite its name, the number of spines can vary from 8 to 12.", "features": "The ninespine stickleback is a small fish, reaching a maximum size of around 12.5 cm. It reaches an age of about 3 years. The body of the ninespine stickleback tapers to a very narrow caudal peduncle and the caudal fin is fan-shaped. The body is less deep and more elongated than that of the three-spined stickleback with a thinner and longer caudal peduncle, but the best way of distinguishing these two species is the number of spines in front of the dorsal fin which, for this species, varies from seven to twelve although nine is the commonest number. This species does not have scales but there is a group of small bony plates on the narrowest part of the caudal peduncle at the lateral line. The mouth points upwards in this species. It is generally greyish or olive-brown with silvery flanks irregularly barred or blotched with darker colour. During the breeding season, the males develop a black area around the pelvis and the pelvic spines become white. The eyes are dark with a gold ring around the pupils. The ninespine stickleback lives in streams, lakes, ponds and rivers and favors thick submerged vegetation, as its small spines do not offer much protection. Like the three spined stickleback, they have a series of scutes or bony plates along the lateral line but, in freshwater populations, these are frequently reduced in number with a gap between the anterior and posterior plates.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "The species occurs in freshwater systems draining into the Arctic Ocean and the Atlantic across Canada, Alaska, and south to New Jersey. It is present on the North American Pacific coast of Alaska and in the Great Lakes basin. It can also be found throughout most of Eurasia, including the United Kingdom, Greenland, Turkey and the Far East.", "diet": "", "family": "Gasterosteidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q754894.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Pungitius pungitius", "author": "Piet Spaans", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pungitius_pungitius.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ninespine_stickleback", "revision": 1375942758, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1375942758", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "6dd2253a88c935e5d58243e96a3a440398dd9c552baa2572630b59400feb43f0" }, { "id": "Q728584", "common_name": "Asian arowana", "scientific_name": "Scleropages formosus", "aliases": [ "Scleropages formosus", "Golden Dragon", "Golden Dragon Fish" ], "summary": "The Asian arowana (Scleropages formosus) comprises several phenotypic varieties of freshwater fish distributed geographically across Southeast Asia. While most consider the different varieties to belong to a single species, work by Pouyaud et al. (2003) differentiates these varieties into multiple species. They have several other common names, including Asian bonytongue, dragonfish, and a number of names specific to the different color varieties. Native to Southeast Asia, Asian arowanas inhabit blackwater rivers, slow-moving waters flowing through forested swamps and wetlands. Adults feed on other fish, while juveniles feed on insects. These popular aquarium fish have special cultural significance in areas influenced by Chinese culture. The name 'dragonfish' stems from their resemblance to the Chinese dragon. This popularity has had both positive and negative effects on their status as endangered species.", "features": "Asian arowanas grow up to 90 cm (35 in) total length. Like all Scleropages, Asian arowanas have long bodies; large, elongated pectoral fins, dorsal and anal fins located far back on the body; and a much larger caudal fin than that of their South American relative, the silver arowana, Osteoglossum bicirrhosum. The mouth is oblique with a very wide gape. The prominent lower jaw has two barbels at its tip. The gill rakers are stout. Asian arowanas bear teeth on many bones of the mouth, including the jaws, vomer, palatines, pterygoids, parasphenoid, and tongue. Asian arowana scales are large, cycloid, and, in some varieties, metallic-coloured, with a distinctive mosaic pattern of raised ribs. The lateral scales are arranged in horizontal rows numbered from the most ventral (first level) to the most dorsal (fifth level), with dorsal scales designated the sixth level. Asian arowanas are distinguished from Australian congenerics Scleropages jardinii and Scleropages leichardti by having fewer (21–26) lateral line scales (versus 32–36 for the Australian species), longer pectoral and pelvic fins, and a longer anterior snout. Green arowanas are dark green on the back, silvery or golden green on its sides, and silvery or whitish on the ventral surface, with dark greenish or bluish patches visible through the lateral scales. In mature fish, the top of the eye and the head behind the eye are bright emerald.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q728584.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Arowana", "author": "Marcel Burkhard", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Arowana.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asian_arowana", "revision": 1366795881, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1366795881", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "737b04abdd834b55e71c09eec93445ed6f894d96b735e0fa675984e55a248c05" }, { "id": "Q301035", "common_name": "Big-scale sand smelt", "scientific_name": "Atherina boyeri", "aliases": [ "Atherina boyeri", "Atherina mochon", "Atherina bonapartei", "Atherina pontica" ], "summary": "The big-scale sand smelt (Atherina boyeri) is a species of fish in the family Atherinidae. It is a euryhaline amphidromous fish, up to 20 cm in length.", "features": "It is a small pelagic fish species which occurs near the surface in the littoral estuarine zone: in lagoons, salt marshes (77 psu), shallow brackish areas (2 psu) and inland waters which are rather unsuitable for other fish species, due to their high ionic strength and salinity. Body is rather long, slender, moderately flattened. Eyes are large. Head and body are scaly. Mouth is protractible, upwardly directed, with small teeth. Lower jaw has an upper expansion within mouth (high dentary bone). There are two separate dorsal fins, with all rays of first and 1–2 anterior rays of second dorsal fin being unsegmented. The anal fin is similar to the second dorsal fin, while the caudal fin is forked. The first dorsal fin has 6–10 flexible spines. It is an omnivorous species feeding on zoo-plankton and small bottom-living animals (crustacean gammarids, polychaete worms and molluscs).", "habitat": "", "distribution": "It is found in the eastern Atlantic from Portugal and Spain to Nouadhibou (Mauritania) and Madeira. Also it occurs in the Mediterranean, including the inshore lagoons, such as Trasimeno and Lesina in Italy, Hyères in the southern France such as Marseille and Lake Qarun in Egypt; an isolated population is found near the coasts of England and the Netherlands. In the Black Sea, it is widespread along all coasts, in lagoons and estuaries, in the downstreams of rivers Danube, Dniester, Southern Bug, Inhulets, and Dnieper, with a permanent population is in the Kakhovka Reservoir. The isolated population in the Caspian Sea is characterised as subspecies A. b. caspia (Eichwald, 1838).", "diet": "", "family": "Atherinidae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q301035.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Atherina boyeri Sardinia", "author": "Roberto Pillon", "license": "CC BY 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Atherina_boyeri_Sardinia.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big-scale_sand_smelt", "revision": 1317840192, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1317840192", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "081c2b87beb790292bc8743cb735e9922bf4c45432a8620fa591b3ae83ed6286" }, { "id": "Q934761", "common_name": "Atlantic wolffish", "scientific_name": "Anarhichas lupus", "aliases": [ "seawolf", "Atlantic catfish", "ocean catfish", "devil fish", "wolf eel", "sea cat", "Anarhichas lupus", "wolffish", "wolf fish", "cahlo", "catfish" ], "summary": "The Atlantic wolffish (Anarhichas lupus), also known as the seawolf, Atlantic catfish, ocean catfish, devil fish, wolf eel (the common name for its Pacific relative), woof or sea cat, is a marine fish of the wolffish family Anarhichadidae, native to the North Atlantic Ocean. The numbers of the Atlantic wolffish in US waters are rapidly being depleted, most likely due to overfishing and bycatch, and it is currently a Species of Concern according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Marine Fisheries Service. Apart from their unique appearance, wolffish are distinguished by the natural antifreeze they produce to keep their blood moving fluidly in their very cold habitat, involvement by both the male and female in brood bearing and the large size of their eggs. They are also an important factor in controlling green crab and sea urchin populations, which can become overly disruptive to habitats if left unchecked. Wolffish population success is also an important indicator of the health of other bottom-dweller populations, such as Atlantic cod.", "features": "The Atlantic wolffish has retained the bodily form and general external characteristics of small blennies (Blennioidei). The largest specimen recorded measured 1.5 m (5 ft) long and weighed almost 18 kg (40 lb). Its body is long, subcylindrical in front, compressed in the caudal portion, smooth and slippery, the rudimentary scales being embedded and almost hidden in the skin. Atlantic wolffish vary in color, usually seen as purplish-brown, a dull olive green, or blueish gray. An even dorsal fin extends the whole length of the back, and a similar fin from the vent to the caudal fin, as in blennies. The pectorals are large and rounded and the pelvic fins are entirely absent. Its obtuse, eel-like body type makes the fish swim slowly, undulating from side to side, like an eel. The Atlantic wolffish's distinguishing feature, from which it gets its common name, is its extensive teeth structure. Its dentition distinguishes the Atlantic wolffish from all the other members of the family Anarhichadidae. Both the lower and upper jaws are armed with four to six fang-like, strong, conical teeth. Behind the conical teeth in the upper jaw, there are three rows of crushing teeth. The central row has four pairs of molars and the outer rows house blunted conical teeth. The lower jaw has two rows of molars behind the primary conical teeth. The wolffish's throat is also scattered with serrated teeth. Atlantic wolffish inhabit both the west and east coasts of the Atlantic.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "Atlantic wolffish use their strong jaws to eat hardshell molluscs, crustaceans, and echinoderms. They do not eat other fish. They are known to frequently eat large whelks (Buccinum), cockles (Polynices, Chrysodomus and Sipho), sea clams (Mactra), large hermit crabs, starfish, and sea urchins. They are an important predator of sea urchins and green crabs, whose populations escalate rapidly and can negatively affect the health of a marine system.", "family": "Anarhichadidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q934761.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Anarhichas-lupus-Atlanterhavsparken", "author": "Bjørn Christian Tørrissen", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Anarhichas-lupus-Atlanterhavsparken.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_wolffish", "revision": 1314064318, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1314064318", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "ff85381c73190d5b29162dce6af73c7dcdd425ef7f674941a4fca834d087281e" }, { "id": "Q392294", "common_name": "Glass catfish", "scientific_name": "Kryptopterus bicirrhis", "aliases": [ "glass catfish", "K. bicirrhis", "Cryptopterus bicirrhis", "Cryptopterus bicirris", "Silurus bicirrhis", "Cryptopterus amboinensis", "Kryptopterus bicirrhis" ], "summary": "Kryptopterus bicirrhis, often called the glass catfish, is an Asian glass catfish species of the genus Kryptopterus. Until 1989, the concept of K. bicirrhis included its smaller relative Kryptopterus vitreolus (\"ghost catfish\"; often confused with K. minor). Its scientific name K. bicirrhis and common name glass catfish are often still used in the aquarium fish trade to refer to the actual K. vitreolus; as it seems, the larger and more aggressive true K. bicirrhis was only ever exported in insignificant numbers. In western Borneo, where K. minor and K. bicirrhis are sympatric, both species are known as lais tipis in the Malay language, but when locals want to distinguish the two, they refer to K. minor as lais limpok. In Cambodia it is known as trey kes prak (Khmer: ត្រីកេះប្រាក់) and used to make the fermented fish paste prahok.", "features": "The true K. bicirrhis is easily separated from K. vitreolus. K. bicirrhis reaches a significantly larger size, up to 15 cm (5.9 in) standard length, and most of its body is not clearly transparent (only obviously transparent around the head). The body of K. bicirrhis is mostly opaque and light greyish. When struck by light, it has an iridescence, and it turns milky white as it dies. It has two long barbels for locating food, which are as long again as the body in front of the anal fin. The dorsal fin is reduced to a tiny triangle, and the pectoral fins are longer than the head.", "habitat": "Kryptopterus bicirrhis is found in Borneo, Sumatra, the Malay Peninsula, and the Chao Phraya and Mekong drainage basins. This freshwater catfish inhabits large rivers with turbid water, where they typically live near the shore in fast-flowing water. It seems to prefer peaty water with a rather low temperature for its tropical range, around 21 to 26 °C (70 to 79 °F). It is a diurnal predator and mainly eats water bugs and occasionally smaller fishes.", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q392294.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Kryptopterus bicirrhis Natural History Museum University of Pisa", "author": "Mattia Nocciola", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kryptopterus_bicirrhis_Natural_History_Museum_University_of_Pisa.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kryptopterus_bicirrhis", "revision": 1369013406, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1369013406", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "f5b8cd2f7661733bba1db0590ff71a3fe82a9ac7c49fc09b29c03914ac4bc0fb" }, { "id": "Q882668", "common_name": "Atlantic blue marlin", "scientific_name": "Makaira nigricans", "aliases": [ "Makaira nigricans", "Indo-Pacific blue marlin", "blue marlin" ], "summary": "The Atlantic blue marlin (Makaira nigricans) is a species of marlin endemic to the Atlantic Ocean. It is closely related to, and usually considered conspecific with, the Indo-Pacific blue marlin, then simply called blue marlin. Some authorities consider both species distinct. Blue marlin are distributed throughout the tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean. It is a bluewater fish that spends the majority of its life in the open sea far from land. The blue marlin preys on a wide variety of marine organisms, mostly near the surface, often using its bill to stun or injure its prey then returning to eat the injured or stunned fish. Females can grow up to four times the weight of males. The maximum published weight is 818 kg (1,803 lb) and length 5 m (16.4 ft). Greater lengths have been claimed unofficially. Estimates of the maximum swimming speed of the blue marlin commonly go as high as 72 km/h, though the casual swimming speed at which it moves most of the time is under 4.5 km/h. They are sought after as a highly prized game fish by anglers and are taken by commercial fishermen, both as a directed catch and as bycatch in major industrial tuna fisheries. Blue marlin are currently considered a threatened species by the IUCN due to overfishing, particularly in the international waters off the coast of Portugal where they migrate to breed in the June/July months.", "features": "The biggest females are more than four times as heavy as the biggest males, which rarely exceed 160 kg (350 lb) in weight. The longest females can reach a length of 5 m (16 ft) with the bill, from eye to tip, constituting about 20% of the total body length. Body mass in the largest female specimens has been reported from 540 to 820 kg (1,190 to 1,810 lb), depending on the source (few large specimens are scientifically verified). The largest blue marlin caught by IGFA angling rules is from Vitoria, Brazil, which weighed 1,402 lb (636 kg).; fishermen often refer to individual marlins that reach or exceed 1,000 pounds as \"granders\". Both sexes have 24 vertebrae, of which 11 are precaudal and 13 are caudal. The marlin has two dorsal fins and two anal fins. The fins are supported by bony spines known as rays. Its first dorsal fin has 39 to 43 rays from front to back. Its second dorsal fin has six or seven rays. Its first anal fin, which is similar in shape and size to the second dorsal fin, has 13 to 16 rays, and the second anal fin has six or seven rays. The pectoral fins, which have 19 to 22 rays, are long and narrow and can be drawn in to the sides of the body. The pelvic fins are shorter than the pectorals, have a poorly developed membrane, and are depressible into ventral grooves. Its first anal fin, along with its pectoral and caudal fins, can be folded into grooves. This streamlines the fish and thereby reduces drag. Blue marlin, like other billfish, can rapidly change color, an effect created by pigment-containing iridophores and light-reflecting skin cells.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "Blue marlin are found year-round in tropical oceanic waters of the Atlantic. The range expands into temperate waters of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres during the warmer months and contracts towards the Equator during colder months. Warm currents, such as the Gulf Stream, in the western Atlantic have a major influence on their seasonal distribution. Being the most tropic of all the billfishes, they spend a lot of time in the water column shifting from the top to a depth of 100 meters. They spend most nights near the surface and dive to deeper depths during the day. Limited from going any lower by the water temperature and oxygen levels. The blue marlin's latitudinal range extends from about 45°N to about 35°S. It is less abundant in the eastern Atlantic, where it mostly occurs off Africa between the latitudes of 25°N and 25°S. The largest numbers are usually found in waters warmer than 24 °C (75 °F), but blue marlin have been found at surface water temperatures as high as 30.5 °C (86.9 °F) and as low as 21.7 °C (71.1 °F). Tagging studies, using conventional \"spaghetti\" tags, and more recently pop-up satellite tags, have given researchers a glimpse into blue marlin migration patterns and habits. Recaptures of tagged fish have shown multiple movements between the Caribbean Islands and Venezuela and the Bahamas, as well as between the Caribbean Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands and West Africa, and interocean travel.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q882668.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Atlantic blue marlin", "author": "NOAA", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Atlantic_blue_marlin.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_blue_marlin", "revision": 1348529878, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1348529878", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "39475a420f62849eff80ac22abad80823dd21c5ab4381e0e01c69d20dd8d99dd" }, { "id": "Q1994256", "common_name": "Giant trevally", "scientific_name": "Caranx ignobilis", "aliases": [ "Caranx Ignobilis", "Ulua", "Caranx ignobilis" ], "summary": "The giant trevally (Caranx ignobilis), also known as the lowly trevally, barrier trevally, giant kingfish, or ulua, is a species of large marine fish classified in the jack family, Carangidae. The giant trevally is distributed throughout the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region, with a range stretching from South Africa to Hawaii, including Japan in the north and Australia in the south. The giant trevally is distinguished by its steep head profile, strong tail scutes, and a variety of other more detailed anatomical features. It is normally a silvery colour with occasional dark spots, but males may be black once they mature. It is the largest fish in the genus Caranx, growing to a maximum known size of 170 cm (67 in) and a weight of 80 kg (176 lb). The giant trevally inhabits a wide range of marine environments, from estuaries, shallow bays, and lagoons as a juvenile to deeper reefs, offshore atolls, and large embayments as an adult. Juveniles of the species are known to live in waters of very low salinity such as coastal lakes and upper reaches of rivers, and tend to prefer turbid waters. The giant trevally is an apex predator in most of its habitats, and is known to hunt individually and in schools. The species predominantly takes various fish as prey, although crustaceans, cephalopods, and molluscs make up a considerable part of their diets in some regions.", "features": "The giant trevally is the largest member of the genus Caranx, and the fifth-largest member of the family Carangidae (exceeded by the yellowtail amberjack, greater amberjack, leerfish, and rainbow runner), with a recorded maximum length of 170 cm (67 in) and a weight of 80 kg (180 lb). Specimens of 50 kg and above are not uncommon in sportfishing. The Hallaniyat Islands in southern Oman are the most prolific places for these large fish, with fish of 100 lb (45 kg) being caught almost daily. Unfortunately in recent times, the fishery has dwindled with commercial pressure and fish that size are becoming ever rarer throughout the islands. The giant trevally is similar in shape to a number of other large jacks and trevallies, having an ovate, moderately compressed body with the dorsal profile more convex than the ventral profile, particularly anteriorly. The dorsal fin is in two parts, the first consisting of eight spines and the second of one spine followed by 18 to 21 soft rays. The anal fin consists of two anteriorly detached spines followed by one spine and 15 to 17 soft rays. The pelvic fins contain 1 spine and 19 to 21 soft rays. The caudal fin is strongly forked, and the pectoral fins are falcate, being longer than the length of the head. The lateral line has a pronounced and moderately long anterior arch, with the curved section intersecting the straight section below the lobe of the second dorsal fin. The curved section of the lateral line contains 58-64 scales, while the straight section contains none to four scales and 26 to 38 very strong scutes.", "habitat": "The giant trevally inhabits a very wide range of offshore and inshore marine environments, with the species also known to tolerate the low salinity waters of estuaries and rivers. It is a semipelagic fish known to spend time throughout the water column, but is mostly demersal in nature. The species is most common in shallow coastal waters in a number of environments, including coral and rocky reefs and shorefaces, lagoons, embayments, tidal flats and channels. They commonly move between reef patches, often over large expanses of deeper sand and mud bottoms between the reefs. Older individuals tend to move to deeper seaward reefs, bomboras and drop-offs away from the protection of fringing reefs, often to depths greater than 80 m. Large individuals, however, often return to these shallower waters as they patrol their ranges, often to hunt or reproduce. In Hawaii, the juvenile to subadult giant trevally is the most common large carangid in the protected inshore waters, with all other species apparently preferring the outer, less protected reefs. It is also easily attracted to artificial reefs, where studies have found it to be one of the predominant species around these structures in Taiwan. Juvenile to subadult giant trevally are known to enter and inhabit estuaries, the upper reaches of rivers and coastal lakes in several locations, including South Africa, Solomon Islands, Philippines, India, Taiwan, Thailand, northern Australia, and Hawaii.", "distribution": "The giant trevally is widely distributed throughout the tropical and subtropical waters of the Bay of Bengal and Indian and Pacific Oceans, ranging along the coasts of three continents and many hundreds of smaller islands and archipelagos. In the Indian Ocean, the species' westernmost range is the coast of continental Africa, being distributed from the southern tip of South Africa north along the east African coastline to the Red Sea and Persian Gulf. Its range extends eastwards along the Asian coastline, including Pakistan, India and into Southeast Asia, the Indonesian Archipelago and northern Australia. The southernmost record from the west coast of Australia comes from Rottnest Island, not far offshore from Perth. Elsewhere in the Indian Ocean, the species has been recorded from hundreds of small island groups, including the Maldives, Seychelles, Madagascar and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. The giant trevally is abundant in the central Indo-Pacific region, found throughout all the archipelagos and offshore islands including Indonesia, the Philippines, Fiji, and the Solomon Islands. Along continental Asia, the species has been recorded from Malaysia to Vietnam, but not China. Despite this, its offshore range does extend north to Hong Kong, Taiwan, and southern Japan. In the south, the species reaches as far south as New South Wales in Australia and even to the northern tip of New Zealand in the southern Pacific.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1994256.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Caranx ignobilis", "author": "Dr. Dwayne Meadows, NOAA/NMFS/OPR", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Caranx_ignobilis.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_trevally", "revision": 1379926948, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1379926948", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "11330287e8b2e0dd0885a3deed27a7b293e80e67e819d9de41f7d53105a93f12" }, { "id": "Q83722", "common_name": "Galapagos shark", "scientific_name": "Carcharhinus galapagensis", "aliases": [ "Carcharhinus galapagensis" ], "summary": "The Galapagos shark (Carcharhinus galapagensis) is a species of requiem shark, in the family Carcharhinidae, found worldwide. It favors clear reef environments around oceanic islands, where it is often the most abundant shark species. A large species that often reaches 3.0 m (9.8 ft), the Galapagos reef shark has a typical fusiform \"reef shark\" shape and is very difficult to distinguish from the dusky shark (C. obscurus) and the grey reef shark (C. amblyrhynchos). An identifying character of this species is its tall first dorsal fin, which has a slightly rounded tip and originates over the rear tips of the pectoral fins. The Galapagos shark is an active predator often encountered in large groups. It feeds mainly on bottom-dwelling bony fishes and cephalopods; larger individuals have a much more varied diet, consuming other sharks, marine iguanas, sea lions, and even garbage. As in other requiem sharks, reproduction is viviparous, with females bearing litters of 4–16 pups every 2 to 3 years. The juveniles tend to remain in shallow water to avoid predation by the adults. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed this species as least concern, but it has a slow reproductive rate and there is heavy fishing pressure across its range.", "features": "One of the largest species in its genus, the Galapagos shark commonly reaches 3.0 m (9.8 ft) long. The maximum length has been variously recorded as 3.3 m (11 ft) to 3.7 m (12 ft). The maximum recorded weight is 195 kg (430 lb) for a 3.0 m (9.8 ft) long female (longer specimens having apparently been unweighed). This species has a slender, streamlined body typical of the requiem sharks. The snout is wide and rounded, with indistinct anterior nasal flaps. The eyes are round and of medium size. The mouth usually contains 14 tooth rows (range 13–15) on either side of both jaws, plus one tooth at the symphysis (where the jaw halves meet). The upper teeth are stout and triangular in shape, while the lower teeth are narrower; both upper and lower teeth have serrated edges. The first dorsal fin is tall and moderately falcate (sickle-shaped), with the origin over the pectoral fin rear tips. It is followed by a low midline ridge running to the second dorsal fin. The second dorsal fin originates over the anal fin. The pectoral fins are large with pointed tips. The coloration is brownish gray above and white below, with a faint white stripe on the sides. The edges of the fins are darker but not prominently marked. The Galapagos shark can be distinguished from the dusky shark in having taller first and second dorsal fins and larger teeth, and it can be distinguished from the grey reef shark in having a less robust body and less pointed first dorsal fin tip. However, these characters can be difficult to discern in the field.", "habitat": "The Galapagos shark is found mainly off tropical oceanic islands. In the Atlantic Ocean, it occurs around Bermuda, the Virgin Islands, Madeira, Cape Verde, Ascension Island, Saint Helena and São Tomé Island. In the Indian Ocean, it is known from Walter's Shoal off southern Madagascar. In the Pacific Ocean, it occurs around Lord Howe Island, the Marianas Islands, the Marshall Islands, the Kermadec Islands, Tupai, the Tuamotu Archipelago, the Juan Fernández Islands, the Hawaiian Islands, the Galapagos Islands, Cocos Island, the Revillagigedo Islands, Clipperton Island, and Malpelo. There are a few reports of this species in continental waters off the Iberian Peninsula, Baja California, Guatemala, Colombia, and eastern Australia. The Galapagos shark is generally found over continental and insular shelves near the coast, preferring rugged reef habitats with clear water and strong converging currents. It is also known to form groups around rocky islets and seamounts. This species is capable of crossing the open ocean between islands and has been reported at least 50 km (31 mi) from land. Juveniles seldom venture deeper than 25 m (82 ft), while adults have been reported to a depth of 180 m (590 ft). The Galapagos shark is often the most abundant shark in shallow island waters. In their original description of this species, Snodgrass and Heller noted that their schooner had taken \"several hundred\" adult Galapagos sharks and that \"thousands\" more could be seen in the water.", "distribution": "The Galapagos shark is found mainly off tropical oceanic islands. In the Atlantic Ocean, it occurs around Bermuda, the Virgin Islands, Madeira, Cape Verde, Ascension Island, Saint Helena and São Tomé Island. In the Indian Ocean, it is known from Walter's Shoal off southern Madagascar. In the Pacific Ocean, it occurs around Lord Howe Island, the Marianas Islands, the Marshall Islands, the Kermadec Islands, Tupai, the Tuamotu Archipelago, the Juan Fernández Islands, the Hawaiian Islands, the Galapagos Islands, Cocos Island, the Revillagigedo Islands, Clipperton Island, and Malpelo. There are a few reports of this species in continental waters off the Iberian Peninsula, Baja California, Guatemala, Colombia, and eastern Australia. The Galapagos shark is generally found over continental and insular shelves near the coast, preferring rugged reef habitats with clear water and strong converging currents. It is also known to form groups around rocky islets and seamounts. This species is capable of crossing the open ocean between islands and has been reported at least 50 km (31 mi) from land. Juveniles seldom venture deeper than 25 m (82 ft), while adults have been reported to a depth of 180 m (590 ft).", "diet": "The primary food of Galapagos sharks is benthic bony fishes (including eels, sea bass, flatfish, flatheads, and triggerfish) and octopuses. They also occasionally take surface-dwelling prey such as mackerel, flyingfish and squid. As the sharks grow larger, they consume increasing numbers of elasmobranchs (rays and smaller sharks, including of their own species) and crustaceans, as well as indigestible items such as leaves, coral, rocks, and garbage. At the Galapagos Islands, this species has been observed attacking Galapagos fur seals (Arctophoca galapagoensis) and sea lions (Zalophus wollebaeki), and marine iguanas (Amblyrhynchus cristatus). While collecting fishes at Clipperton Island, Limbaugh (1963) noted that juvenile Galapagos sharks surrounded the boat, with multiple individuals rushing at virtually anything trailing in the water and striking the boat bottom, oars, and marker buoys. The sharks were not slowed by rotenone (a fish toxin) or shark repellent, and some followed the boat into water so shallow that their backs were exposed.", "family": "Carcharhinidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q83722.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Carcharinus galapagensis 1", "author": "Dr. Dwayne Meadows, NOAA/NMFS/OPR", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Carcharinus_galapagensis_1.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galapagos_shark", "revision": 1381347159, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1381347159", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "31f808d9a38da689850d14b9f48248a081d5780f68e399875b1ae5dff88e4b80" }, { "id": "Q842647", "common_name": "Striped bass", "scientific_name": "Morone saxatilis", "aliases": [ "Morone saxatilis", "rockfish", "rock", "linesider", "striper", "Atlantic striped bass" ], "summary": "The striped bass (Morone saxatilis), also called the Atlantic striped bass, striper, linesider, rock, or rockfish, is an anadromous perciform fish of the family Moronidae found primarily along the Atlantic coast of North America. It has also been widely introduced into inland recreational fisheries across the United States. Striped bass found in the Gulf of Mexico are a separate strain referred to as Gulf Coast striped bass. The striped bass is the state fish of Maryland, Rhode Island, and South Carolina, and the state saltwater (marine) fish of New York, New Jersey, Virginia, and New Hampshire. It is generally called the striped bass north of New Jersey, rockfish south of New Jersey, and both in New Jersey. The history of the striped bass fishery in North America dates back to the Colonial period. Many written accounts by some of the first European settlers describe the immense abundance of striped bass, along with alewives, traveling and spawning up most rivers in the coastal Northeast.", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "Striped bass are native to the Atlantic coastline of North America from the St. Lawrence River into the Gulf of Mexico to Louisiana. They are anadromous fish that migrate between fresh and salt water. Spawning takes place in fresh water. Striped bass have been introduced to the Pacific Coast of North America and into many large reservoir impoundments across the United States by state game and fish commissions for recreational fishing and as a predator to control populations of gizzard shad. These include: Elephant Butte Lake in New Mexico; Lake Ouachita, Lake Norman in North Carolina; Lake Norfork, Beaver Lake and Lake Hamilton in Arkansas; Lake Thunderbird in Illinois; Lake Pleasant, and Lake Havasu in Arizona; Lake Powell along the Arizona/Utah border; Castaic Lake, Pyramid Lake, Silverwood Lake, Diamond Valley Lake, and San Francisco Bay-Delta in California; Lewis Smith Lake in Alabama; Lake Cumberland in Kentucky; Lake George in Florida; Lake Murray in South Carolina; Lake Lanier in Georgia; Watts Bar Lake, in Tennessee; Lake Mead, Nevada; Lake Texoma on the border of Texas and Oklahoma, Lake Tawakoni, Lake Whitney, Buffalo Springs Lake, Possum Kingdom Lake, and Lake Buchanan in Texas; Raystown Lake in Pennsylvania; Lake Wallenpaupack in Northeastern Pennsylvania; Umpqua River in Oregon and in Virginia's Smith Mountain Lake, Leesville Reservoir, and Lake Anna. Striped bass have also been introduced into waters in Ecuador, Iran, Latvia, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, and Turkey, primarily for sport fishing and aquaculture.", "diet": "", "family": "Moronidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q842647.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Morone saxatilis SI2", "author": "D Ross Robertson", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Morone_saxatilis_SI2.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Striped_bass", "revision": 1370771325, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1370771325", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "b0be7f94b18414fa6139ce8ceabadb3af25510fa69ba287e8a5435e2edac6b76" }, { "id": "Q1122881", "common_name": "Brill", "scientific_name": "Scophthalmus rhombus", "aliases": [ "Scophthalmus rhombus" ], "summary": "The brill, Scophthalmus rhombus, is a species of flatfish in the turbot family (Scophthalmidae) of the order Pleuronectiformes. Brill can be found in the northeast Atlantic, Black Sea, Baltic Sea, and Mediterranean, primarily in deeper offshore waters. Brill are usually in shallow waters or below 100 meters at seafloor. Brill prefers to live on the surface that is either sandy or muddy depending on where they are. Brill have slender bodies, brown covered with lighter and darker coloured flecks, excluding the tailfin; the underside of the fish is usually cream coloured or pinkish white. Like other flatfish the brill has the ability to match its colour to the surroundings. The Brill average lifespan is 6 years and they weigh up to 8 kg (18 lb) and can reach a length of 75 cm (2 ft 6 in), but are less than half that on average. Part of the dorsal fin of the fish is not connected to the fin membrane, giving the fish a frilly appearance. They are sometimes confused with the turbot (Scophthalmus maximus), which is more diamond-shaped. The two species are related and can produce hybrids. On the west coast of Canada (outside the range of Scophthalmus rhombus) local fisherman refer to the petrale sole, Eopsetta jordani, as brill. The flesh is lighter in texture, more friable - even \"floury\" - and considerably less rich in flavour than the turbot, which is preferred by chefs.", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1122881.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Scophthalmus rhombus", "author": "MacGillivray", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Scophthalmus_rhombus.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brill_(fish)", "revision": 1341755125, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1341755125", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "25053e476f7e2cd9a9ee80d55faf6b3068c9067c9a78c1235bd8fe0d8bc0654e" }, { "id": "Q128785", "common_name": "Blue surgeonfish", "scientific_name": "Acanthurus leucosternon", "aliases": [ "blue surgeonfish", "powder blue tang", "powder-blue surgeonfish", "Acanthurus leucosternon" ], "summary": "Acanthurus leucosternon, commonly known as the blue surgeonfish, powder blue tang or powder-blue surgeonfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Acanthuridae, the surgeonfishes, unicornfishes and tangs. This species is found in the Indian Ocean.", "features": "The fish can reach an average size of 23 cm (9 in) in length. The body has an oval shape and is compressed laterally. Like other surgeonfishes, Acanthurus leucosternon swims with its pectoral fins. The caudal fin has a crescent shape. The fish has a \"surgeon's scalpel,\" an erected part of the spine located at the base of the tail. The mouth is small and pointed in a beak-like manner with tiny and sharp teeth for reaching narrow spaces of food. Its sides are blue; its dorsal fin and the base of caudal fin are yellow; the head is black; the mouth, the throat area, the anal and pelvic fins are white. The pectoral fins are transparent with yellow reflections. The intensity of its blue color shows off if the fish is healthy or not. The fish does not undergo color changes as it matures; as some tangs, surgeonfish and unicornfish do.", "habitat": "Acanthurus leucosternon is found in tropical waters from the Indian Ocean. The species inhabits shallow and clear coastal waters always associated with a reef. It prefers flat top reefs and areas along seaward slopes.", "distribution": "Acanthurus leucosternon is found in tropical waters from the Indian Ocean. The species inhabits shallow and clear coastal waters always associated with a reef. It prefers flat top reefs and areas along seaward slopes.", "diet": "", "family": "Acanthuridae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q128785.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Pez cirujano azul cielo (Acanthurus leucosternon), Zanzíbar, Tanzania, 2024-05-30, DD 80", "author": "Diego Delso", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pez_cirujano_azul_cielo_(Acanthurus_leucosternon),_Zanz%C3%ADbar,_Tanzania,_2024-05-30,_DD_80.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acanthurus_leucosternon", "revision": 1354928008, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1354928008", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "f8de9b51741c661e57bb29fefade34164d01936d68b29ab3dfeba8706de8d7e9" }, { "id": "Q964954", "common_name": "Bluespotted ribbontail ray", "scientific_name": "Taeniura lymma", "aliases": [ "Taeniura lymma", "Ribbontailed stingray" ], "summary": "The bluespotted ribbontail ray (Taeniura lymma) is a species of stingray in the family Dasyatidae. Found from the intertidal zone to a depth of 30 m (100 ft), this species is common throughout the tropical Indian and western Pacific Oceans in nearshore, coral reef–associated habitats. It is a fairly small ray, not exceeding 35 cm (14 in) in width, with a mostly smooth, oval pectoral fin disc, large protruding eyes, and a relatively short and thick tail with a deep fin fold underneath. It can be easily identified by its striking color pattern of many electric blue spots on a yellowish background, with a pair of blue stripes on the tail. At night, small groups of bluespotted ribbontail rays follow the rising tide onto sandy flats to root for small benthic invertebrates and bony fishes in the sediment. When the tide recedes, the rays separate and withdraw to shelters on the reef. Reproduction is through Ovoviviparity, with females giving birth to litters of up to seven young. This ray is capable of injuring humans with its venomous tail spines, though it prefers to flee if threatened. Because of its beauty and size, the bluespotted ribbontail ray is popular with private aquarists despite being poorly suited to captivity.", "features": "The pectoral fin disc of the bluespotted ribbontail ray is oval in shape, around 12-14 inches wide, with a rounded angular snout. The large, protruding eyes are immediately followed by the broad spiracles. There is a narrow flap of skin between the nares with a fringed posterior margin, reaching past the mouth. The lower jaw dips at the middle and deep furrows are present at the mouth corners. There are 15–24 rows of teeth in each jaw, arranged into pavement-like plates, and two large papillae on the floor of the mouth. The pelvic fins are narrow and angular. The thick, depressed tail measures about 1.5 times the disc length and bears one or two (usually two) serrated spines well behind the tail base; there is a deep fin fold on the ventral surface, reaching the tip of the tail, and a low midline ridge on the upper surface. The skin is generally smooth, save for perhaps a scattering of small thorns on the middle of the back. The dorsal coloration is striking, consisting of numerous circular, neon blue spots on a yellowish brown or green skin; the spots vary in size, becoming smaller and denser towards the disc margin. The tail has two stripes of the same blue running along each side as far as the spines. The eyes are bright yellow and the belly is white. Individuals found off southern Africa may lack the blue tail stripes. The bluespotted ribbontail ray grows to 35 cm (14 in) across, 80 cm (31 in) long, and 5 kg (11 lb).", "habitat": "Widespread in the nearshore waters of the tropical Indo-Pacific region, the bluespotted ribbontail ray has a range that extends around the periphery of the Indian Ocean from South Africa to the Arabian Peninsula to Southeast Asia, including Madagascar, Mauritius, Zanzibar, the Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. It is rare in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. In the Pacific Ocean, this species is found from the Philippines to northern Australia, as well as around numerous Melanesian and Polynesian islands as far east as the Solomon Islands. Rarely found deeper than 30 m (100 ft), the bluespotted ribbontail ray is a bottom-dwelling species that frequents coral reefs and adjacent sandy flats. It is also commonly encountered in the intertidal zone and tidal pools, and has been sighted near seagrass beds. Every summer, considerable numbers of bluespotted ribbontail rays arrive off South Africa. One of the most abundant stingrays inhabiting Indo-Pacific reefs, the bluespotted ribbontail ray generally spends the day hidden alone inside caves or under coral ledges or other debris (including from shipwrecks), often with only its tail sticking out. At night, small groups assemble and swim onto shallow sandy flats with the rising tide to feed. Unlike many other stingrays, this species seldom buries itself in sand. The bluespotted ribbontail ray excavates sand pits in search of molluscs, polychaete worms, shrimps, crabs, and small benthic bony fishes; when prey is located, it is trapped by the body of the ray and maneuvered into the mouth with the disc.", "distribution": "Widespread in the nearshore waters of the tropical Indo-Pacific region, the bluespotted ribbontail ray has a range that extends around the periphery of the Indian Ocean from South Africa to the Arabian Peninsula to Southeast Asia, including Madagascar, Mauritius, Zanzibar, the Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. It is rare in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. In the Pacific Ocean, this species is found from the Philippines to northern Australia, as well as around numerous Melanesian and Polynesian islands as far east as the Solomon Islands. Rarely found deeper than 30 m (100 ft), the bluespotted ribbontail ray is a bottom-dwelling species that frequents coral reefs and adjacent sandy flats. It is also commonly encountered in the intertidal zone and tidal pools, and has been sighted near seagrass beds. Every summer, considerable numbers of bluespotted ribbontail rays arrive off South Africa.", "diet": "", "family": "Dasyatidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q964954.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Raya de arrecife (Taeniura lymma), mar Rojo, Egipto, 2023 (cropped)", "author": "Diego Delso", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Raya_de_arrecife_(Taeniura_lymma),_mar_Rojo,_Egipto,_2023_(cropped).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluespotted_ribbontail_ray", "revision": 1382571795, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1382571795", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "0fba73133b7b5304c6680c014362ce013407c7fa9bbe070e5024ef214920f761" }, { "id": "Q664165", "common_name": "Longhorn cowfish", "scientific_name": "Lactoria cornuta", "aliases": [ "Lactoria cornuta" ], "summary": "The longhorn cowfish (Lactoria cornuta), also called the horned boxfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Ostraciidae, the boxfish. This species is recognizable by its long horns that protrude from the front of its head, rather like those of a cow or bull. They are a resident of the Indo-Pacific region and can grow up to 50 cm (20 in) long. Adults are reef fish, often solitary and territorial, and live around sand or rubble bottom up to a depth of 50 m (160 ft). They are omnivorous, feeding upon benthic algae, various microorganisms, and foraminiferans that it strains from sediments, sponges, polychaete worms and from sand flats. It also can eat mollusks, small crustaceans, and small fish - it's able to feed on benthic invertebrates by blowing jets of water into the sandy substrate. Longhorn cowfish protect the coral reefs they live in by being predators of the invertebrates that destroy the reefs. They are also important in the growth and creation of coral reefs for this same reason.", "features": "There is no known sexual dimorphism, so both male and female display a yellow to olive base color, which is decorated with white or bluish spots. Pairs courts each other just before or after sunset. Eggs and ichthyoplankton are pelagic. Females generally are larger than males. Males grow to be 65–155 mm with an average of 103 mm, while females grow to be 83–250 mm with an average of 121 mm. Female longhorn cowfish also weigh more than males with a weight range of 17–156 g with an average of 33 g while males have a weight range of 12–116 g with an average of 26 g. One distinction from other fish is the lack of a gill cover, which is replaced by a small slit or hole. The hexagonal plate-like scales of these fish are fused together into a solid, triangular, box-like carapace, from which the fins and tail protrude. They have large eyes immediately behind the horns. Their unique method of swimming, called ostraciiform swimming, causes them to look as if they are hovering. They have no pelvic skeleton, so they lack pelvic fins. The tail fin of the longhorn cowfish can be the same length as its body, as it relies on its fins for movement. They are slow swimmers and are easily caught by hand, making a grunting noise when captured. The cowfish are also able to produce two kinds of sounds using muscles connected to their swim bladder, hums and clicks. This species of cowfish is the most well-known cowfish species in the aquarium trade.", "habitat": "Its primary habitat is coral reefs in lagoons, on reef flats, estuaries, bays, and on protected seaward reefs. Juveniles associate with Acropora corals. Depth range is 1–45 m (3 ft 3 in – 147 ft 8 in), perhaps up to 100 m (330 ft).", "distribution": "Red Sea and East Africa eastward through Indonesia to Marquesas, northward to southern Japan. Including Tuamotus, southern Korea, north to the Ryukyu Islands of southern Japan, south to Australia and Lord Howe Island. Tropical and subtropical waters. The specimens found in India are a new development in the last couple years, and it is speculated that cyclones or typhoons brought Lactoria cornuta to a new environment.", "diet": "", "family": "Ostraciidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q664165.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Pez cofre cornudo (Lactoria cornuta), Mauricio, 2025-09-23, DD 117", "author": "Diego Delso", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pez_cofre_cornudo_(Lactoria_cornuta),_Mauricio,_2025-09-23,_DD_117.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longhorn_cowfish", "revision": 1359965715, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1359965715", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "144a231a147adad29e4964158ed300f4fb5032ce74e366468b0af8d756dbb2b1" }, { "id": "Q752178", "common_name": "European mudminnow", "scientific_name": "Umbra krameri", "aliases": [ "Umbra krameri" ], "summary": "The European mudminnow (Umbra krameri) is a species of fish in the Umbridae family found in Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Ukraine within the Danube and Dniester river drainage basins. Widespread loss of wetland habitat, agricultural impacts, channelization, climate change and invasive species are contributing to declines, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature classifies this formerly abundant species as vulnerable to extinction within its indigenous range. An introduced population exists in northern Germany.", "features": "The body of the European mudminnow is long and cylindrical, length ranges from 65-100mm, their coloration is from green to brown, with under-shading and gray to dark brown mottled spots. Distinct Dark lateral stripping, most noticeable in juvenile specimens. Often found in stagnant murky water, why the umbra of the genus name is called that, found in fresh water often among living and dead plants. Its flat head and small mouth facilitate navigation in the crowded environment.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q752178.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "European Mudminnow (Umbra krameri) 02", "author": "Vad víz", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:European_Mudminnow_(Umbra_krameri)_02.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_mudminnow", "revision": 1363712985, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1363712985", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "9c45fb58e729b863eacaf664e07a3ba78afd9cebd38e117fe422c58093580e2e" }, { "id": "Q1771633", "common_name": "Saddled seabream", "scientific_name": "Oblada melanura", "aliases": [ "Oblada melanura" ], "summary": "The saddled seabream (Oblada melanura), also called the saddle bream or oblade, is a species of ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, which includes the seabreams and porgies. It is the only species in the monospecific genus Oblada. This species is found in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean. It is an important food fish within its range.", "features": "The saddled seabream has an oblong shaped, somewhat compressed body. The dorsal profile of the head is straight and it has an elongated, sharply pointed snout with a low set horizontal, fleshy lipped mouth. The eyes are small and rear nostrils are slits. The scales on the crown do not reach past the rear margin of the eyes. The preoperculum has no scales. The teeth in the font of the flaws are small and arranged bands, the upper jaw has 3–6 rows of molars with 2 and 4 rows of molars on the lower jaw. The dorsal fin is supported by 11 or 12 spines and 11 or 12 soft rays while the anal fin contains 3 spines and 10 or 11 soft rays. The background colour is grey with silvery tints, darker on the back, with 14 or 15 vertical dark brown or grey bars along the flanks. Three is a large white-edged black saddle marking on the caudal peduncle. The dorsal and caudal fins are pale yellowish or pinkish, the other fins are dark. The saddled seabream has a maximum published total length of 36.6 cm (14.4 in), although 20 cm (7.9 in) is more typical, with a maximum published weight of 525 g (18.5 oz).", "habitat": "The saddled seabream is found in the Eastern Atlantic where it ranges from in the Bay of Biscay, Madeira, Cape Verde, Canary Islands and Strait of Gibraltar south to Angola. It is also found in the Mediterranean, Sea of Marmara and the term southern part of the Black Sea. It is found at depths down to 30 m (98 ft) over rocky substrates and in bedside Zostera seagrass and seaweed.", "distribution": "The saddled seabream is found in the Eastern Atlantic where it ranges from in the Bay of Biscay, Madeira, Cape Verde, Canary Islands and Strait of Gibraltar south to Angola. It is also found in the Mediterranean, Sea of Marmara and the term southern part of the Black Sea. It is found at depths down to 30 m (98 ft) over rocky substrates and in bedside Zostera seagrass and seaweed.", "diet": "", "family": "Sparidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1771633.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Oblada (Oblada melanura), Ċirkewwa, Malta, Malta, 2021-08-24, DD 26", "author": "Diego Delso", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Oblada_(Oblada_melanura),_%C4%8Airkewwa,_Malta,_Malta,_2021-08-24,_DD_26.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saddled_seabream", "revision": 1354742880, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1354742880", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "3bb1c60c00fa4859388693e569a19ad9d1165236116352ae6609962645517a7a" }, { "id": "Q261202", "common_name": "Tambaqui", "scientific_name": "Colossoma macropomum", "aliases": [ "Colossoma macropomum", "black-finned pacu", "giant pacu" ], "summary": "The tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) is a large species of freshwater fish in the family Serrasalmidae. It is native to tropical South America, but kept in aquaculture and introduced elsewhere. It is also known by the names black pacu, black-finned pacu, giant pacu, cachama, gamitana, and sometimes as pacu (a name used for several other related species). The tambaqui is currently the only member of Colossoma, but the Piaractus species were also included in this genus in the past.", "features": "The tambaqui is the heaviest characin in the Americas (the lighter Salminus can grow longer) and the second heaviest scaled freshwater fish in South America (after the arapaima). It can reach up to 1.1 m (3.6 ft) in total length and 44 kg (97 lb 0 oz) in weight, but a more typical size is 0.7 m (2.3 ft). The largest caught by rod-and-reel and recognized by IGFA weighed 32.4 kg (71 lb 7 oz), although other systems have a 37 kg (81 lb 9 oz) fish caught in Peru in 2013. After the flood season, around 10% of a tambaqui's weight is the visceral fat reserves and at least another 5% is fat found in the head and muscles. It is similar in shape to the piranha and juveniles are sometimes confused with the carnivorous fish; the tambaqui is tall and laterally compressed with large eyes and a slightly arched back. Unlike more predatory species, the teeth of the tambaqui are molar-like, an adaption for crushing plant seeds and nuts. The lower half of its body is typically mainly blackish. The remaining is mainly gray, yellowish or olive, but the exact hue varies considerably and depends in part on habitat with individuals in blackwater being much darker than individuals from whitewater. The pelvic, anal and small pectoral fins are black. The tambaqui resembles the red-bellied pacu (Piaractus brachypomus), but the latter species has a more rounded head profile (less elongated and pointed) and a smaller adipose fin that lacks rays, as well as differences in teeth and operculum.", "habitat": "This species is mostly solitary, but it migrates in large schools. During the non-breeding season, adults stay in flooded forests of white (várzea), clear and blackwater (igapó) rivers. They stay there for four to seven months during the flood season, but as the water level drops they move into the main river channels or to a lesser extent floodplain lakes. At the start of the next flood season, large schools move into whitewater rivers where they spawn between November and February. The exact spawning location in the whitewater rivers is not entirely certain, but apparently along woody shores or grassy levees. The schools then break up as the adults return to the flooded forest of white, clear and blackwater rivers, and the annual pattern is repeated. Larvae are found in whitewater rivers, including the Amazon River itself. Juveniles stay near macrophytes in floodplains and flooded forests year-round, only switching to the adult migration pattern when reaching sexual maturity. Maturity is reached at a length of about 60 cm (2 ft). The species regularly reaches an age of 40 years and may reach up to 65.", "distribution": "The tambaqui is native to freshwater habitats in the Amazon and Orinoco basins of tropical South America. In nutrient-rich whitewater rivers such as the Madeira, Juruá, Putumayo (Içá) and Purus it ranges throughout, all the way up to their headwaters. In nutrient-poor blackwater rivers such as the Rio Negro and clearwater rivers such as several rightbank tributaries of the Madeira it generally only occurs in the lower c. 300 km (200 mi) and is rare beyond the lowermost c. 150 km (100 mi). It is widely kept in aquaculture outside its native range in South America. Middle Miocene-aged fossils of C. macropomum are known from northern Colombia and the Peruvian Amazon. Their occurrence in Colombia suggests that prior to further uplift of the Andes, they also inhabited western South America. Their fossil range includes the modern Magdalena River basin, but modern occurrence in this river is due to introductions by humans.", "diet": "Tambaqui consume fruits and seeds, especially from woody angiosperms and herbaceous species. Depending on the quantity and food quality of these foods, it causes the fish to decide on their location of their habitat. In one study during the high-water season, 78—98 percent of the diet consisted of fruits. Another study of the stomach content of 138 specimens during the high-water season found that 44% of the weight was fruits and seeds, 30% was zooplankton and 22% was wild rice. Among 125 specimens during the low-water season, a higher percentage had empty stomachs (14%, about ten times more than in the high-water season) and about 70% of the total stomach content weight was zooplankton. In addition to seeds, fruits, wild rice and zooplankton, smaller levels of insects, snails, shrimps, small fish, filamentous algae and decaying plants are consumed.", "family": "Serrasalmidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q261202.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Tambaqui Brésil (cropped)", "author": "Karg se", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tambaqui_Br%C3%A9sil_(cropped).JPG", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tambaqui", "revision": 1383586456, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1383586456", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "838e44040be094fcbdd28e6da89e330e3c076c38039f10e9e5aef85b121a17da" }, { "id": "Q841395", "common_name": "Clown loach", "scientific_name": "Chromobotia macracanthus", "aliases": [ "Chromobotia macracanthus" ], "summary": "The clown loach (Chromobotia macracanthus), or tiger botia, is a tropical freshwater fish belonging to the botiid loach family. It is the sole member of the genus Chromobotia. It originates in inland waters in Indonesia on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo. The fish is called ulanguli by the locals in Sentarum, West Borneo. It is a popular fish in the freshwater aquarium trade and is sold worldwide.", "features": "", "habitat": "Clown loaches are native to the islands of Sumatra and Borneo in Indonesia. Clear stream environments provide the optimal habitat for clown loaches, but biannual monsoon flooding forces the fish to move into flooded flood plains, or murky or blackwater rivers or lakes, for 7–8 months of the year, and clown loaches are commonly found in the flood plains of hilly areas. Breeding adults migrate to smaller waterways to spawn annually. In its native habitat, the fish is found in water with a temperature range of 25 to 30 °C (77 to 86 °F), a pH between 5.0 and 8.0, and water hardness between 5 and 12 dH.", "distribution": "Clown loaches are native to the islands of Sumatra and Borneo in Indonesia. Clear stream environments provide the optimal habitat for clown loaches, but biannual monsoon flooding forces the fish to move into flooded flood plains, or murky or blackwater rivers or lakes, for 7–8 months of the year, and clown loaches are commonly found in the flood plains of hilly areas. Breeding adults migrate to smaller waterways to spawn annually. In its native habitat, the fish is found in water with a temperature range of 25 to 30 °C (77 to 86 °F), a pH between 5.0 and 8.0, and water hardness between 5 and 12 dH.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q841395.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Chromobotia macracanthus", "author": "Vlad Butsky from San Jose, CA, USA", "license": "CC BY 2.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chromobotia_macracanthus.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clown_loach", "revision": 1376037169, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1376037169", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "1fe1948ec3d05148798de76afedd94033fea70625eaa2093164397f0f56cfe1d" }, { "id": "Q74371", "common_name": "Salmon shark", "scientific_name": "Lamna ditropis", "aliases": [ "Lamna ditropis" ], "summary": "The salmon shark (Lamna ditropis) is a species of mackerel shark found in the northern Pacific ocean. Similar to other mackerel sharks, salmon sharks have a thunniform body type. As an apex predator, the salmon shark feeds on salmon, squid, sablefish, birds, walleye pollock, and herring. Salmon sharks get their name from their diet, which primarily consists of salmon. It is known for its ability to maintain stomach temperature (homeothermy), which is unusual among fish. It is also known for an unexplained variability in the sex ratio between eastern and western populations in the northern Pacific.", "features": "Adult salmon sharks are medium grey to black over most of the body, with a white underside with darker blotches. Juveniles are similar in appearance, but generally lack blotches. The snout is short and cone-shaped, and the overall appearance is similar to a small great white shark. The eyes are positioned well forward, enabling binocular vision to accurately locate prey. The salmon shark generally grows to between 200 and 260 cm (6.6–8.6 ft) in length and weighs up to 220 kg (485 lb). Males appear to reach a maximum size slightly smaller than females. Unconfirmed reports exist of salmon sharks reaching as much as 4.3 m (14.2 ft); however, the largest confirmed reports indicate a maximum total length of about 3.0 m (10 ft). The claims of maximum reported weight over 450 kg (992 lb) are \"unsubstantiated\". Salmon sharks have a wide, double keeled tail (a second, short ridge that runs along the upper part of the lower lobe of the tail.) The only other shark with a double keeled tail is the porbeagle shark, which the salmon shark is closely related to. Salmon sharks are voracious group hunters. Groups of 30 to 40 individuals have been spotted hunting salmon in Alaska. Salmon sharks can also hunt alone, however individuals congregate in large groups in coastal waters to hunt bony fish such as salmon. Studies on prey consumption show that salmon sharks have similar energetic requirements as sea lions and other piscivorous marine animals.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "North of the equator, in the northern Pacific Ocean, the salmon shark is relatively common in continental offshore waters, where it ranges from inshore to just off the coast. Tagging has revealed a range which includes sub-Arctic to subtropical waters. The species is believed to range as far south as the Sea of Japan and as far north as 65°N in Alaska, notably appearing en masse in Prince William Sound during the annual salmon run. Individuals have been observed diving as deep as 668 m (2,192 ft), but they are believed to spend most of their time in epipelagic waters. While salmon sharks primarily travel alone, or in feeding aggregations of several individuals, sometimes they may be seen in schools. According to a study in 2008, salmon sharks have been observed to use area restricted search behaviors in both southern and northern Pacific Ocean regions. Individuals that migrate through southern high productivity regions exhibit more of these behaviors than those who travel through low productivity regions. Salmon sharks travel fast during migratory patterns. Studies conducted on said migrations put the average speed of individual sharks at 33 km. Juvenile salmon sharks stick to more coastal regions along the west coast of North America. Juveniles prefer water temperatures between 12 and 16°C. Juveniles prey on a variety of mesopelagic (intermediate depth) and epipelagic (the upper layer of the water column where light penetrates for photosynthesis) offshore prey.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q74371.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Salmon shark (Lamna ditropis)", "author": "NOAA Fisheries", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Salmon_shark_(Lamna_ditropis).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salmon_shark", "revision": 1382630847, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1382630847", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "944facc2c0664af03b9a8a3956c9daac950b838bd6306369010a87216925aeb8" }, { "id": "Q912073", "common_name": "Marbled electric ray", "scientific_name": "Torpedo marmorata", "aliases": [ "Torpedo marmorata" ], "summary": "The marbled electric ray (Torpedo marmorata) is a species of electric ray in the family Torpedinidae found in the coastal waters of the eastern Atlantic Ocean from the North Sea to South Africa. This benthic fish inhabits rocky reefs, seagrass beds, and sandy and muddy flats in shallow to moderately deep waters. It can survive in environments with very little dissolved oxygen, such as tidal pools. The marbled electric ray has a nearly circular pectoral fin disc and a muscular tail that bears two dorsal fins of nearly equal size and a large caudal fin. It can be identified by the long, finger-like projections on the rims of its spiracles, as well as by its dark brown mottled color pattern, though some individuals are plain-colored. Males and females typically reach 36–38 cm (14–15 in) and 55–61 cm (22–24 in) long respectively. Nocturnal and solitary, the marbled electric ray can often be found lying the sea floor buried except for its eyes and spiracles. This slow-moving predator feeds almost exclusively on small bony fishes, which it ambushes from the bottom and subdues with strong electric bursts. It defends itself by turning towards the threat, swimming in a loop, or curling up with its underside facing outward, while emitting electric shocks to drive off the prospective predator. Its paired electric organs are capable of producing 70–80 volts of electricity.", "features": "The body of the marbled electric ray is soft and flabby, and entirely lacks dermal denticles. The thick pectoral fin disc is nearly circular and comprises about 59–67% of the total length; the paired kidney-shaped electric organs are visible beneath the skin, outside of the small eyes. Immediately posterior to each eye is a large, oval spiracle, which bears 6–8 long, finger-like projections on the rim that almost meet at the center. On the \"nape\" behind the spiracles, there are 5–7 prominent mucous pores. Between the nostrils, there is a quadrangular curtain of skin much broader than long, that almost reaches the small, arched mouth. The teeth are small with a single pointed cusp, and are arranged with a quincunx pattern into a pavement-like band in either jaw. The five pairs of gill slits are small and located beneath the disc. The two dorsal fins have rounded apexes and are placed close together; the base of each fin measures about two-thirds its height. The rear of the first dorsal fin base is located behind the rear of the pelvic fin bases. The second dorsal fin is only slightly smaller than the first. The short, robust tail has skin folds running along either side, and terminates in a large caudal fin shaped like a triangle with blunt corners. The upper surface has a dark mottled pattern on a light to dark brown background; some individuals are uniformly brown. The underside is plain off-white with darker fin margins. This species can grow up to 1 m (3.3 ft) long, though few exceed 36–38 cm (14–15 in) long for males and 55–61 cm (22–24 in) long for females.", "habitat": "Widely distributed in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, the marbled electric ray is found from Scotland and the southern North Sea southward to the Cape of Good Hope, and north at least as far as Durban, likely further. South Africa. In addition it is present in the Mediterranean Sea, with higher densities in western areas. It prefers temperatures cooler than 20 °C (68 °F). This species is typically found at depths of 10–30 m (33–98 ft) off Britain and Ireland, 20–100 m (66–328 ft) off Italy, and down to 200 m (660 ft) off Tunisia. It has been recorded from as deep as 370 m (1,210 ft). The marbled electric ray tends to be found deeper than the common torpedo (T. torpedo), which shares the southern portion of its range. Bottom-dwelling in nature, the marbled electric ray inhabits rocky reefs and seagrass beds, as well as nearby areas with sandy or muddy bottoms. During warm summer months, pregnant females are known to migrate into Arcachon Bay in northwestern France, where they are commonly found in very shallow, muddy pools near oyster beds. This species may conduct a northward migration in summer and autumn, into the waters of the British Isles. Solitary and slow-moving, the marbled electric ray may remain motionless for several days at a time. It is more active at night and spends much of the day buried in sediment with only the eyes and spiracles showing. Consistent with its sluggish nature, the marbled electric ray has a low blood oxygen carrying capacity and heart rate (10–15 beats/min), and consumes less oxygen than other sharks and rays of similar size.", "distribution": "Widely distributed in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, the marbled electric ray is found from Scotland and the southern North Sea southward to the Cape of Good Hope, and north at least as far as Durban, likely further. South Africa. In addition it is present in the Mediterranean Sea, with higher densities in western areas. It prefers temperatures cooler than 20 °C (68 °F). This species is typically found at depths of 10–30 m (33–98 ft) off Britain and Ireland, 20–100 m (66–328 ft) off Italy, and down to 200 m (660 ft) off Tunisia. It has been recorded from as deep as 370 m (1,210 ft). The marbled electric ray tends to be found deeper than the common torpedo (T. torpedo), which shares the southern portion of its range. Bottom-dwelling in nature, the marbled electric ray inhabits rocky reefs and seagrass beds, as well as nearby areas with sandy or muddy bottoms. During warm summer months, pregnant females are known to migrate into Arcachon Bay in northwestern France, where they are commonly found in very shallow, muddy pools near oyster beds. This species may conduct a northward migration in summer and autumn, into the waters of the British Isles.", "diet": "The marbled electric ray is an ambush predator that employs electricity to capture prey. Vision is of little importance in hunting, as the ray's eyes are often obscured as it lies buried on the bottom. Instead, it likely relies on the mechanoreceptors of its lateral line, as it only attacks moving prey. The electroreceptive ampullae of Lorenzini may also contribute to prey detection. Small, benthic bony fishes constitute over 90% of the marbled electric ray's diet by weight; these include gobies, hake, sea bass, mullets, jack mackerel, sea breams, goatfish, damselfish, wrasses, conger eels, and flatfish. Cephalopods such as European squid (Loligo vulgaris) and elegant cuttlefish (Sepia elegans) are a minor secondary food source. There is a single record of an individual that had swallowed a penaeid prawn, Penaeus kerathurus, and a study of captive rays found that they reject live Macropodia crabs. Off southern France, by far the most important prey species is the leaping mullet (Liza saliens). Food items are swallowed whole; there is a record of a ray 41 cm (16 in) long that had consumed a three-bearded rockling (Gaidropsarus vulgaris) 34 cm (13 in) long. Two distinct types of prey capture behavior have been observed in the marbled electric ray. The first is \"jumping\", used by the ray to attack prey fish that swim close to its head, typically no farther than 4 cm (1.6 in). In the \"jump\", the ray pulls back its head and then thrusts its disc upwards, reaching about two or three times as high as the prey fish is from the bottom.", "family": "Torpedinidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q912073.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Torpedo marmorata2", "author": "Philippe Guillaume", "license": "CC BY 2.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Torpedo_marmorata2.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marbled_electric_ray", "revision": 1354937240, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1354937240", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "7c4e7fa9ff280ad1749fcecd399591a58d0483dc344de0eca31e203591e6d72c" }, { "id": "Q1135606", "common_name": "Black seabream", "scientific_name": "Spondyliosoma cantharus", "aliases": [ "Spondyliosoma cantharus" ], "summary": "The black seabream (Spondyliosoma cantharus) is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, which includes the seabreams and porgies. This fish has a wide distribution in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean and Black Seas. The black seabream is an important food fish, especially in Europe.", "features": "The black seabream has a moderately deep body with a small, round profiled head with a mouth that extends as far back as the front of the eye. The dorsal fin is supported by 11 spines and between 11 and 13 soft rays and there are 3 spines and 9 to 11 soft rays supporting the anal fin. In adults the dorsal profile of the head is convex. The cheeks, operculum and preoperculum have no scales. There are 4 to 6 rows of conical and thin teeth, the outer teeth enlarged especially at the front of the jaw, in both jaws. The caudal fin is slightly forked. The colour if this fish is darker grey on the upper body, silvery on the flanks, with between 6 and 9 dark vertical bars along the body. The males may turn nearly black when nesting. This species has a maximum published total length of 60 cm (24 in), although 30 cm (12 in) is more typical, and a maximum published weight of 1.2 kg (2.6 lb).", "habitat": "The black seabream has a wide distribution in the eastern Atlantic Ocean from Scandinavia in the north to Namibia in the south, including the Macaronesia, the Mediterranean and the western Black Sea. It is found at depths between 5 and 300 m (16 and 984 ft) over seagrass beds and rocky and sandy substrates.", "distribution": "The black seabream has a wide distribution in the eastern Atlantic Ocean from Scandinavia in the north to Namibia in the south, including the Macaronesia, the Mediterranean and the western Black Sea. It is found at depths between 5 and 300 m (16 and 984 ft) over seagrass beds and rocky and sandy substrates.", "diet": "", "family": "Sparidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1135606.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Chopa (Spondyliosoma cantharus), Parque natural de la Arrábida, Portugal, 2020-07-21, DD 57", "author": "Diego Delso", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chopa_(Spondyliosoma_cantharus),_Parque_natural_de_la_Arr%C3%A1bida,_Portugal,_2020-07-21,_DD_57.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_seabream", "revision": 1363555144, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1363555144", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "d464af59fa1167898347bc0c90b8003c64ae8bcadf2ad8586f657875f1a99880" }, { "id": "Q652129", "common_name": "Clearfin lionfish", "scientific_name": "Pteropterus radiatus", "aliases": [ "Clearfin Lionfish", "Tailbar Lionfish", "Radiata Lionfish", "Radial Firefish", "clearfin lionfish", "Pterois radiata" ], "summary": "The clearfin lionfish (Pteropterus radiatus), also called the tailbar lionfish, radiata lionfish, fireworks fish or radial firefish, is a carnivorous, ray-finned fish with venomous spines belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes and lionfishes. This species lives in the Indian and western Pacific Oceans.", "features": "The clearfin lionfish grows to a length of about 24 cm (9 in), though a more usual size is 20 cm (8 in). The dorsal fin has 12 or 13 long, venomous spines and 10 to 12 soft rays. The anal fin has three spines and five or six soft rays. The large pectoral fins flare out to the side and are clear and unbanded. The other fins are also colourless. The head and body colour is reddish-brown with about six vertical dark bands of different colour on the body separated by thin white lines. Two white horizontal lines occur on the caudal peduncle which distinguishes this fish from other similar lionfishes. It is most closely related to the Red Sea endemic P. cinctus, which it is very similar to in appearance, differing mainly in having shorter fin rays and on average slightly different markings. The two species are otherwise easily distinguishable from other species of lionfish.", "habitat": "Clearfin lionfish are native to the western Indo-Pacific region. Its range extends from South Africa and the Gulf of Aden to Indonesia, the Society Islands, the Ryukyu Islands, northern Australia, and New Caledonia. It is found on both inshore and offshore rocky reefs at depths to about 25 m (82 ft). Juvenile fish are sometimes found in tide pools.", "distribution": "Clearfin lionfish are native to the western Indo-Pacific region. Its range extends from South Africa and the Gulf of Aden to Indonesia, the Society Islands, the Ryukyu Islands, northern Australia, and New Caledonia. It is found on both inshore and offshore rocky reefs at depths to about 25 m (82 ft). Juvenile fish are sometimes found in tide pools.", "diet": "", "family": "Scorpaenidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q652129.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Clearfin lionfish (Pterois radiata)", "author": "The High Fin Sperm Whale", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Clearfin_lionfish_(Pterois_radiata).JPG", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clearfin_lionfish", "revision": 1355297592, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1355297592", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "b08ecc8a2cac7d174a12fbbf1ee6b2074ae99d90432a7b2248d22dffda6ebbfb" }, { "id": "Q1502150", "common_name": "Devil fish", "scientific_name": "Mobula mobular", "aliases": [ "Mobula mobular", "Giant devilray" ], "summary": "The devil fish, giant devil ray, or simply the devil ray (Mobula mobular) is a species of ray in the family Mobulidae. As of 2025, it is listed as critically endangered, mostly due to bycatch mortality in unrelated fisheries and a naturally slow reproductive rate.", "features": "The devil fish is larger than its close relative, the lesser devil ray. It grows to a disk length of 3.5 metres (11 ft), making it one of the largest rays. It possesses a spiny tail. The devil fish is the third-largest species in the genus Mobula, after the oceanic and reef manta rays. It is the only mobulid species that lives in the Mediterranean Sea. The species has been observed to have a maximum recorded disk width of 5.2 m (roughly 17 ft). However, those data are unreliable and are allegedly misunderstood as giant oceanic manta rays that have strayed into the Mediterranean. It is also considered to be the only devil fish with a tail spine.", "habitat": "The devil fish is most common in the Mediterranean Sea. It is also found in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean, off the southwest coast of Ireland and south of Portugal, as well as in the central and western Pacific Ocean. In the Mediterranean, the species has a basin-wide distribution and is most frequent in the eastern Mediterranean and the Adriatic Sea. The large aggregations observed in the Levantine basin could signal an important mating area. Devil fish inhabit offshore areas to the neritic zone, their range as deep as several thousand meters. They are typically observed in small clusters, and may occasionally form larger groups. Giant devil rays are usually seen in deep coastal waters, but are occasionally seen in shallow waters. In a tagging experiment conducted by the Italian National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, three giant devil rays were tagged and their depth was observed throughout different times of the day. The rays reached a maximum depth of 600–700 m (2,000–2,300 ft), but mostly spent their time between 0 and 50 m (0 and 164 ft); they prefer warmer waters with a temperature between 20 and 29 °C (68 and 84 °F). The giant devil rays also deep dive at random times, instances not correlated to the time of day, unlike how other species' deep dives at specific times of day. In other observations studying ray abundance and habitat, giant devil rays were observed alone and occasionally in groups with a maximum of 18 rays.", "distribution": "The devil fish is most common in the Mediterranean Sea. It is also found in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean, off the southwest coast of Ireland and south of Portugal, as well as in the central and western Pacific Ocean. In the Mediterranean, the species has a basin-wide distribution and is most frequent in the eastern Mediterranean and the Adriatic Sea. The large aggregations observed in the Levantine basin could signal an important mating area. Devil fish inhabit offshore areas to the neritic zone, their range as deep as several thousand meters. They are typically observed in small clusters, and may occasionally form larger groups. Giant devil rays are usually seen in deep coastal waters, but are occasionally seen in shallow waters. In a tagging experiment conducted by the Italian National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, three giant devil rays were tagged and their depth was observed throughout different times of the day. The rays reached a maximum depth of 600–700 m (2,000–2,300 ft), but mostly spent their time between 0 and 50 m (0 and 164 ft); they prefer warmer waters with a temperature between 20 and 29 °C (68 and 84 °F). The giant devil rays also deep dive at random times, instances not correlated to the time of day, unlike how other species' deep dives at specific times of day. In other observations studying ray abundance and habitat, giant devil rays were observed alone and occasionally in groups with a maximum of 18 rays.", "diet": "", "family": "Mobulidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1502150.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Mobula mobular with Naucrates ductor", "author": "sarahfaulwetter", "license": "CC BY 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mobula_mobular_with_Naucrates_ductor.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil_fish", "revision": 1377458641, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1377458641", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "872e77bbd57fb93ca18d5319d8da6ca70ca8d806318ac48eb1ca55be74f59c5f" }, { "id": "Q928469", "common_name": "Copper shark", "scientific_name": "Carcharhinus brachyurus", "aliases": [ "copper shark", "bronze whaler", "Carcharhinus brachyurus" ], "summary": "The copper shark (Carcharhinus brachyurus), bronze whaler, or narrowtooth shark is a species of requiem shark found mostly in temperate latitudes. It is distributed in a number of separate populations in the northeastern and southwestern Atlantic, off southern Africa, in the northwestern and eastern Pacific, and around Australia and New Zealand, with scattered reports from equatorial regions. The species can be found from brackish rivers and estuaries to shallow bays and harbors, to offshore waters 100 m (330 ft) deep or more. Females are found apart from males for most of the year, and conduct seasonal migrations. A large species reaching 3.3 m (11 ft) long, the copper shark is difficult to distinguish from other large requiem sharks. It is characterized by its narrow, hook-shaped upper teeth, lack of a prominent ridge between the dorsal fins, and plain bronze coloration. Feeding mainly on cephalopods, bony fishes, and other cartilaginous fishes, the copper shark is a fast-swimming predator that has been known to hunt in large groups, using their numbers to their advantage; however, for most of the time they remain solitary. Off South Africa, this species associates closely with the annual sardine run, involving millions of southern African pilchard (Sardinops sagax). Like other requiem sharks, it is viviparous, with the developing embryos mainly nourished through a placental connection formed from the depleted yolk sac.", "features": "The copper shark has a slender, streamlined body with a slightly arched profile just behind the head. The snout is rather long and pointed, with the nostrils preceded by low flaps of skin. The round, moderately large eyes are equipped with nictitating membranes (protective third eyelids). The mouth has short, subtle furrows at the corners and contains 29–35 upper tooth rows and 29–33 lower tooth rows. The teeth are serrated with single narrow cusps; the upper teeth have a distinctive hooked shape and become more angled towards the corners of the jaw, while the lower teeth are upright. The upper teeth of adult males are longer, narrower, more curved, and more finely serrated than those of adult females and juveniles. The five pairs of gill slits are fairly long. The pectoral fins are large, pointed, and falcate (sickle-shaped). The first dorsal fin is tall, with a pointed apex and a concave trailing margin; its origin lies about even with the tips of the pectoral fins. The second dorsal fin is small and low, and positioned about opposite to the anal fin. There is usually no ridge between the dorsal fins. The caudal fin has a well-developed lower lobe and a deep ventral notch near the tip of the upper lobe. This species is bronze to olive-gray above with a metallic sheen and sometimes a pink cast, darkening towards the fin tips and margins but not conspicuously so; the color fades quickly to a dull gray-brown after death. The underside is white, which extends onto the flanks as a prominent band.", "habitat": "The copper shark is the only member of its genus largely found in temperate rather than tropical waters, in temperatures above 12 °C (54 °F). It is widely distributed but as disjunct regional populations with little to no interchange between them. In the Atlantic, this shark occurs from the Mediterranean Sea to Morocco and the Canary Islands, off Argentina, and off Namibia and South Africa (where there may be two separate populations), with infrequent records from Mauritania, the Gulf of Guinea, and possibly the Gulf of Mexico. In the Indo-Pacific, it is found from the East China Sea to Japan (excluding Hokkaido) and southern Russia, off southern Australia (mostly between Sydney and Perth but occasionally further north), and around New Zealand but not as far as the Kermadec Islands; there are also unconfirmed reports from the Seychelles and the Gulf of Thailand. In the eastern Pacific, it occurs from northern Chile to Peru, and from Mexico to Point Conception, California, including the Gulf of California. The copper shark is common off parts of Argentina, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, and rare elsewhere; in many areas its range is ill-defined because of confusion with other species. The shark is one of the most commonly found in the waters of New Zealand. Copper sharks can be found from the surf zone to slightly beyond the continental shelf in the open ocean, diving to depths of 100 m (330 ft) or more. This species commonly enters very shallow habitats, including bays, shoals, and harbors, and also inhabits rocky areas and offshore islands.", "distribution": "The copper shark is the only member of its genus largely found in temperate rather than tropical waters, in temperatures above 12 °C (54 °F). It is widely distributed but as disjunct regional populations with little to no interchange between them. In the Atlantic, this shark occurs from the Mediterranean Sea to Morocco and the Canary Islands, off Argentina, and off Namibia and South Africa (where there may be two separate populations), with infrequent records from Mauritania, the Gulf of Guinea, and possibly the Gulf of Mexico. In the Indo-Pacific, it is found from the East China Sea to Japan (excluding Hokkaido) and southern Russia, off southern Australia (mostly between Sydney and Perth but occasionally further north), and around New Zealand but not as far as the Kermadec Islands; there are also unconfirmed reports from the Seychelles and the Gulf of Thailand. In the eastern Pacific, it occurs from northern Chile to Peru, and from Mexico to Point Conception, California, including the Gulf of California. The copper shark is common off parts of Argentina, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, and rare elsewhere; in many areas its range is ill-defined because of confusion with other species. The shark is one of the most commonly found in the waters of New Zealand. Copper sharks can be found from the surf zone to slightly beyond the continental shelf in the open ocean, diving to depths of 100 m (330 ft) or more. This species commonly enters very shallow habitats, including bays, shoals, and harbors, and also inhabits rocky areas and offshore islands.", "diet": "The copper shark feeds more towards the bottom of the water column than the top, consuming cephalopods, including squid (Loligo spp.), cuttlefishes, and octopus; bony fishes, including gurnards, flatfishes, hakes, catfishes, jacks, Australian salmon, Atlantic salmon, mullets, sea breams, smelts, tunas, sardines, Cape horse mackerel, and anchovies; and cartilaginous fishes, including dogfish sharks (Squalus spp.), stingrays, skates, electric rays, and sawfishes. Cephalopods and cartilaginous fishes become relatively more important food for sharks over 2 m (6.6 ft) long. Young sharks also consume scyphozoan jellyfish and crustaceans, including mud shrimps (Callianassa) and penaeid prawns. It does not attack marine mammals, though it has been known to scavenge (rarely) on dolphins that had succumbed to fishing nets. The predominant prey of this species off South Africa is the southern African pilchard (Sardinops sagax), which comprise 69–95% of its diet. Every winter, schools of copper sharks follow the \"run\" of the pilchard from the Eastern Cape to KwaZulu-Natal. The gathering of millions of forage fish attract a multitude of predators, including several species of sharks, of which copper sharks are the most numerous. Large numbers of copper sharks have been observed hunting together in a seemingly cooperative fashion. Small schooling fish are \"herded\" into a tight ball, whereupon each shark swims through in turn with its mouth open to feed.", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q928469.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Bronze whaler auckland", "author": "Robert Nyman", "license": "CC BY 2.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bronze_whaler_auckland.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper_shark", "revision": 1368875765, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1368875765", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "272bb769bc9ec8afee5e7950073dfecc9abd568b28fcca72bf7f8f862b01d347" }, { "id": "Q900868", "common_name": "Yellow tang", "scientific_name": "Zebrasoma flavescens", "aliases": [ "Zebrasoma flavescens" ], "summary": "The yellow tang (Zebrasoma flavescens), also known as the lemon sailfin, yellow sailfin tang or somber surgeonfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Acanthuridae which includes the surgeonfishes, unicornfishes and tangs. Bright yellow in color, this Pacific reef fish is also one of the most popular marine aquarium fish. The yellow tang spawns around a full moon, eats algae, and has a white barb located just before the tail fin to protect itself.", "features": "", "habitat": "It is commonly found in shallow reefs, from 2–46 metres (6.6–150.9 ft) deep, in the Pacific Ocean (Ryukyu, Mariana, Marshall, Marcus, Wake, and Hawaiian islands), west of Hawaii and east of Japan. There have also been reports that they have been found off the coast of Florida in the Western Central Atlantic. A single specimen was filmed in the Mediterranean Sea in Spanish waters in 2008, a likely aquarium release. As of July of 2024, yellow tangs have been spotted several times on the shallow reefs of Mexico's Riviera Maya. Their habitat is tropical with a temperature range of 24–28 °C (75–82 °F). The yellow tang is a marine fish that lives in reefs and is typically found by itself or in small groups/schools. It is mainly herbivorous and eats filamentous algae. Natural predators include larger fish, sharks, crabs, and octopuses.", "distribution": "It is commonly found in shallow reefs, from 2–46 metres (6.6–150.9 ft) deep, in the Pacific Ocean (Ryukyu, Mariana, Marshall, Marcus, Wake, and Hawaiian islands), west of Hawaii and east of Japan. There have also been reports that they have been found off the coast of Florida in the Western Central Atlantic. A single specimen was filmed in the Mediterranean Sea in Spanish waters in 2008, a likely aquarium release. As of July of 2024, yellow tangs have been spotted several times on the shallow reefs of Mexico's Riviera Maya. Their habitat is tropical with a temperature range of 24–28 °C (75–82 °F).", "diet": "", "family": "Acanthuridae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q900868.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Zebrasoma flavescens Luc Viatour", "author": "Luc Viatour", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Zebrasoma_flavescens_Luc_Viatour.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow_tang", "revision": 1375201120, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1375201120", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "4e51af0aa21f3b76c5c8e5b8aa59201fbdf9b6731f57d67f6bcf4e849f1469d8" }, { "id": "Q844624", "common_name": "Rosy barb", "scientific_name": "Pethia conchonius", "aliases": [ "Pethia conchonius" ], "summary": "The rosy barb (Pethia conchonius) is a subtropical freshwater cyprinid fish found in southern Asia from Afghanistan to Bangladesh.", "features": "This species of barb grows up to 6 inches (15 cm) in length. Juveniles possess large, deeply forked tails, which are large in proportion to their body. Their colour becomes bolder during their mating periods. Males have more vibrant colours and females are slightly plumper. Also note that females do not have any black colour in their fins while males do. They may weigh up to 340 grams (12 oz) when fully grown but can weigh much less during adolescence. They are mature at 63.5 mm (2.50 in).", "habitat": "In the wild their omnivorous diet consists of worms, insects, crustaceans, and plant matter. They have a lifespan of up to 5 years. Rosy barbs natively live in lakes and fast flowing water in a subtropical climate. Their natural habitat has a pH of 6 to 8, a water hardness of 5-19 dGH, and a temperature range of 64–72 °F (18–22 °C).", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q844624.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Rosy barb friends", "author": "The Great Mule of Eupatoria", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rosy_barb_friends.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosy_barb", "revision": 1362510912, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1362510912", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "e326161ac1978051e416f025ff71668d5c2bb00fae6b05ae56c6c6b42238d791" }, { "id": "Q1989807", "common_name": "Sargo", "scientific_name": "Diplodus sargus", "aliases": [ "Diplodus sargus", "White sea bream" ], "summary": "Diplodus sargus, the sargo, common white seabream, or white seabream is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sparidae, which includes the seabreams and porgies. This fish is found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and in the Mediterranean Sea. It is a target species for commercial fisheries and is grown in aquaculture. D. sargus sensu lato was formerly thought to be a widespread species in the eastern Atlantic and western Indian Oceans but the taxa outside of D, sargus sensu stricto are now recognised as valid species and are part of the D. sargus species complex.", "features": "Diplodus sargus has a deep, somewhat compressed body with a high, arched back. The cheeks and gill cover are scaled. The mouth is terminal with thin lips and slightly protrusible jaws. At the front of each jaw there are 8, occasionally 10 in the upper jaw, incisor-like teeth with several rows of molar-like teeth behind them. There are 11 or 12 spines, typically 12, and between12 and 16 soft rays supporting the dorsal fin while the anal fin is supported by 3 spines and 12 to 14 soft rays. The caudal fin is forked. The overall colour is silvery-grey, the front of the head being darker. There are 9 vertical bars, these alternate between very dark and lighter bars but there may be only dark bars or none. There is a dark saddle-like blotch on the caudal peduncle, immediately to the rear of the last soft rays of the dorsal fin. There is a black spot above the base of the pectoral fin. The dorsal and anal fins are dusky in colour, darkening towards their far edges. The rear edge of the caudal fin is black. There are only 5 stripes in juveniles. The white seabream has a maximum published total length of 45 cm (18 in), although 22 cm (8.7 in) is more typical, with a maximum published weight of 1.9 kg (4.2 lb).", "habitat": "Duiplodus sargus is found in the northeastern Atlantic from the southern Brittany, the Bay of Biscay and the Atlantic coasts of Spain and Portugal into the Strait of Gibraltar and throughout the Mediterranean and Black Sea. It is replaced off the coast of Israel by D. levantinus. In the eastern Atlantic this species has been moving north and has been recorded in the Channel Islands. The white sea bream is a benthopelagic, schooling species inhabiting coastal areas with rocky bottoms interspersed with sand from 0 to 150 m (0 to 492 ft), being most numerous in the surf zone. The young occur in Zostera beds and this species uses estuaries as nursery areas.", "distribution": "Duiplodus sargus is found in the northeastern Atlantic from the southern Brittany, the Bay of Biscay and the Atlantic coasts of Spain and Portugal into the Strait of Gibraltar and throughout the Mediterranean and Black Sea. It is replaced off the coast of Israel by D. levantinus. In the eastern Atlantic this species has been moving north and has been recorded in the Channel Islands. The white sea bream is a benthopelagic, schooling species inhabiting coastal areas with rocky bottoms interspersed with sand from 0 to 150 m (0 to 492 ft), being most numerous in the surf zone. The young occur in Zostera beds and this species uses estuaries as nursery areas.", "diet": "", "family": "Sparidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1989807.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Sargo común (Diplodus sargus), Madeira, Portugal, 2019-05-31, DD 29", "author": "Diego Delso", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sargo_com%C3%BAn_(Diplodus_sargus),_Madeira,_Portugal,_2019-05-31,_DD_29.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diplodus_sargus", "revision": 1354659357, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1354659357", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "de01e5c385ac0213d8d164a21e382a9d8158d1f4c5bb62d0c333526e9e093b3c" }, { "id": "Q863850", "common_name": "Peppered corydoras", "scientific_name": "Corydoras paleatus", "aliases": [ "Peppered corydoras", "Corydoras paleatus" ], "summary": "Hoplisoma paleatum, the blue leopard corydoras, mottled corydoras or peppered catfish, is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the subfamily Corydoradinae, the corys, of the family Callichthyidae, the armoured catfishes. This catfish is found in southeastern South America.", "features": "Hoplisoma paleatum reaches about 5.9–7 centimeters (2.3–2.8 in) SL. The male is smaller than the female, and in proportion to body length, the dorsal fin and pectoral fins are longer on the male than the female.", "habitat": "Hoplisoma paleatum feeds on worms, crustaceans, insects, and plant matter. H. paleatum has been known to produce sound; it does this by the abduction of its pectoral fins. This is used by males during courtship and intrapersonal communication, and by both sexes and juveniles when distressed. In reproduction, males do not behave aggressively toward each other, nor do they monopolize mating areas or females. The T-position is involved in courtship, as with many other corydorines. Charles Darwin discovered H. paleatum when he went to Buenos Aires during his expedition aboard the Beagle during the 1830s. The fish is a common choice for community aquariums, as it is relatively hardy and peaceful.", "distribution": "Hoplisoma paleatum is found in the lower Paraná River basin in Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil and in coastal rivers in Brazil and Uruguay.", "diet": "", "family": "Callichthyidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q863850.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Hoplisoma paleatum Natural History Museum University of Pisa", "author": "Mattia Nocciola", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hoplisoma_paleatum_Natural_History_Museum_University_of_Pisa.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoplisoma_paleatum", "revision": 1372483544, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1372483544", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "3902f92bfe5b6705ff355f4857431cea23f0d22b93b39723c084da6f78969562" }, { "id": "Q301058", "common_name": "Red-tailed black shark", "scientific_name": "Epalzeorhynchos bicolor", "aliases": [ "Epalzeorhynchos bicolor", "Redtailed black shark" ], "summary": "The red-tailed black shark (Epalzeorhynchos bicolor; syn. Labeo bicolor), also known as the redtail shark, red tailed shark, and redtail sharkminnow, is a species of tropical freshwater fish in the carp family, Cyprinidae. It is named after its shark-like appearance and movement, as well as its distinctive red tail. It is known locally as the ornated fish (Thai: ปลาทรงเครื่อง) Despite its common name, it is more closely related to carp. It is endemic to streams and rivers in Thailand and is currently critically endangered. However, it is common in aquaria, where it is prized for its deep black body, and vivid red orange tail. These are moderately sized tropical aquarium fish who are active benthic swimmers. They are omnivorous but are willing to scavenge if the opportunity arises. They are known for their activity as well as their temperament towards other fish. The red-tailed black sharks seen in the aquarium trade today are all captive bred.", "features": "Red-tailed black sharks grow to be 6 inches (16 cm), but some specimens have reached 7–8 inches (18–20 cm). They have a black elongated body shape that is moderately compressed, and with the snout overhanging the mouth. As juveniles they are all thin and streamlined. However, as they age their bodies becomes deeper in the midsection, which is most prominent in females. Red-tailed black sharks have an inferior mouth that faces downwards, as well as two pairs of barbels around it. Some specimens may have small black spots just above the lateral line that can be difficult to spot in life.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "This species is endemic to Thailand, and has been recorded in the lower Mae Khlong, Chao Phraya, and Bangpakong river basins. It was described by Hugh McCormick Smith in 1931 as being \"not uncommon in Borapet Swamp, Central Siam, and in the streams leading therefrom\", and as being found in the Chao Phraya River as far south as Bangkok. A 1934 expedition reported catching a specimen in the Silom canal. Red-tailed black sharks live in lowland streams, rivers, and creeks. They prefer areas with high flow, dense vegetation, large rocks and rocky or even sandy sediment. However, from 1996 until 2011 it was believed to be extinct in the wild. In 2011 it was only known at a single location in the Chao Phraya basin, however it was believed to be strictly localized and is thought to be extirpated across the rest of its range. However, a single specimen was found in 2013 in a rocky dam around the mainstream of the Mae Khlong River in the Muang District of West Thailand.", "diet": "Red-tailed black sharks are omnivorous scavengers who are rarely picky eaters. In the wild they eat insects, small crustaceans, worms, detritus, and plant matter. They will also eat algae off rocks, plants, and décor similar to many popular sucker fish in aquariums. They will scavenge recently deceased fish and animals if given the chance. They generally patrol the bottom of the water column around rocks and plants searching for food.", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q301058.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Epalzeorhynchos bicolor1", "author": "Astellar87", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Epalzeorhynchos_bicolor1.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red-tailed_black_shark", "revision": 1370686210, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1370686210", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "8c8795761c88d054ffe508fe570b427c4f3bfc321029aed5eb3da8cf50d267de" }, { "id": "Q697487", "common_name": "Pond loach", "scientific_name": "Misgurnus anguillicaudatus", "aliases": [ "Misgurnus anguillicaudatus" ], "summary": "The pond loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus), also known as the Dojo loach, oriental weatherloach, or oriental weatherfish, is a freshwater fish in the loach family Cobitidae. They are native to East Asia, but are also popular as an aquarium fish and introduced elsewhere in Asia and to Europe, America and Australia. The alternate name weather loach is shared with several other Cobitidae, including the other members of the genus Misgurnus and the spotted weather loach (Cobitis taenia, commonly known as spined loach). This term comes from their ability to detect changes in barometric pressure before a storm and react with frantic swimming or standing on end.", "features": "Pond loaches usually range from 10 to 20 cm (3.9 to 7.9 in) in length, although individuals can reach 28 cm (11 in) in standard length; females are generally larger than males.They also come in a variety of colors, such as pink, orange, albino and gray, and can vary in colour from yellow to olive green, to a common light brown or grey with lighter undersides. Like many other loaches, pond loaches have slender, eel-like body. The mouth of the loach is surrounded by three sets of barbels, which are used to sift through silt or pebbles to find food, and also to dig under gravel and sand to conceal the fish out of nervousness or self-defence, unlike the other loaches who use the spines beneath the eyes. Pond loaches are bottom-dwelling omnivores whose diet consists largely of small benthic invertebrates and detritus. Stomach-content studies have found aquatic insect larvae, small crustaceans, mollusks, and other invertebrates among their major food items. Pond loaches are very hardy fish that can live in poor-quality water, and can survive short periods of drought by producing a layer of moisture-trapping mucus to keep themselves damp. Despite their resiliance against water conditions, pond loaches should still be kept in pristine water to ensure their health and prosperity within the home aquarium or pond. These loaches prefer a soft, sandy, smooth stone, fine gravel substrate, or bare bottomed tank as opposed to any form of rocks or rough gravel, which have been known to damage the sensitive barbels and skin.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "According to the US Geological Survey, M. anguillicaudatus is native to eastern Asia from Siberia to Northern Vietnam, including Japan.", "diet": "", "family": "Cobitidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q697487.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Misgurnus anguillicaudatus", "author": "Noel Burkhead / USGS", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Misgurnus_anguillicaudatus.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pond_loach", "revision": 1380321760, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1380321760", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "06bcf2d1ccfabb9a036d592cbd9a20ae6ebd21ef35fbb61ea875338514bf121f" }, { "id": "Q855808", "common_name": "Amur bitterling", "scientific_name": "Rhodeus sericeus", "aliases": [ "Rhodeus sericeus" ], "summary": "The Amur bitterling (Rhodeus sericeus) is a small fish of the carp family. It is sometimes just called \"bitterling\", which dates back to the time when the European bitterling (Rhodeus amarus) was still considered conspecific with R. sericeus, and \"bitterling\" properly refers to any species in the entire genus Rhodeus. The Amur bitterling is found in Siberia, while the European bitterling is found from European Russia westwards. Mussels form an essential part of their reproductive system, with bitterling eggs being laid inside them. Long thought to be symbiotic with the mussels (whose larval phase attaches to fish gills during development), recent research has indicated they are, in fact, parasitic, with co-evolution being seen in Chinese bitterling and mussel species. Bitterlings usually reside in areas with dense plant growth. They are hardy fish and can survive in water that is not very well oxygenated. They grow to be 3–4 in (76–102 mm) long at most. The bitterling's diet consists of plant material and small larvae of insects.", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q855808.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Rhodeus sericeus - Bouvière - Amur bitterling", "author": "Gilles San Martin", "license": "CC BY-SA 2.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rhodeus_sericeus_-_Bouvi%C3%A8re_-_Amur_bitterling.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display; no cropping. Source edits are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amur_bitterling", "revision": 1313895072, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1313895072", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "70222ea9d3a32a3b14fe2c89c6abf9bfe0258d0f163c2d7e31452cba7901d89a" }, { "id": "Q1513246", "common_name": "Giant barb", "scientific_name": "Catlocarpio siamensis", "aliases": [ "Catlocarpio siamensis" ], "summary": "The giant barb, Siamese giant carp, or simply Siamese carp (Catlocarpio siamensis; Khmer: ត្រីគល់រាំង, trei kól reăng; Thai: กระโห้, RTGS: kraho, Thai pronunciation: [krā.hôː], or กะมัน, RTGS: kaman, Thai pronunciation: [kā.mān]; Vietnamese: cá Hô) is the largest species of cyprinid, and may also be the largest member in the suborder Cyprinoidei. These migratory fish are found only in the Mae Klong, Mekong, and Chao Phraya River basins in Indochina. Populations have declined drastically due to habitat loss and overfishing, and the giant barb is now considered critically endangered.", "features": "", "habitat": "Giant barbs are usually seen in large pools along the edges of large rivers, but seasonally enter smaller canals, floodplains, and flooded forests. Young barbs are usually found in smaller tributaries and swamps, but can acclimate to living in ponds, canals, and swamps. The fish generally live in pairs. These are migratory fish, swimming to favorable areas for feeding and breeding in different parts of the year. These slow-moving fish subsist on algae, phytoplankton, and fruits of inundated terrestrial plants, rarely (if ever) feeding on active animals. In the lower Mekong basin, young giant barbs have been reported as occurring primarily in October.", "distribution": "Giant barbs are usually seen in large pools along the edges of large rivers, but seasonally enter smaller canals, floodplains, and flooded forests. Young barbs are usually found in smaller tributaries and swamps, but can acclimate to living in ponds, canals, and swamps. The fish generally live in pairs. These are migratory fish, swimming to favorable areas for feeding and breeding in different parts of the year. These slow-moving fish subsist on algae, phytoplankton, and fruits of inundated terrestrial plants, rarely (if ever) feeding on active animals. In the lower Mekong basin, young giant barbs have been reported as occurring primarily in October.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1513246.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Giant Barb", "author": "User:Lerdsuwa", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Giant_Barb.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_barb", "revision": 1345139886, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1345139886", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "fdaeaa28e333d684836e960cc805cc7d5ad62e7d12100522a687dee4debef2e9" }, { "id": "Q179377", "common_name": "Humphead wrasse", "scientific_name": "Crassilabrus undulatus", "aliases": [ "Cheilinus undulatus" ], "summary": "The humphead wrasse (Crassilabrus undulatus) is the largest species of wrasse mainly found on coral reefs in the Indo-Pacific region. It is also known as the Māori wrasse, Napoleon wrasse, and Napoleonfish. The species is one of the top predators of the reef ecosystem, mainly consuming various invertebrate species including the crown-of-thorns starfish. It is of interest to humans for food and for aquaria, along with a growing value in providing ecological services.", "features": "The humphead wrasse is the largest extant member of the family Labridae. Males, typically larger than females, are capable of reaching up to 229 centimetres (90 in) and weighing up to 191 kilograms (421 lb), but the average length tends to be around 60 centimetres (24 in). Females rarely grow larger than one meter. This species can be easily identified by its large size, thick lips, two black lines behind its eyes, and the hump on the foreheads of larger adults. Its color can vary between olive to more vibrant shades of green and purplish-blue, with a pattern of yellow undulating lines or reticulation on the head. Adults are usually observed living singly, but are also seen in male–female pairs and in small groups. The mitogenome of this wrasse was sequenced in 2013. Since so little was known about the wrasse's genetic relationships at a geographical scale, researchers utilized a test using microsatellite loci to facilitate population genetic studies. (DNA markers could not be used for testing, as the humphead wrasse lack such markers.) Of the 15 microsatellite loci used in the test, only four seemed to have different outcomes than the other 11. These loci were all prone to null alleles. However, with the presence of these null alleles, the results may have been slightly biased, or they may be related to a particularity of the C. undulatus, which are highly restricted to coral reef habitats.", "habitat": "The humphead wrasses can be found on the east coast of Africa around the mouth of the Red Sea, and in some areas of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Juveniles are usually found in shallow, sandy ranges bordering coral reef waters, while adults are found mostly in offshore and deeper areas of coral reefs, typically in outer-reef slopes and channels, but also in lagoons.", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q179377.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Cheilinus undulatus Maldives", "author": "Julien Bidet for MDC Seamarc", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cheilinus_undulatus_Maldives.JPG", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humphead_wrasse", "revision": 1379407752, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1379407752", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "efb9c50f6c4d29bcd299d469c3490c66a0ac85d02747b7d0e7fa29e80c07599e" }, { "id": "Q1156533", "common_name": "Indonesian coelacanth", "scientific_name": "Latimeria menadoensis", "aliases": [ "Latimeria menadoensis", "Sulawesi coelacanth", "Indonesian coelacanth" ], "summary": "The Indonesian coelacanth (Latimeria menadoensis, Indonesian: raja laut, English: king of the sea), also called Sulawesi coelacanth, is one of two living species of coelacanth, identifiable by its brown color. Latimeria menadoensis is a lobe-finned fish belonging to the class Actinistia and order Coelacanthiformes, classified under the family Latimeriidae and genus Latimeria. As a deep-sea predator, this species plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems. Separate populations of the Indonesian coelacanth are found in the waters of north Sulawesi, Papua, Southwest Papua, and North Maluku, which may be genetically distinct. This species offers insights into the early existence of fish and the first tetrapods. It is listed as vulnerable by the IUCN, and it was quickly given protected status under Indonesian National Law Number 7/1999 after its discovery. The other species of coelacanth, the West Indian Ocean coelacanth, is listed as critically endangered.", "features": "Superficially, the Indonesian coelacanth, known locally as raja laut (\"king of the sea\"), appears to be the same as those found in the Comoros except that the background coloration of the skin is brownish-gray rather than bluish. It has the same white mottling pattern as the West Indian Ocean coelacanth, but with flecks over the dorsal surface of its body and fins that appear golden due to the reflection of light. It may grow to 1.4 meters long and about 31–51 kg. These two species also reflect their taxa in certain morphological characteristics, especially in their pectoral and pelvic fin–like structure and in their oil-filled notochord instead of a vertebral spine. It also has unique hollow fin rays which adds to the coelacanth's image as a living fossil. It has also a considerable adipose-filled swim bladder for the control of buoyancy and an intracranial articulation which facilitates the jaw movement during feeding. The head is large relative to the size of the body weighing 27–29% of the total body length. Compared to its African counterpart, Latimeria menadoensis has longer pectoral fins and shorter pelvic fins with fewer second dorsal and pelvic fin rays. The species' arrangement of teeth has sharply curved small premaxillary teeth used in slicing its food and several smaller teeth with fang-like large palatopterygoids. It is thought that this makes it easier to capture and constrain prey in the extreme conditions of the deep sea.", "habitat": "Geological obstacles and ocean currents most likely have an impact on the distribution of the Indonesian coelacanths, which are restricted to particular areas of the country (in contrast, L. chalumnae is found throughout the western Indian Ocean). Living in the lightless depths of the ocean, the Indonesian coelacanth has certain visual adaptations. They appear to be more sensitive to blue light at 480 nm, a typical wavelength in the black, restricted habitation of this animal. This adaptation has undergone further shift, together with the expansion of the rostral organ, which can detect electrical signals, enables the coelacanth to move and feed in the dark environment. It is speculated by the researchers that such evolution process in the deep-sea ecosystems might have started at about 200 million years ago. Teams of researchers using submersibles have recorded live sightings of the fish in the waters of Manado Tua and the Talise islands off north Sulawesi as well as in the waters of Biak in Papua. These areas share similar steep rocky topography full of caves, which are the habitat of the fish. These coelacanths live in deep waters of around 150 metres or more, at a temperature between 14 and 18 degrees Celsius. This species is associated with deep waters, and their occurrence ranges from 100 to 700 meters under the water surface. Despite its presence and the depth range in Indonesia, the habitat selection of the Indonesian coelacanth is biased towards certain geographic territories.", "distribution": "", "diet": "The Indonesian coelacanth is a carnivore that feeds primarily on benthopelagic fish (such as flounder, rays, and halibut) and epibenthopelagic organisms (phytoplankton, zooplankton, jellyfish crabs, sea turtles, sea birds). Their food preference is mainly deep sea fish and cephalopods, making them carnivorous. They also engage in ambush predation. While hunting, coelacanths have been observed to swim with their heads directed upwards in what is thought to be headstand posturing which is the most energy efficient. The conservation of energy is essential due to their relatively slow metabolic rates, a consequence of living in a deep-sea habitat.", "family": "Latimeriidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1156533.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Indonesian coelacanth, Expo 2015", "author": "Claudio Martino", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Indonesian_coelacanth,_Expo_2015.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indonesian_coelacanth", "revision": 1376371458, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1376371458", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "19b8a13b48c398109b008933773c455948522a3f59132985ac1a1bb8b07e0638" }, { "id": "Q1142975", "common_name": "Japanese rice fish", "scientific_name": "Oryzias latipes", "aliases": [ "Oryzias latipes", "Medaka", "Japanese medaka" ], "summary": "The Japanese rice fish (Oryzias latipes), also known as the medaka, is a member of genus Oryzias (ricefish), the only genus in the subfamily Oryziinae. This small (up to about 3.6 cm or 1.4 in) native of Japan is a denizen of rice paddies, marshes, ponds, slow-moving streams and tide pools. It is euryhaline, occurring in both brackish and freshwater. It became popular as an aquarium fish because of its hardiness and pleasant coloration: its coloration varies from creamy-white to yellowish in the wild to white, creamy-yellow, or orange in aquarium-bred individuals. Bright yellow, red or green transgenic populations, similar to GloFish, have also been developed, but are banned from sale in the EU. The medaka has been a popular pet since the 17th century in Japan. After fertilization, the female carries her eggs attached anterior to the anal fin for a period before depositing them on plants or similar things.", "features": "", "habitat": "Medaka live in small ponds, shallow rivers, and rice fields. They can survive in a wide range of water temperatures (0–42 °C or 32–108 °F), but they prefer a water temperature of 15–28 °C (59–82 °F). Since they eat juvenile mosquitoes and small plankton, they are known as a beneficial organism for humans. They produce 10–20 eggs per birth, and they can produce eggs every day in laboratory conditions. They are seasonal breeding animals and usually lay eggs between spring and summer. They prefer to lay eggs around water grass and often prefer living in rice fields. The egg usually requires 4–10 days to hatch. They have an advanced renal function, which enables them to live in saltwater and brackish water. The average life span of this species in the wild is estimated to be 2 years, though in laboratory conditions they can survive 3–5 years. They live in schools, and they can recognize the faces of other individual medaka.", "distribution": "As originally defined, O. latipes was native to much of east and mainland southeast Asia, but in recent decades most of these populations have been split off as separate species based on morphological (morphometrics and meristics) and genetic evidence. This limits the native range of definite O. latipes to Japan: eastern and southern Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, and smaller southern islands in the country. Formerly included in this species but now regarded as separate are O. sakaizumii in northwestern Honshu in Japan (locally, it hybridizes with O. latipes), and O. sinensis (Chinese rice fish) in much of China, west Korea and parts of mainland southeast Asia. The taxonomic position of certain populations, including some in China, Laos and east Korea, is unclear and require further study. It is possible that all these Chinese populations are part of O. sinensis, but the Laos specimens are relatively large, similar to O. latipes rather than the tiny O. sinensis. The east Korean population is part of a clade with O. sakaizumii and O. latipes. Based on morphology it is closer to O. sakaizumii than O. latipes, but it may be an undescribed species. Oryzias latipes has been introduced to Hokkaido in northern Japan (where ricefish are not native). There are other reports of introductions around the world, but at least most of those in mainland Asia and Europe involve O. sinensis (Chinese rice fish).", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Both", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1142975.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Oryzias latipes(Hamamatsu,Shizuoka,Japan,2007)-1", "author": "Seotaro", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Oryzias_latipes(Hamamatsu,Shizuoka,Japan,2007)-1.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_rice_fish", "revision": 1371279474, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1371279474", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "b77b604c29b940574e4b6b5764e7201b0a7407844dbe0112502f0ff21064be33" }, { "id": "Q1419686", "common_name": "Blacknose shark", "scientific_name": "Carcharhinus acronotus", "aliases": [ "Carcharhinus acronotus" ], "summary": "The blacknose shark (Carcharhinus acronotus) is a species of requiem shark, belonging to the family Carcharhinidae, common in the tropical and subtropical waters of the western Atlantic Ocean. This species generally inhabits coastal seagrass, sand, or rubble habitats, with adults preferring deeper water than juveniles. A small shark typically measuring 1.3 m (4.3 ft) long, the blacknose has a typical streamlined \"requiem shark\" shape with a long, rounded snout, large eyes, and a small first dorsal fin. Its common name comes from a characteristic black blotch on the tip of its snout, though this may be indistinct in older individuals. Blacknose sharks feed primarily on small bony fishes and cephalopods, and in turn fall prey to larger sharks. Like other members of their family, they exhibit a viviparous mode of reproduction in which the developing embryos are sustained by a placental connection. The females give birth to three to six young in late spring or early summer, either annually or biennially, after a gestation period of eight to 11 months. This species is not known to attack humans, though it has been documented performing a threat display towards divers. It is of moderate commercial and recreational importance. In 2009, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced the populations of the blacknose shark off the United States are being overfished, and proposed new conservation measures.", "features": "The blacknose shark has a slender, streamlined body with a long, rounded snout and large eyes. A well-developed flap of skin occurs in front of each nostril, defining the inflow and outflow openings. Twelve to 13 and 11 to 12 tooth rows occur on either side of the upper and lower jaws, respectively, with one or two teeth at the symphysis (middle). The teeth are triangular and oblique, with serrated edges; the upper teeth are stouter than the lower teeth. The five pairs of gill slits are short, measuring less a third the length of the first dorsal fin base. The first dorsal fin is small and somewhat sickle-shaped, with a pointed apex and a short, free, rear tip; its origin lies over the free rear tips of the pectoral fins. The second dorsal fin is relatively large, though still less than half the height of the first. No ridge is seen between the dorsal fins. The pectoral fins are short and tapered. The body is covered with overlapping dermal denticles that bear five to seven longitudinal ridges (three in very young individuals) leading to three to five marginal teeth. The coloration is yellowish to greenish-gray or brown above and white to yellow below. A distinctive dark blotch at the tip of the snout is most obvious in young sharks. The tips of the second dorsal fin, upper caudal fin lobe, and sometimes the lower caudal fin lobe, are dark. Blacknose sharks are typically 1.3–1.4 m (4.3–4.6 ft) long and 10 kg (22 lb) in weight. The maximum length and weight on record is 2.0 m (6.6 ft) and 18.9 kg (42 lb), respectively.", "habitat": "The blacknose shark inhabits the continental and insular shelves off the eastern coast of the Americas, as far north as North Carolina and as far south as southern Uruguay, including the Bahamas, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea. They frequent coastal waters over beds of seagrass, sandy flats, and shell or coral rubble. This species is spatially segregated by size and sex. Generally, only young sharks are encountered in shallow water, as the adults prefer depths greater than 9 m (30 ft) and is most common at 18–64 m (59–210 ft). Blacknose sharks in the South Atlantic Bight (off the Atlantic coast of the southern United States) migrate northward in the summer and southward (or possibly offshore) in the winter; a similar migration occurs for sharks in the Gulf of Mexico. A small, fast-swimming predator, the blacknose shark feeds primarily on small, bony fishes, including pinfish, croakers, porgies, anchovies, spiny boxfish, and porcupinefish, as well as on octopus and other cephalopods. When competing for bait, their speed allows them to snatch food from larger sharks such as the Caribbean reef shark (C. perezi). This species may form large schools that are sometimes associated with anchovies and mullet. Blacknose sharks demonstrate a high degree of philopatry: both juveniles and adults have been documented returning to the same local area year after year. Blacknose sharks are preyed upon by larger sharks, and captives have been observed to perform an apparent threat display towards encroaching divers or newly introduced members of their species.", "distribution": "The blacknose shark inhabits the continental and insular shelves off the eastern coast of the Americas, as far north as North Carolina and as far south as southern Uruguay, including the Bahamas, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea. They frequent coastal waters over beds of seagrass, sandy flats, and shell or coral rubble. This species is spatially segregated by size and sex. Generally, only young sharks are encountered in shallow water, as the adults prefer depths greater than 9 m (30 ft) and is most common at 18–64 m (59–210 ft). Blacknose sharks in the South Atlantic Bight (off the Atlantic coast of the southern United States) migrate northward in the summer and southward (or possibly offshore) in the winter; a similar migration occurs for sharks in the Gulf of Mexico.", "diet": "", "family": "Carcharhinidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1419686.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Blacknose shark nmfs", "author": "SEFSC Pascagoula Laboratory; Collection of Brandi Noble, NOAA/NMFS/SEFSC", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blacknose_shark_nmfs.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blacknose_shark", "revision": 1369769012, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1369769012", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "9b3261b71ba1b1ac98e76f7851f301a59f331d81fb236d26360aaed96ce98cf0" }, { "id": "Q989750", "common_name": "Peruvian anchoveta", "scientific_name": "Engraulis ringens", "aliases": [ "Chanchoveta", "Engraulis ringens" ], "summary": "The Peruvian anchoveta (Engraulis ringens) is a species of fish of the anchovy family, Engraulidae, from the Southeast Pacific Ocean. It is one of the most commercially important fish species in the world, with annual harvests varying between 3.14 and 8.32 million tonnes from 2010 to 2021.", "features": "Anchoveta were previously thought to eat mostly phytoplankton, small zooplankton, and larvae. However, recent work has shown that anchoveta get most of their energy from larger zooplankton, including macrozooplankton. Krill and large copepods are the most important dietary components. Peruvian anchoveta live for up to 3 years, reaching 20 cm (8 in). They first reproduce at about 1 year old and 10 cm (4 in) length, whereas they are harvested as early as 6 months of age and 8 cm (3 in) length.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "Peruvian anchoveta are found in the southeastern Pacific Ocean off Peru and Chile, and typically found in huge schools within 80 km (50 mi) of the coast.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q989750.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Engraulis ringens", "author": "J. H. Richard", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Engraulis_ringens.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peruvian_anchoveta", "revision": 1381879879, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1381879879", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "3a9063cadeb57c84f47e5f9686e11472e1664440e0e447e93220d9a5c3d3b970" }, { "id": "Q917705", "common_name": "Muskellunge", "scientific_name": "Esox masquinongy", "aliases": [ "muskellunge", "Esox nobilior", "maskinonge", "Oswego bass", "lunge", "musky", "Esox masquinongy" ], "summary": "The muskellunge (Esox masquinongy), often shortened to muskie, musky, ski, or lunge, is a species of large freshwater predatory fish native to North America. It is the largest member of the pike family, Esocidae.", "features": "Muskellunge closely resemble other esocids such as the northern pike (Esox lucius) and American pickerel (E. americanus) in both appearance and behavior. Like the northern pike and other aggressive pikes, the body plan is typical of ambush predators with an elongated body, flat head, and dorsal, pelvic, and anal fins set far back on the body. Muskellunge are typically 70–120 cm (28–48 inches) long and weigh 7–16.5 kg (15–36 lb), though some have reached up to 1.8 m (6 ft) and almost 30 kg (70 lb). Martin Arthur Williamson caught a muskellunge with a weight of 27.8 kg (61.25 pounds) in November 2000 on Georgian Bay. The fish are a light silver, brown, or green, with dark vertical stripes on the flank, which may tend to break up into spots. In some cases, markings may be absent altogether, especially in fish from turbid waters. This is in contrast to northern pike, which have dark bodies with light markings. A reliable method to distinguish the two similar species is by counting the sensory pores on the underside of the mandible. A muskie will have seven or more per side, while the northern pike never has more than six. The lobes of the caudal (tail) fin in muskellunge come to a sharper point, while those of northern pike are more generally rounded. In addition, unlike pike, muskies have no scales on the lower half of their opercula. Anglers seek large muskies as trophies or for sport.", "habitat": "Muskellunge are found in oligotrophic and mesotrophic lakes and large rivers from Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota through the Great Lakes region, Chautauqua Lake in western New York, north into Canada, throughout most of the St Lawrence River drainage, and northward throughout the upper Mississippi valley, although the species also extends as far south as Chattanooga in the Tennessee River valley. Also, a small population is found in the Broad River in South Carolina. Several North Georgia reservoirs also have healthy stocked populations of muskie. They are also found in the Red River drainage of the Hudson Bay basin. Muskie were introduced to western Saint John River in the late 1960s and have now spread to many connecting waterways in northern Maine. The Pineview Reservoir in Utah is one of three Utah locations where the hybrid Tiger muskellunge is found. They prefer clear waters where they lurk along weed edges, rock outcrops, or other structures to rest. A fish forms two distinct home ranges in summer: a shallow range and a deeper one. The shallow range is generally much smaller than the deeper range due to shallow water heating up. A muskie continually patrols the ranges in search of available food in the appropriate conditions of water temperature.", "distribution": "", "diet": "Muskies are ambush predators who will swiftly bite their prey and then swallow it head first. Muskellunge are the top predator in any body of water where they occur and they will eat larger prey than most other freshwater fish. They eat all varieties of fish present in their ecosystem (including other muskellunge), along with the occasional insect, muskrat, rat, mouse, frog, or duck. They are capable of taking prey up to two-thirds of their body length due to their large stomachs. There have even been reports of large muskellunge attacking small dogs and even humans, although most of these reports are greatly exaggerated.", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q917705.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Esox masquinongyeditcrop", "author": "Engbretson, Eric / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Esox_masquinongyeditcrop.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muskellunge", "revision": 1377702983, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1377702983", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "f5588421d48c2a53627463da18f5aeb1807b12c3bf5cae2fec681da49e7c67cd" }, { "id": "Q469632", "common_name": "American eel", "scientific_name": "Anguilla rostrata", "aliases": [ "Anguilla rostrata" ], "summary": "The American eel (Anguilla rostrata) is a facultative catadromous eel found on the eastern coast of North America. Freshwater eels are fish belonging to the elopomorph superorder, a group of phylogenetically ancient teleosts. The American eel has a slender, supple, snake-like body that is covered with a mucus layer, which makes the eel appear to be naked and slimy despite the presence of minute scales. A long dorsal fin runs from the middle of the back and is continuous with a similar ventral fin. Pelvic fins are absent, and relatively small pectoral fins can be found near the midline, followed by the head and gill covers. Variations exist in coloration, from olive green, brown shading to greenish-yellow and light gray or white on the belly. Eels from clear water are often lighter than those from dark, tannic acid streams. The eel lives in fresh water and estuaries and only leaves these habitats to enter the Atlantic Ocean to make its spawning migration to the Sargasso Sea. Spawning takes place far offshore, where the eggs hatch. The female can lay up to 4 million buoyant eggs and dies after egg-laying. After the eggs hatch and the early-stage larvae develop into leptocephali, the young eels move toward North America, where they metamorphose into glass eels and enter freshwater systems where they grow as yellow eels until they begin to mature.", "features": "American eels can grow to 1.22 m (4.0 ft) in length and to 7.5 kg (17 lb) in weight. Females are generally larger than males, lighter in color, with smaller eyes and higher fins. The body is elongate and snake-like. Its dorsal and anal fins are confluent with the rudimentary caudal fin. It lacks ventral fins but pectoral fins are present. The lateral line is well-developed and complete. The head is long and conical, with rather small, well-developed eyes. The mouth is terminal with jaws that are not particularly elongated. The teeth are small, pectinate or setiform in several series on the jaws and the vomer. Minute teeth also present on the pharyngeal bones, forming a patch on the upper pharyngeals. Tongue present with thick lips that are attached by a frenum in front. Nostrils are superior and well separated. Gill openings are partly below pectoral fins, relatively well-developed and well separated from one another. Inner gill slits are wide. The scales are small, rudimentary, cycloid, relatively well embedded below the epidermis and therefore often difficult to see without magnification. The scales are not arranged in overlapping rows as they often are in other fish species but are rather irregular, in some places distributed like \"parquet flooring\". In general, one row of scales lies at right angle to the next, although the rows immediately above and below the lateral line lie at an angle of approximately 45°. Unlike other bony fishes, the first scales do not develop immediately after the larval stage but appear much later on.", "habitat": "Eels are bottom dwellers. They hide in burrows, tubes, snags, masses of plants, other types of shelters. They are found in a variety of habitats including streams, rivers, and muddy or silt-bottomed lakes during their freshwater stage, as well as oceanic waters, coastal bays and estuaries. Individuals during the continental stage occasionally migrate between fresh, salt and brackish water habitats and have varying degrees of residence time in each. During winter, eels burrow under the mud and enter a state of torpor at temperatures below 5 °C (41 °F), although they may occasionally be active during this period. American eels move from freshwater to estuaries and coastal bays to feed during spring, then either a return during the fall to overwinter (juvenile and immature adults), or a southward migration to the spawning grounds (silver eels). Continental phase eels appear highly plastic in habitat use. Eels are extremely mobile and may access habitats that appear unavailable to them, using small watercourses or moving through wet grasses. Small eels (<100 mm total length) are able to climb and may succeed in passing over vertical barriers. Habitat availability may be reduced by factors such as habitat deterioration, barriers to upstream migration (larger eels), and barriers (i.e. turbines) to downstream migration that can result in mortality.", "distribution": "The distribution of the American eel encompasses all accessible freshwater (streams and lakes), estuaries and coastal marine waters across a latitudinal range of 5 to 62 N. Their natural range includes the western North Atlantic Ocean coastline from Venezuela to Greenland and including Iceland. Inland, this species extends into the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River and its tributaries as far upstream as Minnesota and Wisconsin. Nonindigenous occurrences of this species in the United States were recorded from Lake Mead on the Colorado River and on the Arizona border. It was stocked on a few occasions in Sacramento and San Francisco Bay, California, in the late 1800s. No apparent evidence of survival on these occasions was noted. It was also stocked and unintentionally introduced in various states, including Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Stockings of this species also occurred in Utah in the late 1800s, but soon disappeared.", "diet": "Eels are nocturnal and most of their feeding therefore occurs at night. Having a keen sense of smell, eels most likely depend on scent to find food. The American eel is a generalist species which colonizes a wide range of habitats. Their diet is therefore extremely diverse and includes most of the aquatic animals sharing the same environment. The American eel feeds on a variety of things such as worms, small fish, clams and other mollusks, crustaceans such as soft-shelled crabs and a lot of macroinvertebrate insects. A study on gastric examination of eels revealed that \"macroinvertebrates, predominantly of the Class Insecta, were eaten by 169 eels (99% of feeding eels)\" and \"the stonefly Acroneuria was the single most numerically dominant taxon observed in the diet, occurring in 67% of eel stomachs that contained food\". The yellow eel is essentially a nocturnal benthic omnivore. Prey includes fishes, molluscs, bivalves, crustaceans, insect larvae, surface-dwelling insects, worms, frogs and plants. The eel prefers small prey animals which can easily be attacked. Food type varies with body size. Stomachs of eels less than 40 cm and captured in streams contained mainly aquatic insect larvae, whereas larger eels fed predominantly on fishes and crayfishes. Insect abundance decreased in larger eels. The eel diet adapts to seasonal changes and the immediate environment. Feeding activity decreases or stops during the winter, and food intake ceases as eels physiologically prepare for the spawning migration.", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q469632.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "American eel (Anguilla rostrata) (4015394951)", "author": "Clinton & Charles Robertson from RAF Lakenheath, UK & San Marcos, TX, USA & UK", "license": "CC BY 2.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:American_eel_(Anguilla_rostrata)_(4015394951).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_eel", "revision": 1379197883, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1379197883", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "fe1418abb7a3b4d104d948234aa092892985e7e4d97011a43ad95a355e12fd05" }, { "id": "Q751258", "common_name": "Tawny nurse shark", "scientific_name": "Nebrius ferrugineus", "aliases": [ "Nebrius ferrugineus" ], "summary": "The tawny nurse shark (Nebrius ferrugineus) is a species of carpet shark in the family Ginglymostomatidae, and the only extant member of the genus Nebrius. It is found widely along coastlines in the Indo-Pacific, preferring reefs, sandy flats, and seagrass beds from very shallow water to a depth of 70 metres (230 ft). With a cylindrical body and a broad, flattened head, the tawny nurse shark is quite similar in appearance to the nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) of the Atlantic and East Pacific, from which it can be distinguished by its pointed-tipped dorsal fins and narrow, sickle-shaped pectoral fins. The maximum recorded length of the tawny nurse shark is 3.2 m (10 ft). Nocturnal in habits, the tawny nurse shark tends to spend the day resting in piles of two dozen or more individuals inside caves or under ledges. At night, it is an active-swimming predator that uses a powerful suction force to extract prey from inside holes and crevices. The diet of this species consists mainly of octopus, though they also take other invertebrates, small bony fishes, and rarely sea snakes. It is aplacental viviparous, meaning the embryos hatch from egg capsules inside the mother. It is the only carpet shark in which the embryos are oophagous, feeding on eggs produced by the mother while inside the uterus. The litter size may be as small as one or two, based on the large size of near-term embryos.", "features": "The tawny nurse shark grows to a maximum length of 3.2 m (10 ft). It has a robust, cylindrical body with a broadly rounded and flattened head. The eyes are small and face laterally, with prominent ridges over them and smaller spiracles behind. There are a pair of long, slender barbels in front of the nostrils. The mouth is small, with the lower lip divided into three lobes. There are 29–33 tooth rows in the upper jaw and 26–28 tooth rows in the lower jaw, arranged in an imbricate (overlapping) pattern with the outermost 2–4 functional rows separated from the rest by a narrow space. Each tooth resembles a fan, with a broad base rising to a small, sharp central point flanked by 3 or more smaller cusps on both sides. As the shark ages, the teeth become relatively taller and thicker. The fourth and fifth pairs of gill slits are placed much closer together than the others. The dorsal and pelvic fins are angular, with the first dorsal fin larger than the second. The pectoral fins are narrow, pointed, and falcate (sickle-shaped); their shape separates this species from the similar-looking nurse shark. The origin of the first dorsal fin is about even with the origin of the pelvic fins, while the origin of the anal fin is even with or somewhat behind the origin of the second dorsal fin. The caudal fin has a shallow upper lobe and barely present lower lobe, comprising about a quarter of the total length in adults. The dermal denticles are diamond-shaped, bearing 4–5 faint ridges radiating from a blunt point.", "habitat": "The tawny nurse shark is widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific region. In the Indian Ocean, it is found from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa northward to the Red Sea, Persian Gulf and India, including Madagascar, Mauritius, the Chagos Archipelago, the Seychelles, and the Maldives. In the western Pacific, it occurs from southern Japan and the coast of China to the Philippines, Southeast Asia, and Indonesia, to as far south as the northern coast of Australia. In the central Pacific, it has been reported from off New Caledonia, Samoa, Palau, the Marshall Islands, and Tahiti. Fossil teeth belonging to this species have been found in the Pirabas Formation of northern Brazil, dating back to the Lower Miocene (23–16 Ma). The presence of these fossils indicates that the range of the tawny nurse shark once extended to the tropical Atlantic Ocean, prior to the formation of the Isthmus of Panama. An inshore species, the tawny nurse shark inhabits continental and insular shelves over sandy flats or beds of seagrass, as well as along the outer edges of coral or rocky reefs. This shark may be found from the surf zone, often in water barely deep enough to cover its body, to a maximum depth of 70 m (230 ft) on coral reefs; it is most common at a depth of 5–30 m (20–100 ft). Young sharks are generally found in the shallow areas of lagoons, while adults may be encountered across a variety of habitats. With a more streamlined form than other nurse sharks, the tawny nurse shark is believed to be a less benthic, more active swimmer.", "distribution": "The tawny nurse shark is widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific region. In the Indian Ocean, it is found from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa northward to the Red Sea, Persian Gulf and India, including Madagascar, Mauritius, the Chagos Archipelago, the Seychelles, and the Maldives. In the western Pacific, it occurs from southern Japan and the coast of China to the Philippines, Southeast Asia, and Indonesia, to as far south as the northern coast of Australia. In the central Pacific, it has been reported from off New Caledonia, Samoa, Palau, the Marshall Islands, and Tahiti. Fossil teeth belonging to this species have been found in the Pirabas Formation of northern Brazil, dating back to the Lower Miocene (23–16 Ma). The presence of these fossils indicates that the range of the tawny nurse shark once extended to the tropical Atlantic Ocean, prior to the formation of the Isthmus of Panama. An inshore species, the tawny nurse shark inhabits continental and insular shelves over sandy flats or beds of seagrass, as well as along the outer edges of coral or rocky reefs. This shark may be found from the surf zone, often in water barely deep enough to cover its body, to a maximum depth of 70 m (230 ft) on coral reefs; it is most common at a depth of 5–30 m (20–100 ft). Young sharks are generally found in the shallow areas of lagoons, while adults may be encountered across a variety of habitats.", "diet": "The tawny nurse shark may be one of the few fishes specializing in preying on octopus. Other known food items include corals, sea urchins, crustaceans (e.g. crabs and lobsters), squid, small fishes (e.g. surgeonfish, queenfish, and rabbitfish), and the occasional sea snake. Hunting tawny nurse sharks swim slowly just above the sea floor, poking their heads into depressions and holes. When a prey item is found, the shark forcefully expands its large, muscular pharynx, creating a powerful negative pressure that sucks the prey into its mouth.", "family": "Ginglymostomatidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q751258.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Ginglymostoma cirratum Maldives", "author": "Julien Bidet", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ginglymostoma_cirratum_Maldives.JPG", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tawny_nurse_shark", "revision": 1383263385, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1383263385", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "862c14a5fadae04ce6e2fdc0f07890a55077c7292e207cb12c0d84dce4c1d80c" }, { "id": "Q1321783", "common_name": "Kitefin shark", "scientific_name": "Dalatias licha", "aliases": [ "kitefin shark", "squale liche", "Dalatias licha" ], "summary": "The kitefin shark or seal shark (Dalatias licha) is a species of squaliform shark in the family Dalatiidae, and the type species in its genus. It is found sporadically around the world, usually close to the sea floor at depths of 200–600 m (660–1,970 ft). With a sizable oil-filled liver to maintain neutral buoyancy, this shark is able to cruise slowly through the water while expending little energy. The kitefin shark, the largest luminous vertebrate on record, has a slender body with a very short, blunt snout, large eyes, and thick lips. Its teeth are highly differentiated between the upper and lower jaws, with the upper teeth small and narrow and the lower teeth large, triangular, and serrated. Its typical length is 1.0–1.4 m (3.3–4.6 ft), though examples as long as 5.9 ft (180 cm) have been encountered. Armed with large teeth and a strong bite, the kitefin shark is a powerful, solitary predator that takes many different types of prey, ranging from bony fishes, sharks and rays, to cephalopods, crustaceans, polychaete worms, siphonophores, and possibly carrion. It also takes bites out of animals larger than itself, similar to its smaller relative, the cookiecutter shark (Isistius brasiliensis). This shark is aplacental viviparous and gives birth to 10–14 young. The kitefin shark is fished commercially for its meat, skin, and liver oil, primarily by Portugal and Japan.", "features": "The kitefin shark has a moderately elongated body with a very short, rounded snout. The eyes and spiracles are large. The lips are thick with pleats or fringes, though are not modified to be suctorial. There are 16–21 tooth rows in the upper jaw and 17–20 tooth rows in the lower jaw. The upper teeth are small and spike-shaped, curving slightly towards the corners of the mouth. The lower teeth are very large, knife-shaped, and serrated, with their bases interlocking to form a continuous cutting surface. The first dorsal fin is slightly smaller and shorter-based than the second, and neither has spines. The first dorsal fin originates behind the free rear tip of the pectoral fins, while the second originates above the middle of the pelvic fin bases. The pectoral fins are short and rounded. The caudal fin has a prominent upper lobe with a well-developed notch near the tip, and a barely present lower lobe. The form and arrangement of the fins is similar to the Portuguese dogfish (Centroscymnus coelolepis), from which this species can be distinguished by the lack of fin spines. The dermal denticles are small and flat, with a single horizontal ridge ending in a point. The coloration is a uniform dark brown or gray, sometimes with faint black spots on the back. The fins have white or translucent trailing edges, and the tip of the caudal fin is black. An 90 cm (3.0 ft) long kitefin shark with partial albinism, lacking pigment on 59% of its body, was caught in the Gulf of Genoa in 2003.", "habitat": "The kitefin shark has an almost circumglobal range in tropical and warm-temperature waters, consisting of a number of widely separated populations with likely little interchange between them. This shark has not been reported from the eastern Pacific and northern Indian Oceans. In the northern Atlantic, it occurs in the Georges Bank and the northern Gulf of Mexico, and from the North Sea to Cameroon, including around the British Isles, in the western and central Mediterranean Sea, and off Madeira and the Azores. In the Indian Ocean, it is found off South Africa and Mozambique. In the Pacific, it occurs off Japan, Java, Australia and New Zealand, and the Hawaiian Islands. There is a single record of this species in the southern Atlantic, from off southern Brazil. An offshore, deepwater species, the kitefin shark is most common at a depth of 200–600 m (660–1,970 ft), but has been captured from the surface to as deep as 1,800 m (5,900 ft). Off the Azores this shark segregates by sex, with females most common around a depth of 230 m (750 ft) and males most common around 412–448 m (1,352–1,470 ft). The kitefin shark inhabits the outer continental shelves and upper continental slopes, and is also found around oceanic islands and seamounts. It is the only member of its family that tends to be found close to the sea floor as opposed to in the middle of the water column, though on occasion it has been captured well above the bottom. Relatively common where it occurs, kitefin sharks are usually solitary in nature but may form small groups.", "distribution": "The kitefin shark has an almost circumglobal range in tropical and warm-temperature waters, consisting of a number of widely separated populations with likely little interchange between them. This shark has not been reported from the eastern Pacific and northern Indian Oceans. In the northern Atlantic, it occurs in the Georges Bank and the northern Gulf of Mexico, and from the North Sea to Cameroon, including around the British Isles, in the western and central Mediterranean Sea, and off Madeira and the Azores. In the Indian Ocean, it is found off South Africa and Mozambique. In the Pacific, it occurs off Japan, Java, Australia and New Zealand, and the Hawaiian Islands. There is a single record of this species in the southern Atlantic, from off southern Brazil. An offshore, deepwater species, the kitefin shark is most common at a depth of 200–600 m (660–1,970 ft), but has been captured from the surface to as deep as 1,800 m (5,900 ft). Off the Azores this shark segregates by sex, with females most common around a depth of 230 m (750 ft) and males most common around 412–448 m (1,352–1,470 ft). The kitefin shark inhabits the outer continental shelves and upper continental slopes, and is also found around oceanic islands and seamounts. It is the only member of its family that tends to be found close to the sea floor as opposed to in the middle of the water column, though on occasion it has been captured well above the bottom.", "diet": "", "family": "Dalatiidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1321783.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Dalatias licha csiro-nfc", "author": "CSIRO National Fish Collection", "license": "CC BY 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dalatias_licha_csiro-nfc.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitefin_shark", "revision": 1374252499, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1374252499", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "915437b004eec46656b8b25c23c1f99c4e1472defbf8add4abb562fbf254da2b" }, { "id": "Q338891", "common_name": "Bonnethead", "scientific_name": "Sphyrna tiburo", "aliases": [ "Sphyrna tiburo", "shovelhead" ], "summary": "The bonnethead (Sphyrna tiburo), also called a bonnet shark or shovelhead, is the smallest member of the hammerhead shark genus Sphyrna, and part of the family Sphyrnidae. It is an abundant species in the littoral zone of the North Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico, is the only shark species known to display sexual dimorphism in the morphology of the head, and is one of two shark species known to be omnivorous.", "features": "The shark is characterized by a broad, smooth, spade-like head: it has the smallest cephalofoil (hammerhead) of all Sphyrna species. The body is grey-brown above and lighter on the underside. Typically, bonnethead sharks are about 80–90 cm (2.6–3.0 ft) long, with a maximum size of about 150 cm (4.9 ft). The generic name Sphyrna probably derives from a misspelling of sphyra, the Greek word for \"hammer\"; the specific name tiburo derives from the Spanish word tiburón, meaning \"shark\".", "habitat": "This species occurs on both sides of the American coast, in regions where the water is usually warmer than 70 °F (21 °C). In the Atlantic, it ranges from New England, where it is rare, to the Gulf of Mexico and Brazil, and in the Pacific it ranges from southern California to northern Peru. During the summer, it is common in the inshore waters of the Carolinas and Georgia; in spring, summer, and fall, it is found off Florida and in the Gulf of Mexico. In the winter, the bonnethead shark is found closer to the equator, where the water is warmer. While it is still abundant in the North Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, it has become significantly less common in the Caribbean Sea, and has been nearly extirpated from most of its South Atlantic and Pacific range. It frequents shallow estuaries and bays over seagrass, mud, and sandy bottoms.", "distribution": "This species occurs on both sides of the American coast, in regions where the water is usually warmer than 70 °F (21 °C). In the Atlantic, it ranges from New England, where it is rare, to the Gulf of Mexico and Brazil, and in the Pacific it ranges from southern California to northern Peru. During the summer, it is common in the inshore waters of the Carolinas and Georgia; in spring, summer, and fall, it is found off Florida and in the Gulf of Mexico. In the winter, the bonnethead shark is found closer to the equator, where the water is warmer. While it is still abundant in the North Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, it has become significantly less common in the Caribbean Sea, and has been nearly extirpated from most of its South Atlantic and Pacific range. It frequents shallow estuaries and bays over seagrass, mud, and sandy bottoms.", "diet": "The shark feeds primarily on crustaceans, consisting mostly of blue crabs, but also shrimp, mollusks, and small fish. Its feeding behavior involves swimming across the seafloor, moving its head in arc patterns like a metal detector, looking for minute electromagnetic disturbances produced by crabs and other creatures hiding in the sediment. Upon discovery, it sharply turns around and bites into the sediment where the disturbance was detected. If a crab is caught, the bonnethead shark uses its teeth to grind its carapace and then uses suction to swallow. To accommodate the many types of animals on which it feeds, the bonnethead shark has small, sharp teeth in the front of the mouth (for grabbing soft prey) and flat, broad molars in the back (for crushing hard-shelled prey). Bonnetheads also ingest large amounts of seagrass, which has been found to make up around 62.1% of gut content mass. The species was the first shark to be discovered to be omnivorous, with the whale shark being the second case. The shark may perform this activity to protect its stomach against the spiny carapaces of the blue crab which it feeds on. A 2018 study with a carbon isotope-labelled seagrass diet found that they could digest seagrass with at least moderate efficiency, with 50±2% digestibility of seagrass organic matter, and had cellulose-component-degrading enzyme activity in their hindgut.", "family": "Sphyrnidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q338891.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Sphyrna tiburo SI", "author": "D Ross Robertson", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sphyrna_tiburo_SI.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonnethead", "revision": 1382835678, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1382835678", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "fe40e0767924ca6763181b78ee4e73b1fac9bbe8bf8be4d47d7a1a423fb4d985" }, { "id": "Q141060", "common_name": "Nursehound", "scientific_name": "Scyliorhinus stellaris", "aliases": [ "Scyliorhinus stellaris", "Dogfish", "Nurse", "Roughhound", "Rock salmon" ], "summary": "The nursehound (Scyliorhinus stellaris), also known as the large-spotted dogfish, greater spotted dogfish or bull huss, is a species of catshark, belonging to the family Scyliorhinidae, found in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean. It is generally found among rocks or algae at a depth of 20–60 m (70–200 ft). Growing up to 1.6 m (5.2 ft) long, the nursehound has a robust body with a broad, rounded head and two dorsal fins placed far back. It shares its range with the more common and closely related small-spotted catshark (S. canicula), which it resembles in appearance but can be distinguished from, in having larger spots and nasal skin flaps that do not extend to the mouth. Nursehounds have nocturnal habits and generally hide inside small holes during the day, often associating with other members of their species. A benthic predator, it feeds on a range of bony fishes, smaller sharks, crustaceans, and cephalopods. Like other catsharks, the nursehound is oviparous in reproduction. Females deposit large, thick-walled egg cases, two at a time, from March to October, securing them to bunches of seaweed. The eggs take 7–12 months to hatch. Nursehounds are marketed as food in several European countries under various names, including \"flake\", \"catfish\", \"rock eel\", and \"rock salmon\". It was once also valued for its rough skin (called \"rubskin\"), which was used as an abrasive.", "features": "The nursehound attains a length of 1.6 m (5.2 ft), though most measure less than 1.3 m (4.3 ft). This shark has a broad, rounded head and a stout body that tapers towards the tail. The eyes are oval in shape, with a thick fold of skin on the lower rim but no nictitating membrane. Unlike in the small-spotted catshark, the large flaps of skin beside the nares do not reach the mouth. In the upper jaw, there are 22–27 tooth rows on either side and 0–2 teeth at the symphysis (center); in the lower jaw, there are 18–21 tooth rows on either side and 2–4 teeth at the symphysis. The teeth are Y-shaped and smooth-edged; the anterior teeth have a single central cusp, while the posterior teeth have an additional pair of lateral cusplets. Towards the rear of the jaws, the teeth become progressively smaller and more angled, with proportionately larger lateral cusplets. The five pairs of gill slits are small, with the last two over the pectoral fin bases. The two dorsal fins are placed far back on the body; the first is larger than the second and originates over the bases of the pelvic fins. The pectoral fins are large. In males, the inner margins of the pelvic fins are merged into an \"apron\" over the claspers. The caudal fin is broad and nearly horizontal, with an indistinct lower lobe. The skin is very rough, due to a covering of large, upright dermal denticles. The nursehound has small black dots covering its back and sides, interspersed with brown spots of varying shapes larger than the pupil, on a grayish or brownish background.", "habitat": "The nursehound is found in the northeastern Atlantic from southern Norway and Sweden to Senegal, including off the British Isles, throughout the Mediterranean Sea, and the Canary Islands. It may occur as far south as the mouth of the Congo River, though these West African records may represent misidentifications of the West African catshark (S. cervigoni). Its range seems to be rather patchy, particularly around offshore islands, where there are small local populations with limited exchange between them. The nursehound can be found from the intertidal zone to a depth of 400 m (1,300 ft), though it is most common between 20 m (66 ft) and 60–125 m (197–410 ft). This bottom-dwelling species prefers quiet water over rough or rocky terrain, including sites with algal cover. In the Mediterranean, it favors algae-covered coral. Primarily nocturnal, nursehounds spend the day inside small holes in rocks and swim into deeper water at night to hunt. Sometimes two sharks will squeeze into the same hole, and several individuals will seek out refuges within the same local area. In one tracking study, a single immature nursehound was observed to use five different refuges in succession over a period of 168 days, consistently returning to each one over a number of days before moving on. Nursehounds may occupy refuges to hide from predators, avoid harassment by mature conspecifics, and/or to facilitate thermoregulation. In captivity, these sharks are gregarious and tend to rest in groups, though the individuals comprising any particular group changes frequently.", "distribution": "The nursehound is found in the northeastern Atlantic from southern Norway and Sweden to Senegal, including off the British Isles, throughout the Mediterranean Sea, and the Canary Islands. It may occur as far south as the mouth of the Congo River, though these West African records may represent misidentifications of the West African catshark (S. cervigoni). Its range seems to be rather patchy, particularly around offshore islands, where there are small local populations with limited exchange between them. The nursehound can be found from the intertidal zone to a depth of 400 m (1,300 ft), though it is most common between 20 m (66 ft) and 60–125 m (197–410 ft). This bottom-dwelling species prefers quiet water over rough or rocky terrain, including sites with algal cover. In the Mediterranean, it favors algae-covered coral.", "diet": "", "family": "Scyliorhinidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q141060.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Katzenhai-01", "author": "Petra Karstedt (User admin at tiermotive.de)", "license": "CC BY-SA 2.5", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Katzenhai-01.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nursehound", "revision": 1383648278, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1383648278", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "ba6363f450dde5a4e1ce6c1399e3eff7d1627626fcbfba5bfcde3009b1da8f9b" }, { "id": "Q536224", "common_name": "Smallmouth bass", "scientific_name": "Micropterus dolomieu", "aliases": [ "Micropterus dolomieu" ], "summary": "The smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) is a species of freshwater fish in the sunfish family (Centrarchidae) of the order Centrarchiformes. It is the type species of its genus Micropterus (black basses), and is a popular game fish sought by anglers throughout the temperate zones of North America, and has been spread by stocking —as well as illegal introductions—to many cool-water tributaries and lakes in Canada and more so introduced in the United States. The maximum recorded size is approximately 27 inches (69 cm) and 12 pounds (5.4 kg). The smallmouth bass is native to the upper and middle Mississippi River basin, the Saint Lawrence River–Great Lakes system, the Champlain Valley, and the Hudson Bay basin. Its common names include smallmouth, bronzeback, brown bass, brownie, smallie, bronze bass, and bareback bass.", "features": "Smallmouth have a slender but muscular fusiform body shape making them powerful swimmers. The coloration of the smallmouth bass's ctenoid scales range from golden-olive to dark brown dorsally which fades to a yellowish white ventrally with dark brown vertical bars or blotches along the body and dark brown horizontal bars on the head. The combination of the muscular fusiform body shape and camouflage like coloring make these fish highly effective ambush predators. The coloration can vary greatly depending on the fishes age, habitat, water quality, diet, and the spawning cycle. Generally, the protruding jaw of the smallmouth does not extend back beyond the eyes which are red or brown. They have two dorsal fins which are separated by a shallow interdorsal notch. The front dorsal has 9–11 spiney rays and the back dorsal has 13–15 soft rays. Males are generally smaller than females. The males tend to range around two pounds, while females can range from three to six pounds. Their average sizes and coloration can differ, depending on if they are found in lacustrine or riverine habitats. Smallmouth found in riverine habitats are generally long and slender which allows greater agility in moving water, while those found in lacustrine habitats and shorter and deeper bodied. Riverine smallmouth that live in dark water tend to be rather torpedo-shaped and very dark brown to be more efficient for feeding. Lacustrine smallmouth bass, however, that live in sandy areas, tend to be a light yellow-brown and are more oval-shaped.", "habitat": "The smallmouth bass is found in clearer water than the largemouth, especially streams, rivers, and the rocky areas and stumps and also sandy bottoms of lakes and reservoirs. It can also survive in a stronger current than other black bass. The smallmouth prefers cooler water temperatures than its cousin the largemouth bass, and as a result will often seek out deeper, faster moving water during the hot summer months. Because it is intolerant of pollution, the smallmouth bass is a good natural indicator of a healthy environment, though they are still much more resilient than most trout species. Carnivorous, its diet comprises crayfish, amphibians, insects, and smaller fish, while the larvae feed on various zooplankton and insect larvae. Adults also cannibalize young of other parents. The female can lay up to 21,100 eggs, which are guarded by the male in his nest.", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q536224.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Smallmouth Bass (49561724026)", "author": "USFWS Mountain Prairie", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Smallmouth_Bass_(49561724026).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smallmouth_bass", "revision": 1373194322, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1373194322", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "435a15750f35b910d61385fa32c59d4bf4da5b04438bbc0cd54343d83b9d8298" }, { "id": "Q1522625", "common_name": "Banded archerfish", "scientific_name": "Toxotes jaculatrix", "aliases": [ "Toxotes jaculatrix", "archerfish" ], "summary": "The banded archerfish (Toxotes jaculatrix) is a perciform fish of the archerfish genus Toxotes. Found in brackish water, it is silvery in colour and has a dorsal fin towards the posterior end. It has distinctive, semi-triangular markings along its sides. It is best known for its ability to spit a jet of water to \"shoot down\" prey. Larger specimens may be able to hit prey 2 to 3 metres (6 ft 7 in to 9 ft 10 in) away. The banded archerfish may reach the displaced prey within 50 milliseconds of its hitting the water. The name (binomial as well as common) refers to Sagittarius the archer, because of the unusual method banded archerfish use to capture prey. Banded archerfish are found in Indo-Pacific and Oceanian waters, generally in river mouths and mangrove estuaries. They move between fresh, salt, and brackish water over the course of their lifetime, though not to breed. Because of their markings and silvery colour, banded archerfish are sometimes kept as aquarium fish, though they are difficult to care for and not recommended for most home aquaria.", "features": "Banded archerfish have four dorsal spines, 11 to 13 dorsal soft rays, three anal spines (of which the third is longest) and 15 to 17 anal soft rays. The first spine is always the shortest; the rays become shorter toward the posterior end. There are about 23 scales between the first dorsal spine and the posterior nostrils. Certain areas of the body are tinged green. The back of the fish is olive-green or brown. The dorsal fin is yellowish-green and located towards the posterior end, and its base is shorter than that of the anal fin. The caudal fin is \"dirty green\" and about the same height until the point of attachment, where it becomes shallower. The anal fin is silver. The body of the banded archerfish is oblong in shape and raised on the posterior side. The body is generally silver-white in colour, though varying colourations, such as yellow, have been observed. Four to six broad black bars may be present on the dorsal side. The first bar is found anterior to the operculum, the bony plate covering the gills, and the second is found behind the operculum. The third bar is found below the origin of the dorsal fin, the fourth bar below the soft dorsal, and the fifth (if any) on the area between the anal fin and caudal fin (caudal peduncle). These bars become shorter as the fish ages. The lateral line curves upwards at the area between the fourth and ninth lateral scales. Banded archerfish can reach a maximum length of 30 centimetres (12 in); however, average length is about 20 centimetres (7.9 in).", "habitat": "The banded archerfish inhabits the Indo-Pacific and waters off northern Australia, and less frequently those on the southern coast of Australia. It can be found from India eastwards to the Philippine Islands, southwards to Australia, as well as in waters off the Solomon Islands and the Indonesian Archipelago. It has been observed as far east as the New Hebrides (now known as Vanuatu). The banded archerfish occurs mainly in areas of brackish water. Mangrove estuaries are its primary habitat, though it occasionally moves upstream into freshwater rivers. It is associated with reefs and has been reported to occur near overhanging vegetation. While they may move between fresh and salt water during their life cycle, they do not do so to breed.", "distribution": "The banded archerfish inhabits the Indo-Pacific and waters off northern Australia, and less frequently those on the southern coast of Australia. It can be found from India eastwards to the Philippine Islands, southwards to Australia, as well as in waters off the Solomon Islands and the Indonesian Archipelago. It has been observed as far east as the New Hebrides (now known as Vanuatu). The banded archerfish occurs mainly in areas of brackish water. Mangrove estuaries are its primary habitat, though it occasionally moves upstream into freshwater rivers. It is associated with reefs and has been reported to occur near overhanging vegetation. While they may move between fresh and salt water during their life cycle, they do not do so to breed.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1522625.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Toxotes jaculatrix", "author": "Chrumps", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Toxotes_jaculatrix.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banded_archerfish", "revision": 1349375341, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1349375341", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "f71c33bf78010f0bb1718719bf3e65b2b5358028a1b3f984572bf59456fe1722" }, { "id": "Q2717060", "common_name": "Cutthroat trout", "scientific_name": "Oncorhynchus clarkii", "aliases": [ "cutthroat trout", "Oncorhynchus clarkii" ], "summary": "The cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii clade) is a clade of four fish species of the family Salmonidae native to cold-water tributaries of the Pacific Ocean, Rocky Mountains, and Great Basin in North America. These four species are the Coastal (O. clarkii), Westslope (O. lewisi), Lahontan (O. henshawi), and the Rocky Mountain (O. virginalis). As a member of the genus Oncorhynchus, it is in the Pacific trout group, which includes the widely distributed rainbow trout. Cutthroat trout are popular gamefish, especially among anglers who enjoy fly fishing. The common name \"cutthroat\" refers to the distinctive red coloration on the underside of the lower jaw. The specific name clarkii was given to honor explorer William Clark, coleader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Cutthroat trout usually inhabit and spawn in small to moderately large, clear, well-oxygenated, shallow rivers with gravel bottoms. They reproduce in clear, cold, moderately deep lakes. They are native to the alluvial or freestone streams that are typical tributaries of the rivers of the Pacific Basin, Great Basin and Rocky Mountains. Cutthroat trout spawn in the spring and may inadvertently but naturally hybridize with rainbow trout, producing fertile cutbows. Some populations of the coastal cutthroat trout (O. c. clarkii) are semi-anadromous. Several subspecies of cutthroat trout are currently listed as threatened in their native ranges due to habitat loss and the introduction of non-native species.", "features": "Throughout their native and introduced ranges, cutthroat trout vary widely in size, coloration and habitat selection. Their coloration can range from golden to gray to green on the back. Cutthroat trout can generally be distinguished from rainbow trout by the presence of basibranchial teeth at the base of tongue and a maxillary that extends beyond the posterior edge of the eye. Depending on subspecies, strain and habitat, most have distinctive red, pink, or orange linear marks along the underside of their mandibles in the lower folds of the gill plates. These markings are responsible for the common name \"cutthroat\", first given to the trout by outdoor writer Charles Hallock in an 1884 article in The American Angler. These markings are not unique to the species. Some coastal rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss irideus) and Columbia River redband trout (O. m. gairdneri) populations also display reddish or pink throat markings. At maturity, different populations and subspecies of cutthroat trout can range from 6 to 40 inches (15 to 102 cm) in length, depending on habitat and food availability. Sea-run forms of coastal cutthroat trout average 2 to 5 pounds (0.9 to 2.3 kg). The length and weights of mature inland forms vary widely depending on their particular environment and availability of food. Stream-resident fish are much smaller, 0.4 to 3.2 ounces (11 to 91 g), while lacustrine populations have attained weights ranging from 12 to 17 lb (5.4 to 7.7 kg) in ideal conditions. The largest cutthroat trout subspecies is the Lahontan cutthroat trout (O. h. henshawi).", "habitat": "Cutthroat trout require cold, clear, well-oxygenated, shallow rivers with gravel bottoms or cold, moderately deep lakes. Healthy stream-side vegetation that reduces siltation is typical of healthy cutthroat trout habitat and beaver ponds may provide refuge during periods of drought and over winter. Most populations stay in fresh water throughout their lives and are known as nonmigratory, stream-resident or riverine populations. The coastal cutthroat trout (O. clarkii) is the only cutthroat trout subspecies to coevolve through its entire range with the coastal rainbow trout (O. m. irideus). Portions of the Westslope cutthroat trout's (O. lewisi) range overlap with the Columbia River redband trout (O. m. gairdneri), but the majority of its native range is in headwater tributary streams above major waterfalls and other barriers to upstream migration. At least three subspecies are confined to isolated basins in the Great Basin and can tolerate saline or alkaline water. Cutthroat trout are opportunistic feeders. Stream-resident cutthroat trout primarily feed on larval, pupal and adult forms of aquatic insects (typically caddisflies, stoneflies, mayflies and aquatic dipterans), and adult forms of terrestrial insects (typically ants, beetles, grasshoppers and crickets) that fall into the water, fish eggs, small fish, along with crayfish, shrimp and other crustaceans. As they grow the proportion of fish consumed increases in most populations. In saltwater estuaries and along beaches, Coastal cutthroat trout feed on small fish such as sculpins, sand lance, salmon fry and herring.", "distribution": "Cutthroat trout are native to western North America and have evolved through geographic isolation into at least 25 genetically-recognizable lineages, each native to a different major drainage basin. Native cutthroat trout species are found along the Pacific Northwest coast from Alaska through British Columbia into northern California, in the Cascade Range, the Great Basin and throughout the Rocky Mountains including southern Alberta. Some coastal populations of the coastal cutthroat trout (O. c. clarkii) are semi-anadromous, spending a few months in marine environments to feed as adults and returning to fresh water from fall through early spring to feed on insects and spawn. Cutthroat trout have the second-largest historic native range of North American trout; the lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) having the largest. Ranges of some subspecies, particularly the westslope cutthroat trout (O. l. lewisi), have been reduced to less than 10 percent of their historic range due to habitat loss and introduction of non-native species. Although members of Oncorhynchus, the Pacific trout/salmon species, multiple lineages evolved populations east of the Continental Divide in the upper Missouri River basin, upper Arkansas and Platte River basins and upper Yellowstone River basin, each which drain into the Atlantic basin via the Mississippi River (in 2005, researchers published a report stating that a natural distribution of (O. mykiss), the Conchos trout, is also located in an Atlantic basin drainage).", "diet": "", "family": "Salmonidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q2717060.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Trout cutthroat fish oncorhynchus clarkii clarkii", "author": "Knepp Timothy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Trout_cutthroat_fish_oncorhynchus_clarkii_clarkii.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cutthroat_trout", "revision": 1380102907, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1380102907", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "41c961a3766d4b14b1bd0912174437a65af20bba87adf1c720cb7e1e8fd75e16" }, { "id": "Q301008", "common_name": "Peled", "scientific_name": "Coregonus peled", "aliases": [ "Peled", "Coregonus peled" ], "summary": "The peled (Coregonus peled), also called the northern whitefish, is a species of freshwater whitefish in the family Salmonidae. It is found in northern Europe and Asia. The peled is related to ciscoes of the Coregonus sardinella complex.", "features": "Smaller peled much resemble slim vendace or whitefish but as they grow larger they develop a deeper body which becomes less tapered and more blocky. The jaws are of equal length which is in contrast to the whitefish which has a snout longer than its lower jaw, and the vendace which has a projecting lower jaw. Another distinction is that the first gill arch has 50–65 gill rakers, a larger number than either of the other species. This fish grows to a length of about 45 cm (18 in) and a maximum weight of 1.5 kg (3 lb). It has a dark back, silvery flanks and white belly.", "habitat": "The peled is native to lakes and rivers of northern Russia. Its range extends from the Mezen River system emptying into the White Sea eastwards to the Kolyma River basin in eastern Siberia. It is a fish of rivers, reservoirs and lakes and it is possible that more than one species exist under the common name as there is considerable variation in growth rate, spawning date and other factors across its range.", "distribution": "The peled is native to lakes and rivers of northern Russia. Its range extends from the Mezen River system emptying into the White Sea eastwards to the Kolyma River basin in eastern Siberia. It is a fish of rivers, reservoirs and lakes and it is possible that more than one species exist under the common name as there is considerable variation in growth rate, spawning date and other factors across its range.", "diet": "", "family": "Salmonidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q301008.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Пелядь (Coregonus peled). Иллюстрация к материалу ИА REGNUM", "author": "Иллюстрация: Photolib.noaa.gov", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%D0%9F%D0%B5%D0%BB%D1%8F%D0%B4%D1%8C_(Coregonus_peled)._%D0%98%D0%BB%D0%BB%D1%8E%D1%81%D1%82%D1%80%D0%B0%D1%86%D0%B8%D1%8F_%D0%BA_%D0%BC%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%B0%D0%BB%D1%83_%D0%98%D0%90_REGNUM.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peled_(fish)", "revision": 1314610818, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1314610818", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "37fabb0e8feaf87380317efb96936011857e6490d389c3d4554ae064456d6028" }, { "id": "Q1139189", "common_name": "Orange-lined triggerfish", "scientific_name": "Balistapus undulatus", "aliases": [ "Orange-lined triggerfish", "Orange-striped triggerfish", "Balistapus undulatus" ], "summary": "The orange-lined triggerfish (Balistapus undulatus), also known as the orangestripe triggerfish, red-lined triggerfish, striped triggerfish or vermiculated triggerfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Balistidae, the triggerfishes. This species is the only species in the monospecific genus Balistapus, which is closely related to the genus Balistoides, if that genus is reclassified as a monospecific genus with the clown triggerfish as its only species. The orange-lined triggerfish has a wide Indo-Pacific range.", "features": "The orange-lined triggerfish has a dark brown to dark green body with orange lines that start behind the head and cover the rest of its body. Their maximum body size is about 30 centimeters. Its body has a stocky appearance, oval shape, and is compressed laterally. The head is large and is about one third of the body length. The mouth is small and terminal and it has strong teeth. The first dorsal fin has three spines, one of which is longer and stronger than the other. It is erectile and kept in a dorsal furrow at rest. The second dorsal fin is similar in shape and size to the anal fin, which is symmetrically opposed to it. The pelvic fin is reduced to a ventral protrusion. They also typically have a large block spot by their peduncular spines, and the caudal fin is orange. In general, males tend to be larger and lack a concave snout, and also lose the lines on their snouts as they mature. Females and juveniles are smaller and have a concave snout.", "habitat": "While other balistoid fishes, such as the filefish and leatherjacks, are typically found all across the Indo-western Pacific, the triggerfish are typically found in coral reefs ecosystems, coral lagoons, and external reef slopes within this area, as well off the coast of East Africa, the Red Sea, and Japan. They tend to stay around their burrows and dens within the reef. Within coral reefs, the orange-lined triggerfish are more versatile than other triggerfish species and can be found at depths up to 50 meters, although studies have found that they prefer depths of 2 to 8 meters. No relationship between the area of the reef and depth has been found in juveniles, and adults were found to vary their depth based on the region; in general, the species was found to have a broad distribution across the reef. There is also a difference between the types of substrata that the adults and juvenile orange-lined triggerfish prefer: the adults were found to prefer rock and branching coral, while the juvenile fish were found to prefer softer surfaces.", "distribution": "While other balistoid fishes, such as the filefish and leatherjacks, are typically found all across the Indo-western Pacific, the triggerfish are typically found in coral reefs ecosystems, coral lagoons, and external reef slopes within this area, as well off the coast of East Africa, the Red Sea, and Japan. They tend to stay around their burrows and dens within the reef. Within coral reefs, the orange-lined triggerfish are more versatile than other triggerfish species and can be found at depths up to 50 meters, although studies have found that they prefer depths of 2 to 8 meters. No relationship between the area of the reef and depth has been found in juveniles, and adults were found to vary their depth based on the region; in general, the species was found to have a broad distribution across the reef. There is also a difference between the types of substrata that the adults and juvenile orange-lined triggerfish prefer: the adults were found to prefer rock and branching coral, while the juvenile fish were found to prefer softer surfaces.", "diet": "", "family": "Balistidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1139189.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Pez ballesta ondulado (Balistapus undulatus), Anilao, Filipinas, 2023-08-21, DD 22", "author": "Diego Delso", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pez_ballesta_ondulado_(Balistapus_undulatus),_Anilao,_Filipinas,_2023-08-21,_DD_22.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange-lined_triggerfish", "revision": 1378555956, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1378555956", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "ce16f3dbfcbeada1c5444ccaccf8b2dd688fcc62489cabdb7268cbd5ee26b48e" }, { "id": "Q1148148", "common_name": "Bluegill", "scientific_name": "Lepomis macrochirus", "aliases": [ "Lepomis macrochirus" ], "summary": "The bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) is a species of North American freshwater fish, native to and commonly found in streams, rivers, lakes, ponds and wetlands east of the Rocky Mountains. It is from the family Centrarchidae (sunfishes, crappies and black basses) in the order Centrarchiformes. Bluegills are sunfish that can grow up to 16 in (41 cm) long and about 4+1⁄2 lb (2.0 kg). While their color can vary from population to population, they typically have a very distinctive coloring, with deep blue and purple on the face and gill cover, dark olive-colored bands down the side, and a fiery orange to yellow belly. They are omnivorous and will consume anything they can fit in their mouth, but mostly feed on small aquatic insects and baitfishes. The fish are important prey for bass, other larger sunfish, northern pike and muskellunge, walleye, trout, herons, kingfishers, snapping turtles and otters, and play a key role within the food chain of its freshwater ecosystem. A popular panfish among anglers, bluegill usually hide around and inside old tree stumps in swamps and other underwater structures (e.g. snags), and can live in either deep or very shallow water. Bluegills also like to find shelter among aquatic plants and in the shade of trees along banks, and will often move from one cover to another depending on the time of day or season.", "features": "The bluegill is noted for the large black appendage (the \"ear\") on each side of the posterior edge of the gill covers as well as the base of the dorsal fin. The sides of its head and chin are commonly a dark shade of blue, hence the name \"bluegill\". The precise coloration will vary due to the presence of neurally controlled chromatophores under the skin. The fish usually displays 5–9 vertical bars on the sides of its body immediately after being caught as part of its threat display. It typically has a yellowish breast and abdomen, with the breast of the breeding male being a bright orange. The bluegill has three anal fin spines, ten to 12 anal fin rays, six to 13 dorsal fin spines, 11 to 12 dorsal rays, and 12 to 13 pectoral rays. They are characterized by their deep, flattened bodies. They have a terminal mouth, ctenoid scales, and a lateral line that is arched upward anteriorly. The bluegill typically ranges in size from about 4 to 12 inches (100–300 mm), and reaches a maximum size just over 16 inches (410 mm). The largest bluegill ever caught was 4 lb 12 oz (2.2 kg) in 1950. The bluegill is most closely related to the orangespotted sunfish and the redear sunfish, but differ in having a dark blotch at the rear of the dorsal fin. The blotch is present in most adult fish, and absent in young juveniles. A few other sunfish species may also have a blotch in that area. Features of bluegills that distinguish it from all other sunfish species include a solid black \"ear\" and a face with blue markings only below the mouth and gills.", "habitat": "The bluegill occurs naturally in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains from coastal Virginia to Florida, west to Texas and northern Mexico, and north to western Minnesota, New York and southeastern Ontario. They have been introduced widely in North America and Europe, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Asia, South America, and Oceania. Bluegills have also been found in the Chesapeake Bay, indicating they can tolerate up to 1.8% salinity. In some locations where they have been transplanted, they are considered pests: trade in the species is prohibited in Germany and Japan. In the case of Japan, bluegills were presented to the then-crown prince, Akihito, in 1960 as a gift by Richard J. Daley, mayor of Chicago. The prince, in turn, donated the fish to fishery research agencies in Japan, from which they escaped and became an invasive species that wreaked havoc with native species, especially in Lake Biwa. Akihito has since apologized. Bluegill live in the shallow waters of many lakes and ponds, along with streams, creeks, and rivers. They prefer water with many aquatic plants, and seclude themselves within or near fallen logs, water weeds or any other structure (natural or manmade) that is under water. They can often be found around weed beds, where they search for food or spawn. In the summer, adults move to deep, open water where they suspend just below the surface and feed on plankton and other aquatic creatures.", "distribution": "The bluegill occurs naturally in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains from coastal Virginia to Florida, west to Texas and northern Mexico, and north to western Minnesota, New York and southeastern Ontario. They have been introduced widely in North America and Europe, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Asia, South America, and Oceania. Bluegills have also been found in the Chesapeake Bay, indicating they can tolerate up to 1.8% salinity. In some locations where they have been transplanted, they are considered pests: trade in the species is prohibited in Germany and Japan. In the case of Japan, bluegills were presented to the then-crown prince, Akihito, in 1960 as a gift by Richard J. Daley, mayor of Chicago. The prince, in turn, donated the fish to fishery research agencies in Japan, from which they escaped and became an invasive species that wreaked havoc with native species, especially in Lake Biwa. Akihito has since apologized. Bluegill live in the shallow waters of many lakes and ponds, along with streams, creeks, and rivers. They prefer water with many aquatic plants, and seclude themselves within or near fallen logs, water weeds or any other structure (natural or manmade) that is under water. They can often be found around weed beds, where they search for food or spawn. In the summer, adults move to deep, open water where they suspend just below the surface and feed on plankton and other aquatic creatures.", "diet": "", "family": "Centrarchidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1148148.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Bluegill (cropped)", "author": "Paleo1954", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bluegill_(cropped).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluegill", "revision": 1382464207, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1382464207", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "c309c97d43893c84df8068d17af842c0a95119a341f0da584662e40271c22127" }, { "id": "Q1277472", "common_name": "Grey triggerfish", "scientific_name": "Balistes capriscus", "aliases": [ "Balistes capriscus" ], "summary": "The grey triggerfish (Balistes capriscus), or gray triggerfish, is a species of ray-finned fish in the triggerfish family Balistidae. The species is native to shallow parts of the western Atlantic from Nova Scotia to Argentina and also the eastern Atlantic, the Mediterranean Sea, and waters off Angola on the west coast of Africa. In its appearance and habits, the grey triggerfish is a typical member of the genus Balistes except for its drab, uniformly grey coloration. It is a relatively small fish, usually less than 2.3 kg (5.1 lb) in weight. The Grey triggerfish is fished recreationally and, despite its tough skin, is an excellent food-fish. The species is classified as 'vulnerable' by the IUCN Red List.", "features": "The grey triggerfish is a medium-sized fish that can grow to 60 cm (24 in), but a more common length is 44 cm (17 in). The small beak-like mouth at the tip of the snout has fleshy lips. The eyes are set far back near the top of the head. The body is laterally compressed and deep-bodied with a tough, leathery skin. The front dorsal fin has three spines, the first being very strong and much longer than the other two. The second dorsal fin has 26 to 29 soft rays and is much the same size and shape as the anal fin directly below it which has no spines and 23 to 26 soft rays. The pectoral fins are small and rounded. The outer rays of the caudal fin are elongated in larger individuals. The scales on the head and front half of the body are large while those on the hind half are smaller and smooth. This fish is predominantly pale grey, greenish-grey or yellowish-brown. The body has three indistinct broad dark bars and there is a pale streak on the chin. The upper part of the orbit of the eye is blue and there are some small blue spots and lines on the dorsal fins and upper parts of the body, and sometimes white dots and irregular lines on the lower parts of the body. Both the second dorsal and the anal fin present a somewhat marbled appearance. The body colour fades a little as the animal gets older: juveniles are more colourful.", "habitat": "The grey triggerfish is principally a fish of shallow waters in the western Atlantic Ocean. Its native range extends from Nova Scotia to the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico and Bermuda, and southwards to Argentina. It is typically found over hard bottoms on reefs and rocky areas, in lagoons and in bays, at depths down to about 55 m (180 ft). It is also found on the other side of the Atlantic, around the British Isles, in the Mediterranean Sea and off the coast of Angola. It may have crossed the Atlantic as a result of the movement of water in the Gulf Stream and breeds in the Mediterranean. Once considered to be an uncommon visitor to northern European seas, an increase in records around the Cornish coast, may indicate it is now breeding there; in addition, it has been found in other areas along the coast of Great Britain in recent years, suggesting that its range is continuing to expand northwards, with one caught as far north as the island of Tiree in the Inner Hebrides, Scotland.", "distribution": "The grey triggerfish is principally a fish of shallow waters in the western Atlantic Ocean. Its native range extends from Nova Scotia to the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico and Bermuda, and southwards to Argentina. It is typically found over hard bottoms on reefs and rocky areas, in lagoons and in bays, at depths down to about 55 m (180 ft). It is also found on the other side of the Atlantic, around the British Isles, in the Mediterranean Sea and off the coast of Angola. It may have crossed the Atlantic as a result of the movement of water in the Gulf Stream and breeds in the Mediterranean. Once considered to be an uncommon visitor to northern European seas, an increase in records around the Cornish coast, may indicate it is now breeding there; in addition, it has been found in other areas along the coast of Great Britain in recent years, suggesting that its range is continuing to expand northwards, with one caught as far north as the island of Tiree in the Inner Hebrides, Scotland.", "diet": "", "family": "Balistidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1277472.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Pez ballesta (Balistes capriscus), Parque natural de la Arrábida, Portugal, 2020-07-23, DD 24", "author": "Diego Delso", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pez_ballesta_(Balistes_capriscus),_Parque_natural_de_la_Arr%C3%A1bida,_Portugal,_2020-07-23,_DD_24.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grey_triggerfish", "revision": 1380659690, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1380659690", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "065879804c518aa4405a90329f26df472c5d1e439ee75f95c97a6e07519d02e1" }, { "id": "Q508067", "common_name": "Bigeye thresher", "scientific_name": "Alopias superciliosus", "aliases": [ "Alopias superciliosus", "Bigeye thresher shark" ], "summary": "The bigeye thresher (Alopias superciliosus) is a species of thresher shark, family Alopiidae, found in temperate and tropical oceans worldwide. Like the other thresher sharks, nearly half its total length consists of the elongated upper lobe of the tail fin. Its common name comes from its enormous eyes, which are placed in keyhole-shaped sockets that allow them to be rotated upward. This species can also be distinguished by a pair of deep grooves on the top of its head, from which its scientific name is derived. The large eyes of the bigeye thresher are adapted for hunting in low light conditions. It is one of the few sharks that conduct a diel vertical migration, staying in deep water during the day and moving into surface waters at night to feed. To protect its sensitive brain and eyes from the temperature changes accompanying these movements, the bigeye thresher has a vascular exchange system called the rete mirabile around those organs. This species feeds mainly on fish and squid, which are stunned via whip-like strikes of the long tail. Bigeye threshers are ovoviviparous, usually bearing litters of two pups. The embryos are oophagous and feed on ova produced by the mother while inside the uterus. This shark is caught by commercial fisheries across its range; the meat is not highly regarded but the skin, fins, and liver oil are valued. It has been assessed as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).", "features": "The eyes of the bigeye thresher can measure up to 10 cm (3.9 in) across in adults. Each eye is taller than wide, with a bulbous upper portion. The orbits extend onto the dorsal surface of the head, allowing the eyes to orient upwards. There are also a pair of distinctive lateral grooves that extend from above the eyes to over the gill slits, giving it a \"helmet\"-like appearance. The snout is moderately long and bulbous, and there are no labial furrows at the corners of the mouth. The teeth are moderately large with a single, narrow cusp. There are 19–24 teeth in the upper jaw and 20–24 teeth in the lower jaw; their shapes are similar in both jaws. There are large and small dermal denticles, with the smaller ones more numerous and interspersed amongst the larger ones. The smaller denticles taper to a point. Up to half the body length is taken up by the long upper lobe of the caudal fin, which is broader than in other threshers. The large pectoral fins have a curved anterior margin and broad tips. The first dorsal fin is placed further back than in the other thresher sharks, with the free rear tip located above or just before the pelvic fins. Its coloration is a deep, metallic violet to purplish brown above and creamy white below. This color rapidly fades to a dull gray after death. Most bigeye threshers are 3.3–4.0 m (10.8–13.1 ft) long and weigh 160 kg (350 lb). The largest known bigeye thresher measured 4.9 m (16 ft) long and weighed 364 kg (802 lb), and was caught near Tutukaka, New Zealand, in February 1981.", "habitat": "The bigeye thresher has a virtually circumtropical distribution. In the western Atlantic Ocean, it has been reported from New York to Florida, the Caribbean, Venezuela, Tobago and southern Brazil. In the eastern Atlantic, it is known from Portugal, Madeira, Senegal, Guinea to Sierra Leone, Angola, and the Mediterranean Sea. In the western Indian Ocean, it occurs off South Africa, Madagascar, and the Arabian Sea. In the Pacific Ocean, it is known from southern Japan, Taiwan, New Caledonia, northwestern Australia, and New Zealand, and eastward to Hawaii, southern California, the Gulf of California, and west of the Galapagos Islands. Analysis of mitochondrial DNA has shown that Atlantic and Indo-Pacific populations are somewhat genetically divergent from each other. Bigeye threshers are usually found over the continental shelf and in the open sea, though they are occasionally encountered in shallow coastal waters. They occur in surface temperatures of 16–25 °C (61–77 °F), but have been tracked as far down as 723 m (2,372 ft), where the temperature is only 5 °C (41 °F). Little is known of their geographical movements; one individual has been documented moving from New York to the Gulf of Mexico, a straight-line distance of 2,767 km (1,719 mi). The size and upward orientation of the bigeye thresher's eyes are adapted to search for the silhouettes of prey in dim light.", "distribution": "The bigeye thresher has a virtually circumtropical distribution. In the western Atlantic Ocean, it has been reported from New York to Florida, the Caribbean, Venezuela, Tobago and southern Brazil. In the eastern Atlantic, it is known from Portugal, Madeira, Senegal, Guinea to Sierra Leone, Angola, and the Mediterranean Sea. In the western Indian Ocean, it occurs off South Africa, Madagascar, and the Arabian Sea. In the Pacific Ocean, it is known from southern Japan, Taiwan, New Caledonia, northwestern Australia, and New Zealand, and eastward to Hawaii, southern California, the Gulf of California, and west of the Galapagos Islands. Analysis of mitochondrial DNA has shown that Atlantic and Indo-Pacific populations are somewhat genetically divergent from each other. Bigeye threshers are usually found over the continental shelf and in the open sea, though they are occasionally encountered in shallow coastal waters. They occur in surface temperatures of 16–25 °C (61–77 °F), but have been tracked as far down as 723 m (2,372 ft), where the temperature is only 5 °C (41 °F). Little is known of their geographical movements; one individual has been documented moving from New York to the Gulf of Mexico, a straight-line distance of 2,767 km (1,719 mi).", "diet": "The bigeye thresher has larger teeth than other threshers and feeds on a wider variety of prey. Known food items include schooling forage fish such as mackerel and herring, benthic fishes such as hake and whiting, larger pelagic fishes such as lancetfish and small billfish, squid such as lycoteuthids and ommastrephids, and possibly crab megalopae. They likely use their long tails to stun their prey prior to capture, as they are often found hooked by their tails on longlines and with the bait fish in their stomachs. The shape of their eye sockets give them binocular vision in an upward direction to better aim their strikes. In the Mediterranean, they are strongly associated with schools of frigate mackerel (Auxis rochei), suggesting that these sharks follow concentrations of their prey from place to place. It is said that the bigeye thresher uses its long tail to smack down birds.", "family": "Alopiidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q508067.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Alopias superciliosus", "author": "PIRO-NOAA Observer Program", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Alopias_superciliosus.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bigeye_thresher", "revision": 1360077139, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1360077139", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "e4860dc12870d4d0c8c8913c5b03b37355423a6434d37d83f904dedcf9167841" }, { "id": "Q946838", "common_name": "Red porgy", "scientific_name": "Pagrus pagrus", "aliases": [ "Pagrus pagrus" ], "summary": "The red porgy (Pagrus pagrus), also known as the common seabream or Couch's bream, is a species of marine ray-finned fish in the family Sparidae. It is found in shallow waters on either side of the Atlantic Ocean, being present on the western coast of Europe and the Mediterranean Sea as well as the eastern coasts of North and South America and the Caribbean Sea. It feeds on or near the seabed and most individuals start life as females and later change sex to males.", "features": "The red porgy is a moderately deep-bodied fish with an oblong shaped body. The standard length is 75 cm (30 in), although a more typical length is about half of this. The dorsal fin has eleven to thirteen spines and nine to ten soft rays while the anal fin has three spines and seven to eight soft rays. This fish is a silvery-pink colour, with darker patches on the nape and behind the pectoral fins. The caudal fin is dark pink with paler tips, and the other fins are pale pink.", "habitat": "The red porgy is found in warm coastal waters on either side of the Atlantic Ocean. On the eastern side, its range extends from southern Britain to Western Sahara, including the waters around the Canary Islands and Madeira and the Mediterranean Sea; its range includes the Sea of Marmara but does not extend into the Black Sea. On the western side of the Atlantic, its range extends from the eastern coast of the United States southward to Argentina; it is present in the Gulf of Mexico and the western part of the Caribbean Sea but not the eastern part. Although it may go as deep as 250 m (820 ft), it more commonly occurs at depths between 10 and 80 m (30 and 260 ft), on continental shelves. It is a demersal species, being found over both rocky areas and areas with soft sediment; juveniles often inhabit beds of seagrass or sometimes enter lagoons. Red porgies are demersal fish, feeding mostly on or near the seabed on crustaceans, molluscs and small fish. They are protogynous hermaphrodites, with most individuals starting life as females and at some point changing sex to males. The fish reach sexual maturity at two or three years of age. The sex change occurs at a wide range of sizes (206 to 417 mm (8.1 to 16.4 in) TL) and a wide range of ages (two to nine years). Not all fish change sex: some fish are primary males whose ovarian tissue atrophies before they reach maturity, others are secondary males, behaving as females for a few cycles before changing sex, and some remain as females even when large, with only rudimentary male tissue being present.", "distribution": "The red porgy is found in warm coastal waters on either side of the Atlantic Ocean. On the eastern side, its range extends from southern Britain to Western Sahara, including the waters around the Canary Islands and Madeira and the Mediterranean Sea; its range includes the Sea of Marmara but does not extend into the Black Sea. On the western side of the Atlantic, its range extends from the eastern coast of the United States southward to Argentina; it is present in the Gulf of Mexico and the western part of the Caribbean Sea but not the eastern part. Although it may go as deep as 250 m (820 ft), it more commonly occurs at depths between 10 and 80 m (30 and 260 ft), on continental shelves. It is a demersal species, being found over both rocky areas and areas with soft sediment; juveniles often inhabit beds of seagrass or sometimes enter lagoons.", "diet": "", "family": "Sparidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q946838.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Pagrus pagrus 579910017 (cropped)", "author": "Julien Renoult", "license": "CC BY 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pagrus_pagrus_579910017_(cropped).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_porgy", "revision": 1365338360, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1365338360", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "fc6e84cfbf506c4a35f9aac2d8b50d5f26ed7a4c810a83bcc5d300afe0bd7bbe" }, { "id": "Q1402074", "common_name": "European bitterling", "scientific_name": "Rhodeus amarus", "aliases": [ "Rhodeus amarus" ], "summary": "The European bitterling (Rhodeus amarus) is a temperate freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Acheilognathidae, the bitterlings. It originates in Europe, ranging from the Rhone River basin in France to the Neva River in Russia. It was originally described as Cyprinus amarus by Marcus Elieser Bloch in 1782, and has been referred to in scientific literature as Rhodeus sericeus amarus. It is known simply as \"the bitterling\" in its native range, where it is the only species of its genus Rhodeus, and sometimes in the scientific literature, also, but this is technically wrong, being a leftover from the times when the European bitterling was united with its Siberian relative, the Amur bitterling, in R. sericeus. Properly, \"bitterling\" can refer to any species of Acheilognathus or Rhodeus. The fish reaches a size of up to 10 cm (4 in). It is found among plants over sandy and muddy bottoms in shallow waters. It feeds mainly on plants, and to a lesser extent, upon worms, crustaceans, and insect larvae. This species of fish was once used for human pregnancy tests. Female specimens were injected with the urine of the woman to be tested. If the woman was pregnant, the hormones in the urine would cause the fish's ovipositors to protrude. The fish spawns in clear, slow-running or still water, often with a muddy bottom. The female deposits her eggs inside freshwater mussels.", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Acheilognathidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1402074.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Rhodeus amarus 2008 G1", "author": "George Chernilevsky", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rhodeus_amarus_2008_G1.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_bitterling", "revision": 1362499083, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1362499083", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "58ec1e04007765d828abd30e127cfa2da66986dbc9d8977db4f59468f57fead1" }, { "id": "Q1336863", "common_name": "Asian swamp eel", "scientific_name": "Monopterus albus", "aliases": [ "Swamp eel", "Asian swamp eel", "Rice eel", "White ricefield eel", "Monopterus albus" ], "summary": "The Asian swamp eel (Monopterus albus), also known as rice eel, ricefield eel, rice paddy eel, or white rice-field eel, is a commercially important, air-breathing species of fish in the family Synbranchidae. It occurs in East and Southeast Asia, where it is commonly sold and eaten throughout the region. It has been introduced to two areas near the Everglades in Florida and near Atlanta, Georgia.", "features": "The Asian swamp eel has a scaleless, anguilliform body that grows to a meter or less, typically 25 to 40 cm as an adult. As a swamp eel, it has a tapering tail and blunt snout and lacks pectoral and pelvic fins. The dorsal, anal, and caudal fins are rudimentary, with the caudal fin often absent. These fins serve to protect the swamp eel against rolling and assist in sudden turns and stops. Its gill membranes are fused, but one V-shaped gill is located beneath the head. Such a shape prevents reverse flow. Their color is variable, but generally olive or brown, with irregular dark flecks. Individuals in Florida usually have a dark body and head, with dark olive or brown dorsal coloring and light orange ventral coloring. Individuals caught in Florida can be more colourful, indicating breeding for the pet trade. The mouth is large and protractile, and both upper and lower jaws have tiny teeth for eating fishes, worms, crustaceans, and other small, aquatic animals.", "habitat": "M. albus is a nocturnal animal. Its diet includes other fish, shrimp, crayfish, frogs, turtle eggs, aquatic invertebrates such as worms and insects, and occasionally detritus. An old document from 1958 claimed M. albus is capable of moving over dry land, but many years of study found no evidence for this. The preferred environment for the Asian swamp eel includes a wide variety of muddy, freshwater, shallow wetlands, such as rice paddies, ditches, ponds, marshes, streams, rivers, canals, lakes, and reservoirs. Depths less than 3 m are optimal. M. albus can live in a wide range of oxygen levels. This fish can obtain up to 25% oxygen from air transcutaneously if not using gills under water.", "distribution": "It has a wide distribution. Monopterus albus is native to much of East and Southeast Asia, ranging west as far as India. M. albus is native to the tropical and subtropical areas of northern India and Burma to China, Japan, and Indo-Malayan Archipelago, possible populations in Far East Russia and northeastern Australia might belong to different cryptic species. It is a common fish in India, Southern China to Malaysia and Indonesia. The populations in most of Japan (Honshu and Kyushu) are likely introduced from China. The population in the Nara Basin was introduced from Korea in the beginning of the 20th century. Its distribution in Japan is discontinuous, which also indicates that it is introduced within the last millennium or so. The eels found in Taiwan appear to belong to two different species, a Japanese form was introduced in 1940, but a Southeast Asian form is also common and may have also been introduced or be native. The eels were first introduced to Oahu in the Hawaiian Islands around 1900, where they still occur. Earliest record of the fish in the Philippines is in 1918 from a collection by the Commercial Museum of Philadelphia where it has become an invasive species. Locations in the Southeastern United States were not colonized until the end of the 20th century. Around 1990, the eels were introduced to several ponds at a nature center near Atlanta, Georgia, within the Chattahoochee River drainage basin; by 1994, individuals had migrated to an adjacent marsh, the Chattahoochee Nature Center north of Atlanta.", "diet": "", "family": "Synbranchidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1336863.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Monopterus albus 2", "author": "Leo G. Nico, USGS, Gainesville, FL", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Monopterus_albus_2.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asian_swamp_eel", "revision": 1372477851, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1372477851", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "bab1d99a128ab899daee24c2f2bfefbc56d05b7da463c915ce717baf1ae36633" }, { "id": "Q669512", "common_name": "Reef triggerfish", "scientific_name": "Rhinecanthus rectangulus", "aliases": [ "Rhinecanthus rectangulus", "rectangular triggerfish", "wedge-tail triggerfish", "humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa", "Humuhumunukunukuapua'a", "humuhumu" ], "summary": "The reef triggerfish (Rhinecanthus rectangulus), also known as the rectangular triggerfish, wedgetail triggerfish or by its Hawaiian name humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa (pronounced [ˈhumuˈhumuˈnukuˈnukuˈwaːpuˈwɐʔə], meaning 'triggerfish with a snout like a pig', also spelled humuhumunukunukuapua'a or just humuhumu for short), is one of several species of triggerfish. It is found in coral reefs in the entirety of the Western Pacific Ocean from North to South and Eastern Central Pacific. It is also found in the Indian Ocean from East to West and the Southeast Atlantic Ocean. It exists in 0 to 50 meters in depth.", "features": "It has a small second dorsal spine which is used to lock its main spine into an upright position. When sheltering in a small crevice, this locking helps protect the fish against extraction by a predator. The reef triggerfish is characterized by having a noticeably large snout and blue lips that resemble that of a pig's snout. It has strong teeth and a terminal mouth which help aid in scraping food off surfaces. Along the dorsal side and anterior end of the fish, it has an orange-brown coloration and a white belly. The reef triggerfish has 3 dorsal spines, 22–25 dorsal rays, no anal spines, and 20–22 anal soft rays. The soft dorsal fins, anal fins, and pectoral fins have a pale white coloration to it. The caudal fin has a cloudy murky color. Reef Triggerfish get to about 30 cm (11.8 inches) in total length. The reef triggerfish is commonly confused with its two closest living relatives the lagoon triggerfish and picasso triggerfish.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "The reef triggerfish has a terminal mouth that sits directly at the end of its snout. It has heavy teeth and incisors, and most of its food content is algae that is scraped off surfaces. It also feeds on crustaceans such as isopods from the sandy ocean floors. When foraging for food it remains close to its home or forages in shallow reefs away from living coral. This fish is considered a facultative omnivore because while it eats plants and animals it can sustain itself on a diet of either.", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q669512.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Reef Triggerfish 1", "author": "Qyd (talk · contribs)", "license": "CC BY 2.5", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Reef_Triggerfish_1.JPG", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reef_triggerfish", "revision": 1383392644, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1383392644", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "36c667e84c54bb04f85ee70099eba4fa83899819464fe12c3563571bc712bd49" }, { "id": "Q133444", "common_name": "Giant pangasius", "scientific_name": "Pangasius sanitwongsei", "aliases": [ "Pangasius sanitwongsei" ], "summary": "The giant pangasius, paroon shark, or Chao Phraya giant catfish (Pangasius sanitwongsei) is a species of large freshwater fish in the shark catfish family (Pangasiidae) of order Siluriformes, found in the Chao Phraya and Mekong basins in Indochina. Its populations have declined drastically, mainly due to overfishing, and it is now considered Critically Endangered.", "features": "", "habitat": "The species is native to the Mekong and Chao Phraya rivers that run through China, Cambodia, Thailand, Viet Nam, and the Lao People's Democratic Republic. It has been introduced to central Anatolia, South Africa, and Malaysia. Pangasius sanitwongsei is tolerant of poor water quality, mainly in brackish waters, and prefers to live in the bottom of deep depressions in freshwater rivers. There are currently two sub-populations of Paroon Shark separated by the Khone Falls which they do not migrate over.", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q133444.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Pangasius sanitwongsei Zoologischer Garten Aquarium Berlin", "author": "Raymond Ellis", "license": "CC0", "license_url": "http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed.en", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pangasius_sanitwongsei_Zoologischer_Garten_Aquarium_Berlin.JPG", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_pangasius", "revision": 1363174178, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1363174178", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "61ecd0300db4215274d1c55e46c99c3c0f564015c587348a3582a911087770a6" }, { "id": "Q945393", "common_name": "Peters's elephantnose fish", "scientific_name": "Gnathonemus petersii", "aliases": [ "Gnathonemus petersii" ], "summary": "Peters's elephant-nose fish (Gnathonemus petersii) is an African freshwater elephantfish in the genus Gnathonemus. Other names in English include elephantnose fish, long-nosed elephant fish, and Ubangi mormyrid, after the Ubangi River. The Latin name petersii is probably for the German naturalist Wilhelm Peters. The fish uses electrolocation to find prey, and has the largest brain-to-body oxygen use ratio of all known vertebrates (around 0.6).", "features": "Peters's elephantnose fish is native to the rivers of West and Central Africa, in particular the lower Niger River basin, the Ogun River basin and the upper Chari River. It prefers muddy, slowly moving rivers and pools with cover such as submerged branches. The fish is a dark brown to black in colour, laterally compressed (averaging 23–25 cm (9.1–9.8 in)), with a rear dorsal fin and anal fin of the same length. Its caudal or tail fin is forked. It has two stripes on its lower pendicular. Its most striking feature, as its names suggest, is a trunk-like protrusion on the head. This is not actually a nose, but a sensitive extension of the mouth, that it uses for self-defense, communication, navigation, and finding worms and insects to eat. This organ, called the Schnauzenorgan, is covered in electroreceptors, as is much of the rest of its body. The elephantnose uses a weak electric field, which it generates with specialized cells called electrocytes, which evolved from muscle cells, to find food, to navigate in dark or turbid waters, and to find a mate. Peters's elephantnose fish live to about 6–10 years.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q945393.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Gnathonemus petersii", "author": "billycorgan84", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gnathonemus_petersii.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peters%27s_elephantnose_fish", "revision": 1380219390, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1380219390", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "e34f29177346dc9fe92a0be80657730202b9ea8d18af991730c4ef9c782bdbf0" }, { "id": "Q1421523", "common_name": "Black ghost knifefish", "scientific_name": "Apteronotus albifrons", "aliases": [ "Apteronotus albifrons" ], "summary": "The black ghost knifefish (Apteronotus albifrons) is a tropical ornamental fish belonging to the ghost knifefish family (Apteronotidae). They originate in freshwater habitats in South America where they range from Venezuela to the Paraguay–Paraná River, including the Amazon Basin. They are popular in aquaria. The fish is all black except for two white rings on its tail, and a white blaze on its nose, which can occasionally extend into a stripe down its back. It moves mainly by undulating a long fin on its underside. It will grow to a length of 45–50 centimetres (18–20 in). Black ghost knifefish are nocturnal. They are a weakly electric fish which use an electric organ and receptors distributed over the length of their body in order to locate prey, including insect larvae.", "features": "The black ghost knifefish has an elongate compressed body with a finless back, short snout, large mouth and a long fin along its abdomen. This fin is a long fused ventral and anal fin as these fish typically have an absent caudal fin. It has cycloid scales. Adults can reach mature lengths of 45–50 cm (18–20 in). Its body is entirely black, save for two white bands circling the body: one near its caudal fin and the other near its anal fin. It may also have a white band extending from the snout to the top of its head. Pale bands on the tail are a synapomorphy for its monophyletic clade. The presence of these two semi-clear bands encircle the caudal end of the fish throughout its development, clearly signifying the A. albifrons species complex. The black ghost knifefish is benthopelagic, so they live in the water column and the bottom of bodies of water.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "The black ghost knifefish is distributed in the river systems and small creeks of South America, including the Orinoco, Guianas, the Amazon, Ucayale, Rio Paraguay, and Rio Parana. Some native-given names of this fish are \"Cheeogaa\" and \"Tovira cavallo\". They are often regarded as the most widespread apteronotid species, and can be seen from Ecuador to Brazil.", "diet": "The black ghost knifefish is considered one of the large-mouthed species of the Apteronotidae family and has been observed eating other smaller fish and shrimp. They are carnivores and hunt during the night. Their diet mainly consists of insect larvae, small crustaceans, and smaller fish. Black ghost knifefish use their electrosensory systems to hunt in the dark of night and in turbid muddy water. Their high maneuverability allows for excellent foraging in cluttered environments. Prey is often captured with a short but quick lunge. Some predatory fish will prey on the black ghost knifefish in the wild and will result in lots of damage on the caudal end of the bodies of wild knifefish. As a response to this pressure, gymnotiforms have evolved the ability to regenerate tails and parts of the caudal spinal cord with efficiency.", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1421523.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Black Ghost Knifefish 400", "author": "Photo by and (c)2005 Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man)", "license": "CC BY-SA 2.5", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Black_Ghost_Knifefish_400.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_ghost_knifefish", "revision": 1369875905, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1369875905", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "4478c6470aefa5616e25033cd616e9ae7806ce519b2bda812d35316b96ac85f3" }, { "id": "Q1415012", "common_name": "Velvet belly lanternshark", "scientific_name": "Etmopterus spinax", "aliases": [ "Etmopterus spinax" ], "summary": "The velvet belly lanternshark (or simply velvet belly) (Etmopterus spinax) is a species of dogfish shark in the family Etmopteridae. One of the most common deepwater sharks in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean, the velvet belly is found from Iceland and Norway to Gabon and South Africa at a depth of 20–2,490 m (66–8,169 ft). A small shark generally no more than 45 cm (18 in) long, the velvet belly is so named because its black underside is abruptly distinct from the brown coloration on the rest of its body. The body of this species is fairly stout, with a moderately long snout and tail, and very small gill slits. Like other lanternsharks, the velvet belly is bioluminescent, with light-emitting photophores forming a species-specific pattern over its flanks and abdomen. The ventral photophores are thought to function in counter-illumination, which camouflages the shark against predators and prey. The bioluminescent flank markings may play a role in intraspecific communication. Young velvet bellies feed mainly on krill and small bony fish, transitioning to squid and shrimp as they grow larger. There is evidence that individuals also move into deeper water as they age. This species exhibits a number of adaptations to living in the deep sea, such as specialized T-cells and liver proteins for dealing with the higher concentrations of heavy metals found there. Velvet bellies often carry a heavy parasite load.", "features": "The velvet belly is a robustly built shark with a moderately long, broad, flattened snout. The mouth has thin, smooth lips. The upper teeth are small, with a narrow central cusp and usually fewer than three pairs of lateral cusplets. The lower teeth are much larger, with a strongly slanted, blade-like cusp at the top and interlocking bases. The five pairs of gill slits are tiny, comparable in size to the spiracles. Both dorsal fins bear stout, grooved spines at the front, with the second much longer than the first and curved. The first dorsal fin originates behind the short and rounded pectoral fins; the second dorsal fin is twice the size of the first and originates behind the pelvic fins. The anal fin is absent. The tail is slender, leading to a long caudal fin with a small lower lobe and a low upper lobe with a prominent ventral notch near the tip. The dermal denticles are thin with hooked tips, arranged without a regular pattern well-separated from one another. The coloration is brown above, abruptly transitioning to black below. There are thin black marks above and behind the pelvic fins, and along the caudal fin. The velvet belly possesses numerous photophores that emit a blue-green light visible from 3–4 m (9.8–13.1 ft) away. Varying densities of photophores are arranged in nine patches on the shark's sides and belly, creating a pattern unique to this species: photophores are present along the lateral line, scattered beneath the head but excluding the mouth, evenly on the belly, and concentrated around the pectoral fins and beneath the caudal peduncle.", "habitat": "The range of the velvet belly is in the eastern Atlantic, extending from Iceland and Norway to Gabon, including the Mediterranean Sea, the Azores, the Canary Islands, and Cape Verde. It has also been reported off Cape Province, South Africa. This shark mainly inhabits the outer continental and insular shelves and upper slopes over mud or clay, from close to the bottom to the middle of the water column. It is most common at a depth of 200–500 m (660–1,640 ft), though in the Rockall Trough, it is only found at a depth of 500–750 m (1,640–2,460 ft). This species has been reported from as shallow as 20 m (66 ft), and as deep as 2,490 m (8,170 ft). Along with the blackmouth catshark (Galeus melastomus) and the Portuguese dogfish (Centroscymnus coelolepis), the velvet belly is one of the most abundant deep-sea sharks in the northeastern Atlantic. It is found individually or in small shoals. Samplings in the Mediterranean have found females outnumbering males across all ages; this imbalance increases in the older age classes. In the Rockall Trough and the Catalan Sea, large adults are found in deeper waters than juveniles, which may serve to reduce competition between the two groups. However, this pattern has not been observed at other sites in the eastern Mediterranean. The velvet belly's liver accounts for 17% of its body mass, three-quarters of which is oil, making it nearly neutrally buoyant. To deal with the higher concentrations of heavy metals in the deep sea, the velvet belly has T-cells in its bloodstream that can identify and mark toxic compounds for elimination.", "distribution": "The range of the velvet belly is in the eastern Atlantic, extending from Iceland and Norway to Gabon, including the Mediterranean Sea, the Azores, the Canary Islands, and Cape Verde. It has also been reported off Cape Province, South Africa. This shark mainly inhabits the outer continental and insular shelves and upper slopes over mud or clay, from close to the bottom to the middle of the water column. It is most common at a depth of 200–500 m (660–1,640 ft), though in the Rockall Trough, it is only found at a depth of 500–750 m (1,640–2,460 ft). This species has been reported from as shallow as 20 m (66 ft), and as deep as 2,490 m (8,170 ft).", "diet": "As generalist predators, velvet bellies feed on crustaceans (e.g. pasiphaeid shrimp and krill), cephalopods (e.g. ommastrephid squid and sepiolids), and bony fishes (e.g. shads, barracudinas, lanternfishes, and pouts). Sharks off Italy also eat small amounts of nematodes, polychaete worms, and other cartilaginous fishes. Studies of velvet bellies off Norway and Portugal, and in the Rockall Trough, have found small sharks under 27 cm (11 in) long feed mainly on the krill Meganyctiphanes norvegica and the small fish Maurolicus muelleri. As the sharks grow larger, their diets become more varied, consisting mainly of squid and the shrimp Pasiphaea tarda, as well fishes other than M. muelleri. It has been speculated that smaller velvet bellies may be too slow to catch fast-moving cephalopods. The cephalopod diet of adults overlaps with that of the Portuguese dogfish; the latter species may avoid competition with the velvet belly by living in deeper water. The bite force exerted by the velvet belly is only around 1 N.", "family": "Etmopteridae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1415012.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Velvet Belly Lanternshark", "author": "Vsevolod Rudyi", "license": "CC BY 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Velvet_Belly_Lanternshark.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velvet_belly_lanternshark", "revision": 1355301383, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1355301383", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "e25bf93ef8c0692c4fd7d7f22daa22c0ce4b502a56accabac26045c3cab3b380" }, { "id": "Q1292422", "common_name": "Cuckoo wrasse", "scientific_name": "Labrus mixtus", "aliases": [ "Labrus mixtus", "peacock fish" ], "summary": "The cuckoo wrasse (Labrus mixtus) is a species of wrasse native to the eastern Atlantic Ocean from Norway to Senegal, including the Azores and Madeira. It is also found in the Mediterranean Sea. They occur in weedy, rocky areas mostly between 40 and 80 m (130 and 260 ft). This species is an occasional food fish for local populations but is also popular as a game fish. It is also a popular fish for display in public aquaria.", "features": "The cuckoo wrasse has a long, pointed head, its body is slimmer and more elongated in shape than the ballan wrasse (Labrus bergylta), with which it is sympatric in the north eastern Atlantic. It is a very colourful fish which shows clear sexual dimorphism. The young males and the females are coloured with a mix of pink, orange and red. The females possess three black spots on their back to the rear of the dorsal fin, with white colouration between then which stretch to the tail which are not present on males. The males have blue heads and orange bodies, blue stripes and mottled patterns run along the body and there are blue lines on the margins of the fins. Like the ballan wrasse, the cuckoo wrasse has a small mouth with thick fleshy, folded lips and a single row of canine-like teeth in each jaw. The maximum total length for a male is 40 centimetres (16 in) and for females it is 30 centimetres (12 in), although the common total length for males is 30 centimetres (12 in). The long dorsal fin is even in height along its length and this species has large scales which are bigger than the pupil of the eye.", "habitat": "The cuckoo wrasse is found where there are rocks and other hard substrates in the algal zone at depths of 2–200 metres (6 ft 7 in – 656 ft 2 in), but are mainly found between 20–80 metres (66–262 ft). It is also associated with area dominated by coralline algae. This species shows a preference for slightly deeper water than the ballan wrasse, with which it is sympatric off western Europe and only occasionally enters very shallow inshore waters. In the Azores adults of this species is normally not encountered above depths of 50 metres (160 ft), although juveniles may be found at shallower depths occasionally. They are normally found occurring as solitary individuals or in pairs with young. They are oviparous and the female can lay up to a thousand eggs in a dish-shaped nest made by the male from algae, which he then guards. The cuckoo wrasse is a protogynous hermaphrodite, and females can change sex into males, a process which takes around seven months. The diet consists mainly of crustaceans but it will also take fishes, molluscs and worms/", "distribution": "The cuckoo wrasse occurs in the north east Atlantic Ocean along the coast of Europe from Norway south to Andalusia and along the Atlantic coast of north Africa south to Senegal. It occurs off the Canary Islands, the Azores and Madeira too. Its range extends into the Mediterranean Sea as far as Cyprus, where it is common, but it is absent from the Levantine Sea.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1292422.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Cuckoo Wrasse (Female) (Labrus mixtus) (cropped)", "author": "heartypanther", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cuckoo_Wrasse_(Female)_(Labrus_mixtus)_(cropped).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuckoo_wrasse", "revision": 1382137976, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1382137976", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "0b31a2b36157576b01e153e147208e724a79ae9b468fa5f17c2278e591ccbf7b" }, { "id": "Q469754", "common_name": "Yellow perch", "scientific_name": "Perca flavescens", "aliases": [ "striped perch", "American perch", "yellow perch", "Perca flavescens" ], "summary": "The yellow perch (Perca flavescens), commonly referred to as perch, striped perch, American perch or preacher is a freshwater ray-finned fish from the perch family Percidae, native to much of central North America, particularly the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence River basin and the Upper Mississippi River catchment (which connects to the former via canals). It was first described in 1814 by Samuel Latham Mitchill from New York, and is closely related and morphologically similar to the European perch (Perca fluviatilis), and is sometimes considered a subspecies of its European counterpart.", "features": "The yellow perch has an elongate, laterally compressed body with a subterminal mouth and a relatively long but blunt snout which is surpassed in length by the lower jaw. They have about 800 fine, brush-like teeth arranged in bands along their jaws and on the roof of their mouth. Their bodies are rough to the touch because of their ctenoid scales. Like most perches, the yellow perch has two separate dorsal fins. The anterior (or first) dorsal fin contains 12–14 hard spines, while the posterior (or second) dorsal fin has two or three hard spines at the front followed by 12–13 soft rays. The anal fin has two spines and 7–8 soft rays. The opercula tips are spined, and the anal fin has two spines. The pelvic fins are close together, and the homocercal caudal fin is forked. Seven or eight branchiostegal rays are seen. The upper part of the head and body varies in colour from bright green through to olive or golden brown. The colour on the upper body extends onto the flanks where it creates a pattern of 6–8 vertical bars over a background of yellow or yellowish green. They normally show a blackish blotch on the membrane of the first dorsal fin between the rearmost three or four spines. The colour of the dorsal and caudal fins vary from yellow to green while the anal and pelvic fins may be yellow through to silvery white; in spawning season, males develop pronounced red or yellow color on their lower fins. The pectoral fins are transparent and amber in colour. The ventral part of the body is white or yellow. The juveniles are paler and can have an almost whitish background colour.", "habitat": "Yellow perch are commonly found in the littoral zones of both large and small lakes, but also inhabit slow-moving rivers and streams, ponds, wetlands and even brackish waters. Due to human intervention, they are currently found in many man-made lakes, reservoirs and river impoundments. The perch are most abundant in lakes that may be warm or cool and are extremely productive in smaller lakes where they can dominate unless controlled by predation. Yellow perch are commonly active during the day and inactive at night except during spawning, when they are active both day and night. They are most often found in schools, for which visibility is necessary to maintain, and the schools break up at dusk and reform at dawn. Yellow perch schools typically contain 50 to 200 fish, and are arranged by age and size in a spindle shape. Younger perch tend to school more than older and larger fish, which occasionally travel alone, and males and females often form separate schools. Some perch are migratory within rivers and large lakes, with migrations of up to 40 kilometres (25 mi) recorded out of Lake Winnebago, and they also have been observed leading a semi-anadromous life. Yellow perch do not accelerate quickly and are relatively poor swimmers, with the fastest recorded speed for a yellow perch school being 54 cm/s (1.2 mph) and individual fish swimming at less than half that speed. Their microhabitat is usually along the shore among reeds and aquatic weeds, snags, pier posts and other underwater structures.", "distribution": "Yellow perch are native to the tributaries of the Atlantic Oceans and Hudson Bay, particularly the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence River and Upper Mississippi River basins, the latter connecting to the former via canals such as the Illinois and Michigan Canal and the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. In Canada, its native range includes all the Great Lakes basin, and from Nova Scotia to the Prairie provinces north to the Mackenzie River, and it is also common in the Great Slave Lake. In the United States, its native range extends south into Ohio and Illinois, and throughout most of the northeastern United States. Native distribution was driven by postglacial melt from the Mississippi River. It is also considered native to the Atlantic Slope basin, extending south to the Savannah River. There is also a small, likely native population in the Dead Lakes region of the Apalachicola River system in Florida. The yellow perch has also been widely introduced for sport and commercial fishing purposes. It has also been introduced to establish a forage base for black bass and walleye. These introductions were predominantly performed by the U.S. Fish Commission in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. However, unauthorized introductions have likely occurred from illegal introductions, dispersal through connected waterways, and use as live bait. The current native and introduced range in the United States is through northern Missouri to western Pennsylvania to South Carolina and north to Maine, with introduced populations in the northwest and southwest portions of the United States.", "diet": "Primarily, age and body size determine the diets of yellow perch. Zooplankton is the primary food source for larval and fry perch. By age one, they become fingerlings and shift to macroinvertebrates such as midges and mosquito larvae. Older perch feed on aquatic invertebrates, fish eggs, crayfish, mysid shrimp and other juvenile fish. About 20% of the diet of a yellow perch over 32 g (1.1 oz) in weight consists of small fish. Adult perch have been known to be predominantly piscivorous and even cannibalistic in some cases. Maximum feeding occurs just before dark, with typical daily consumption averaging 1.4% of their body weight.", "family": "Percidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q469754.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens) (cropped)", "author": "USFWS Mountain Prairie", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Yellow_Perch_(Perca_flavescens)_(cropped).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow_perch", "revision": 1368448045, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1368448045", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "c9ba89a09e07c88b04ae553633f413bf319a94246842430888650d3595bd844c" }, { "id": "Q16605454", "common_name": "Fifteen-spined stickleback", "scientific_name": "Spinachia spinachia", "aliases": [ "Spinachia spinachia" ], "summary": "Spinachia is a monospecific genus of ray-finned fish belonging to the family Gasterosteidae, the sticklebacks. The only species in the genus is Spinachia spinachia, the sea stickleback, fifteen-spined stickleback or fifteenspine stickleback, a species which lives in benthopelagic and in brackish environments of the northeastern Atlantic Ocean. This species, the largest of the sticklebacks, grows to a length of 22 centimetres (8.7 in) SL. This species is the only known member of its genus Spinachia. It is of no interest as a commercial fish.", "features": "The fifteen-spined stickleback is an elongated fish with a long slender snout, an elongated caudal peduncle about one third of the total length, and a fan-like rounded caudal fin. The anterior dorsal fin consists of a series of fourteen to fifteen small, widely separated spines. The posterior dorsal fin and the anal fin are aligned and are similar in size and shape and located immediately anterior to the caudal peduncle. The pelvic fins consist of spines. This fish is brownish-yellow with indistinct dark markings and a silvery belly. It grows to a maximum size of 22 centimetres (8.7 in), but the usual size range is 8 to 15 cm (3 to 6 in).", "habitat": "The fifteen-spined stickleback is native to coastal waters in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean where it lives among bladderwrack and eel grass.", "distribution": "The fifteen-spined stickleback is native to coastal waters in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean where it lives among bladderwrack and eel grass.", "diet": "", "family": "Gasterosteidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q16605454.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Spinachia spinachia in Norway", "author": "Vsevolod Rudyi", "license": "CC BY 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Spinachia_spinachia_in_Norway.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinachia", "revision": 1380362427, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1380362427", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "efa1ca43148e8b3c8c44ba8745049123fe87638815f6e4e2ce39ee7943a7b19f" }, { "id": "Q18923039", "common_name": "Polar cod", "scientific_name": "Boreogadus saida", "aliases": [ "Boreogadus saida" ], "summary": "Boreogadus saida, known as the polar cod or as the Arctic cod, is a fish of the cod family Gadidae, related to the true cod (genus Gadus). Another fish species for which both the common names Arctic cod and polar cod are used is Arctogadus glacialis.", "features": "Arctic cod have slender bodies, deeply forked tails, a projecting mouth, and a small chin barbel. They have three dorsal fins and two anal fins, which are all separate from each other. The caudal fin is concave, the pectoral fins reach beyond the end of the first dorsal fin, and the pelvic fins are elongated rays. The lateral line is interrupted along the entire length of the fish. They are plainly coloured with brownish spots and a silvery body. Greenlandic Inuit fishers have described two morphotypes of Arctic cod, a lighter-colored variety and a darker-colored variety. Arctic cod are frequently misidentified as polar cod (Arctogadus glacialis) during their larval and early juvenile stages. The species can be differentiated through the analysis of otoliths or molecular data. Arctic cod grow to an average length of 25 cm (9.8 in), and a maximum length of 40 cm (16 in).", "habitat": "Early life stages of Arctic cod are found near the surface in both ice-covered and open water; however, adults are found deeper in the water column. In the Canadian Arctic, Arctic cod will separate vertically in the water column by size, with younger fish in the upper 100 meters (330 ft) of the water column, and juvenile and immature fish below 200 meters (660 ft). Arctic cod can also be found in dense schools near glacial fronts and polynyas. Subsurface plumes of freshwater discharged from glaciers create foraging hotspots, aggregating zooplankton where they are stunned or killed by osmotic shock, making them easy prey for Arctic cod. Greenlandic Inuit fishers have reported the presence of Arctic cod near the Sermilik and Sermeq Avannarleq glaciers, located off the southwestern coast of Greenland.", "distribution": "This species is found further north than any other fish (beyond 84°N) with a circumpolar distribution spanning the entire North Polar Basin above Russia, Alaska, Canada, and Greenland. More specifically, in the Arctic Ocean, Bering Sea, Chukchi Sea, Beaufort Sea, Hudson Bay, Baffin Bay, Greenland Sea, Barents Sea, Kara Sea, Laptev Sea and the Eastern Siberian Sea. Arctic cod occur in almost all Arctic and Subarctic marine habitats, ranging from coastal waters, the mesopelagic zone, the deeper central Arctic Ocean, and under ice. Arctic cod are the most abundant demersal Arctic species in the Beaufort Sea. Arctic cod exhibit diel vertical migration patterns during winter and spring, but migration is not observed during summer.", "diet": "Arctic cod are generalists that feed on plankton and krill, more specifically hyperiid amphipods, gammarid amphipods, and copepods. Diet varies based on size, region, and locality. Arctic cod larvae feed on eggs, nauplii, and copepods. Larger Arctic cod engage in piscivory. When their preferred prey is scarce, Arctic cod are adaptable and will switch to any other available prey. Because Arctic winters have low primary production rates, Arctic cod accumulate energy reserves rapidly during the late summer to prepare for the overwintering period. To withstand short summer growing seasons, Arctic cod juveniles enter winter with higher lipid concentrations compared to boreal species.", "family": "Gadidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q18923039.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Boreogadus saida", "author": "H. L. Todd", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Boreogadus_saida.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boreogadus", "revision": 1358430529, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1358430529", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "937ed1d0c2cdc00b5bceb9bcb3aa730cca978bdd71a7da10adcef9c9791c691a" }, { "id": "Q637598", "common_name": "Cherry barb", "scientific_name": "Puntius titteya", "aliases": [ "Puntius titteya", "Barbus titteya", "Capoeta titteya" ], "summary": "The cherry barb (Rohanella titteya) is a tropical freshwater fish belonging to the family Cyprinidae. It is endemic to Sri Lanka, and introduced populations have become established in Mexico and Colombia. The cherry barb was named Puntius titteya by Paules Edward Pieris Deraniyagala in 1929. Synonyms include Barbus titteya and Capoeta titteya. It is the only species in the genus Rohanella. The species is commercially important in the aquarium trade and farmed in larger numbers, but it remains threatened by overcollection and habitat loss. Cherry barbs are very popular aquarium fish, due to their vibrant red colors.", "features": "The cherry barb is a small elongated fish with a relatively compressed body. It reaches 5 cm (2 in) in length. The female is fawn-colored on top with a slight greenish sheen. Its sides and belly have gleaming silver highlights. It may have a rosy tone on its back and upper sides. A horizontal stripe extends from the tip of the snout through the eye to the base of the caudal fin. The male has a reddish color, becoming very deep red when breeding, and a more slender body shape. The females have two pinkish color stripes down their sides, also becoming darker when ready to breed.", "habitat": "The cherry barb's natural habitat is a heavily shaded, shallow, and calm water body. Its native substrate is silty with leaf cover. It comes from a tropical climate and prefers water with a pH of 6 to 8, a water hardness (dH) of 5 to 19, and a temperature range of 73 to 81 °F (23 to 27 °C).", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Cyprinidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q637598.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Male Cherry Barb 700", "author": "sannse", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Male_Cherry_Barb_700.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherry_barb", "revision": 1375963139, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1375963139", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "dd388f57aca95561fbac033a0e22147dd6a7a6092bca692b45b8e454b27109c8" }, { "id": "Q784412", "common_name": "Blackfin tuna", "scientific_name": "Thunnus atlanticus", "aliases": [ "Thunnus atlanticus" ], "summary": "The blackfin tuna (Thunnus atlanticus) is a species of tuna in the family Scombridae. It is occasionally referred to as the Bermuda tuna, blackfinned albacore, or deep bodied tunny. They are the smallest tuna species in the genus Thunnus, generally growing to a maximum of 100 cm (39 in) in length and weighing 21 kg (46 lb). Blackfin tuna are considered tropical, warm water fish. They have a relatively small distribution throughout the Eastern Coast of North and South America. They are located from Massachusetts to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, and also inhabit the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. The blackfin tuna has less commercial value than its close relatives like the yellowfin, bluefin, and skipjack tuna, but is still a major sport fish in Florida and regions of the Caribbean like Cuba and the Bahamas. However, the taste and quality of blackfin tuna is comparable to that of its popular relatives, and can be prepared in the same ways. It is also sushi grade. Methods of capture include trolling, drift fishing, and sport fishing with a pole and live bait or lures like ballyhoo, mullet, small fishes or strip baits, feathers, jigs, or plugs. As of 2022, blackfin tuna were deemed \"least concern\" globally by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.", "features": "Blackfin tuna are the smallest species of tuna. The All-Tackle world record blackfin tuna was caught off the coast of Florida and weighed 20.6 kg (45 lb 7 oz). Their oval shaped bodies have a dark blue to black colored back. The sides and belly of the fish are silver, which gives them an iridescent appearance in the water, with a lateral yellow stripe. They have durable, compact scales with an oblique mouth. Blackfin tuna have small dorsal finlets with a brownish coloration and white edges, a distinguishing characteristic from the yellow dorsal fins seen in other types of tuna. These dorsal finlets draw a line between the two large dorsal fins and the tail. Blackfin tuna can also be distinguished from other types of tuna based on their number of gill rakers. Most species of tuna have a minimum of 30 gill rakers, while blackfin tuna only have 20–23, the fewest of all species. Additionally, blackfin tuna have a smooth ventral surface on their liver found in the chest cavity, while other species have striations on their ventral surface.", "habitat": "Blackfin tuna hunt both epipelagic (surface) and mesopelagic (deeper water) fish and squid. They also eat crustaceans such as shrimp, crabs, amphipods, stomatopods, and the larvae of decapods. They consume smaller prey by filtering the water and chase to catch larger prey. This species is host to parasites including certain Digenea, Monogenea, Cestoda, Nematoda and Crustacea. The latter group includes parasitic copepods like Caligus coryphaenae, Caligus productus, Euryporus brachypterus, and Pseudocycnus appendiculatus. Cookiecutter sharks (Isistius brasiliensis) are external parasites.", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Scombridae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q784412.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Blackfin tuna, Duane Raver Jr", "author": "Duane Raver, Jr. / USDA", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blackfin_tuna,_Duane_Raver_Jr.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackfin_tuna", "revision": 1332265880, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1332265880", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "c4cde87fe0e1ec9572019c108d31c6fe6ad18a2c51677067f09687d3c34dbd40" }, { "id": "Q1110782", "common_name": "Smalltooth sand tiger", "scientific_name": "Odontaspis ferox", "aliases": [ "Odontaspis ferox", "Smalltooth sand tiger shark" ], "summary": "The smalltooth sand tiger or bumpytail ragged-tooth (Odontaspis ferox) is a species of mackerel shark in the family Odontaspididae, with a patchy but worldwide distribution in tropical and warm temperate waters. They usually inhabit deepwater rocky habitats, though they are occasionally encountered in shallow water, and have been known to return to the same location year after year. This rare species is often mistaken for the much more common sand tiger shark (Carcharias taurus), from which it can be distinguished by its first dorsal fin, which is larger than the second and placed further forward. It grows to at least 5.2 m (17 ft) in length. They have also been recently sighted in Irish and English waters. Very little is known of the biology and behavior of the smalltooth sand tiger. It is an active predator of invertebrates, cartilaginous fishes, and bony fishes from the benthic zone. This species is thought to be ovoviviparous with oophagous embryos like other mackerel sharks. In contrast to its formidable size and appearance, this shark is harmless, having never been known to behave aggressively towards humans. Concern exists that its numbers are declining due to human activities in the Mediterranean and elsewhere, though existing data are inadequate for a full assessment of its conservation status.", "features": "The smalltooth sand tiger has a bulky body with a long, bulbous, slightly flattened snout. The eyes are medium-sized, with large, round pupils (as opposed to slit-like in the grey nurse shark), and lack nictitating membranes. The mouth is large and filled with projecting teeth. Each tooth has a narrow, tall central cusp flanked by two or three pairs of lateral cusplets. Some 48–56 tooth rows are in the upper jaw and 36–46 tooth rows are in the lower jaw; the front large teeth in the upper jaw are separated from the lateral teeth by two to five intermediate teeth. The fins are broad-based and angular in shape. The first dorsal fin is larger than the second and placed closer to the pectoral fins than the pelvic fins. The caudal fin is strongly asymmetrical with the upper lobe much longer than the lower. The coloration is gray to gray-brown above and lighter below. Juveniles are uniform in color with darker fin margins, while adults often exhibit dark spots or blotches that vary widely in pattern, size, and density. Coloration also appears to vary by region, with some individuals from the Mediterranean displaying a patchy, \"piebald\" pattern. The smalltooth sand tiger attains a maximum length of 5.2 m (17 ft) per Kukuev & Batal'yants, 2019 and a maximum weight of 289 kg (637 lb). There are unconfirmed reports of much larger individuals from Malpelo Island off Colombia.", "habitat": "Smalltooth sand tigers have been caught at widely scattered locations throughout the world, indicating a possibly circumtropical distribution. In the eastern Atlantic Ocean, it is known from the Bay of Biscay south to Morocco, including the Mediterranean Sea, the Azores, and the Canary Islands. In March 2023, the species was also found in The Solent after a dead smalltooth sand tiger washed ashore at Lepe, Hampshire, and the following month a 14-foot (4.3 m) specimen was found in County Wexford, Ireland. In the western Atlantic, it has been reported from off North Carolina and Florida (USA), the Yucatan Peninsula (Mexico), Fernando de Noronha (Brazil) and even, much more recently, from Malpelo Island near Colombia. It occurs throughout the Indian Ocean, from South Africa, Madagascar, and Tanzania in the west to the Maldives and the Southwest Indian Ridge in the east. In the northern Pacific, it is known from off Japan, Hawaii, California, and in the southern Pacific it is known from New Caledonia, eastern Australia, and New Zealand. In New Zealand, this species can be found off the coasts of the Bay of Plenty, New Plymouth, and Hawkes Bay. It has also been filmed near Raoul Island. Typically regarded as a deepwater species, smalltooth sand tigers have been caught down to 880 m (2,890 ft). They are usually found near the bottom in rocky, boulder-strewn regions on continental shelves and the upper continental slope, as well as around submarine ridges and mountains.", "distribution": "Smalltooth sand tigers have been caught at widely scattered locations throughout the world, indicating a possibly circumtropical distribution. In the eastern Atlantic Ocean, it is known from the Bay of Biscay south to Morocco, including the Mediterranean Sea, the Azores, and the Canary Islands. In March 2023, the species was also found in The Solent after a dead smalltooth sand tiger washed ashore at Lepe, Hampshire, and the following month a 14-foot (4.3 m) specimen was found in County Wexford, Ireland. In the western Atlantic, it has been reported from off North Carolina and Florida (USA), the Yucatan Peninsula (Mexico), Fernando de Noronha (Brazil) and even, much more recently, from Malpelo Island near Colombia. It occurs throughout the Indian Ocean, from South Africa, Madagascar, and Tanzania in the west to the Maldives and the Southwest Indian Ridge in the east. In the northern Pacific, it is known from off Japan, Hawaii, California, and in the southern Pacific it is known from New Caledonia, eastern Australia, and New Zealand. In New Zealand, this species can be found off the coasts of the Bay of Plenty, New Plymouth, and Hawkes Bay. It has also been filmed near Raoul Island. Typically regarded as a deepwater species, smalltooth sand tigers have been caught down to 880 m (2,890 ft). They are usually found near the bottom in rocky, boulder-strewn regions on continental shelves and the upper continental slope, as well as around submarine ridges and mountains.", "diet": "Compared to the grey nurse shark, the dentition of the smalltooth sand tiger is less robust and lacks specialized cutting and crushing teeth, suggesting that it tends to tackle smaller prey. The diet of the smalltooth sand tiger consists of bottom-dwelling bony fishes such as rockfish (Sebastes spp.), invertebrates such as squid, shrimp, and possibly marine isopods, and cartilaginous fishes including rays and chimaeras. The largest known prey item taken by this species was a 1.3-m-long (4.3 ft) kitefin shark (Dalatias licha), found inside the stomach of a 2.9-m-long (9.5 ft) male from New Caledonia.", "family": "Odontaspididae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1110782.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Odontaspis ferox swim in an aquarium", "author": "出羽雀台", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Odontaspis_ferox_swim_in_an_aquarium.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smalltooth_sand_tiger", "revision": 1378297545, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1378297545", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "1b3657829ec6a4cd0aae5c953b2f0d3a995be1e50b378dff408960c19c421980" }, { "id": "Q604191", "common_name": "Sicklefin lemon shark", "scientific_name": "Negaprion acutidens", "aliases": [ "sharptooth lemon shark", "Negaprion acutidens" ], "summary": "The sicklefin lemon shark (Negaprion acutidens) or sharptooth lemon shark is a species of requiem shark belonging to the family Carcharhinidae, widely distributed in the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific. It is closely related to the better-known lemon shark (N. brevirostris) of the Americas; the two species are almost identical in appearance, both being stout-bodied sharks with broad heads, two dorsal fins of nearly equal size, and a plain yellow-tinged coloration. As its common name suggests, the sicklefin lemon shark differs from its American counterpart in having more falcate (sickle-shaped) fins. This large species grows up to 3.8 m (12 ft) long. It generally inhabits water less than 92 m (302 ft) deep in a variety of habitats, from mangrove estuaries to coral reefs. A slow-moving predator feeding mainly on bony fishes, the sicklefin lemon shark seldom travels long distances and many individuals can be found year-round at certain locations. Like other members of its family, this species is viviparous, with females giving birth to no more than 13 pups every other year, following a gestation period of 10–11 months. Although they are potentially dangerous to humans and known to respond vigorously to any provocation, under normal circumstances, sicklefin lemon sharks are cautious and tend to retreat if approached. The IUCN has assessed this species as Endangered; its low reproductive productivity and rate of movement limits the capacity of depleted stocks to recover.", "features": "The sicklefin lemon shark has a robust, stocky body and a short, broad head. The snout is rounded or almost wedge-shaped, with small nostrils bearing triangular flaps of skin in front. The eyes are small, with no spiracles. Short furrows are present at the corners of the mouth. Thirteen to 16 (usually 14) tooth rows occur on either side of both jaws, not including the tiny teeth at the symphysis (the jaw midline). The upper teeth have a large cusp rising from a broad base, with a notch on each side; these teeth become increasingly angled towards the corners of the mouth. The lower teeth resemble the upper teeth, but are narrower and more erect. The teeth of sharks over 1.4 m (4.6 ft) long are finely serrated. The fins (especially the dorsal, pectoral, and pelvics) of the sicklefin lemon shark are more falcate (sickle-shaped) than those of the otherwise very similar American lemon shark. The first dorsal fin is positioned closer to the pelvic than the pectoral fins. The second dorsal fin, nearly equal to the first in size, is located over or slightly forward of the anal fin. No ridge is seen between the dorsal fins. The pectoral fins are long and broad, originating below the space between the third and fourth gill slits. The anal fin has a strong notch in the rear margin. The precaudal pit (a cavity just forward of the caudal fin) is oriented longitudinally. The large dermal denticles are overlapping and bear three to five horizontal ridges each. The coloration is a plain yellowish brown or gray above and lighter below, with more yellow on the fins.", "habitat": "The range of the sicklefin lemon shark extends from South Africa to the Red Sea (including Mauritius, the Seychelles, and Madagascar), continuing eastward along the coast of the Indian subcontinent to Southeast Asia, extending as far north as Taiwan and the Philippines, and as far south as New Guinea and northern Australia. This species is also found around numerous Pacific islands, including New Caledonia, Palau, the Marshall Islands, the Solomon Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu, and French Polynesia. This species likely colonized the central Pacific by infrequently \"hopping\" from one island to the next. Significant levels of genetic differentiation between sicklefin lemon sharks in Australia and French Polynesia, 7,500 km (4,700 mi) apart, suggest that little intermingling occurs between regional subpopulations. An inhabitant of coastal continental and insular shelves, the sicklefin lemon shark occurs from the intertidal zone to a depth of 92 m (302 ft). This species favors still, murky waters and is most common in bays, estuaries, and lagoons, and over sandy flats and outer reefs. Sometimes, an individual may venture into open water; one was filmed in the 1971 documentary Blue Water, White Death, in the vicinity of a sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) carcass. Juvenile sicklefin lemon sharks are often found on reef flats or around mangroves, in water so shallow that their dorsal fins are exposed.", "distribution": "The range of the sicklefin lemon shark extends from South Africa to the Red Sea (including Mauritius, the Seychelles, and Madagascar), continuing eastward along the coast of the Indian subcontinent to Southeast Asia, extending as far north as Taiwan and the Philippines, and as far south as New Guinea and northern Australia. This species is also found around numerous Pacific islands, including New Caledonia, Palau, the Marshall Islands, the Solomon Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu, and French Polynesia. This species likely colonized the central Pacific by infrequently \"hopping\" from one island to the next. Significant levels of genetic differentiation between sicklefin lemon sharks in Australia and French Polynesia, 7,500 km (4,700 mi) apart, suggest that little intermingling occurs between regional subpopulations. An inhabitant of coastal continental and insular shelves, the sicklefin lemon shark occurs from the intertidal zone to a depth of 92 m (302 ft). This species favors still, murky waters and is most common in bays, estuaries, and lagoons, and over sandy flats and outer reefs. Sometimes, an individual may venture into open water; one was filmed in the 1971 documentary Blue Water, White Death, in the vicinity of a sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) carcass. Juvenile sicklefin lemon sharks are often found on reef flats or around mangroves, in water so shallow that their dorsal fins are exposed.", "diet": "", "family": "Carcharhinidae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q604191.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Negaprion acutidens sydney2", "author": "Patrick Quinn-Graham from Vancouver, Canada", "license": "CC BY 2.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Negaprion_acutidens_sydney2.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sicklefin_lemon_shark", "revision": 1366793834, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1366793834", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "6e2867b7810884e83f0eca321892f59eb2b194c7f65deebebac30ae1c52bca02" }, { "id": "Q549760", "common_name": "Reedfish", "scientific_name": "Erpetoichthys calabaricus", "aliases": [ "reedfish", "Erpetoichthys calabaricus" ], "summary": "The reedfish, ropefish (more commonly used in the United States), or snakefish, Erpetoichthys calabaricus, is a species of fish in the family Polypteridae alongside the bichirs. It is the only member of the genus Erpetoichthys. It is native to fresh and brackish waters in West and Central Africa. The reedfish possesses a pair of lungs in addition to gills, allowing it to survive in very oxygen-poor water. It is threatened by habitat loss through palm oil plantations, other agriculture, deforestation, and urban development.", "features": "The largest confirmed reedfish museum specimen was 37 cm (15 in) long, and three studies where more than 2,000 wild reedfish were caught (using basket traps, meaning that only individuals longer than 15–20 cm [6–8 in] were retained) found none that exceeded 41.4 cm (16.3 in). Reedfish have sometimes been incorrectly claimed to reach up to 90 cm (3 ft) long. The sexes are very similar in both median and maximum length, but females average heavier than males of a similar length, and they can be reliably separated by the shape of their anal fin. Reedfish are dark above and on the sides, with lighter orangish or yellowish underparts. Males are generally more olive-green in colour, whereas females generally are more yellowish-brown. Larvae have conspicuous external gills, making them resemble salamander larvae. Body elongation in fishes, such as eels, usually happens through the addition of caudal (tail) vertebrae, but in bichirs it has happened through the addition of precaudal vertebrae. Reedfish have evolved a more snakelike body by having twice as many precaudal vertebrae as the members of its sister genus Polypterus, despite having the same number of tail vertebrae. Unlike Polypterus, Erpetoichthys lack pelvic fins and the subopercle, and the long dorsal fin, which consists of a series of well-separated \"spines\", are each supported by a single fin ray rather than multiple rays as in Polypterus. The reedfish possesses a pair of lungs, enabling it to breathe atmospheric air.", "habitat": "The reedfish inhabits slow-moving or standing, fresh or brackish, relatively warm tropical water, and usually in places with reeds or other dense plant growth. It occurs in Benin, Cameroon and Nigeria, spanning the area from the Ouémé River to the Sanaga River. There are old records from the Chiloango River in DR Congo and Cabinda in Angola, but these are unconfirmed and questionable. The reedfish is nocturnal, and feeds on annelid worms, small crustaceans (such as shrimp), insects (both adults and their larvae), snails and small fish. When moving through water slowly, it tends to use its pectoral fins, and when moving quickly changes to an eel-like form of swimming (making more use of full-body movements and the caudal fin). Unlike their sister genus Polypterus, which does not leave water voluntarily, reedfish are known to explore land both in the wild and in captivity if given the opportunity, slithering along like a snake and also taking food items on land. Prey captured on land is brought back to the water. Females repeatedly deposit small batches of eggs between the anal fins of the male, where they are fertilized. The male reedfish then scatters the eggs among aquatic vegetation, where they stick to plants and substrate. Larvae hatch rapidly (after 70 hours) but remain attached to vegetation; they become independent and start to feed after ~22 days, when the egg's yolk sac has been consumed.", "distribution": "The reedfish inhabits slow-moving or standing, fresh or brackish, relatively warm tropical water, and usually in places with reeds or other dense plant growth. It occurs in Benin, Cameroon and Nigeria, spanning the area from the Ouémé River to the Sanaga River. There are old records from the Chiloango River in DR Congo and Cabinda in Angola, but these are unconfirmed and questionable.", "diet": "", "family": "Polypteridae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q549760.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Akwa19 reedfish", "author": "Michał Zalewski", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Akwa19_reedfish.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reedfish", "revision": 1373641256, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1373641256", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "5cd9d69c9e81a39f9fee5c294cf4428f1ee208bdc01fa8c0984cb1817f4c0f13" }, { "id": "Q1247501", "common_name": "Convict tang", "scientific_name": "Acanthurus triostegus", "aliases": [ "Acanthurus triostegus" ], "summary": "Acanthurus triostegus, commonly known as convict tang, manini, convict surgeonfish, convict surgeon, or fiveband surgeonfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Acanthuridae which includes the surgeonfishes, unicornfishes and tangs. This species has a wide Indo-Pacific distribution.", "features": "The convict tang is so called because of its bold black stripes on a yellowish background. It is a laterally-compressed oval-shaped fish with a maximum length of about 26–27 cm (10–11 in). The head is small with a pointed snout and a terminal mouth with thick lips. It has six black stripes which distinguishes it from the zebra tang (Acanthurus polyzona) which has nine, and has a more restricted range in the Indian Ocean. The first black stripe is oblique and passes through the eye. There are two black spots on the caudal peduncle, and on each side there is a sharp, retractable spine, which is used in offence or defence.", "habitat": "Acanthurus triostegus occurs in the tropical Indo-Pacific region. Its range extends from the East African coast and Madagascar to southwestern Japan, Australia and Central America, including many Pacific island groups. It is found over hard bottoms in lagoons, reef slopes, bays and estuaries. Juveniles are common in tide pools, and larger fish are found at depths down to about 90 m (300 ft).", "distribution": "Acanthurus triostegus occurs in the tropical Indo-Pacific region. Its range extends from the East African coast and Madagascar to southwestern Japan, Australia and Central America, including many Pacific island groups. It is found over hard bottoms in lagoons, reef slopes, bays and estuaries. Juveniles are common in tide pools, and larger fish are found at depths down to about 90 m (300 ft).", "diet": "", "family": "Acanthuridae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1247501.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Convict Surgeonfish, Acanthurus triostegus", "author": "brian.gratwicke", "license": "CC BY 2.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Convict_Surgeonfish,_Acanthurus_triostegus.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acanthurus_triostegus", "revision": 1355295414, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1355295414", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "132fc794da05831de7b96dcc1e3a56a7d3aa72652cf7dfe4327536bd008ebd1d" }, { "id": "Q1071955", "common_name": "Long-snouted seahorse", "scientific_name": "Hippocampus guttulatus", "aliases": [ "Hippocampus guttulatus", "Maned seahorse" ], "summary": "Hippocampus guttulatus, commonly known as the long-snouted seahorse and in Great Britain as the spiny seahorse, is a marine fish belonging to the family Syngnathidae. It is native to the northeast Atlantic, including the Mediterranean.", "features": "The long-snouted seahorse is a small-sized fish that can reach a maximum length of 21.5 cm (8+1⁄2 in), but the average size is approximately 12 cm (5 in). The body is slender, the snout is long and the tail is prehensile. Its head and dorsal ridge often have many long dermal filaments which can be simple or bifid. Its color ranges from dark green to different variants of brown to yellow, and the body is often speckled with small white dots.", "habitat": "The long-snouted seahorse is widespread throughout the temperate waters of the eastern Atlantic Ocean from the south coast of the United Kingdom to the Netherlands and south to Morocco, including the Canary Islands, the Azores and Madeira, Italy and the Mediterranean Sea. The longsnout seahorse ranges from black to yellow, red, orange and brown with multiple white dots usually on the tail. This seahorse likes shallow coastal waters from 1 to 20 m (3 to 66 ft) deep. It occurs close by Posidonia and seagrass meadows or in mixed habitat with sandy bottom and rocks with algae.", "distribution": "The long-snouted seahorse is widespread throughout the temperate waters of the eastern Atlantic Ocean from the south coast of the United Kingdom to the Netherlands and south to Morocco, including the Canary Islands, the Azores and Madeira, Italy and the Mediterranean Sea. The longsnout seahorse ranges from black to yellow, red, orange and brown with multiple white dots usually on the tail. This seahorse likes shallow coastal waters from 1 to 20 m (3 to 66 ft) deep. It occurs close by Posidonia and seagrass meadows or in mixed habitat with sandy bottom and rocks with algae.", "diet": "", "family": "Syngnathidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1071955.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "LongSnoutedSeahorse1600ppx", "author": "FASTILY (TALK)", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:LongSnoutedSeahorse1600ppx.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long-snouted_seahorse", "revision": 1383325960, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1383325960", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "97dfb75973ed08720a3cc3cbed1b61d62bb2c4f646a9d7622191102eb95a601c" }, { "id": "Q592876", "common_name": "White sturgeon", "scientific_name": "Sinosturio transmontanus", "aliases": [ "Acipenser transmontanus" ], "summary": "White sturgeon (Sinosturio transmontanus) is a species of sturgeon in the family Acipenseridae of the order Acipenseriformes. They are an anadromous (migratory) fish species ranging in the Eastern Pacific; from the Gulf of Alaska to Monterey, California. However, some are landlocked in British Columbia, the Fraser River and Columbia River, Montana, Snake River, and Clearwater River in Idaho, and Lake Shasta in California, with reported sightings in northern Baja California, Mexico.", "features": "S. transmontanus is distinguished by the two rows of four to eight ganoid bony plates between the anus and anal fin, with about 45 rays present in the dorsal fin. Coloring can range from gray to brownish on the dorsal side, paler on the ventral side, and gray fins. Barbels are situated anterior to the mouth, closer to the snout than the mouth. At sexual maturity, S. transmontanus can reach 1.6 m (5.2 ft) in length, while the maximum length recorded of any age class is 6.1 m (20 ft), with common lengths around 2.1 m (6.9 ft). While age at maturity is uncertain, possible age ranges of known S. transmontanus specimens range from 11 to 34 years old. The most authentic record of the maximum weight of this species is reported to be 630 kg (1,390 lb), while other unauthenticated records show a higher weight estimate, as with the 816 kg (1,799 lb) estimate for an individual with a reported age of 104 years. In one 1995 study, a sample of adults weighed from 34 to 75 kg (75 to 165 lb). A specimen, considered the largest in the state in recent years, of 210 kg (460 lb) at a length of 2.8 m (9.2 ft) was recorded relatively recently in California.", "habitat": "White sturgeon are native to several large North American rivers that drain to the Pacific Ocean. They primarily live in estuaries of large rivers, but migrate to spawn in freshwater, and travel long distances between river systems. Reproducing populations have been documented along the West Coast, from northern Mexico up to the Aleutian Islands in Alaska. White sturgeon are commonly found in deep, soft bottomed areas of estuaries, where movements in the water column is dependent on salinity. Historical ranges have been modified substantially by overharvesting, habitat changes due to dams, and river regulations; all affecting habitat quality, suitability and connectivity. In the lower Fraser River, British Columbia, movement and abundance are assessed by acoustic tags and mark recapture methods. While the model developed by Robichaud, English and Nelson assumes a closed homogenous population, acoustic tags and mark-recapture data shows that they are sedentary during the winter months and mobile in the spring and fall, with data indicating that they leave the Fraser River and enter the Strait of Georgia during their mobile periods; this conclusion has been validated by microchemical evidence of marine exposure in Fraser River white sturgeon fin rays. Construction of dams for hydroelectric power production affects seasonal movement of white sturgeon in many river systems, with the Columbia River Basin being a large contributor to shifts in the distribution and movement.", "distribution": "White sturgeon are native to several large North American rivers that drain to the Pacific Ocean. They primarily live in estuaries of large rivers, but migrate to spawn in freshwater, and travel long distances between river systems. Reproducing populations have been documented along the West Coast, from northern Mexico up to the Aleutian Islands in Alaska. White sturgeon are commonly found in deep, soft bottomed areas of estuaries, where movements in the water column is dependent on salinity. Historical ranges have been modified substantially by overharvesting, habitat changes due to dams, and river regulations; all affecting habitat quality, suitability and connectivity. In the lower Fraser River, British Columbia, movement and abundance are assessed by acoustic tags and mark recapture methods. While the model developed by Robichaud, English and Nelson assumes a closed homogenous population, acoustic tags and mark-recapture data shows that they are sedentary during the winter months and mobile in the spring and fall, with data indicating that they leave the Fraser River and enter the Strait of Georgia during their mobile periods; this conclusion has been validated by microchemical evidence of marine exposure in Fraser River white sturgeon fin rays. Construction of dams for hydroelectric power production affects seasonal movement of white sturgeon in many river systems, with the Columbia River Basin being a large contributor to shifts in the distribution and movement.", "diet": "Larval white sturgeon 10–11 mm (0.39–0.43 in) in TL experience the highest mortality when they transition from endogenous to exogenous feeding, around 8–14 days post-hatch depending on conditions. Once larvae metamorphose into young of the year (YOY) and juveniles, they actively feed on the substrate, dominantly Corophium spp., relying on water currents to carry them downriver to areas of suitable food. The availability of Corophium spp. could play a key role in the survival of larval and YOY white sturgeon in the Columbia River and could possibly explain the apparent poor survival of larvae and YOY in some Snake and Columbia River reservoirs that apparently have successful spawning but poor recruitment. Juveniles less than 600 mm (2.0 ft) TL are known to feed on tube-dwelling amphipods, mysids, isopods, Corophium spp, and other benthic invertebrates, as well as on the eggs and fry of other fish species. Adults greater than 600 mm (2.0 ft) consume a variety prey species, adjusting to a piscivorous diet of herring, shad, starry flounder, goby, smelt, anchovy, lamprey, and salmon, as well as benthic items such as invasive overbite clam. With feeding movements influenced due to tidal cycles, studies show more active movement at night, hinting that white sturgeon may be nocturnal foragers. Studies have shown that dietary lipid requirements on larval white sturgeon effect overall body composition, plasma biochemical parameters and liver fatty acids.", "family": "Acipenseridae", "water_type": "Both", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q592876.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "4803 white sturgeon swart odfw (4455050144)", "author": "Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife", "license": "CC BY-SA 2.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:4803_white_sturgeon_swart_odfw_(4455050144).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_sturgeon", "revision": 1368175713, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1368175713", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "7eda28a12cb7b70ac950f6efc734f8f142e85aad07adccbfe409c0c5120d0e24" }, { "id": "Q1368880", "common_name": "Crocodile shark", "scientific_name": "Pseudocarcharias kamoharai", "aliases": [ "Pseudocarcharias kamoharai" ], "summary": "The crocodile shark (Pseudocarcharias kamoharai) is a species of mackerel shark and the only extant member of the family Pseudocarchariidae. A specialized inhabitant of the mesopelagic zone, the crocodile shark can be found worldwide in tropical waters from the surface to a depth of 590 m (1,940 ft). It performs a diel vertical migration, staying below a depth of 200 m (660 ft) during the day and ascending into shallower water at night to feed. Typically measuring only 1 m (3.3 ft) in length, the crocodile shark is the smallest living mackerel shark. It can be distinguished by its elongated cigar-shaped body, extremely large eyes, and relatively small fins. An active-swimming predator of pelagic bony fishes, squid and shrimp, the crocodile shark has a sizable oily liver that allows it to maintain its position in the water column with minimal effort. The size and structure of its eyes suggests that it is adapted for hunting at night. The crocodile shark is aplacental viviparous, with females typically giving birth to litters of four. The fetuses are oophagous, meaning that they feed on undeveloped eggs ovulated for this purpose by their mother. Due to its small size, the crocodile shark poses little danger to humans and is of little commercial importance. This species was responsible for damaging deep sea fiberoptic cables when the technology was first deployed in 1985. In 2017, one crocodile shark was spotted by a family walking on a UK beach.", "features": "The crocodile shark has a spindle-shaped body with a short head and a bulbous, pointed snout. The eyes are very large and lack nictitating membranes (protective third eyelids). The five pairs of gill slits are long, extending onto the dorsal surface. The sizable, arched jaws can be protruded almost to the tip of the snout and contain large teeth, shaped like spikes in the front and knives on the sides. There are fewer than 30 tooth rows in either jaw; in the upper jaw, the first two large teeth are separated from the lateral teeth by a row of small intermediate teeth. The pectoral fins are small, broad, and rounded. The pelvic fins are nearly as large as the pectorals. The first dorsal fin is small, low and angular; the second dorsal fin is smaller than the first but larger than the anal fin. The caudal fin is asymmetrical with a moderately long upper lobe. The caudal peduncle is slightly compressed with weak lateral keels. The dermal denticles are small, with a flattened crown bearing small ridges and backward-pointing cusps It is dark brown above and paler below, sometimes with a few dark blotches on the sides and belly and/or a white blotch between the corner of the mouth and the first gill slit. The fins have thin translucent to white margins. The crocodile shark grows to a maximum length of 1.1 m (3.6 ft). Most individuals are 1 m (3.3 ft) long and weigh 4–6 kg (8.8–13.2 lb).", "habitat": "The crocodile shark is almost circumtropical in distribution. In the Atlantic Ocean, it is known from off Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Angola, South Africa, and Saint Helena Island, though it has not yet been reported from the northwestern Atlantic. In the Indian Ocean, it occurs in the Mozambique Channel and possibly the Agulhas Current and the Bay of Bengal. In the Pacific, it occurs from Japan, Taiwan, and the Korean Peninsula in the northwest, southward to Indonesia, Australia, and New Zealand, and eastward to the western coast of the Americas from Baja California to Chile, including the Marshall, Phoenix, Palmyra, Johnston, Marquesas, Line, and Hawaiian Islands in between. In New Zealand this species has been recorded at the Three Kings Ridge, off the coast of Northland and on the northern Kermadec Ridge. From distribution records, the crocodile shark's range seems to be bound by the latitudes 37°N and 44°S, where the average sea surface temperature is 20 °C (68 °F). This species is not evenly distributed but is rather locally abundant in certain areas, suggesting that it is not strongly migratory. The crocodile shark is usually found in the pelagic zone from the surface to a depth of 590 m (1,940 ft). It is occasionally encountered inshore near the bottom and has been known to strand on the beaches of South Africa, possibly after being stunned by upwellings of cold water. In March 2017, one crocodile shark washed ashore dead off the coast of Devon, England in Hope Cove, the first ever seen off the coasts of the United Kingdom.", "distribution": "The crocodile shark is almost circumtropical in distribution. In the Atlantic Ocean, it is known from off Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Angola, South Africa, and Saint Helena Island, though it has not yet been reported from the northwestern Atlantic. In the Indian Ocean, it occurs in the Mozambique Channel and possibly the Agulhas Current and the Bay of Bengal. In the Pacific, it occurs from Japan, Taiwan, and the Korean Peninsula in the northwest, southward to Indonesia, Australia, and New Zealand, and eastward to the western coast of the Americas from Baja California to Chile, including the Marshall, Phoenix, Palmyra, Johnston, Marquesas, Line, and Hawaiian Islands in between. In New Zealand this species has been recorded at the Three Kings Ridge, off the coast of Northland and on the northern Kermadec Ridge. From distribution records, the crocodile shark's range seems to be bound by the latitudes 37°N and 44°S, where the average sea surface temperature is 20 °C (68 °F). This species is not evenly distributed but is rather locally abundant in certain areas, suggesting that it is not strongly migratory. The crocodile shark is usually found in the pelagic zone from the surface to a depth of 590 m (1,940 ft). It is occasionally encountered inshore near the bottom and has been known to strand on the beaches of South Africa, possibly after being stunned by upwellings of cold water. In March 2017, one crocodile shark washed ashore dead off the coast of Devon, England in Hope Cove, the first ever seen off the coasts of the United Kingdom.", "diet": "", "family": "Pseudocarchariidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1368880.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Pseudocarcharias kamoharai", "author": "NOAA Observer Program", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pseudocarcharias_kamoharai.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crocodile_shark", "revision": 1382208108, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1382208108", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "5eac301891f51e55f57aa50859669b01fa4188584e0c52b19bf1227608b13ab7" }, { "id": "Q540539", "common_name": "X-ray tetra", "scientific_name": "Pristella maxillaris", "aliases": [ "Pristella maxillaris" ], "summary": "Pristella maxillaris, also known as the X-ray tetra or X-ray fish, is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Acestrorhamphidae, the American characins. This translucent fish is found in South America and is a popular aquarium fish.", "features": "Pristella maxillaris has a fusiform shaped body with a maximum total length of 4.5 cm (1.8 in). This species typically has a translucent body with the spine being visible from the outside. Its scales are yellowish-silver, almost golden, in colour. The caudal fin is red and the anal and dorsal fins are spotted with black, yellow and white. There is a small round, humeral spot similar in size to the pupil, and the adipose fin is hyaline.", "habitat": "Pristella maxillaris is found in South America, where it is known from the Amazon and Orinoco rivers in Brazil and Venezuela, and from coastal rivers in the Guianas and Brazil. These tetras are found in slow flowing and still waters with abundant aquatic vegetation.", "distribution": "Pristella maxillaris is found in South America, where it is known from the Amazon and Orinoco rivers in Brazil and Venezuela, and from coastal rivers in the Guianas and Brazil. These tetras are found in slow flowing and still waters with abundant aquatic vegetation.", "diet": "", "family": "Acestrorhamphidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q540539.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Pristella maxillaris", "author": "Richard Bartz, Munich Makro Freak", "license": "CC BY-SA 2.5", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pristella_maxillaris.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pristella_maxillaris", "revision": 1354733374, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1354733374", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "2be22036355cdbbfa405569216c99a227a579079f79a489ac28690d3cc1a5aa7" }, { "id": "Q1433392", "common_name": "Flying gurnard", "scientific_name": "Dactylopterus volitans", "aliases": [ "Dactylopterus volitans", "helmet gurnard" ], "summary": "The flying gurnard (Dactylopterus volitans), also known as the helmet gurnard, is a species of Syngnathiformes fish belonging to the family Dactylopteridae. It is a bottom-dwelling fish that inhabits tropical to warm temperate waters on both sides of the Atlantic. It is the only species in the genus Dactylopterus making it monotypic. Similar and related species from the genus Dactyloptena are found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.", "features": "It reaches up to 50 cm (20 in) in length and 1.8 kg (4.0 lb) in weight. This fish is variable in coloration, being brownish or greenish with reddish or yellowish patches. The fish also has large eyes.", "habitat": "It is native to the Atlantic Ocean being found on both sides. On the American side, it is found as far north as Massachusetts (exceptionally as far as Canada) and as far south as Argentina, including the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. On the European and African side, it ranges from the English Channel to Angola, including the Mediterranean Sea.", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Dactylopteridae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1433392.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Flughahn", "author": "Beckmannjan", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Flughahn.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_gurnard", "revision": 1371849073, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1371849073", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "84859405d1eb4d4ab09612d8c408908a46887fa62f4ebfbf266b79b081da66a2" }, { "id": "Q926234", "common_name": "Orange clownfish", "scientific_name": "Amphiprion percula", "aliases": [ "orange clownfish", "Amphiprion percula" ], "summary": "The orange clownfish (Amphiprion percula) also known as percula clownfish and clown anemonefish, is widely known as a popular aquarium fish. Like other clownfishes (also known as anemonefishes), it often lives in association with sea anemones. A. percula is associated specifically with Heteractis magnifica and Stichodactyla gigantea, and as larvae use chemical cues released from the anemones to identify and locate the appropriate host species to use them for shelter and protection. This causes preferential selection when finding their anemone host species. Although popular, maintaining this species in captivity is rather complex. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority regulates the number of collection permits issued to aquarium fish dealers who seek this, and other tropical fish within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The symbiosis between anemonefish and anemones depends on the presence of the fish drawing other fish to the anemone, where they are stung by its venomous tentacles. The anemone helps the fish by giving it protection from predators, which include brittle stars, wrasses, and other damselfish, and the fish helps the anemone by feeding it, increasing oxygenation, and removing waste material from the host. Various hypotheses exist about the fish's ability to live within the anemone without being harmed. One study carried out at Marineland of the Pacific by Dr. Demorest Davenport and Dr.", "features": "Amphiprion percula can grow to be 11 cm (4.3 in) in length, but is on average 8 cm (3.1 in), and can be recognized by three white lines across their bright orange bodies, with no distinction in color between sexes. The anterior white bar is placed just behind the eye, the middle bar goes straight down the middle of the fish, and the posterior bar occurs near the caudal fin. An anterior projecting bulge also exists on the middle bar. In addition to the white coloring, black edging outlines each fin with varying thickness. This species can be mistaken for the similar species of clownfishes, A. ocellaris. This is known as the ocellaris clownfish and sometimes referred to as the \"false percula clownfish\" or \"common clownfish\" due to its similar color and pattern. The \"easiest\" way to distinguish the two species is the fact that A. percula has 10 spines in the first dorsal fin (rarely having 9) and A. ocellaris has 11 (rarely 10), which is a more reliable distinction than color patterns. A. ocellaris does not have thick black edging outlining the fins. Marine heatwaves are known for negatively effecting the growth patterns of species of vertebrates. To combat the heat stress, Orange clownfish are able to shrink their bodies. The amount they shrink is modulated by their social rank and size with individuals that shrink more often than others with their breeding partner have a higher chance of survival during heatwaves.", "habitat": "Anemonefish are specialized coral reef fish that live within host anemones and are found in warmer waters in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, off northwest Australia, southeast Asia, and Japan. Both A. percula and the anemones reside in shallow waters and the depth usually does not exceed 12 m with water temperatures ranging between 25 and 28 °C. Host anemones, which are tube-like organisms that reside on coral reefs, are usually occupied by only one anemonefish species because one species outcompetes and exclude other species when they inhabit the same host anemone. Unless a significant size difference exists, two anemonefish species show aggression towards each other when trying to occupy the same host anemone. This is why the supply of nearby anemone hosts so strongly influences A. percula's ability to achieve recruitment and survival in general. A primary host anemone has an anemonefish at a high frequency and a secondary host anemone has one at a relatively low frequency. The distribution and availability of sea anemones is limited by the activity of photosynthesis of algae that occupy the anemones' tentacles. Secondary hosts are usually only used if a severe lack of available primary hosts exists. When many different species of anemonefishes occupy similar habitats, they tend to spread themselves out according to smaller microhabitats and available species of anemones. A. percula and A. perideraion both essentially live within the H. magnifica anemone, but A. percula has the highest selection ratios with the S. gigantea.", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q926234.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "A. percula", "author": "CrisisRose", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:A._percula.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange_clownfish", "revision": 1381046279, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1381046279", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "4164c7a2dcec117cd81b98099be6cd5b520f33a36a381ed3d757e0e163e8e151" }, { "id": "Q2741221", "common_name": "Golden mahseer", "scientific_name": "Tor putitora", "aliases": [ "Putitor mahseer", "Tor putitora" ], "summary": "Tor putitora, known as the golden mahseer, putitor mahseer, or Himalayan mahseer, is an endangered species of cyprinid fish that is found in rapid streams, riverine pools, and lakes in the Himalayan region. Its native range is within the basins of the Indus, Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers.", "features": "Francis Buchanan-Hamilton's original description of Cyprinus putitora says \"The head is blunt, oval, small, and smooth\". He goes on to say \"The mouth is small\" and \"the lateral line is scarcely distinguishable\". However, the largest head of any mahseer species, with a large mouth and prominent lateral line stripe, is a feature considered to be important in the correct identification of this species. Their scales are so large that playing cards were made from them in Dacca, as reported by Hamilton in his description. Tor putitora were previously distinguished by determining head length (which is purportedly greater than body depth in the species), but analysis of T. putitora populations throughout India has determined that this method is hampered by the phenotypic plasticity of the species; this metric should not be relied upon as individuals may have head lengths less than, equal to, or greater than body depth. This variation led to the naming of Tor macrolepis, now known to be a junior synonym of T. putitora inhabiting the Indus River. Its caudal, pelvic, and anal fins show a reddish-golden tint. While the body above its lateral line is generally golden in colour at adulthood, the gold colour might be absent in young specimens. This omnivorous species is generally found near the surface in water that ranges from 13–30 °C (55–86 °F). It is a popular gamefish, once believed to be the largest species of mahseer, and can reach up to 2.75 m (9.0 ft) in length and 54 kg (119 lb) in weight, though most caught today are far smaller.", "habitat": "The golden mahseer is naturally found in montane and submontane regions within streams and rivers across the Himalayan region. Its habitat includes high-energy river systems with rocky substrates, and the species has shown adaptability to lacustrine environments formed by dam impoundments. Additionally, introduced populations have established in lakes where suitable habitats for reproduction are created by ephemeral stream inputs. The species' ability to thrive in varied environmental conditions underscores the importance of preserving both natural river ecosystems and artificial reservoirs for the sustainable conservation of this fish species in the South Himalayan region. It was reported to be found in the Salween River, the natural border between Thailand and Myanmar, but observations of it have been very rare, having only been observed three times in 28 years.", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q2741221.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Golden mahseer (Tor putitora) Babai River", "author": "Charles J. Sharp", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Golden_mahseer_(Tor_putitora)_Babai_River.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tor_putitora", "revision": 1381449133, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1381449133", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "af5f076a9035227fa4abba833ff4eda442e2898a527995189e91ee7df58ef0ef" }, { "id": "Q900949", "common_name": "Black scorpionfish", "scientific_name": "Scorpaena porcus", "aliases": [ "Scorpaena porcus" ], "summary": "The black scorpionfish (Scorpaena porcus), also known as the European scorpionfish or small-scaled scorpionfish, is a venomous scorpionfish, common in marine subtropical waters. It is widespread in the eastern Atlantic Ocean from the British Isles to the Azores and Canary Islands, near the coasts of Morocco, and in the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea.", "features": "The black scorpionfish has a maximum length of about 37 cm (15 in), but a more normal adult length is around 15 cm (6 in). The head is broad with a short snout and upwardly angled mouth. A short tentacle is just above the eye and various other shorter tentacles, spines, and flaps of skin decorate the head. The dorsal fin has 12 spines and 9 soft rays and the anal fin has two spines and six soft rays. The pectoral fins are large and oval and have 16-18 rays. The colour of this fish is generally brownish and a dark-pigmented spot occurs between the eighth and ninth dorsal spines. The fins are mottled with brown, and the caudal fin has three vertical brown stripes.", "habitat": "The black scorpionfish is native to the eastern Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Black Sea. Its range extends southwards from the southern half of the British Isles to the Azores, the Canary Islands, and the northwestern coast of Africa. It is found throughout the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea down to depths around 800 m (2,625 ft).", "distribution": "The black scorpionfish is native to the eastern Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Black Sea. Its range extends southwards from the southern half of the British Isles to the Azores, the Canary Islands, and the northwestern coast of Africa. It is found throughout the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea down to depths around 800 m (2,625 ft).", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q900949.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Scorpaena-porcus1", "author": "Dmitriy Konstantinov", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Scorpaena-porcus1.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_scorpionfish", "revision": 1314132020, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1314132020", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "d6c8079fdc9b827fdb09b5848ec2b9fccb5b6fe166815152a92d07682941accc" }, { "id": "Q260468", "common_name": "Ram cichlid", "scientific_name": "Mikrogeophagus ramirezi", "aliases": [ "Mikrogeophagus ramirezi" ], "summary": "The ram cichlid (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi) is a species of freshwater fish endemic to the Orinoco River basin, in the savannahs of Venezuela and Colombia in South America. The species has been examined in studies on fish behaviour and is a popular aquarium fish, traded under a variety of common names, including ram, blue ram, German blue ram, Asian ram, butterfly cichlid, Ramirez's dwarf cichlid, dwarf butterfly cichlid and Ramirezi. The species is a member of the family Cichlidae and subfamily Geophaginae.", "features": "Male specimens of the ram usually have the first few rays of the dorsal fin extended, but breeding has made some females also show this. When close to spawning, female rams have a pink or red blush on the abdomen. Females also have a blue sheen over the spot just below the dorsal fin, or a sparse scattering of blue scales in the upper half of the dark spot, and males do not show this. Males are slightly larger than females, with this species reaching 34–40 mm (1.3–1.6 in).", "habitat": "The natural habitat of M. ramirezi are warm (25.5–29.5 °C (77.9–85.1 °F)), acidic (pH 5.2-6.7) water courses in the Llanos savannas of Venezuela and Colombia. The water is generally slow-flowing, contains few dissolved minerals, and ranges in colour from clear to darkly stained with tannins. The species is typically found where cover in the form of aquatic or submersed vegetation is available.", "distribution": "The natural habitat of M. ramirezi are warm (25.5–29.5 °C (77.9–85.1 °F)), acidic (pH 5.2-6.7) water courses in the Llanos savannas of Venezuela and Colombia. The water is generally slow-flowing, contains few dissolved minerals, and ranges in colour from clear to darkly stained with tannins. The species is typically found where cover in the form of aquatic or submersed vegetation is available.", "diet": "", "family": "Cichlidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q260468.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Mikrogeophagus ramirezi male", "author": "Sven Kullander", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mikrogeophagus_ramirezi_male.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ram_cichlid", "revision": 1365304731, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1365304731", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "6e68b176702f442ff481e33a4e9a0a7d9376f6ebb7e79d32237e89bb0ff7cf3b" }, { "id": "Q1051716", "common_name": "Sea goldie", "scientific_name": "Pseudanthias squamipinnis", "aliases": [ "Pseudanthias squamipinnis" ], "summary": "The sea goldie (Pseudanthias squamipinnis), also known as the orange basslet, lyretail coralfish, onestripe goldie, lyretail anthias, lyretail fairy basslet, orange fairy basslet, orange seaperch, scalefin basslet, scalefin Fairy basslet and scalefin anthias, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, an anthias from the subfamily Anthiinae part of the family Serranidae, the groupers and sea basses. It has a wide Indo-Pacific distribution. It is found in the aquarium trade.", "features": "This species shows marked dimorphism: Female: Length up to 7 cm (2.75 in), orange/gold color with violet streak below the eye Male: Length up to 15 cm (5.9 in), fuchsia color with elongated third ray of the dorsal fin, a red patch on the pectoral fin, and elongated margins of the tail The midas blenny, Ecsenius midas, goes through a phase of yellow colouration and is a social mimic of the sea goldie. The sea goldie feeds primarily on zooplankton. Like other anthias, the sea goldie is a protogynous hermaphrodite; a male retains a harem of five to 10 females, but when the male dies or leaves, the largest and most dominant female will undergo hormonal and physical changes to become the harems new male. This change can take several weeks to months to complete. Spawning occurs at sunset, between December and February (in the Red Sea).", "habitat": "The fish lives around coral outcrops in clear lagoons, patch reefs, and steep slopes to a depth of 35 m, often found in the company of Chromis dimidiata. They are often found in very large schools above the reef.", "distribution": "The sea goldie is found in the western Indian Ocean including the Red Sea, and in the Pacific Ocean as far east as Japan, the Great Barrier Reef, and southeast Australia. It is absent from the Persian Gulf, Hawaii, and Oman.", "diet": "", "family": "Serranidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1051716.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Anthias cola de lira (Pseudanthias squamipinnis), parque nacional Ras Muhammad, Egipto, 2022-03-28, DD 98", "author": "Diego Delso", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Anthias_cola_de_lira_(Pseudanthias_squamipinnis),_parque_nacional_Ras_Muhammad,_Egipto,_2022-03-28,_DD_98.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_goldie", "revision": 1355304464, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1355304464", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "24eaf395ae3cb4525bb722f299184bea0b86ec96a0f2f3b3426a9031e6a4ac02" }, { "id": "Q1536887", "common_name": "Lesser sand eel", "scientific_name": "Ammodytes tobianus", "aliases": [ "Small Sandeel", "Lesser Sandeel", "Ammodytes tobianus" ], "summary": "The lesser sand eel or sand lance (Ammodytes tobianus) is a species of fish in the sand lance family Ammodytidae. It is an elongated cylindrical fish which may be up to 20 centimetres (7.9 in) long.", "features": "The body of the lesser sand eel has an elongated shape with a rounded cross section. The head is also elongated and pointed, and the sharp prominent lower jaw projects further than the upper jaw. When the mouth is opened, the two jaws form a tube through which food is sucked in. The top of the fish's mouth lacks teeth. The scales of the belly make a chevron pattern. The dorsal fin is long and ribbon-like, the pectoral fins are small and low set, and there are no pelvic fins. The caudal fin is bifurcated in shape. The skin color is greenish yellow on the back, yellowish on the upper sides, and a mixture of a brilliant silver on the lower sides and belly. This fish can be distinguished from the greater sand eel by its smaller size (less than 20 cm (8 in)) and the fact that the origin of the long dorsal fin starts approximately in line with the tip of the pectoral fin.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Ammodytidae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1536887.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Tobiasz", "author": "TomiUSM", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tobiasz.JPG", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lesser_sand_eel", "revision": 1382674141, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1382674141", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "a15d43720d67c87266c3c8c24ffdea864024f804168b0ac7bb4fcc8751f82343" }, { "id": "Q2016506", "common_name": "Sand steenbras", "scientific_name": "Lithognathus mormyrus", "aliases": [ "Marmorbrasse", "Sand Steenbras", "Lithognathus mormyrus" ], "summary": "The sand steenbras or striped seabream (Lithognathus mormyrus) is a species of marine fish in the family Sparidae, colloquially known as the common bastardfish for nipping at the legs of swimmers. It is found in shallow water in the Mediterranean Sea and in the eastern Atlantic Ocean from France to South Africa. It also occurs in the Red Sea and off the coast of Mozambique in the Indian Ocean. The IUCN has assessed its conservation status as being of \"least concern\".", "features": "The sand steenbras is a moderately deep-bodied fish that can grow to a length of about 55 cm (22 in), with a weight of around 1 kg (2.2 lb), but a more common size is 30 cm (12 in). Its head is about as long as it is high and its upper profile is slightly convex. The dorsal fin has eleven spines and twelve to thirteen soft rays. The pectoral fin is shorter than the head and has fifteen to seventeen soft rays. The anal fin has three spines and ten to eleven soft rays. The head and body are silver, the body being marked with about fourteen vertical dark bands.", "habitat": "The species is widely distributed in shallow seas at depths down to about 150 m (492 ft). Its range includes the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov, the eastern Atlantic Ocean from France southwards to South Africa, the Canary Islands, Madeira, the Cape Verde Islands, the Red Sea and the western Indian Ocean from Mozambique southwards to South Africa. It is found in estuaries and bays over sandy and muddy seabeds and sea grass meadows. The sand steenbras feeds mainly on invertebrates which it picks off the seabed. Its diet includes gastropod molluscs, bivalve molluscs, polychaete worms, crabs, amphipods, copepods, sea urchins and small fish. It is gregarious and sometimes forms large schools. As a protandric hermaphrodite, the sand steenbras starts its adult life as a male and later changes its sex to female. In the Mediterranean Sea it reaches maturity as a male at age two, at a length of about 14 cm (6 in), and changes sex at age four to seven at a length of about 21 to 28 cm (8 to 11 in). This fish is caught for human consumption throughout most of its range but is not in general a targeted species due to its small size. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed its conservation status as being of \"least concern\".", "distribution": "The species is widely distributed in shallow seas at depths down to about 150 m (492 ft). Its range includes the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov, the eastern Atlantic Ocean from France southwards to South Africa, the Canary Islands, Madeira, the Cape Verde Islands, the Red Sea and the western Indian Ocean from Mozambique southwards to South Africa. It is found in estuaries and bays over sandy and muddy seabeds and sea grass meadows.", "diet": "", "family": "Sparidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q2016506.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Mormora", "author": "Marrabbio2", "license": "CC BY 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mormora.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sand_steenbras", "revision": 1360381259, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1360381259", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "8dd370dfd2071853d5c31f4d57534a0ff26780b88c48a68325cf118c4b5a9486" }, { "id": "Q9125703", "common_name": "Kawakawa", "scientific_name": "Euthynnus affinis", "aliases": [ "kawakawa", "Euthynnus affinis" ], "summary": "Euthynnus affinis, the mackerel tuna, little tuna, eastern little tuna, wavyback skipjack tuna, kawakawa, or tongkol komo is a species of ray-finned bony fish in the family Scombridae, or mackerel family. It belongs to the tribe Thunnini, better known as the tunas. It is also in the genus Euthynnus of \"little tunas,\" which includes the little tunny and the black skipjack. Euthynnus affinis formerly was known as Euthynnus yaito.", "features": "E. Affinis displays a typical tuna body shape with a slender, elongated body, and a deeply forked tail. It has a small amount of scales and 2 or more dark spots between the pelvic and pectoral fins. The first dorsal fin has 10-15 spines and is around 1/3rd of the tuna's body height. On its back, it displays 12 oblique stripes and a dark blue coloration for countershading. It can reach a maximum length of 1.1 metres (3.6 ft) and a weight up to 15 kilograms (33 lb). To distinguish from the closely related black skipjack, also of the Pacific Ocean, the kawakawa has more broken stripes instead of straight stripes spanning the side of the body on the black skipjack. The stripes on the back of the kawakawa are more orderly than those of the little tunny, which is primary found in the Atlantic Ocean.", "habitat": "E. Affinis is an Indo-Pacific species which is found from the Red Sea to French Polynesia, but can also be found near Baja California. The kawakawa is a pelagic, highly migratory species, often schooling from the surface of the water to depths of 200 metres (660 ft). However, it often sticks close to coastal structures and neritic shelves instead of the open ocean. It is also known to commonly inhabit coastal reefs and move into estuaries. It prefers waters ranging from 18–29 °C (64–84 °F). It is a highly opportunistic feeder, eating squid, fish, crustaceans, and zooplankton. Like other tuna species, it will often form large, multi-species schools with other scombridaes like the yellowfin tuna and frigate mackerel. Predators of E. affinis include larger tuna, billfish, sharks, birds, and marine mammals.", "distribution": "E. Affinis is an Indo-Pacific species which is found from the Red Sea to French Polynesia, but can also be found near Baja California. The kawakawa is a pelagic, highly migratory species, often schooling from the surface of the water to depths of 200 metres (660 ft). However, it often sticks close to coastal structures and neritic shelves instead of the open ocean. It is also known to commonly inhabit coastal reefs and move into estuaries. It prefers waters ranging from 18–29 °C (64–84 °F). It is a highly opportunistic feeder, eating squid, fish, crustaceans, and zooplankton. Like other tuna species, it will often form large, multi-species schools with other scombridaes like the yellowfin tuna and frigate mackerel. Predators of E. affinis include larger tuna, billfish, sharks, birds, and marine mammals.", "diet": "", "family": "Scombridae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q9125703.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Euthynnus affinis Maldives", "author": "Julien Bidet", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Euthynnus_affinis_Maldives.JPG", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euthynnus_affinis", "revision": 1358443019, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1358443019", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "37119d39eb37b19dfdaf48e446fed880f79b05cd9b8b90c827b2813a4e5d09c3" }, { "id": "Q973207", "common_name": "Golden trevally", "scientific_name": "Gnathanodon speciosus", "aliases": [ "Golden trevally", "Gnathanodon speciosus" ], "summary": "The golden trevally (Gnathanodon speciosus), also known as the golden kingfish, banded trevally or king trevally, is a species of large marine fish classified in the jack and horse mackerel family Carangidae, and the only member of the monospecific genus Gnathanodon. The golden trevally is widely distributed throughout the tropical and subtropical waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, ranging from South Africa in the west to Central America in the east, extending to Japan in the north and Australia in the south. The species predominantly occupies inshore waters where it inhabits both reef and sandy substrates. The golden trevally is easily distinguished from its relatives by its fleshy, rubbery lips and unique colouration, which ranges from bright yellow with black bars as a juvenile to a golden-silvery colour as an adult. It is known to grow to 120 centimetres (47 in) in length and 15 kilograms (33 lb) in weight. The golden trevally schools as a juvenile, often closely following larger objects including sharks and jellyfish. The species uses its protractile jaws to suck out prey from the sand or reef, and consumes a variety of fish, crustaceans and molluscs. Spawning aggregations gather at night at different times of the year throughout its range.", "features": "The golden trevally is a relatively large fish, growing to a maximum recorded size of 120 cm (47 in) in length and 15.0 kg in weight. It is similar to most other trevallies and jacks in having a compressed, oblong body, with the dorsal profile slightly more convex than the ventral profile, particularly anteriorly. The species' mouth is one of its defining features; the mouth is highly protractile and fleshy, with specimens greater than 90 mm having no teeth on the jaws, vomer or tongue. Smaller individuals have a series of small villiform teeth in both jaws. The dorsal fin is in two parts, the first with 7 spines, the second with 1 spine and 18 to 20 soft rays. The anal fin has 2 detached spines followed by 1 spine and 15 to 17 soft rays, while the pelvic fin consists of 1 spine and 19 to 20 soft rays. The curved part of the lateral line is moderately arched; containing 62 to 73 scales, and approximately equal in length to the straight section containing 15 to 27 scales and 18 to 25 scutes. The breast is completely scaled. There are 27 to 30 gill rakers and 24 vertebrae in total. The golden trevally's colour is the species most prominent distinguishing feature, and for which it acquired its common names. Juveniles are a bright golden yellow colour over their entire body and all fins, with 7 to 11 black vertical crossbars all over their body. These bars generally alternate between broad and narrow. The caudal fin lobes have dark tips and there is a prominent black edge to the operculum.", "habitat": "The golden trevally is widely distributed throughout the tropical and subtropical waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. In the Indian Ocean, the species is distributed from South Africa along the east African coastline, including the Red Sea and Persian Gulf. Its distribution extends east along the Indian and South East Asian coastlines, and south through Indonesia and northern Australia. Golden trevally are recorded from many Indian Ocean islands including Madagascar, Seychelles and The Maldives. In the Pacific, the species is spread throughout the South East Asian and Indonesian archipelago north mainland China and Japan and south to eastern Australia and New Zealand. Golden trevally have been recorded from many central Pacific Islands, including Hawaii, with their distribution extending to Central America. Here its range extends from the Gulf of California in the north to Colombia in the south. The golden trevally predominantly occupies inshore waters of varying substrate, although is known to occur on deeper continental shelf reefs in Australia. In coastal areas the species inhabits rocky and coral reefs as well as open sand flats where it forages for food. A systematic study in northern Australia indicated it to be one of the only species to be approximately equally distributed in both reef and soft-bottom habitats. Golden trevally appear to prefer clear water to turbid waters, and thus is only encountered rarely in low turbidity estuarine environments.", "distribution": "The golden trevally is widely distributed throughout the tropical and subtropical waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. In the Indian Ocean, the species is distributed from South Africa along the east African coastline, including the Red Sea and Persian Gulf. Its distribution extends east along the Indian and South East Asian coastlines, and south through Indonesia and northern Australia. Golden trevally are recorded from many Indian Ocean islands including Madagascar, Seychelles and The Maldives. In the Pacific, the species is spread throughout the South East Asian and Indonesian archipelago north mainland China and Japan and south to eastern Australia and New Zealand. Golden trevally have been recorded from many central Pacific Islands, including Hawaii, with their distribution extending to Central America. Here its range extends from the Gulf of California in the north to Colombia in the south. The golden trevally predominantly occupies inshore waters of varying substrate, although is known to occur on deeper continental shelf reefs in Australia. In coastal areas the species inhabits rocky and coral reefs as well as open sand flats where it forages for food. A systematic study in northern Australia indicated it to be one of the only species to be approximately equally distributed in both reef and soft-bottom habitats. Golden trevally appear to prefer clear water to turbid waters, and thus is only encountered rarely in low turbidity estuarine environments.", "diet": "", "family": "Carangidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q973207.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "20081218 100609 Haus des Meeres", "author": "Zoofoto!", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:20081218_100609_Haus_des_Meeres.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_trevally", "revision": 1379059195, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1379059195", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "a6b6c17e6daf487a8846df2970aa91b20e248822cc392bdbb2f45045daa125b9" }, { "id": "Q1417454", "common_name": "Ballan wrasse", "scientific_name": "Labrus bergylta", "aliases": [ "Labrus bergylta" ], "summary": "The ballan wrasse (Labrus bergylta) is a species of marine ray-finned fish from the family Labridae, the wrasses. It is found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, where it inhabits rocky areas. Like many wrasse species, it is a protogynous hermaphrodite—all fish start life as females, and some dominant fish later become males. It is used as a food fish in some areas and it is also finding use as a cleaner fish in the aquaculture of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in northwestern Europe.", "features": "The ballan wrasse is a large, heavy bodied wrasse with a relatively deep body and large head. It has a smallish mouth which is surrounded by thick, fleshy, rather wrinkled lips, and the jaws are armed with a single row of robust teeth which are sharp and pointed in young fish but blunter and more worn in older fish. It has a long dorsal fin which has 18–21 spines in its anterior portion and 9–13 branched rays in the rear part. The anal fin is markedly shorter and has three spines. It has large scales with 41–47 of them in the lateral line. The juvenile fish are coloured to match their habitat and vary in from light green to dark green, with some being described as bright emerald green. Adult Ballan wrasse are highly variable in colouration, but have two main colour forms, which exist in sympatry with each other. One is plain green or brown, and the other is reddish with white spots. This is not a result of sexual dimorphism, as males and females can both exhibit either colour form. Spotted Ballan wrasse grow larger than plain coloured individuals. The two colour forms are commercialized separately in places such as Galicia, where local fishermen often treat them as separate species. It can grow to 65.9 cm (25.9 in) in total length (though most do not exceed 50 cm (20 in) standard length), and the greatest recorded weight of this species is 4.4 kg (9.7 lb). Ballan wrasses are protogynous hermaphrodites.", "habitat": "They can be found at depths from 1 to 50 m (3.3 to 164.0 ft) amongst rocks, seaweed and reefs. All ballan wrasses are female for their first four to 14 years before a few change into males. Large fish of the species are almost certainly male. The thick lips and sharp front teeth of the ballan wrasse are an adaptation for extracting shellfish from rocks. These are supplemented by powerful pharyngeal teeth which are placed further back in the throat and which can break up shells to access flesh inside. This species also feeds on crustaceans and their diet includes hard-shelled crabs and small lobsters. They will swim into shallower water so that they can prey on the shellfish which cling to underwater cliff faces and inshore rocks. They will also inhabit areas with good covering of kelp and other seaweeds. The male builds a nest of algae in a crevice in the rocks in which one or more females lay eggs. The male defends the nest until the eggs hatch into pelagic larvae after a week or two. The species has been recorded living for up to 34 year. Ballan wrasse do not have stomachs.", "distribution": "Ballan wrasse are native to the northeastern Atlantic Ocean from Norway to Morocco, including the islands of Madeira, the Azores and the Canary Islands. There are records from the Mediterranean Sea but these are regarded as questionable and may be misidentifications of the brown wrasse (Labrus merula).", "diet": "", "family": "Labridae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1417454.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Maragota (Labrus bergylta), isla de Mouro, Santander, España, 2019-08-15, DD 55", "author": "Diego Delso", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Maragota_(Labrus_bergylta),_isla_de_Mouro,_Santander,_Espa%C3%B1a,_2019-08-15,_DD_55.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballan_wrasse", "revision": 1380372200, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1380372200", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "f73ada2ec9528e4b77a29797b02ba2bf7761fce060c6d09efccc565561cc6e7c" }, { "id": "Q912897", "common_name": "Black phantom tetra", "scientific_name": "Megalamphodus megalopterus", "aliases": [ "Hyphessobrycon megalopterus" ], "summary": "The black phantom tetra (Megalamphodus megalopterus) is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Acestrorhamphidae, the American characins. This species is found in South America, in Bolivia and Brazil. It is a common species in the aquarium trade.", "features": "The black phantom tetra has the roughly tetragonal shape typical of the American characins, light grey in coloring and sometimes pitch black depending on genetics, with a black patch, surrounded by iridescent silver edging, posterior of the gills on each side. The male's fins are black, as is the female's dorsal fin; the female's pelvic, anal, and adipose fins are reddish in color. A long-finned variety, apparently developed by captive breeders, is sometimes sold in the aquarium trade. The black phantom tetra reaches a maximum standard length of 1.75 in (4.4 cm). In the wild, at least some, black phantom tetras are actually more red in colour. At their original collection point, the Guaporé River Basin, the black morph was popularized to the hobby in the 1930s through German importers. However, 700km south at the Southern Pantanal Wetlands, the naturally-occurring morph is red. This should not be confused with Megalamphodus sweglesi, the red phantom tetra. The male black phantom tetras have longer fins than the females. When in breeding condition, the females become plumper, but the biggest difference is in their colour. The males have no red, while the smaller fins of the female are red both on the top and underneath. The adipose fin, on the top of the body behind the larger dorsal fin, is much more noticeable in the females than the males, because in females it is red while in the males it is grey. The female's dorsal fin has a more intense black than the male's.", "habitat": "The black phantom tetra is found in South America, where it occurs in the upper basins of the Guaporé River and the Paraguay River in Bolivia and Brazil. Here it is found in slow flowing waters, typically on floodplain areas, preferring habitats with abundant aquatic vegetation.", "distribution": "The black phantom tetra is found in South America, where it occurs in the upper basins of the Guaporé River and the Paraguay River in Bolivia and Brazil. Here it is found in slow flowing waters, typically on floodplain areas, preferring habitats with abundant aquatic vegetation.", "diet": "", "family": "Acestrorhamphidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q912897.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Hyphessobrycon megalopterus Porte Doree", "author": "This illustration was made by Citron You must credit this : Citron / CC-BY-SA-3.0", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hyphessobrycon_megalopterus_Porte_Doree.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_phantom_tetra", "revision": 1354729110, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1354729110", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "35a57ceb2cc176e4f3182e5d3cf2d9c5995f7c9a0149dfcdad7148713a745a35" }, { "id": "Q587799", "common_name": "Yellow boxfish", "scientific_name": "Ostracion cubicum", "aliases": [ "Ostracion cubicus" ], "summary": "The yellow boxfish (Ostracion cubicum) is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Ostraciidae, the boxfishes. This species is found in reefs throughout the Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean as well as the southeastern Atlantic Ocean, although since 2011 it has also been occasionally recorded in the Levantine waters of the Mediterranean Sea which it likely entered via the Suez Canal. The species is present in the aquarium trade. They are known for their cuboid body shape, bright yellow and black spotted coloration, and the secretion of a toxic mucus when threatened.", "features": "The yellow boxfish reaches a maximum length of 45 centimetres (18 in). As the name suggests, it is box-shaped. Boxfish are also known for their armored and rigid body called a carapace, covering the head and body. There are openings in the carapace for the mouth, nostrils, gill opening, anus, caudal peduncle, and fins. The rigid body shape provided by the carapace surrounding the body was thought to help the fish stabilize while swimming as the water flows over the body. It was thought to keep them on course in high-flow, turbulent conditions. However, the carapace was found to have little effect on stability. In fact, it was destabilizing, as it increased drag. Instead, the caudal fin is the stabilizing force and acts as a rudder. Despite having a stiff and rigid covering, the yellow boxfish are strong and swift swimmers. They are able to swim steadily for long periods and they are able to maneuver in complex reefs. It was thought that boxfish swam with burst movements and by sculling their fins like an oar of a boat. However, they use a combination of movements with their dorsal, anal, and pectoral fins. The dorsal and anal fins move stiffly either simultaneously or non-simultaneously. It is with these fins they can reach maximum speeds. The pectoral fins provide thrust, moving in a figure-eight motion. At low speeds, the fish rely primarily on their pectoral and anal fins. At more moderate and faster speeds, this transitions to dorsal and caudal fin dominant. Additionally, boxfish have a keel that aid them in swimming.", "habitat": "The yellow boxfish has a wide Indo-Pacific distribution which extends from the Red Sea and the eastern coast of Africa as far south as South Africa east to Hawaii, north to Japan and south to northern New Zealand. It has been recorded in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, probably having travelled through the Suez Canal. This species is found at depths between 1 and 75 m (3 ft 3 in and 246 ft 1 in) on sheltered coastal and offshore coral reefs and in areas of flat seabed. They are adapted to be able to maneuver through the channels and crevices of coral reefs, as well as consume the benthic invertebrates that also live in the reefs.", "distribution": "The yellow boxfish has a wide Indo-Pacific distribution which extends from the Red Sea and the eastern coast of Africa as far south as South Africa east to Hawaii, north to Japan and south to northern New Zealand. It has been recorded in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, probably having travelled through the Suez Canal. This species is found at depths between 1 and 75 m (3 ft 3 in and 246 ft 1 in) on sheltered coastal and offshore coral reefs and in areas of flat seabed. They are adapted to be able to maneuver through the channels and crevices of coral reefs, as well as consume the benthic invertebrates that also live in the reefs.", "diet": "The yellow boxfish's diet consists mainly of benthic organisms and marine algae. Their diets may also include worms, sponges, crustaceans, molluscs, and small fish.", "family": "Ostraciidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q587799.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Ostracion cubicum 400115646", "author": "portioid", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ostracion_cubicum_400115646.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow_boxfish", "revision": 1382209458, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1382209458", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "e88fb88480adde019333d11a2cc43d8b1eeaddbcabab4550f53f47916ab515ae" }, { "id": "Q847041", "common_name": "Volga pikeperch", "scientific_name": "Sander volgensis", "aliases": [ "Sander volgensis" ], "summary": "The Volga pikeperch, or Volga zander (Sander volgensis), is a species of fish in the perch family Percidae. It is found in Austria, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, and Ukraine.", "features": "The Volga pikeperch is considerably smaller than the zander or common pike-perch (Sander lucioperca). It grows to a maximum length of 40 cm (16 in), weighing 2 kg (4.4 lb). It differs from Sander lucioperca by not having large \"vampire\" like canine teeth, also the colour is more silvery-grey than green, with much more distinguishable dark stripes on the side. Its second dorsal fin has nineteen to twenty-one branched soft rays and the number of scales along the lateral line is seventy to eighty-three.", "habitat": "The Volga pikeperch is found in the northern Black Sea basin from the Danube, as far upstream as Vienna, to the Kuban River drainages. It is also present in the Caspian Sea basin in the Volga River and Ural River drainages. It inhabits large, turbid rivers and lakes, as well as brackish estuaries and may make short migrations to breed.", "distribution": "The Volga pikeperch is found in the northern Black Sea basin from the Danube, as far upstream as Vienna, to the Kuban River drainages. It is also present in the Caspian Sea basin in the Volga River and Ural River drainages. It inhabits large, turbid rivers and lakes, as well as brackish estuaries and may make short migrations to breed.", "diet": "", "family": "Percidae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q847041.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Bersh 01", "author": "Администрация Волгоградской области", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bersh_01.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volga_pikeperch", "revision": 1315273394, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1315273394", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "c7162d91b0f7f2a169b7d65de46a94305c4c834eb973439f3bc8321c0738f931" }, { "id": "Q1466948", "common_name": "Greenland halibut", "scientific_name": "Reinhardtius hippoglossoides", "aliases": [ "Reinhardtius hippoglossoides" ], "summary": "The Greenland halibut or Greenland turbot (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) belongs to the family Pleuronectidae (the right-eye flounders), and is the only species of the genus Reinhardtius. It is a predatory fish that mostly ranges at depths between 500 and 1,000 m (1,600–3,300 ft), and is found in the cold northern Atlantic, northern Pacific, and Arctic Oceans. It has a variety of other English vernacular names, including black halibut, blue halibut, lesser halibut, and Newfoundland turbot; while both Newfoundland turbot and Greenland turbot are in common use in North America (sometimes even without the location, just \"turbot\"), these names are typically not used in Europe, where they can cause easy confusion with the true turbot (Scophthalmus maximus). The Greenland halibut is fished commercially across its range with disputes over the fishing rights for this species in the Atlantic Ocean off Canada resulting in the Turbot War of the mid-1990s (a \"war\" without any injuries or casualties). The Greenland halibut is a flatfish, and the left eye has migrated during the fish's development so that it is on the right side of the head. However, in this fish, it has not moved as far as in bottom-dwelling flatfish and the fish can probably see forwards. The Greenland halibut can swim in a vertical position and both sides of its body are a speckled brown colour, but the left side is rather paler than the right.", "features": "Its morphology with the left eye positioned on the dorsal ridge of the forehead gives it an appearance of a cyclops when looking straight at it. The central position of the left eye in the Greenland halibut probably gives it a much wider range of peripheral vision in comparison to other flatfish, where the eye has migrated completely. Its body shape is elongated and compressed dorsoventrally and muscles on both sides are equally developed. Both sides are pigmented, but the left blind side is slightly lighter in color than the right side. The maximum length is about 120 cm (3.9 ft) and the maximum weight is about 45 kg (99 lb), the normal length is 80–100 cm (2.6–3.3 ft) and they usually weigh 11–25 kg (24–55 lb).", "habitat": "The Greenland halibut is a cold-water species found at depths from near the surface to 2,200 m (7,200 ft), but mainly between 500 and 1,000 m (1,600 and 3,300 ft). It is mainly found in waters with temperatures from 1 to 4 °C (34–39 °F), but has also been observed at subzero temperatures down to −2.1 °C (28.2 °F). It has a circumpolar distribution in the Northern Hemisphere and is found in both the North Atlantic and the North Pacific Oceans. In the North Pacific, it ranges from the Sea of Japan near Honshu northwards to the Chukchi Sea, east through the Aleutian Islands, and south as far as northern Baja California in Mexico. In the North Atlantic, it occurs from the British Isles to northern Norway, Faroe Islands, Iceland, and eastern Greenland in the east and from Newfoundland to northwestern Greenland in the west.", "distribution": "The Greenland halibut is a cold-water species found at depths from near the surface to 2,200 m (7,200 ft), but mainly between 500 and 1,000 m (1,600 and 3,300 ft). It is mainly found in waters with temperatures from 1 to 4 °C (34–39 °F), but has also been observed at subzero temperatures down to −2.1 °C (28.2 °F). It has a circumpolar distribution in the Northern Hemisphere and is found in both the North Atlantic and the North Pacific Oceans. In the North Pacific, it ranges from the Sea of Japan near Honshu northwards to the Chukchi Sea, east through the Aleutian Islands, and south as far as northern Baja California in Mexico. In the North Atlantic, it occurs from the British Isles to northern Norway, Faroe Islands, Iceland, and eastern Greenland in the east and from Newfoundland to northwestern Greenland in the west.", "diet": "", "family": "Pleuronectidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1466948.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Reinhardtius hippoglossoides", "author": "G. Brown Goode and Tarleton H. Bean, Oceanic Ichthyology (1896)", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Reinhardtius_hippoglossoides.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenland_halibut", "revision": 1380467528, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1380467528", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "16eb22216cd2b0b544095b13f1a16153ba46d7dc726aa1c1148e46c5b7617326" }, { "id": "Q1297550", "common_name": "Bramble shark", "scientific_name": "Echinorhinus brucus", "aliases": [ "Echinorhinus brucus" ], "summary": "The bramble shark (Echinorhinus brucus) is one of the two species of sharks in the family Echinorhinidae. Aside from the eastern Pacific Ocean, it is found in tropical and temperate waters worldwide. This rarely encountered shark swims close to the bottom of the seafloor, typically at depths of 400–900 m (1,300–3,000 ft), though it may enter much shallower water. The bramble shark has a stout body with two small dorsal fins positioned far back and no anal fin. It can be readily identified by the large, thornlike dermal denticles scattered over its body, some of which may be fused together. It is purplish brown or black in color and grows up to 3.1 m (10 ft) long. The diet of the bramble shark includes smaller sharks, bony fishes, and crabs, which this slow-moving species may capture via suction. It is aplacental viviparous, with females producing litters of 15–52 pups. Harmless to humans, it is an occasional bycatch of commercial and recreational fishers, and may be used for fishmeal and liver oil. Its population has declined substantially in the northeastern Atlantic since the 18th and 19th centuries, likely because of overfishing.", "features": "The bramble shark has a thick, cylindrical body and a somewhat flattened head. The snout is blunt and shorter than the width of the mouth, with widely spaced nostrils that are preceded by small flaps of skin. The eyes lack nictitating membranes; the tiny spiracles are located well behind them. Live specimens have greenish coloured eyes. The wide, curved mouth bears very short furrows at the corners. There are 20–26 upper and 22–26 lower tooth rows; each tooth is knife-like, with a single main cusp and up to three cusplets on either side. There are five pairs of gill slits, with the fifth pair the longest. The pectoral fins are short and angular, while the pelvic fins are long and relatively large. The dorsal fins are small, with the first dorsal fin origin lying behind the pelvic fin origins. The dorsal fins are spineless and are set less than a fin length's apart from one another. There is no anal fin. The caudal peduncle is robust and lacks notches at the caudal fin origins. The asymmetrical caudal fin has an indistinct lower lobe and an upper lobe without a notch in the trailing margin. The skin is covered by a layer of foul-smelling mucus several millimeters thick. The dermal denticles are scattered irregularly over the body and vary greatly in size, measuring up to 1.5 cm (0.59 in) across. Each denticle is thornlike in shape, with ridges radiating out from the central point over the base. As many as ten denticles may be fused together to form multi-pointed plates.", "habitat": "Records of the bramble shark are fairly rare and originate from widely scattered locations in tropical and temperate waters worldwide, save for the eastern Pacific Ocean. Most have come from the eastern Atlantic and western Indian Oceans, where its range extends from the North Sea and the British Isles to southern Mozambique, including the Mediterranean Sea. In the western Atlantic, this species is represented by a handful of specimens from Massachusetts, North Carolina, Louisiana, Tobago, Brazil, and Argentina. In the Indo-Pacific, it is known from Oman, India, southern Japan, southern Australia, New Zealand, and possibly Kiribati. Found close to the sea floor, the bramble shark most commonly inhabits continental and insular shelves and slopes at depths of 400–900 m (1,300–3,000 ft). However, it has been reported from as shallow as 18 m (59 ft), in areas with upwellings of cold water, and from as deep as 1,214 m (3,983 ft). At least in European waters, this species may migrate into shallower depths of 20–200 m (66–656 ft) during the summer. Sluggish in nature, the bramble shark feeds on smaller sharks (including the spiny dogfish, Squalus acanthias), bony fishes (including ling, catfishes, and lizardfishes), and crabs. The large size of its pharynx, relative to its mouth, suggests that it may capture prey by suction. This species is aplacental viviparous; females have two functional ovaries and two uteruses. Recorded litter sizes have ranged from 15 to 52, and newly born pups have been estimated to measure 40–50 cm (16–20 in) long.", "distribution": "Records of the bramble shark are fairly rare and originate from widely scattered locations in tropical and temperate waters worldwide, save for the eastern Pacific Ocean. Most have come from the eastern Atlantic and western Indian Oceans, where its range extends from the North Sea and the British Isles to southern Mozambique, including the Mediterranean Sea. In the western Atlantic, this species is represented by a handful of specimens from Massachusetts, North Carolina, Louisiana, Tobago, Brazil, and Argentina. In the Indo-Pacific, it is known from Oman, India, southern Japan, southern Australia, New Zealand, and possibly Kiribati. Found close to the sea floor, the bramble shark most commonly inhabits continental and insular shelves and slopes at depths of 400–900 m (1,300–3,000 ft). However, it has been reported from as shallow as 18 m (59 ft), in areas with upwellings of cold water, and from as deep as 1,214 m (3,983 ft). At least in European waters, this species may migrate into shallower depths of 20–200 m (66–656 ft) during the summer.", "diet": "", "family": "Echinorhinidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1297550.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Echinorhinidae - Echinorhinus brucus", "author": "Hectonichus", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Echinorhinidae_-_Echinorhinus_brucus.JPG", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bramble_shark", "revision": 1354923919, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1354923919", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "d6bdadf31da5b9371a192a049cdf1a3c3129ea58347056e838983e0659464a2d" }, { "id": "Q547028", "common_name": "Dussumier's surgeonfish", "scientific_name": "Acanthurus dussumieri", "aliases": [ "Eyestripe surgeonfish", "Acanthurus dussumieri" ], "summary": "Acanthurus dussumieri, commonly known as Dussumier's surgeonfish, the eye-stripe surgeonfish or the ornate surgeonfish, is a ray-finned fish from the Indo-Pacific. It occasionally makes its way into the aquarium trade. It grows to a maximum length of 54 cm (21 in) but 35 cm (14 in) is a more usual size. The specific name honours the French explorer and trader Jean-Jacques Dussumier (1792-1883).", "features": "Acanthurus dussumieri is a deep-bodied, laterally-compressed oval fish with a maximum length of 54 cm (21 in). The head is small, with slightly prominent eyes, a small beak-like mouth and inflated, pale lips. The body is smooth, being covered with small scales, but like other surgeon-fish, it has a pair of scalpel-like, modified scales on the caudal peduncle; these can either be folded flat or raised in defence. Both dorsal and anal fins are long, and the pectoral fins are used for locomotion and balance. The throat is blue, and the rest of the head has a dense network of blue or grey-blue lines, which are wider than the fine grey-blue, wavy, longitudinal lines on the pale brownish body. There is a broad orange bar above the eyes and a narrow orange band borders the base of the dorsal fin. The scalpel-like scales are white and are surrounded by a black blotch. The caudal fin is crescent-shaped, dark blue speckled with black apart from a pale base. Along with Acanthurus mata and Acanthurus xanthopterus, it is one of the largest species of surgeonfish. Juvenile fish are greyish with yellow and black caudal fins at first, but the body colour becomes dark brown later. As they grow the body colour lightens and the longitudinal wavy lines and facial patterning begin to appear.", "habitat": "This surgeonfish has a widespread distribution in the tropical and sub-tropical Indian Ocean and the West Pacific Ocean. Its range extends from East Africa to southern Japan, Indonesia and eastern Australia, at depths down to about 130 m (427 ft). It occurs in lagoons, on reefs, on reef slopes, and in inter-reef areas with sand or rubble substrates or rock. Juveniles and young adults are mostly associated with reefs. Acanthurus dussumieri feeds on algae and detritus. Its diet includes the algal film that grows on rocks and other surfaces as well as diatoms and planktonic particles. The reproduction of this fish has been little studied. Adults are either solitary or occur in small groups but juveniles form shoals.", "distribution": "This surgeonfish has a widespread distribution in the tropical and sub-tropical Indian Ocean and the West Pacific Ocean. Its range extends from East Africa to southern Japan, Indonesia and eastern Australia, at depths down to about 130 m (427 ft). It occurs in lagoons, on reefs, on reef slopes, and in inter-reef areas with sand or rubble substrates or rock. Juveniles and young adults are mostly associated with reefs.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q547028.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "A. dussumieri 2", "author": "Stanislav Krejčík", "license": "CC BY 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:A._dussumieri_2.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acanthurus_dussumieri", "revision": 1338076457, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1338076457", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "6d69604e308b085ecfe1cbf89d32005c769e8d7fa96cf6916728da477bfe76dd" }, { "id": "Q923248", "common_name": "Yucatán molly", "scientific_name": "Poecilia velifera", "aliases": [ "Poecilia velifera" ], "summary": "Poecilia velifera, commonly known as the Yucatán molly or giant sailfin molly, is a poeciliid fish native to the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. It is typically under 10 cm (3.9 in) in length but may reach 15 cm (5.9 in), males being somewhat larger than females. It belongs to a group of mollies known as sailfins, named for the large males' sail-like dorsal fin, a feature that is especially pronounced in P. velifera. The species occurs in a range of habitats, from coastal lagoons, estuaries, and salt marshes to freshwater pools in the interior of the peninsula; it is particularly associated with mangrove swamps and sinkholes known as cenotes. Yucatán mollies are primarily herbivorous, but also consume small invertebrates, adjusting their diet to available resources. They are preyed upon by a variety of larger fish, birds, and crocodilians, and are host to a diverse parasite fauna. Much of their time is spent browsing for food and maintaining their bodies. Males are divided into size-based classes, which differ in appearance and behavior: the largest males flare their dorsal fin when they spar with other males and when they perform courtship displays for females; the smallest males remain hidden among females and mate through quick thrusts; and the intermediate males may employ either strategy. A few weeks after mating, females give birth to live young. P. velifera produces viable hybrids with other mollies, including the naturally occurring P. mexicana×P. velifera.", "features": "The most distinctive feature of Poecilia velifera is its dorsal fin. It bears 15 to 21 rays, more than the dorsal fins of other sailfin mollies. This fin rises exceptionally high in males, surpassing that of any other molly. Its base is long, extending over much of the back, and its color is dark with many pale spots, including bluish-green markings edged in black; in males, a row of larger dark spots is often present near the outer edge. The anal fin contains 10 rays. The pectoral fins are about as long as the head, and the pelvic fins reach the front of the anal fin; in males, one pelvic ray is elongated and equals the length of the gonopodium (male reproductive appendage). The tail fin is normally rounded and nearly plain; the lower corner may be slightly extended, and the upper part may show spotting, while the lower part remains unmarked and edged in black. As in most poeciliids, the body is elongated—though relatively deeper—and the head is wedge-shaped, with moderately sized eyes set widely apart. The overall body color is olive green. Along the back and sides run dark brown longitudinal stripes, with broader ones following the rows of scales and narrower ones between them. Between these stripes are rows of small, iridescent spots, typically two on each scale, producing a characteristic shimmering effect; these markings, more vivid in males, take on green and bluish tones against a warm, golden ground color.", "habitat": "Poecilia velifera can live in both fresh and salt water, tolerating a broad range of salinities, but is most successful in fresh water. It occupies a variety of near-coastal and coastal habitats, primarily in marine and brackish environments. These include lagoons such as Laguna de Términos, tidal streams, estuaries such as Ria Lagartos, salt marshes, mangrove channels, and coastal cenotes and freshwater pools. The contiguity of the Yucatán molly's habitats leaves movement largely unimpeded, resulting in potentially substantial gene flow among adjacent populations. Even so, populations from different parts of the peninsula are often genetically distinct from one another, possibly shaped by patterns of nearshore ocean currents between the Bay of Campeche and the Atlantic coast. Habitat preference separates P. velifera from Yucatán's other sailfin molly, P. kykesis, which favors freshwater rivers and reservoirs in the interior of the peninsula. P. velifera occurs together with one of two shortfin mollies—P. mexicana or P. orri—at several sites. In shallow swamp waters near Sisal, Yucatán, dominated by red mangrove and with white and black mangroves also present, P. velifera occurs together with P. mexicana; other fish that sporadically occur there with mollies include Yucatán tetra, pike topminnow, twospot livebearer, giant killifish, Yucatán flagfish, and Jack Dempsey and firemouth cichlids. In Quintana Roo, both P. velifera and a smaller population of P. orri have been recorded in a small cenote. At a site in Campeche, P.", "distribution": "Naturally occurring populations of Poecilia velifera are confined to the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico, where they occur at elevations below roughly 20 m (66 ft) above sea level. The species' native range extends along the peninsula's northern coast from Tulum to a tidal stream located about 50 km (31 mi) southwest of San Francisco de Campeche (just north of latitude 19°30′ N); it encompasses the states of Campeche, Yucatán, and Quintana Roo, including the islands of Mujeres, Cozumel, and Contoy. P. velifera reaches higher population densities in and around two major protected areas in Yucatán: the Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve and the state reserve Ciénagas y Manglares de la Costa Norte de Yucatán. In addition to its coastal range, P. velifera is found in inland cenotes (sinkholes in the karst) in the vicinity of Mérida, the state capital of Yucatán. Most of these cenotes are artificial, and P. velifera was probably planted there by the International Health Board to control mosquitoes. Another inland locality is the Xlaká cenote, a natural formation associated with Maya ruins; the species' occurrence there is likely natural, although introduction by the pre-Columbian Maya remains a possibility. Some inland records may represent populations that recently colonized new areas during hurricane-driven flooding. Use in mosquito control and the ornamental fish trade has spread P. velifera far beyond Yucatán.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Both", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q923248.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Poecilia velifera - Matteo Cassella - 60110836", "author": "Matteo Cassella", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Poecilia_velifera_-_Matteo_Cassella_-_60110836.jpeg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poecilia_velifera", "revision": 1382173928, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1382173928", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "d0f913712d2b9815b4ca99fd74d89a60734c4c4cfad5aa35b6342b65249bdac4" }, { "id": "Q882942", "common_name": "Bluespine unicornfish", "scientific_name": "Naso unicornis", "aliases": [ "Naso unicornis", "short-nose unicornfish" ], "summary": "The bluespine unicornfish (Naso unicornis), also known as the short-nose unicornfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Acanthuridae, the surgeonfishes, unicornfishes and tangs. This species is found in the Indo-Pacific. It is occasionally found in the aquarium trade. It grows to a size of 70 cm in length. It is called kala ('thorn') in Hawaii, dawa in New Caledonia, and ta or tā in Fiji. However the name kala refers to all three species of horned unicornfish found around Hawaii.", "features": "The bluespine unicornfish has a blueish-gray body with two blue spines on each side at the base of the tail and a short rostrum or bony horn on the forehead. In small fish the horn is missing. The species is sexually dimorphic, with males having much larger tail spines than females. Males on average also have slightly longer horns and slightly longer tail streamers than females. These fish have a leather-like skin instead of scales. The bluespine unicornfish can grow up to 70 cm (28 in) with the largest one caught to be 5.8 kg (13 lb).", "habitat": "The bluespine unicornfish are a near-shore fish. The juvenile tend to stay close to shore while the adults tend to live from shallow to the beginnings of the deep water staying within the upper 40 feet. They tend to enjoy spots with waves or strong surges. The bluespine unicornfish live often solitary on coral reefs or can be found in small schools of unicorn fish or as a part of larger schools with many other fish species.", "distribution": "The bluespine unicornfish is very common in the tropical Indo-Pacific region, usually occurring at temperatures between 25 and 29 °C (77 and 84 °F).", "diet": "Bluespine unicornfish are herbivores and feed on brown and red algae with coarse or leafy blades (such as Sargassum). Because it is one of a small number of species that consumes fleshy macroalgae (seaweed), it is of great importance to coral reef ecosystems.", "family": "Acanthuridae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q882942.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Bluespine Unicornfish, Emily Bay, Kingston 2899, Norfolk Island imported from iNaturalist photo 173453689 (cropped)", "author": "(c) Susan Prior, some rights reserved (CC BY)", "license": "CC BY 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bluespine_Unicornfish,_Emily_Bay,_Kingston_2899,_Norfolk_Island_imported_from_iNaturalist_photo_173453689_(cropped).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluespine_unicornfish", "revision": 1372636674, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1372636674", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "7593e2747a3f29914597c74b40b0711146232125fbd89941fe92a3f0fdb48f0d" }, { "id": "Q1121059", "common_name": "Sand goby", "scientific_name": "Pomatoschistus minutus", "aliases": [ "Pomatoschistus minutus" ], "summary": "The sand goby (Pomatoschistus minutus), also known as a polewig or pollybait, is a species of ray-finned fish native to marine and brackish European waters from the Baltic Sea through the Mediterranean Sea and into the Black Sea where it occurs in sandy or muddy areas of inshore waters at depths of from 4 to 200 metres (13 to 656 ft). This species can reach a length of 11 centimetres (4.3 in) TL. This species is sometimes kept in public aquariums. The sand goby is of a sandy colour, with darker markings on the sides and a creamy-white underside. In the breeding season the male fish has a blue spot at the rear of the first dorsal fin, ringed with white. The fish has a slender body, and the head is about a quarter of the total length.", "features": "The sand goby has two dorsal fins with a wider gap between them than the common goby (Pomatoschistus microps), the anterior one consisting of six soft spines and the posterior one eight to eleven soft rays. The pelvic fins are fused with the anal fins. There are 58 to 72 scales along the lateral line and these scales are rather smaller than those of the common goby. The caudal fin is rounded. In males, there is a conspicuous dark spot on the anterior dorsal fin and in both sexes there is a black patch on the caudal peduncle. The general colour is sandy brown with indistinct dark blotches and reticulations on the dorsal surface and dark striations on the pale fins. The colour of the male darkens during the breeding season and his fins become more coloured. The average size is about 4 to 5 cm (1.6 to 2.0 in).", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1121059.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Pomatoschistus minutus", "author": "Yuriy Kvach", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pomatoschistus_minutus.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sand_goby", "revision": 1374380277, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1374380277", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "6b0a0f75b56e1f682c36c2b670765158ef710f8fe40d7db01f0f51fc134fa9d0" }, { "id": "Q3546", "common_name": "Convict cichlid", "scientific_name": "Amatitlania nigrofasciata", "aliases": [ "convict cichlid", "Archocentrus nigrofasciatus", "Amatitlania nigrofasciata" ], "summary": "The convict cichlid (Amatitlania nigrofasciata) is a fish species from the family Cichlidae, native to Central America, also known as the zebra cichlid. Convict cichlids are popular aquarium fish and have also been the subject of numerous studies on fish behaviour.", "features": "The wild-type of the species has 8 or 9 black vertical bars on a blue-grey body, along with a dark blotch on the operculum. Juvenile convict cichlids are monomorphic until they reach sexual maturity. The male is mostly gray with light black stripes along the body. Males are larger than females, and they have more pointed ventral, dorsal and anal fins which often extend into filaments. In addition, older males frequently develop vestigial fatty lumps on their foreheads. Unusually for fish, the female is more highly coloured. She has more intense black bands across the body, and pink to orange colouration in the ventral region and on the dorsal fin. The maximum standard length has been reported to be 10 centimeters, with total length near 12 centimeters (4.7 in). The body weight of the fish is about 34–36 grams (1.2–1.3 oz). Selective breeding has resulted in a leucistic strain, which lacks the dark barring of the wild type. These are known commonly as white convicts, pink convicts, gold convicts, and A. nigrofasciata \"Kongo\". The leucistic colouration is caused by a mutation in an autosomal gene and is recessively inherited.", "habitat": "Convict cichlids are native to the lakes and streams of Central America. In particular, the species occurs along the eastern coast of Central America from Guatemala to Costa Rica, and on the western coast from Honduras to Panama. Convict cichlids prefer moving water, and are most frequently found in habitats with cover in the form of rocks or sunken branches. At four natural habitats of the convict cichlid in Costa Rica, the pH was found to range from 6.6–7.8, while carbonate hardness (KH) ranged from 63 to 77 ppm CaCO3. The daily water temperature ranged from 26–29 °C (79–84 °F). Convict cichlids can be relatively tolerant of cool water, allowing them to colonise volcanic lakes at elevations of 1,500 meters (4,900 ft).", "distribution": "Convict cichlids are native to the lakes and streams of Central America. In particular, the species occurs along the eastern coast of Central America from Guatemala to Costa Rica, and on the western coast from Honduras to Panama. Convict cichlids prefer moving water, and are most frequently found in habitats with cover in the form of rocks or sunken branches. At four natural habitats of the convict cichlid in Costa Rica, the pH was found to range from 6.6–7.8, while carbonate hardness (KH) ranged from 63 to 77 ppm CaCO3. The daily water temperature ranged from 26–29 °C (79–84 °F). Convict cichlids can be relatively tolerant of cool water, allowing them to colonise volcanic lakes at elevations of 1,500 meters (4,900 ft).", "diet": "In natural habitats, the species has an omnivorous diet composed of plants, algae and various prey including small fish, crustaceans, insects and worms. The fish can protrude its jaw 4.2% of its standard length, allowing it to have a varied diet. Inferior social status and associated stress can affect digestive function in convict cichlids.", "family": "Cichlidae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q3546.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Archocentrus nigrofasciatus female", "author": "S. Olkowicz - User Hippocampus on pl.wikipedia", "license": "CC BY 2.5", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Archocentrus_nigrofasciatus_female.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convict_cichlid", "revision": 1354923741, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1354923741", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "e7734cdc8973453a9a8d44aa5d488d24cb8093e080d2e0edb281d09953de07f9" }, { "id": "Q1508315", "common_name": "Titan triggerfish", "scientific_name": "Balistoides viridescens", "aliases": [ "Balistoides viridescens" ], "summary": "The titan triggerfish, giant triggerfish or moustache triggerfish (Balistoides viridescens) is a large species of triggerfish found in lagoons and at reefs to depths of 50 m (160 ft) in most of the Indo-Pacific, though it is absent from Hawaii. With a length of up to 75 centimetres (30 in), it is the largest species of triggerfish in its range (the stone triggerfish, Pseudobalistes naufragium, from the east Pacific is larger).", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1508315.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Titan Triggerfish imported from iNaturalist photo 324702096 on 3 November 2024 (edit)", "author": "(c) Jan Ebr & Ivana Ebrová, some rights reserved (CC BY)", "license": "CC BY 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Titan_Triggerfish_imported_from_iNaturalist_photo_324702096_on_3_November_2024_(edit).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titan_triggerfish", "revision": 1349562688, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1349562688", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "1aa7b50b9cce22d3dd011fad1b7de92d24f6347aea91456d213cd5449611b82f" }, { "id": "Q744000", "common_name": "Atlantic stargazer", "scientific_name": "Uranoscopus scaber", "aliases": [ "Uranoscopus scaber" ], "summary": "The Atlantic stargazer (Uranoscopus scaber) is a marine ray-finned fish in the stargazer family Uranoscopidae. It is one of few fish capable of bioelectrogenesis.", "features": "Typical of its family, the body of the Atlantic stargazer is somewhat dorsoventrally flattened, the head and jaws are oriented upwards, and the mouth is large. Its body is brown in color and has numerous small light spots, with a lighter belly. It lacks a swimbladder. The Atlantic stargazer is usually between 20–30 cm (7.9–11.8 in) in length, but may reach 35 cm (14 in), with females generally being larger than males. It lives for about 5 to 6 years.", "habitat": "The Atlantic stargazer is widespread along the Atlantic coast of Europe and Africa (however, it is somewhat rare in the Bay of Biscay), and is also common in the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea. It is a demersal fish, living in sandy or muddy sand sediments along the upper slope of the continental shelf, at depths of 14–400 m (46–1,312 ft). It is not a very economically important fish (and is primarily caught as by-catch), but is ecologically important.", "distribution": "The Atlantic stargazer is widespread along the Atlantic coast of Europe and Africa (however, it is somewhat rare in the Bay of Biscay), and is also common in the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea. It is a demersal fish, living in sandy or muddy sand sediments along the upper slope of the continental shelf, at depths of 14–400 m (46–1,312 ft). It is not a very economically important fish (and is primarily caught as by-catch), but is ecologically important.", "diet": "Like other stargazers, the Atlantic stargazer is an ambush predator which lies buried with only its eyes exposed. It has a small strip of skin protruding from its lower jaw, which it moves in and out rapidly to act as a lure for prey. When a prey item comes near, it lunges towards the prey using a specially adapted vertebral column, and it takes less than 30 milliseconds for it engulf the prey. The Atlantic stargazer feeds primarily on fish larvae, smaller fish (such as gobies and picarels) and small crustaceans, but is also known to eat molluscs, echinoderms, annelids and algae (and other plant material).", "family": "Uranoscopidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q744000.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Uranoscopus", "author": "Yuriy Kvach", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Uranoscopus.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_stargazer", "revision": 1330488761, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1330488761", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "5ede18912bd02a55c4dfcaf2bbb1371c3612d8c77adc74ea7ba16117ebd089be" }, { "id": "Q2664427", "common_name": "Pacific barreleye", "scientific_name": "Macropinna microstoma", "aliases": [ "Macropinna microstoma" ], "summary": "The Pacific barreleye fish (Macropinna) is a genus of ray-finned fish belonging to Opisthoproctidae, the barreleye family. It contains one species, M. microstoma. It is recognized for a highly unusual transparent, fluid-filled shield on its head, through which the vivid green lenses of its eyes can be seen. It was originally believed that the tubular eyes of this fish were fixed in place, offering only tunnel vision above its head. However, in 2008, scientists discovered that its eyes were able to rotate both up and forward within its transparent dome. This feature allows for M. microstoma to observe prey while keeping its eyes protected from stinging tentacles of jellyfish-like organisms it feeds on. M. microstoma, a small fish of about 15 cm, has a tiny mouth and most of its body is covered in large scales. The fish normally hangs nearly motionless in the water, at a depth of about 600 metres (2,000 ft) to 800 metres (2,600 ft) in the mesopelagic zone, using its large fins for stability and with its eyes directed upward. In the low light conditions it is assumed the fish detects prey by its silhouette. This is because the eyes have no lens in the diverticulum, so images would most likely occur through reflection. Due to the eyes facing upwards, light is able to enter the eyes and through the illumination, silhouettes are formed.", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "M. microstoma shares its deep-sea environment with many different types of cnidarians. Some of the most common are siphonophores (which can reach length of 30 feet). The barreleye has a strong digestive system and it usually feeds on cnidarians and small drifting animals. The small marine creatures trapped on the tentacles of the cnidarians are also targeted by the barreleye fish.", "family": "", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q2664427.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Barreleye-fish GoK", "author": "Unknown authorUnknown author", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Barreleye-fish_GoK.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macropinna", "revision": 1383401379, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1383401379", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "36bb7465b2eac1690b4f59b20ff3469f816d6e25c9f9d9f348f3943197c83723" }, { "id": "Q257796", "common_name": "Marbled lungfish", "scientific_name": "Protopterus aethiopicus", "aliases": [ "Protopterus aethiopicus" ], "summary": "The marbled lungfish (Protopterus aethiopicus) is a lungfish of the family Protopteridae. Also known as the leopard lungfish, it is found in Eastern and Central Africa, as well as the Nile region. At 133 billion base pairs, it has the largest known genome of any animal and one of the largest of any organism, along with the flowering plant Paris japonica, the fern Tmesipteris oblanceolata and the protist Polychaos dubium at 150 billion, 160 billion and 670 billion, respectively. The marbled lungfish is caught in large numbers throughout much of its range, including several hundred tonnes per year in Mwanza Region's Mwanza Gulf of Lake Victoria alone. It is mostly a food fish, although this varies depending on the exact community, with some recognizing it as a delicacy and others strongly disliking its taste or considering it as a taboo to eat it. In some regions, parts of this fish are used as traditional medicine.", "features": "The marbled lungfish is smooth, elongated, and cylindrical with deeply embedded scales. The tail is very long and has tapers at the end. They can reach a length of up to 2 m (6.6 ft). The pectoral and pelvic fins are also very long and thin, almost spaghetti-like, used for gliding through the water. The newly hatched young have branched external gills much like those of newts. After two to three months, the young metamorphose into the adult form, losing their external gills for gill openings. These fish have a yellowish gray or pinkish-toned ground color with dark slate-gray splotches, creating a marbling or leopard effect over their bodies and fins. The color pattern is darker along the top and lighter below. It was once believed that marbled lungfish are obligate air breathers, however, research published in 2007 suggests that the marbled lungfish primarily relies on aquatic respiration unless restricted by certain ecological or physiological conditions.", "habitat": "Protopterus aethiopicus is found in the African countries of Angola, Burundi, Egypt, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. Among others, it lives in the Nile and Congo River basins, including lakes such as Albert, Edward, Tanganyika, Victoria, Nabugabo, Turkana, No and Kyoga. Different subspecies are found in different areas: P. a. aethiopicus lives in the Nile basin and its lakes like Victoria and Tanganyika, P. a. congicus in the middle and upper Congo River, and P. a. mesmaekersi in the lower Congo. Adult marbled lungfish live in swamps, riverbeds, floodplains, and river deltas throughout its range. The juvenile members of the species often live in between the roots of papyrus plants. Despite being aquatic, adult marbled lungfish can live in riverbeds and other areas that have no rain for portions of the year due to their ability to estivate or burrow in the ground to form an air bubble and breathe out of a hole in the cocoon thus formed.", "distribution": "Protopterus aethiopicus is found in the African countries of Angola, Burundi, Egypt, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. Among others, it lives in the Nile and Congo River basins, including lakes such as Albert, Edward, Tanganyika, Victoria, Nabugabo, Turkana, No and Kyoga. Different subspecies are found in different areas: P. a. aethiopicus lives in the Nile basin and its lakes like Victoria and Tanganyika, P. a. congicus in the middle and upper Congo River, and P. a. mesmaekersi in the lower Congo. Adult marbled lungfish live in swamps, riverbeds, floodplains, and river deltas throughout its range. The juvenile members of the species often live in between the roots of papyrus plants. Despite being aquatic, adult marbled lungfish can live in riverbeds and other areas that have no rain for portions of the year due to their ability to estivate or burrow in the ground to form an air bubble and breathe out of a hole in the cocoon thus formed.", "diet": "The diet of adults consists largely of mollusks, such as Mutela bourguignati. They also eat small fish and insects at times; the diet of juveniles consists almost entirely of insects.", "family": "Protopteridae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q257796.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Leopard lungfish (Protopterus aethiopicus) close - GRB", "author": "George Berninger Jr.", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Leopard_lungfish_(Protopterus_aethiopicus)_close_-_GRB.JPG", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marbled_lungfish", "revision": 1364191796, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1364191796", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "4836e377c02c4536482d1c4dfc61f0068c6c26109bc60878363ad57d1402f44a" }, { "id": "Q668926", "common_name": "Slender sunfish", "scientific_name": "Ranzania laevis", "aliases": [ "slender sunfish", "Ranzania laevis" ], "summary": "The slender sunfish (Ranzania laevis) is a mola of the family Molidae, the only extant member of the genus Ranzania, found globally in tropical and temperate seas. Its length is up to 1 m (3.3 ft). Several stranding and mass stranding events have occurred on beaches near Albany, Western Australia. The first South Australian specimen was found at Aldinga in 1944. A cast was made from it, and a replica was made, painted and prepared for display at the South Australian museum that year. Several other individuals have stranded in South Australia at Port Willunga, Netley and West Beach with the latter successfully returned live to deeper water. In contrast to its much larger relatives in the family Molidae, who are very slow-moving and feed almost exclusively upon jellyfish, salps, and small fish and crustaceans, analysis of stomach contents show that the slender sunfish also consumes squid, particularly of the family Ommastrephidae, which are known for being very fast-moving, displaying evidence that the slender sunfish itself is a faster-moving and agile predator of squid. Unlike its relatives, which possess dull, rough skin, the slender sunfish displays brilliant, silvery hexagonal scales across its body which are smooth to the touch.", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Molidae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q668926.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Ranzania laevis2", "author": "NOAA Observer Program", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ranzania_laevis2.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slender_sunfish", "revision": 1374747876, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1374747876", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "71734257e2c6162b23714cdefb3cc903612e8b5813eef81474661d4702889694" }, { "id": "Q882676", "common_name": "Green neon tetra", "scientific_name": "Paracheirodon simulans", "aliases": [ "Paracheirodon simulans" ], "summary": "The green neon tetra (Paracheirodon simulans) is a species of freshwater fish of the family Acestrorhamphidae, the American characins, of the order Characiformes. It is native to the upper Orinoco and Negro Rivers in South America.", "features": "The green neon tetra grows to a standard length (SL) between 10–20 mm (0.39–0.79 in). There is considerable overlap in both length and body depth between this species and others in the genus. This fish may be distinguished from the two other Paracheirodon species by a few key characteristics. For example, unlike the neon tetra and cardinal tetra, the blue-green lateral stripe in this species extends all the way to the base of the tail. The red underside is less pronounced. Additionally, this is the only species in the genus to possess premaxillary teeth in 2 separate rows. P. simulans typically possesses 8 dorsal fin rays, 8 pectoral fin rays, and 6 pelvic fin rays, all of which are branched. This fish loses its brilliant blue and red colours when lights are switched off, but regains them when lights are switched on again.", "habitat": "Though the green neon tetra is described as being from the Negro and Orinoco Rivers, it may be restricted to the uppermost portion of the tributaries of these rivers, as well as within the terra firma and heavily planted wetland areas between. Though there is some overlap with the range of P. axelrodi, the two species are thought to partition their habitat. In wetland areas of their range, dissolved oxygen concentrations range from 0.7 to 4.4 mg/L and pH from 4.3 to 4.7, with averages of 2.1 mg/L and 5.0, respectively. Temperatures may range between 25–35 °C (77–95 °F), with no stress observed at the extremes.", "distribution": "Though the green neon tetra is described as being from the Negro and Orinoco Rivers, it may be restricted to the uppermost portion of the tributaries of these rivers, as well as within the terra firma and heavily planted wetland areas between. Though there is some overlap with the range of P. axelrodi, the two species are thought to partition their habitat. In wetland areas of their range, dissolved oxygen concentrations range from 0.7 to 4.4 mg/L and pH from 4.3 to 4.7, with averages of 2.1 mg/L and 5.0, respectively. Temperatures may range between 25–35 °C (77–95 °F), with no stress observed at the extremes.", "diet": "", "family": "Acestrorhamphidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q882676.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Paracheirodon simulans", "author": "Sascha Biedermann", "license": "CC BY-SA 2.5", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Paracheirodon_simulans.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_neon_tetra", "revision": 1354729094, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1354729094", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "5e1c6dc88c27fdb466d14c79b61157640c52b2889c0d9beed59aaa8d716ae834" }, { "id": "Q917209", "common_name": "Ribbon eel", "scientific_name": "Rhinomuraena quaesita", "aliases": [ "Rhinomuraena quaesita", "Bernis eel", "Leaf-nosed moray eel" ], "summary": "The ribbon eel (Rhinomuraena quaesita), also known as the leaf-nosed moray eel or bernis eel, is a species of moray eel, the only member of the genus Rhinomuraena. The ribbon eel is found in sand burrows and reefs in the Indo-Pacific Ocean. Although generally placed in the moray eel family Muraenidae, it has several distinctive features leading some to place it in its own family, Rhinomuraenidae.", "features": "The species is characterized by its long, thin body and high dorsal fins. The ribbon eel can easily be recognized by its expanded anterior nostrils and wide-open jaws. These eels can have up to 255 vertebrae in their back bone, making them one of the most narrow and elongated eel species known. In their juvenile and subadult stages, ribbon eels appear primarily jet black with a yellow dorsal fin. In adult males, the black is replaced by a vibrant blue and yellow facial appearance. An adult female is entirely yellow or yellow with some blue to the posterior. Color change related to sex change is not known from any other moray eel species. The blue adult males range from 65 to 94 cm (26 to 37 in) in length, while the larger yellow females can reach up to 130 cm (51 in). The ribbon eel larva is described as a large, greenish leptocephalus.", "habitat": "Typically, ribbon eels can be found in tropical parts of the Indian and Pacific Ocean, ranging from East Africa to southern Japan, Australia, and French Polynesia. This species is widely distributed and are seen by divers in Indonesian waters with their heads and anterior bodies protruding from crevices in sand and rubble habitats, like coral reefs, which they are able to slip through with their slime coat. Ribbon eels prefer relatively shallow waters, frequenting a depth range of 1 to 57 meters.", "distribution": "Typically, ribbon eels can be found in tropical parts of the Indian and Pacific Ocean, ranging from East Africa to southern Japan, Australia, and French Polynesia. This species is widely distributed and are seen by divers in Indonesian waters with their heads and anterior bodies protruding from crevices in sand and rubble habitats, like coral reefs, which they are able to slip through with their slime coat. Ribbon eels prefer relatively shallow waters, frequenting a depth range of 1 to 57 meters.", "diet": "", "family": "Muraenidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q917209.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Ribbon Moray (Rhinomuraena quaesita) (6052858389) (cropped)", "author": "Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE", "license": "CC BY-SA 2.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ribbon_Moray_(Rhinomuraena_quaesita)_(6052858389)_(cropped).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ribbon_eel", "revision": 1362836706, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1362836706", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "bf33d0e5a23fd71c1d0ed3204a00836c5ac8c1a4983d896684a049c409befe6e" }, { "id": "Q741269", "common_name": "Bronze corydoras", "scientific_name": "Osteogaster aenea", "aliases": [ "Corydoras aeneus" ], "summary": "The bronze corydoras (Osteogaster aenea), also known as the green corydoras, bronze catfish, lightspot corydoras or wavy catfish, is a species of freshwater fish in the armored catfish family, Callichthyidae, often kept as an aquarium fish. It is widely distributed in South America on the eastern side of the Andes, from Colombia and Trinidad to the Río de la Plata basin; however, as presently defined it is a species complex and a taxonomic review is necessary. It was originally described as Hoplosoma aeneum (based on a specimen from Trinidad) by Theodore Gill in 1858 and has historically also been referred to as Corydoras aeneus.", "features": "", "habitat": "They are found in quiet, shallow waters with soft bottoms that can sometimes be heavily polluted by clouds of disturbed mud from the bottom, but it also inhabits running waters. In its native habitat, it inhabits waters with a temperature range of 25 to 28 °C (77 to 82 °F), pH 6.0–8.0, and hardness 5 to 19 DGH. Like most members of the genus Corydoras, these catfish have a unique method of coping with the low oxygen content that prevails in such environments. In addition to utilizing their gills like any other fish, they rapidly come to the surface of the water and draw air in through their mouth. This air is then absorbed through the wall of the intestine and any surplus air is expelled through the vent. It typically stays in schools of 20 to 30 individuals. It feeds on worms, benthic crustaceans, insects, and plant matter.", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q741269.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Corydoras aeneus 2", "author": "Quatermass (English Wikipedia)", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Corydoras_aeneus_2.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronze_corydoras", "revision": 1362779936, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1362779936", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "94de81b2884a68a450297a597df9694427e35465c80c72f3afa5053721ee41aa" }, { "id": "Q906572", "common_name": "Sailfin molly", "scientific_name": "Poecilia latipinna", "aliases": [ "Poecilia latipinna" ], "summary": "The sailfin molly (Poecilia latipinna) is a livebearer fish typically found in both freshwater and brackish waterways along the East Coast of the United States, from North Carolina south to Florida, and around the Gulf of Mexico to Texas, and south to the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico. Given their preference for more brackish water conditions, mollies are often found within just a few yards or miles of the ocean, inhabiting coastal estuaries, lagoons, river deltas and swamps, as well as tidal areas (such as mangrove swamps) with a regular inflow of oceanic minerals and nutrients mixing with inland freshwater sources.", "features": "", "habitat": "Sailfin mollies are most commonly observed at the shallow surface waters along the edges of marshes, lowland streams, ponds, swamps, estuaries and even ephemeral water bodies such as roadside ditches. Small to large aggregations of the species are most commonly found under floating vegetation or near structures in the water, minimizing their chances of being observed by potential predators. The sailfin molly is a tolerant species, as it can exploit the thin film of oxygen-rich surface water with its upturned mouth, so is able to survive oxygen-depleted habitats. A euryhaline species, the sailfin molly may be found in a variety of saline environments, tolerating salinities as high as 87 ppt and breeding in brackish waters.", "distribution": "The sailfin molly is found in freshwater and brackish habitats from North Carolina to Texas and the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico. Preferring coastal marshes fed by lowland streams, as well as mangrove swamps, deltas and estuaries, the sailfin molly is very common in peninsular Florida and around the entire Gulf of Mexico. Invasive and introduced populations have been established in New Zealand, in the western U.S., and Hawaii. Sailfin mollies introduced to California have caused a decline in populations of the federally protected and endangered desert pupfish (Cyprinodon macularius). It is also invasive to Iraq, where it thrives in the Persian Gulf waters at the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates river deltas, threatening to outcompete many killifish species endemic to the region. Interestingly, the sailfin molly was introduced in the 1920s to Banff Hot Spring, in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada.", "diet": "Sailfin mollies feed primarily upon algae and other plant materials, although they will consume a number of aquatic invertebrates, including the larvae of mosquitoes.", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q906572.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Poecilia latipinna, I-75 N, Fort Lauderdale, FL, US imported from iNaturalist photo 360070481 (cropped)", "author": "(c) Nick Tobler (Cowturtle), some rights reserved (CC BY)", "license": "CC BY 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Poecilia_latipinna,_I-75_N,_Fort_Lauderdale,_FL,_US_imported_from_iNaturalist_photo_360070481_(cropped).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sailfin_molly", "revision": 1381079803, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1381079803", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "602281438817317d73be0eaf3ca2312e26b892c432b8c999d6fdd1369d80ea60" }, { "id": "Q748495", "common_name": "Alpine bullhead", "scientific_name": "Alpinocottus poecilopus", "aliases": [ "Cottus poecilopus" ], "summary": "The alpine bullhead or Siberian bullhead (Alpinocottus poecilopus) is a species of freshwater fish in the family Cottidae of sculpins. It is found in China, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, North Korea, Moldova, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, and Ukraine. This fish is listed as being of \"Least Concern\" by the IUCN.", "features": "The alpine bullhead has a large broad head and tapering body, large fins and a rounded tail. It is light brown mottled with darker colour. The eyes are located near the top of the head. This fish resembles the European bullhead and can occur in same streams with it. It can be told from the European bullhead by the fact that the innermost ray of its pelvic fins is shorter than the outermost ray rather than being of similar length. The pelvic fins are spotted with darker colour and appear banded when bunched unlike the European bullhead's clear fins. When the fish rests on the bottom, the pectoral fins flare out resembling wings. The alpine bullhead is usually about 5 to 8 cm (2.0 to 3.1 in) long with a maximum of 12 cm (5 in).", "habitat": "The alpine bullhead is found in northern and central Europe in upland and coldwater streams and lakes in mountain regions.", "distribution": "The alpine bullhead is found in northern and central Europe in upland and coldwater streams and lakes in mountain regions.", "diet": "", "family": "Cottidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q748495.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Cottus poecilopus Slovakia", "author": "Ludovika26", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cottus_poecilopus_Slovakia.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpine_bullhead", "revision": 1369729009, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1369729009", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "f723845dfb9fc40f4896dda8ee06c017a327a38ee8f3ae8820b5354cdace8a28" }, { "id": "Q837644", "common_name": "Freshwater blenny", "scientific_name": "Salariopsis fluviatilis", "aliases": [ "Salaria fluviatilis" ], "summary": "The freshwater blenny (Salariopsis fluviatilis) is a species of freshwater and brackish water ray-finned fish belonging to the family Blenniidae, the combtooth blennies. This species is found in Southern Europe, Western Asia and North Africa.", "features": "The freshwater blenny has the dorsal fin supported by 12 or 13 spines and 16 or 17 soft rays while the anal fin contains 2 spines and between 17 and 19 soft rays. There is a wide band of small dots running diagonally backwards and downwards from the eye and there is a branched cirrus above the eyes. This species reaches a maximum total length of 15.4 cm (6.1 in), although 8 cm (3.1 in) is more typical.", "habitat": "The freshwater blenny is found in southern Europe from Portugal east to western Anatolia, as well as on the islands of Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, Euboea, Crete, Icaria, Lesbos, Corfu and Rhodes, with a population in a few streams draining into the Gulf of Béjaïa in Algeria. It formerly occurred on Cyprus but damming and malaria control in the 20th Century led to its probable local extinction on that island. The freshwater blenny is found in unpolluted stretches of rivers and streams with moderate to fast current and where the streambed is made up of gravel, rocks and stones. It can be found in large lakes, where it occurs along rocky shorelines.", "distribution": "The freshwater blenny is found in southern Europe from Portugal east to western Anatolia, as well as on the islands of Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, Euboea, Crete, Icaria, Lesbos, Corfu and Rhodes, with a population in a few streams draining into the Gulf of Béjaïa in Algeria. It formerly occurred on Cyprus but damming and malaria control in the 20th Century led to its probable local extinction on that island. The freshwater blenny is found in unpolluted stretches of rivers and streams with moderate to fast current and where the streambed is made up of gravel, rocks and stones. It can be found in large lakes, where it occurs along rocky shorelines.", "diet": "", "family": "Blenniidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q837644.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Blennie d'eau douce-Salaria fluviatilis", "author": "Olivier Croissant", "license": "CC BY 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blennie_d%27eau_douce-Salaria_fluviatilis.JPG", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freshwater_blenny", "revision": 1376790101, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1376790101", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "337d8025effa43f74eb2ce3f9d1078c71e0a048828a026da94163c9a582fa359" }, { "id": "Q767055", "common_name": "Striped eel catfish", "scientific_name": "Plotosus lineatus", "aliases": [ "Striped catfish", "Plotosus lineatus" ], "summary": "Plotosus lineatus, commonly known as the striped eel catfish, is a species of catfish belonging to the eeltail family Plotosidae. Like most other members of the genus, this species possesses highly venomous spines that can be used to sting when threatened; the venom can cause mild to severe symptoms in humans. This species is native to the Indo-Pacific but is now present in the Mediterranean via Lessepsian migration through the Suez Canal.", "features": "Plotosus lineatus can reach a maximum length of 32 cm (13 in), and the body is brown with cream-colored or white longitudinal bands. The second dorsal, caudal and anal fins are fused together as in eels, but the rest of the body is quite similar to that of a freshwater catfish. The mouth is surrounded by four pairs of barbels, four on the upper jaw and four on the lower jaw. Each of the first dorsal and the pectoral fins has a highly venomous spine.", "habitat": "Plotosus lineatus is found mainly in coral reefs. It is also found in estuaries, tide pools and open coasts.", "distribution": "Plotosus lineatus occurs in the Indo-Pacific; this includes the western Pacific (e.g. Singapore). Since 2002, it has been recorded in the eastern Mediterranean Sea as well, and is now common from Levantine waters to the Gulf of Gabes. It sometimes enters freshwater ecosystems in East Africa and Madagascar.", "diet": "", "family": "Plotosidae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q767055.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Pez gato de coral (Plotosus lineatus), Zanzíbar, Tanzania, 2024-06-01, DD 127", "author": "Diego Delso", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pez_gato_de_coral_(Plotosus_lineatus),_Zanz%C3%ADbar,_Tanzania,_2024-06-01,_DD_127.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plotosus_lineatus", "revision": 1357909834, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1357909834", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "246bab030c107f92edca370ab8e3e8a77094a25e361e5ed46171e8af8765759c" }, { "id": "Q1552149", "common_name": "Green sturgeon", "scientific_name": "Sinosturio medirostris", "aliases": [ "Acipenser medirostris" ], "summary": "The green sturgeon (Sinosturio medirostris) is a species of sturgeon native to the northern Pacific Ocean, from China and Russia to Canada and the United States.", "features": "Sturgeons are among the largest and most ancient of ray finned fishes. They are placed, along with paddlefishes and numerous fossil groups, in the infraclass Chondrostei, which also contains the ancestors of all other bony fishes. The sturgeons themselves are not ancestral to modern bony fishes but are a highly specialized and successful offshoot of ancestral chondrosteans, retaining such ancestral features as a heterocercal tail, fin structure, jaw structure, and spiracle. They have replaced a bony skeleton with one of cartilage, and possess a few large bony plates instead of scales. Sturgeons are highly adapted for preying on bottom animals, which they detect with a row of sensitive barbels on the underside of their snouts. They protrude their very long and flexible \"lips\" to suck up food. Sturgeons are confined to temperate waters of the Northern Hemisphere. Of 25 extant species, only two live in California, the green sturgeon and the white sturgeon (S. transmontanus). Green sturgeon are similar in appearance to white sturgeon, except the barbels are closer to the mouth than to the tip of the long, narrow snout. The dorsal row of bony plates numbers 8–11, lateral rows, 23–30, and bottom rows, 7–10; there is one large scute behind the dorsal fin as well as behind the anal fin (both lacking in white sturgeon). The scutes also tend to be sharper and more pointed than in white sturgeon. The dorsal fin has 33–36 rays, the anal fin, 22–28. Green sturgeon has a smaller adult size than the white sturgeon.", "habitat": "Sturgeons life history strategy seems organized around reducing risks. Sturgeons live a long time, delay maturation to large sizes, and spawn multiple times over their lifespan. The sturgeon's long life span and repeat spawning in multiple years allows them to outlive periodic droughts and environmental catastrophes. The high fecundity that comes with large size allows them to produce large numbers of offspring when suitable spawning conditions occur and to make up for years of poor conditions. Adult green sturgeon do not spawn every year, and only a fraction of the population enters freshwater where they risk greater exposure to catastrophic events. The widespread ocean distribution of green sturgeon ensures that most of the population is dispersed and less vulnerable than they are in estuaries and freshwater streams. The ecology and life history of green sturgeon have received little study, evidently because of the generally low abundance, limited spawning distribution, and low commercial and sport fishing value of the species. As an anadromous species, green sturgeon enters rivers mainly to spawn. and is more marine than other sturgeon species. A report commissioned by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) reported in 1995 that for the Klamath River, green sturgeon life history could be divided into three phases: 1) freshwater juveniles (13 years old for females and >9 years old for males). Northern DPS green sturgeon migrate up the Klamath River between late February and late July. The spawning period is March–July, with a peak from mid-April to mid-June.", "distribution": "The green sturgeon is the most widely distributed member of the sturgeon family Acipenseridae, and is also the most marine-oriented of the sturgeon species. Green sturgeon are known to range in nearshore marine waters from Mexico to the Bering Sea, with a general tendency to head North after their out-migration from freshwater. They are commonly observed in bays and estuaries along the western coast of North America, with particularly large concentrations entering the Columbia River estuary, Willapa Bay, and Grays Harbor during the late summer. While there is some bias associated with recovery of tagged fish through commercial fishing, the pattern of a northern migration is supported by the large concentration of green sturgeon in the Columbia River estuary, Willapa Bay, and Grays Harbor, which peaks in August. Prehistoric fish distributions have been mapped by Gobalet et al. 2004 based on bones at Native American archaeological sites. Data were reported on dozens of sites throughout California and summarized by county. Sturgeon remains were observed in 12 counties, all in the Central Valley. Observations were concentrated at San Francisco Bay and Sacramento-San Joaquin and delta sites (Contra Costa, Alameda, San Francisco, Marin, Napa, San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties). Historical 18th-century accounts report the aboriginal gillnetting and use of tule balsa watercraft for the capture of sturgeon, and fishing weirs were also likely employed on bay tidal flats.", "diet": "Sturgeon, as benthic feeders, have specialized subterminal mouths that allow them to suction and grind a variety of hard-shelled prey like crustaceans and clams. While their primary diet usually consists of mollusks and crustaceans, sturgeons can alter their food sources depending on availability. For instance, juvenile and subadult white sturgeon often consume Corophium amphipods and mysid crustaceans like opossum shrimp, whereas adults feed more on clams and fish eggs. After the invasion of the overbite clam, this clam then became a dominant food source for adult white sturgeon. Adult green sturgeon feed in estuaries during the summer. Stomachs of green sturgeons caught in Suisun Bay contained Corophium sp. (amphipod), Crago franciscorum (bay shrimp), Neomysis awatchensis (Opossum shrimp) and annelid worms. Stomachs of green sturgeon caught in San Pablo Bay contained Crago franciscorum (bay shrimp), Macoma sp. (clam), Photis californica (amphipod), Corophium sp. (amphipod), Synidotea laticauda (isopod), and unidentified crab and fish. Stomachs of green sturgeons caught in Delta contained Corophium sp. (amphipod), Neomysis awatchensis (Opossum shrimp). Radtke 1966 also reported that while the Asiatic clam (Corbicula fluminea) was abundant throughout the Delta, Suisun Bay and San Pablo Bay, it was not utilized as a food source by green sturgeons. The same study also reported that juvenile green sturgeon primarily consumed Corophium amphipods and some opossum shrimp, showing dietary overlap with juvenile white sturgeon but not with larger ones.", "family": "", "water_type": "Both", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1552149.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Acipenser medirostris", "author": "Muséum d'histoire Naturelle", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Acipenser_medirostris.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_sturgeon", "revision": 1382946582, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1382946582", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "1bbd925f090211c12b219a2c234cabf579988c27dda55733a04a72c383de178e" }, { "id": "Q1156517", "common_name": "Live sharksucker", "scientific_name": "Echeneis naucrates", "aliases": [ "Echeneis naucrates", "remora", "slender sharksucker" ], "summary": "The live sharksucker or slender sharksucker (Echeneis naucrates) is a species of marine fish in the family Echeneidae, the remoras.", "features": "E. naucrates is a medium-sized fish which can grow up to 110 cm (43 in) length. Its body is elongated and streamlined, and its lower jaw is clearly prognathic (it projects forward well beyond the upper jaw). The jaws, vomer and tongue have villiform teeth. The main distinctive feature to distinguish from other fishes is the oval-shaped sucking disc, which is a highly modified dorsal fin positioned from the top of the head to the anterior part of the body. The body background colouration is dark grey to dark brown, with a dark belly. A longitudinal stripe runs along the axis side of the body, it is always darker than its background colour with a whitish margin. The caudal fin is black with white corners.", "habitat": "The species is considered circumtropical, as it occurs in all tropical and warm temperate waters around the world except for the eastern Pacific. The species can be found close to the coast, as well as offshore at a maximum depth of 50 m (160 ft). Sharksuckers are known to temporarily attach themselves to various objects or hosts by using their modified dorsal fins. Hosts include sharks, rays, large bony fishes, sea turtles, whales, dolphins, ships, and even scuba divers.", "distribution": "The species is considered circumtropical, as it occurs in all tropical and warm temperate waters around the world except for the eastern Pacific. The species can be found close to the coast, as well as offshore at a maximum depth of 50 m (160 ft). Sharksuckers are known to temporarily attach themselves to various objects or hosts by using their modified dorsal fins. Hosts include sharks, rays, large bony fishes, sea turtles, whales, dolphins, ships, and even scuba divers.", "diet": "The remora's diet varies according to its maturity or situation (with host or not). As a juvenile, it sometimes acts as a cleaner fish on a reef station; its diet consists of small parasitic crustaceans such as copepods, isopods, and ostracods. When attached to a host, the remora eats parasitic crustaceans, food scraps from its host's feeding activity, and even some small food captured by filtering water through its villiform teeth. Without a host, the fish stays close to the shore and can aggregate with other individuals; its diet is then composed of free-living crustaceans, squid, and small fish.", "family": "Echeneidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1156517.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Remora Belize Reef", "author": "Tibor Marcinek", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Remora_Belize_Reef.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Live_sharksucker", "revision": 1382676925, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1382676925", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "a4bf2b5f416e14c2655061f1c36aff353e96b067dbb9c8da400e69a14c812ff2" }, { "id": "Q2020774", "common_name": "Painted comber", "scientific_name": "Serranus scriba", "aliases": [ "Serranus scriba" ], "summary": "The painted comber (Serranus scriba) is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a sea bass from the subfamily Serraninae, classified as part of the family Serranidae which includes the groupers and anthias. It is found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Black Sea. Confusingly, a synonym of this species is Perca marina, but that name (as Sebastes marinus) has incorrectly been used for a separate species, the rose fish.", "features": "The painted comber has a laterally compressed, elongate body with a pointed snout. The dorsal fin has 10 spines and 4–16 soft rays and the anal fin has 3 spines and 7–8 soft rays. The caudal fin is truncate. It has a very large mouth for its size, which has many sharp teeth, and is protractile. The overall colour may be grey, purplish or reddish with 5–7 dark brown bars on the flanks. The head is marked with many narrow, wavy blue lines and red blotches. The dorsal, anal and caudal fins are marked with red dots. There is a diffuse, purplish-blue blotch in the middle of the body. The pelvic and pectoral fins are normally uniform pale yellow. The maximum recorded fish measurement is 36 centimetres (14 in), although 25 centimetres (9.8 in) is more typical.", "habitat": "The painted comber occurs over rocky bottom and among beds of Posidonia at depths of 5 to 150 metres (16 to 492 ft). It normally spends the day sheltering in rocky caves and is normally either solitary or found in small groups. It emerges at dusk to hunt. It is a carnivorous species which is a territorial ambush hunter and has a diet made up of cephalopods, bivalves, crustaceans, fishes, and worms. It is often used to indicate sites occupied by octopuses as it waits at the entrance scavenging the octopus's discarded parts of shellfish. The spawning season runs from late spring to early summer with the eggs being laid under stones near the shore. It is a synchronous hermaphrodite, i.e. each individual has both male and female gonads and may be capable of self-fertilisation. They have a maximum life expectancy of 16 years.", "distribution": "The painted comber is found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean where its core range extends from the Straits of Gibraltar to Senegal, including the Canary Islands but it occurs as far north as the Bay of Biscay. Its range extends into the Mediterranean and Black Seas. One of the most abundant places for Painted Comber is Marmaris.", "diet": "", "family": "Serranidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q2020774.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Serranidae - Serranus scriba", "author": "Hectonichus", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Serranidae_-_Serranus_scriba.JPG", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Painted_comber", "revision": 1355304175, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1355304175", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "625e69f482847fb4fa43eeba9ff7c33e5f4ba3070cc4a6fe8c24eadcf8cea6b9" }, { "id": "Q836957", "common_name": "Channel catfish", "scientific_name": "Ictalurus punctatus", "aliases": [ "Ictalurus punctatus" ], "summary": "The channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), known informally as the \"channel cat\", is a species of catfish native to North America. They are North America's most abundant catfish species, and the official state fish of Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Tennessee. The channel catfish is the most fished species of catfish in the United States, with around 8 million anglers angling them per year. The popularity of channel catfish for food has contributed to the rapid expansion of this species' aquaculture in the United States. It has also been widely introduced to Europe, Asia and South America, and many countries consider it an invasive species.", "features": "Channel catfish have a well developed sense of smell and taste. Their nostril pits (nares) contain sense organs with high concentrations of olfactory receptors. In channel catfish, these organs are sensitive enough to detect several amino acids at about one part per 100 million in water. Also, the channel catfish has taste buds distributed over the surface of its entire body. These buds are especially concentrated on the four pairs of barbels (whiskers) surrounding the mouth, which have about 25 buds per square millimeter. This combination of strong senses of taste and smell allows the channel catfish to find food in dark, stained, or muddy water with relative ease. They also possess a Weberian apparatus, which amplifies sound waves that would otherwise not be perceptible. There is a misconception that the barbels of channel catfish sting upon contact. The barbels lack such capabilities and cannot sting. However, these catfish do have spines on their pectoral and dorsal fins which may cause injury if the fish is handled improperly. There is a common misconception that being pricked by a catfish spine is dangerous: it is no more dangerous than a sting from a mosquito.", "habitat": "Channel catfish are native to the Nearctic realm and are widely distributed in southern Canada, the eastern and northern United States, and parts of northern Mexico. They have an extensive native range consisting of almost all of the United States west of the Appalachian Mountains and east of the Rocky Mountains, roughly following the Mississippi River Basin. They are also native to peninsular Florida. They have also been widely introduced to Atlantic-draining rivers east of the Appalachians and Pacific-draining rivers west of the Rockies, giving them a continent-spanning range. Although they are officially considered introduced to this region, it has been suggested that they may also be native to the Atlantic-draining rivers from the Susquehanna south to the Neuse. Its range in southern Canada includes the Great Lakes (excluding Lake Superior) and parts of the Quebec, Ontario, and Manitoba provinces. They have also been introduced into some waters of the Czech Republic and Romania, as well as parts of Malaysia and Indonesia. This species thrives in rivers, reservoirs, lakes, and ponds. Channel catfish are cavity nesters, which means that they lay their eggs in crevices, hollows, or debris to protect them from swift currents.", "distribution": "Channel catfish are native to the Nearctic realm and are widely distributed in southern Canada, the eastern and northern United States, and parts of northern Mexico. They have an extensive native range consisting of almost all of the United States west of the Appalachian Mountains and east of the Rocky Mountains, roughly following the Mississippi River Basin. They are also native to peninsular Florida. They have also been widely introduced to Atlantic-draining rivers east of the Appalachians and Pacific-draining rivers west of the Rockies, giving them a continent-spanning range. Although they are officially considered introduced to this region, it has been suggested that they may also be native to the Atlantic-draining rivers from the Susquehanna south to the Neuse. Its range in southern Canada includes the Great Lakes (excluding Lake Superior) and parts of the Quebec, Ontario, and Manitoba provinces. They have also been introduced into some waters of the Czech Republic and Romania, as well as parts of Malaysia and Indonesia. This species thrives in rivers, reservoirs, lakes, and ponds. Channel catfish are cavity nesters, which means that they lay their eggs in crevices, hollows, or debris to protect them from swift currents.", "diet": "Catfish have a well-developed taste perception and are called \"swimming tongues\" due to the presence of taste buds all over the skin and inside the oropharyngeal cavity. Specifically, they have high sensitivity to amino acids, which explains their unique communication methods as follows. The catfish has a facial taste system that is extremely responsive to L-alanine and L-arginine. More specifically, their facial taste system senses heightened levels of L-amino acids in freshwater. Feeding behavior to food is due to amino acids released by food. This is reported to cause maxillary and mandibular barbel movements, which orient the catfish's posture and food search. When the food stimulates the taste receptors, it causes more excitation which is seen in exaggerated biting, turning, or mastication. Like other catfish, channel catfish feed through suction by opening their mouth quickly to create a current into which prey and water rapidly flows. They lack large mouths and, rather than biting and chewing, swallow their prey whole. Adult channel catfish, over 45 centimetres (18 in), prey on fishes such as yellow perch and sunfish. The diet of adults consists of snails, clams, crustaceans (such as crayfish), snakes, frogs, small fish, insects, aquatic plants, algae, seeds, grains, nuts, and occasionally even small birds and small mammals. Younger channel catfish are more consistently omnivorous, eating a large variety of plants and animals.", "family": "", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q836957.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) white background", "author": "USFWS Mountain Prairie", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Channel_Catfish_(Ictalurus_punctatus)_white_background.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Channel_catfish", "revision": 1378377637, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1378377637", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "ee6f0d633dedefc1ec9f72d81429e95d8c4bc7d765e4a8610d4d4ed4d001a89e" }, { "id": "Q1165486", "common_name": "Thicklip grey mullet", "scientific_name": "Chelon labrosus", "aliases": [ "Chelon labrosus", "Thicklip mullet" ], "summary": "The thicklip grey mullet, Chelon labrosus, is a coastal fish of the family Mugilidae. It typically is about 32 cm (13 in) long, with 75 cm (30 in) being the maximum recorded. It is named after its thick upper lip and silvery-grey appearance. It is a common fish of shallow, sheltered coasts, estuaries, and around power station and sewer outfalls; it can also enter fresh water areas. It lives in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean from Iceland to Senegal and Cape Verde, including the Mediterranean Sea and the southwestern Black Sea. This species is partially migratory, heading northwards in summer. It feeds mainly on benthic diatoms, epiphytic algae, small invertebrates and detritus. The thicklip grey mullet lays its eggs in winter. Both eggs and fry are pelagic.", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Mugilidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1165486.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Chelon labrosus", "author": "Roberto Pillon", "license": "CC BY 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chelon_labrosus.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thicklip_grey_mullet", "revision": 1369655499, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1369655499", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "77d97038c2bd7fbe99cb0aa48696241fa6e43e1b5e8d8fe5363c515b2762d855" }, { "id": "Q1807925", "common_name": "Rainbow runner", "scientific_name": "Elagatis bipinnulata", "aliases": [ "Elagatis bipinnulata" ], "summary": "The rainbow runner (Elagatis bipinnulata), also known as the rainbow yellowtail, Spanish jack and Hawaiian salmon, is a common species of pelagic marine fish of the jack family, Carangidae. The species is widespread throughout the tropical and subtropical waters of the world, inhabiting both coastal and offshore areas. The species is the only member of the genus Elagatis, which was created 15 years after its initial description, and is closely related to the amberjacks. The rainbow runner is easily distinguished by its body shape, and the brilliant colouration which gives the fish its name. It is a fast-swimming predator, taking small fish, cephalopods, and a wide variety of planktonic crustaceans. The species reaches sexual maturity around 60 cm (24 in), and spawning takes place at different times, with some populations spawning year round, while others only spawn at certain times of the year. The species is a well known game fish, taken by a variety of fishing methods, and is a well-regarded table fish. Large numbers of the species are taken as bycatch in tuna- and shark-fishing operations and marketed.", "features": "The rainbow runner's body is atypical of the jack family, which generally have deep, compressed bodies. The rainbow runner has a subcylindrical, elongated to almost fusiform body, with a long, pointed head and snout and a tapering rear end before the caudal fin emerges. The eyes are relatively small and the teeth are arranged on jaws in villiform bands, with minute teeth also present on the roof of the mouth and tongue. The fish has two dorsal fins, although the posterior rays of the long second fin have separated into a finlet. The first dorsal consists of six spines, the second of a single spine and 25 to 30 soft rays, with the last two as a separate finlet. About 4% of rainbow runners have only five spines in the first dorsal fin, and are apparently born without them. The anal fin consists of one spine detached from the fin anteriorally, while the main fin has a single spine and 18 to 22 soft rays, with the last two detached to form a finlet like the dorsal fin. The dorsal and anal fins are quite low, and the dorsal fin is much longer than the anal. The pectoral fin is small for a carangid, about the length of the pelvic fin and is not falcate, with 20 rays. The pelvic fin consists of one spine and five branched soft rays. The caudal fin is also highly diagnostic, being deeply forked and consisting of 17 caudal rays, 9 dorsally and 8 ventrally. The lateral line has a slight anterior arch and no scutes are present on the line, but possesses about 100 scales.", "habitat": "The rainbow runner has a circumtropical distribution, inhabiting tropical and some subtropical waters worldwide. In the Western Atlantic, the species occurs from Massachusetts and Bermuda to northeastern Brazil, including the northern and southern Gulf of Mexico, the Bahamas, and the Greater and Lesser Antilles, extending east to at least the Azores. The species is widespread throughout the Pacific Ocean, but appears to be slightly less abundant in parts of the Indian Ocean, and rare or absent in the Persian Gulf. The species is an occasional visitor to the Mediterranean Sea, generally as a Lessepsian immigrant through the Suez Canal, but has not taken up permanent residence like other species. The species also inhabits the nearby Canary Islands, possibly entering the Mediterranean from the east, also. The species is primarily pelagic, inhabiting the upper 164 m of the water column, sometimes close to land over rock and coral reef systems, as well as far offshore. The species occasionally comes quite close to shore, known to inhabits lagoons for short periods, and juveniles have even been reported in a Taiwanese estuary system. Rainbow runners, like other carangids such as yellowtail kingfish, are easily attracted to special fish-attracting devices (FADs), floating buoy-type structures. The species has been shown to occupy a water zone outside of the FADs up to 12 m deep and 10 m wide, treating them as if they were stationary objects.", "distribution": "The rainbow runner has a circumtropical distribution, inhabiting tropical and some subtropical waters worldwide. In the Western Atlantic, the species occurs from Massachusetts and Bermuda to northeastern Brazil, including the northern and southern Gulf of Mexico, the Bahamas, and the Greater and Lesser Antilles, extending east to at least the Azores. The species is widespread throughout the Pacific Ocean, but appears to be slightly less abundant in parts of the Indian Ocean, and rare or absent in the Persian Gulf. The species is an occasional visitor to the Mediterranean Sea, generally as a Lessepsian immigrant through the Suez Canal, but has not taken up permanent residence like other species. The species also inhabits the nearby Canary Islands, possibly entering the Mediterranean from the east, also. The species is primarily pelagic, inhabiting the upper 164 m of the water column, sometimes close to land over rock and coral reef systems, as well as far offshore. The species occasionally comes quite close to shore, known to inhabits lagoons for short periods, and juveniles have even been reported in a Taiwanese estuary system. Rainbow runners, like other carangids such as yellowtail kingfish, are easily attracted to special fish-attracting devices (FADs), floating buoy-type structures. The species has been shown to occupy a water zone outside of the FADs up to 12 m deep and 10 m wide, treating them as if they were stationary objects.", "diet": "Rainbow runners are fast-swimming carnivores that take a wide range of prey, including a wide variety of small fishes, cephalopods, and pelagic or planktonic crustaceans, including, shrimp and crabs. The species shows selectivity of its prey, with fish in the Pacific Ocean taking higher numbers of Decapterus macarellus, a small fish, than any other prey available. Rainbow runners may increase their swimming and prey-searching abilities rapidly with their growth, becoming more efficient at finding their preferred prey items. Rainbow runners are also one of a number of pelagic fishes that prey on open-ocean species of sea-skaters (Halobates spp.), a type of insects which rest on the surface of the ocean. Rainbow runner themselves are important prey items for a number of larger species, with positively identified predators being Fraser's dolphin (Lagenodelphis hosei), and a number of seabirds of the family Laridae.", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1807925.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Comète saumon (Elagatis bipinnulata) (Ifremer 00756-86769)", "author": "Hugues Evano (IFREMER, Délégation océan Indien (DOI), Département Ressources Biologiques et Environnement (RBE), F-97420 Le Port, France)", "license": "CC BY 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Com%C3%A8te_saumon_(Elagatis_bipinnulata)_(Ifremer_00756-86769).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow_runner", "revision": 1365304422, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1365304422", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "313ae99339136c24f4ac7c19315cb69a92bdc5e261b3dd930e14b7b3963be403" }, { "id": "Q550195", "common_name": "White grouper", "scientific_name": "Epinephelus aeneus", "aliases": [ "Epinephelus aeneus" ], "summary": "The white grouper (Epinephelus aeneus) is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grouper from the subfamily Epinephelinae which is part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the anthias and sea basses. The white grouper is found in the subtropical eastern Atlantic Ocean and the southern Mediterranean Sea.", "features": "The white grouper has a head which is longer than its body is deep, the standard length being 3 to 3.6 times the depth of the body. The dorsal profile is convex between the eyes. The preopercle is angular and has with 3 to 6 large spines at its angle, the lowest being directed downwards. The dorsal fin contains 10-11 spines and 14-16 soft rays while the anal fin has 3 spines and 7-9 soft rays. The caudal fin is rounded and the body is covered in small scales which are set within thick skin. There are over 90 scales in the lateral line. The overall colour is greenish bronze with darker fins which are brownish purple and have white or pale margins. There are 3 or 4 pale blue or white lines across the gill cover, these can be quite faint in larger adults. The juveniles have faint dark spots on their body which create 5 indistinct dark vertical bars. The juveniles also have indistinct dark spots on the fins. The maximum total length this species has been recorded at is 120 centimetres (47 in), although they are more common at around 60 centimetres (24 in), and the maximum published weight is 25 kilograms (55 lb).", "habitat": "The white grouper occurs on substrates of rock or mud and sand while the juveniles are found in coastal lagoons and estuaries, and adults are found at depths between 20 and 200 metres (66 and 656 ft). This is a carnivorous species and off West Africa it was found that 58% of their diet is made up of fishes, 21% of stomatopods, 10% of crabs and 10% of cephalopods. There is a seasonal migration of this species off the coasts of Senegal and Mauritania, which is linked to an upwelling off the coasts of those nations. They are protogynous hermaphrodites with the females reaching sexual maturity on attainment of a total length of 50 to 60 centimetres (20 to 24 in) and at an age of 5–7 years and the sex change to males occurs when they are 10 to 13 years old. Off Tunisia this species spawns during June and July while in Iskenderun Bay in Turkey, spawning starts in early June and continues up to late August.", "distribution": "The white grouper is found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean from southern Portugal and southern Spain south along the western coast of Africa as far south as Angola, including the islands in the Gulf of Guinea. Its occurrence in the Canary Islands and Madeira needs to be verified. It is found in the southern and eastern Mediterranean but appears to be expanding its range northwards being formerly absent north of 44°N in the Adriatic Sea and to be absent from the central Mediterranean but there have been records from Corsica and Monaco, among other recent northerly Mediterranean Sea records. There is a history of vagrancy in this species and the synonym Perca robusta was based on a specimen taken in Cornwall in southwestern England.", "diet": "", "family": "Serranidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q550195.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Epinephelus aeneus Roberto Pillon", "author": "Roberto Pillon", "license": "CC BY 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Epinephelus_aeneus_Roberto_Pillon.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_grouper", "revision": 1355299370, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1355299370", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "ecc4ad71b6b0225d016f97f43d1e8db989ed13b0a8ed25d1e6868fdf32288162" }, { "id": "Q998380", "common_name": "Black bullhead", "scientific_name": "Ameiurus melas", "aliases": [ "Ameiurus melas" ], "summary": "The black bullhead or black bullhead catfish (Ameiurus melas) is a species of bullhead catfish. Like other bullhead catfish, it has the ability to thrive in waters that are low in oxygen, brackish, turbid, and/or very warm. It also has barbels located near its mouth, a broad head, spiny fins, and no scales. It can be identified from other bullheads as the barbels are black, and it has a tan crescent around the tail. Its caudal fin is truncated (squared off at the corners). Like virtually all catfish, it is nocturnal, preferring to feed at night, although young feed during the day. It generally does not get as large as the channel or blue catfish, with average adult weights are in the 1-to-2-pound (0.45 to 0.91 kg) range, and almost never as large as 4 pounds (1.8 kg). It has a typical length of 6–14 inches (15–36 cm), with the largest specimen being 24 inches (61 cm), making it the largest of the bullheads. It is typically black or dark brown on the dorsal side of its body and yellow or white on the ventral side.", "features": "Like most of the bullheads and flathead catfish, the black bullhead has a squared tail fin, in contrast to the forked tail of channel and blue catfish. It is a bottom-rover fish, meaning it is well-adapted for bottom living. It is typically dorsoventrally flattened, and has a slightly humped back. Its color depends on the area where it is taken, but it generally is darker than brown or yellow bullheads (A. nebulosus and A. natalis, respectively). It can be distinguished from the flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) by the fact that the black bullhead's lower lip does not protrude past the upper lip. Distinguishing it from the brown bullhead is a bit more difficult, depending on the area where it is caught, but a distinguishing detail between the two includes weak serration on the pectoral spine of the black bullhead, while the brown's corresponding spine is more strongly barbed. The anal fin of the black bullhead also has a gray base, and its caudal fin often has a pale bar at its base. The brown bullhead is also typically mottled brown and gray-green dorsally, instead of the darker black. Both the black and brown bullheads can easily be distinguished from the yellow bullhead by the color of the barbels on their chin: the yellow bullhead has white barbels under its mouth. Black bullhead are typically 165–229 millimetres (6.5–9.0 in) long. At the base of their pectoral and dorsal fins are spines, which they can use as spurs to cut predators.", "habitat": "Black bullheads are native to the Mississippi and Ohio river basins and are widespread throughout the central and southern United States. They are largely absent from the Atlantic coastal drainages of the eastern US. They typically inhabit stagnant or slow-moving waters with soft bottoms, such as lakes, ponds, oxbows, and low-gradient streams. They have been known to congregate in confined spaces, such as lake outlets or under dams. They are very tolerant fish, and are able to live in muddy water, with warmer temperatures and in water with lower levels of oxygen, which reduce competition from other fish. They are consistently more tolerant of high water silting, water pollution, and warm water temperatures than other bullhead species. Black bullhead are gregarious fish and typically forage and move in schools. They remain inactive within beds of vegetation by day, and forage mainly at night.", "distribution": "Black bullheads are native to the Mississippi and Ohio river basins and are widespread throughout the central and southern United States. They are largely absent from the Atlantic coastal drainages of the eastern US. They typically inhabit stagnant or slow-moving waters with soft bottoms, such as lakes, ponds, oxbows, and low-gradient streams. They have been known to congregate in confined spaces, such as lake outlets or under dams. They are very tolerant fish, and are able to live in muddy water, with warmer temperatures and in water with lower levels of oxygen, which reduce competition from other fish. They are consistently more tolerant of high water silting, water pollution, and warm water temperatures than other bullhead species. Black bullheads occur as an invasive species in large parts of Europe. Due to the significant negative impacts of its introduction to the ecosystem, the European Union has included it in the list of invasive alien species of Union concern and hence cannot be imported, bred, transported, commercialized, or intentionally released into the environment in any of its member states. In the United Kingdom, the species has been eradicated by use of rotenone biocide. It was only found in one place, Lake Meadows, Billericay, Essex, and they grew to a maximum weight of 1.19 pounds (.539 kg).", "diet": "Black bullheads are omnivorous, so they eat almost anything, from grains and other plant matter to insects, dead or living fish, and crustaceans. Midge larvae and other young insects are the primary diet for adult bullheads. Black bullheads have been known to eat small fish and fish eggs as well. They have short, pointed, conical teeth, formed in multiple rows called cardiform teeth. Black bullheads have no scales; instead, they have about 100,000 taste receptors placed all over their bodies. Many of these are located on the barbels near their mouths. The receptors help the fish to identify food in their dark habitats. During the winter, black bullheads decrease food intake, and may stop eating altogether. Instead, they bury themselves around the shore line of the lake in debris, with only their gills exposed. This \"hibernation\" allows them to survive conditions of low oxygen and low temperature.", "family": "", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q998380.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Ameiurus melas 2021 G1", "author": "George Chernilevsky", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ameiurus_melas_2021_G1.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_bullhead", "revision": 1382137987, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1382137987", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "8319e9c6ef8f390749616e8aff795916aa0ad2e2bf09a307dfa1465a0c3401f4" }, { "id": "Q783575", "common_name": "Pacific cod", "scientific_name": "Gadus macrocephalus", "aliases": [ "Gadus macrocephalus" ], "summary": "The Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus) is a species of ray-finned fish in the family Gadidae. It is a bottom-dwelling fish found in the northern Pacific Ocean, mainly on the continental shelf and upper slopes, to depths of about 900 m (3,000 ft). It can grow to a length of a meter or so and is found in large schools. They feed on clams, worms, crabs, shrimp, and juvenile fish. It is an important commercial food species and is also known as gray cod or grey cod, and grayfish or greyfish. Fishing for this species is regulated with quotas being allotted for hook and line fishing, pots, and bottom trawls. Fossils have been found in Canada near a Steller Sea lion fossil dating to the Pleistocene.", "features": "It has three separate dorsal fins, and the catfish-like whiskers on its lower jaw. In appearance, it is similar to the Atlantic cod. A bottom dweller, it is found mainly along the continental shelf and upper slopes with a range around the rim of the North Pacific Ocean, from the Yellow Sea to the Bering Strait, along the Aleutian Islands, and south to about Los Angeles, down to depths of 900 m (3,000 ft; 500 fathoms). It may grow up to 1 m (40 in) in length and weigh up to 15 kg (33 lb). It is found in huge schools. Molecular genetic analyses strongly suggest that Pacific cod and Greenland cod (Gadus ogac) from Greenland–Arctic Ocean are the same species and that G. ogac should be a junior synonym of G. macrocephalus. Today, ITIS and the Catalogue of Life list Gadus ogac as synonym of G. macrocephalus.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Gadidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q783575.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Gadus macrocephalus Kamo 4", "author": "Totti", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gadus_macrocephalus_Kamo_4.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_cod", "revision": 1381475351, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1381475351", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "882aaa4653c06be2d1dd22b1e73875f4164f3bad69c005bbd6a5da0ddf508ba3" }, { "id": "Q27336", "common_name": "Viviparous eelpout", "scientific_name": "Zoarces viviparus", "aliases": [ "Zoarces viviparus" ], "summary": "The viviparous eelpout (Zoarces viviparus), also known as the viviparous blenny and European eelpout, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Zoarcidae, the eelpouts. It is notable for being ovoviviparous and gives birth to live larvae (hence the description \"mother of eels\"). It is a common soup ingredient in Mediterranean countries. The bones are of greenish colour, due to a harmless pigment. Their skin is slimy and the colour is variable.", "features": "The viviparous eelpout has a slim, tapering body and resembles a small burbot (Lota lota), a wide head and mouth and protuberant lips. It has long, ribbon-like dorsal and anal fins which continue on to unite with the arrowhead-shaped caudal fin. This distinguishes this fish from the two similar slim-bodied bottom-dwelling fish of the area, the rock gunnel (Pholis gunnellus) and the snake blenny (Ophidion barbatum). The bones are green. The tiny scales are embedded in the slimy skin. There dorsal fin becomes lower as it nears the caudal fin with these shorter rays being short and spinous. The colour is highly variable, although they are commonly greyish brown on the upper body and yellowish ventrally. They are marked with either a single or double series of blotches along the body and on the dorsal fin. The pectoral fins have yellow or yellowish orange edges. This species reaches a maximum published total length of 52 cm (20 in), although 30 cm (12 in) is more typical, and may weigh up to 510 g (18 oz).", "habitat": "The viviparous eelpoutis found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean where its range extends from the English Channel north around the British Isles, although it is absent from the Atlantic coasts of Ireland, eastwards onto the Baltic Sea and northwards through the North Sea and along the coast of Norway to the White Sea and the Barents Sea. This species occurs in the intertidal zone where it can live in marine and brackish environments, avoiding drying out when exposed at low tide by sheltering beneath rocks or in fissures in the rock or by staying submerged in rock pools. This demersal fish is normally sedentary, hiding under rocks or among seaweed. It can be found at depths between 0 and 40 m (0 and 131 ft), although it is normally found at depths of 2 to 20 m (6 ft 7 in to 65 ft 7 in).", "distribution": "The viviparous eelpoutis found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean where its range extends from the English Channel north around the British Isles, although it is absent from the Atlantic coasts of Ireland, eastwards onto the Baltic Sea and northwards through the North Sea and along the coast of Norway to the White Sea and the Barents Sea. This species occurs in the intertidal zone where it can live in marine and brackish environments, avoiding drying out when exposed at low tide by sheltering beneath rocks or in fissures in the rock or by staying submerged in rock pools. This demersal fish is normally sedentary, hiding under rocks or among seaweed. It can be found at depths between 0 and 40 m (0 and 131 ft), although it is normally found at depths of 2 to 20 m (6 ft 7 in to 65 ft 7 in).", "diet": "", "family": "Zoarcidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q27336.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "3 specimens of Zoarces viviparus", "author": "Yuriy Kvach", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:3_specimens_of_Zoarces_viviparus.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viviparous_eelpout", "revision": 1371241354, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1371241354", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "9be0e37e0827f0ef9c63778cab9f663e17f8c447d14ec82c24ba1af3726b1656" }, { "id": "Q1824230", "common_name": "Malabar grouper", "scientific_name": "Epinephelus malabaricus", "aliases": [ "estuary cod", "greasy cod", "spotted river cod", "estuary rock cod", "Epinephelus malabaricus" ], "summary": "The Malabar grouper (Epinephelus malabaricus) also known as blackspot rockcod, estuary rockcod, giant rock cod, greasy grouper, Malabar rockcod, Morgan's cod or speckled grouper, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grouper from the subfamily Epinephelinae which is part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the anthias and sea basses. It is found in the Indo-Pacific region. It has entered the Mediterranean Sea from the Red Sea by way of the Suez Canal as a Lessepsian migrant.", "features": "The Malabar grouper can reach a length up to 234 cm (92 in), but average size is usually around 100 cm (39 in). It has a light grey to light brownish background color, with a number of dark brown spots randomly scattered, which increase in number with age. The body has also a various number of brown diagonal stripes. Younger fish have a number of wide, broken vertical bands of darker shade across their bodies, but in maturity they seem to become a uniform darker colour. Young fish have numerous brown spots. The tail fin is rounded.", "habitat": "The Malabar grouper is widespread throughout the tropical waters of the Indo-West Pacific area from the eastern coast of Africa to the Tonga Islands, Red Sea included. It was first recorded in the eastern Mediterranean Sea in 1969 where it remains extremely rare. Mariculture and shipping are possible vectors of introduction. This grouper lives in various habitats, such as lagoons, mangroves, coral and rocky reefs, sandy and muddy bottom areas, between 2 and 150 m deep. The juveniles prefers lagoon or brackish areas.", "distribution": "The Malabar grouper is widespread throughout the tropical waters of the Indo-West Pacific area from the eastern coast of Africa to the Tonga Islands, Red Sea included. It was first recorded in the eastern Mediterranean Sea in 1969 where it remains extremely rare. Mariculture and shipping are possible vectors of introduction. This grouper lives in various habitats, such as lagoons, mangroves, coral and rocky reefs, sandy and muddy bottom areas, between 2 and 150 m deep. The juveniles prefers lagoon or brackish areas.", "diet": "", "family": "Serranidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1824230.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Epinephelus malabaricus in UShaka Sea World 1098", "author": "Amada44", "license": "CC BY 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Epinephelus_malabaricus_in_UShaka_Sea_World_1098.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malabar_grouper", "revision": 1355303447, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1355303447", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "977bf938b91f8efb997ed552118b7bce3deaceea8e7aaf904bc803c8807a60ab" }, { "id": "Q1634196", "common_name": "Danube bleak", "scientific_name": "Alburnus chalcoides", "aliases": [ "Alburnus chalcoides" ], "summary": "The Danube bleak or Caspian shemaya (Alburnus chalcoides) is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish in the family Leuciscidae. It is found in Iran, Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia, Slovakia, Moldova, Greece, Czechia, Azerbaijan, Turkiye, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Switzerland, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Romania, Russia, Serbia and Slovenia.", "features": "The Danube bleak is an elongate slim fish which can reach 40 centimetres (16 in) but a more normal size is 15 to 30 centimetres (5.9 to 11.8 in). There are 57 to 70 scales along the lateral line. The abdomen is compressed into a keel and the posterior end of this has no scales. The dorsal fin has eight to nine branched rays while the anal fin has fifteen to nineteen. This fish is morphologically quite variable which may be due to local adaptations to various habitats but is more likely to be due to several species being involved.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "The Danube bleak occurs in slow flowing stretches of rivers flowing into the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea and in the Aral Sea basin, in Alpine rivers among others. It is a migratory fish, spawning in the headwaters of the rivers and then moving down to the lower parts, estuaries and brackish areas of sea. These migratory patterns have been disrupted by the building of dams across many of the rivers. Landlocked populations survive in small rivers and reservoirs, breeding in the small streams above the dams. The main Caspian Sea population has found ways of spawning below the dams. Overfishing and pollution in the Caspian Sea could impact on the Danube bleak but in 2008 the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species listed it as being of \"Least concern\".", "diet": "", "family": "Leuciscidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1634196.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Шемая на земле", "author": "Горбунова М.С.", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%D0%A8%D0%B5%D0%BC%D0%B0%D1%8F_%D0%BD%D0%B0_%D0%B7%D0%B5%D0%BC%D0%BB%D0%B5.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danube_bleak", "revision": 1322423596, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1322423596", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "db6388df57ff067458b657370ea4b3531bce02a428fe00f3ba7e8256563f23cd" }, { "id": "Q1307292", "common_name": "Dogtooth tuna", "scientific_name": "Gymnosarda unicolor", "aliases": [ "dogtooth tuna", "Gymnosarda unicolor" ], "summary": "The dogtooth tuna (Gymnosarda unicolor), also known as white tuna, is a species of pelagic marine fish which belongs to the family Scombridae. Despite the name \"tuna\", it is not actually a tuna. Instead, it is a bonito.", "features": "The dogtooth tuna can reach a length of 190 to 248 centimetres (75 to 98 in) in males and a weight of 130 kilograms (287 lb). The average length commonly observed is around 40 to 120 centimetres (16 to 47 in). They have 12 to 14 dorsal soft rays and 12 to 13 anal soft rays. The lateral line undulates strongly. These large tunas have a streamlined shape and a distinctive body coloration: brilliant blue green on the back, silvery on the side, and whitish on the belly, with two white tips on the two back fins close to the caudal peduncle. They always swim with open jaws. The upper jaw of the large mouth reaches the eye.", "habitat": "These offshore fishes can be found mainly in reef environments with smaller fish being more commonly found near shallow reef areas and larger ones haunting deep reef drop off areas, seamounts and steep underwater walls. Usually they are solitary or occur in small schools, to a depth of 10 to 300 metres (33 to 984 ft). The dogtooth tuna is one of the apex non-pelagic predators in its environment, sharing that position with giant trevally, Napoleon wrasse, and large groupers, as well as large sharks such as reef, bull and tiger sharks. These aggressive opportunistic predators feed on small schooling fishes and squids, and are capable of taking a wide variety of prey items. In most areas, the mainstay of its diet probably consists of pelagic schooling fish found near reef habitat (mainly, Caesio, Cirrhilabrus, Pterocaesio, carangids such as rainbow runners and Decapterus, mackerel scad, and scombrids). Preliminary estimates of longevity indicate a maximum observed age of at least 20 years.", "distribution": "The dogtooth tuna is widespread throughout the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific area from the eastern coast of Africa, Red Sea included, to French Polynesia and oceanic islands of the Pacific Ocean (Hawaii excluded), north to Japan, south to Australia.", "diet": "", "family": "Scombridae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1307292.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Casarte ojón (Gymnosarda unicolor), mar Rojo, Egipto, 2023-04-17, DD 85", "author": "Diego Delso", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Casarte_oj%C3%B3n_(Gymnosarda_unicolor),_mar_Rojo,_Egipto,_2023-04-17,_DD_85.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dogtooth_tuna", "revision": 1366793718, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1366793718", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "b462d13e212ca88256707fefdbbc7d81ba53c0713d66a02b8dfa225ece68f097" }, { "id": "Q921461", "common_name": "Pallid sturgeon", "scientific_name": "Scaphirhynchus albus", "aliases": [ "Scaphirhynchus albus" ], "summary": "The pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) is an endangered species of ray-finned fish, endemic to the waters of the Missouri and lower Mississippi River basins of the United States. It may have even reached the St. Croix River before colonization. Named for its pale coloration, it is closely related to the more common shovelnose sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorynchus), but is much larger, averaging between 30 and 60 inches (76 and 152 cm) in length and 85 pounds (39 kg) in weight at maturity. This species takes 15 years to mature and spawns infrequently, but can live up to a century. A member of the sturgeon family, Acipenseridae, which originated during the Cretaceous period 70 million years ago, the pallid sturgeon has changed little since then. In 1990, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service placed the pallid sturgeon on its endangered species list because few young individuals had been observed in the preceding decade and sightings had greatly diminished; the species is now rarely seen in the wild. It was the first fish species in the Missouri River drainage area to be listed as endangered, and a loss of its habitat is thought to be responsible for its decline. The vast majority of the Missouri River drainage system has been channeled and dammed, reducing the gravel deposits and slow-moving side channels that are its favored spawning areas.", "features": "", "habitat": "Pallid sturgeon prefer moderate to swift river currents and most captured specimens have been recovered in rivers and streams in which the current averages between 0.33 and 2.9 feet per second (0.10 and 0.88 m/s). They also prefer turbid waterways and water depths between 3 and 25 feet (0.91 and 7.62 m). The species is more commonly found where sandy substrates are plentiful, but also lives in predominately rocky waterways. Pallid sturgeon prefer swift river currents more often than do shovelnose sturgeon. In a study in Montana and North Dakota conducted on both the pallid and shovelnose sturgeon, both species were fitted with radio transmitters so researchers could track their swimming habits. Pallid sturgeon were found to prefer wider river channels, midchannel sandbars, and numerous islands, and were most commonly recorded in water depths between 2 and 47 feet (0.61 and 14.33 m). The study also showed that the pallid sturgeon moved as much as 13 miles (21 km) per day and up to 5.7 miles per hour (9.2 km/h). Pallid sturgeon are believed to have preferred the muddy and generally warmer waters that existed prior to Missouri River dam construction.", "distribution": "The pallid sturgeon's historical range spanned the entire Missouri River and into the Mississippi River. Historically, the species was rare to nonexistent in the upper Mississippi, probably due to a lack of proper habitat. Currently, the species is considered imperiled throughout its entire range. As of 2008, pallid sturgeon can still be found throughout their original range, but their population numbers have severely declined from the mid-20th century. The Missouri and Mississippi rivers from Montana to Louisiana, as well as the Atchafalaya River in Louisiana, continue to harbor an aging population of pallid sturgeon. Pallid sturgeon have never been very common; as early as 1905 when the species was first identified, they represented only one in five of all sturgeon in the lower Missouri River and as few as one in 500 where the Illinois River meets the Mississippi. Between 1985 and 2000, the ratio of pallid sturgeon to all sturgeon netted declined from one in about 400 to one in nearly 650. A 1996 study concluded that between 6,000 and 21,000 pallid sturgeon remained in their natural habitat at that time. Six areas were studied for wild pallid sturgeon population estimates and recovery recommendations by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) between 1990, when the species was declared endangered, and 2006. The USFWS has referred to these six areas of wild population studies as \"recovery priority management areas\" (RPMAs).", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q921461.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Scaphirhynchus albus at Gavins Point", "author": "USFWS Mountain Prairie", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Scaphirhynchus_albus_at_Gavins_Point.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display; no cropping. Source edits are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pallid_sturgeon", "revision": 1354644889, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1354644889", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "48de4ec492888afe13159319425be8881e85aaafd80e88309f5e92a08389cce4" }, { "id": "Q1587255", "common_name": "Milk shark", "scientific_name": "Rhizoprionodon acutus", "aliases": [ "White-eyed shark", "Milk shark", "Rhizoprionodon acutus" ], "summary": "The milk shark (Rhizoprionodon acutus) is a species of requiem shark, and part of the family Carcharhinidae, whose common name comes from an old Indian belief that consumption of its meat promotes lactation. The largest and most widely distributed member of its genus, the milk shark typically measures 1.1 m (3.6 ft) long, and can be found in coastal tropical waters throughout the eastern Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific regions. Occurring from the surface to a depth of 200 m (660 ft), this species is common near beaches and in estuaries, and has been recorded swimming up rivers in Cambodia. Juveniles are known to inhabit tidal pools and seagrass meadows. The milk shark has a slender body with a long, pointed snout and large eyes, and is a nondescript gray above and white below. This shark can be distinguished from similar species in its range by the long furrows at the corners of its mouth, and seven to 15 enlarged pores just above them. Among the most abundant sharks within its range, the milk shark feeds primarily on small bony fishes, but also takes cephalopods and crustaceans. In turn, it often falls prey to larger sharks and possibly marine mammals. In common with other members of its family, this species is viviparous, with the developing embryos sustained by a placental connection. Females give birth to one to eight young either during a defined breeding season or throughout the year, depending on location.", "features": "The largest member of its genus, off West Africa the milk shark has been reported to reach 1.78 m (5.8 ft) and 22 kg (49 lb) for males, and 1.65 m (5.4 ft) and 17 kg (37 lb) for females, though there is uncertainty regarding the species identity of these specimens. Even if accepted, these figures are considered exceptional and most individuals do not exceed 1.1 m (3.6 ft) in length. Generally, females are heavier and attain a greater maximum size than males. The milk shark has a slender build with a long, pointed snout, large, round eyes with nictitating membranes (protective third eyelids), and no spiracles. On each side of the head behind the corner of the jaw, there are usually seven to 15 enlarged pores. The nostrils are small, as are the adjacent triangular skin flaps. There are long furrows at the corners of the mouth on both the upper and lower jaws. The tooth rows number 24–25 in both jaws. The upper teeth are finely serrated and strongly oblique; the lower teeth have a similar shape, though the serrations are smaller and the tips curve gently upward. The teeth of juveniles are smooth-edged. The broad, triangular pectoral fins originate below the third or fourth gill slits, and are no longer than the front margin of the first dorsal fin. The anal fin is about twice as long as the second dorsal fin and preceded by long ridges. The first dorsal fin originates over the pectoral fin free rear tips, and the much smaller second dorsal fin originates over the last third of the anal fin base. The dorsal fins do not have a ridge between them.", "habitat": "The milk shark has the widest distribution of any Rhizoprionodon species. In the eastern Atlantic Ocean, it is found from Mauritania to Angola, as well as around Madeira. Since 1985, there have been four occurrences, temporally and spatially distinct, of the milk shark in the central Mediterranean Sea, with a likely entry via the Strait of Gibraltar. In the Indian Ocean, it occurs from South Africa and Madagascar northward to the Arabian Peninsula, and eastward to South and Southeast Asia. In the Pacific Ocean, this species occurs from China and southern Japan, through the Philippines and Indonesia, to New Guinea and northern Australia. The milk shark likely once had a contiguous distribution by way of the Tethys Sea, until during the Miocene epoch, when eastern Atlantic sharks were isolated from Indo-Pacific sharks by the collision of Asia and Africa. Occurring close to shore from the surf zone to a depth of 200 m (660 ft), the milk shark favors turbid water off sandy beaches and occasionally enters estuaries. In Shark Bay, Western Australia, juvenile milk sharks inhabit seagrass meadows composed of Amphibolis antarctica and Posidonia australis. Although some sources state this species avoids low salinities, it has been reported several times from fresh water in Cambodia, as far upstream as the Tonlé Sap. Milk sharks may be found anywhere in the water column from the surface to the bottom. Off KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, its numbers fluctuate annually with a peak in summer, suggesting some form of seasonal movement.", "distribution": "The milk shark has the widest distribution of any Rhizoprionodon species. In the eastern Atlantic Ocean, it is found from Mauritania to Angola, as well as around Madeira. Since 1985, there have been four occurrences, temporally and spatially distinct, of the milk shark in the central Mediterranean Sea, with a likely entry via the Strait of Gibraltar. In the Indian Ocean, it occurs from South Africa and Madagascar northward to the Arabian Peninsula, and eastward to South and Southeast Asia. In the Pacific Ocean, this species occurs from China and southern Japan, through the Philippines and Indonesia, to New Guinea and northern Australia. The milk shark likely once had a contiguous distribution by way of the Tethys Sea, until during the Miocene epoch, when eastern Atlantic sharks were isolated from Indo-Pacific sharks by the collision of Asia and Africa. Occurring close to shore from the surf zone to a depth of 200 m (660 ft), the milk shark favors turbid water off sandy beaches and occasionally enters estuaries. In Shark Bay, Western Australia, juvenile milk sharks inhabit seagrass meadows composed of Amphibolis antarctica and Posidonia australis. Although some sources state this species avoids low salinities, it has been reported several times from fresh water in Cambodia, as far upstream as the Tonlé Sap. Milk sharks may be found anywhere in the water column from the surface to the bottom. Off KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, its numbers fluctuate annually with a peak in summer, suggesting some form of seasonal movement.", "diet": "", "family": "Carcharhinidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1587255.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Rhizoprionodon acutus mangalore", "author": "Karunakar Rayker from India", "license": "CC BY 2.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rhizoprionodon_acutus_mangalore.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milk_shark", "revision": 1366793802, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1366793802", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "e3e1fffede77d86abcec6cce0db03e6cdb96bf898950af1c99015c9f6a50599c" }, { "id": "Q591397", "common_name": "Orange-spotted grouper", "scientific_name": "Epinephelus coioides", "aliases": [ "Orange-spotted grouper", "Epinephelus coioides" ], "summary": "The orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides), also known as the brown-spotted rockcod, estuary cod, estuary rockcod, goldspotted rockcod, greasy cod, North-west groper, orange spotted cod or blue-and-yellow grouper, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grouper from the subfamily Epinephelinae which is part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the anthias and sea basses. It has an Indo-Pacific distribution and is found in marine and brackish waters.", "features": "The orange-spotted grouper has an elongate body which has a standard length that is 2.9 to 3.7 times its depth. The dorsal profile of the head is flat or slightly convex between the eyes, the preopercle has enlarged serrations at its angle and a shallow notch just above the angle. The upper margin of the gill cover may be straight or slightly convex. The dorsal fin contains 11 spines and 13-16 soft rays while the anal fin has 3 spines and 8 soft rays. The membranes between the dorsal fin spines are obviously incised. The caudal fin is rounded. There are 58-65 scales in the lateral line. The head and body are light brown on the back lightening to whitish on the underparts. There are four oblique \"H-shaped\" dark markings on the flanks and 3-4 dark saddle like blotches along the back while the head, body and fins are covered in numerous small brown or orange spots. The spots are larger and less numerous in juveniles, shrinking in size and multiplying in number as the fish grows. The maximum published total length is 120 centimetres (47 in) and the maximum weight is 15 kilograms (33 lb).", "habitat": "The orange-spotted grouper occurs in coral reefs, especially those along mainland coasts and large islands. The juveniles are frequently encountered in estuaries where there are sand, mud and gravel substrates and in mangroves. This is a predatory species which preys on fishes, shrimp, crabs and other benthic crustaceans. At night these fish will at least partially bury themselves in the mud. They are diandric protogynous hermaphrodites, some males develop from juveniles to males while others develop from functional females to males when they reach lengths of around 67 centimetres (26 in) and an age of 7.5 years. Off Papua New Guinea they have been reported to gather to spawn in aggregations of around 1,500 individuals and this takes place for 3–4 days each month over a muddy and sandy substrate. In the Persian Gulf there is a spawning season which occurs from March to June. The eggs and larvae are thought to be pelagic.", "distribution": "The orange-spotted grouper has an Indo-Pacific distribution. It is found along the eastern coast of Africa which extends from the Gulf of Suez south as far as Durban in South Africa. It is also found off Madagascar, Mauritius, and Réunion and in the Persian Gulf eastward into the Pacific Ocean as far as Palau and Fiji. Its range extends north to Japan and south to Australia. In Australia it occurs from Carnarvon, Western Australia along the tropical northern coasts to the Solitary Islands in New South Wales. It was observed first in the Mediterranean Sea off Israel in 1969 and has been recorded rarely since. This species has been tested in several countries for mariculture, which is a possible vector for its introduction.", "diet": "", "family": "Serranidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q591397.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Epinephelus coioides Thailand", "author": "Sahat Ratmuangkhwang", "license": "CC BY 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Epinephelus_coioides_Thailand.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange-spotted_grouper", "revision": 1372557643, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1372557643", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "fce375d171b89aa4d422e837d9ecca15cf0928e45d3b7061de3c6d657a34ac52" }, { "id": "Q258797", "common_name": "Electric yellow cichlid", "scientific_name": "Labidochromis caeruleus", "aliases": [ "Labidochromis caeruleus" ], "summary": "Labidochromis caeruleus is a species of cichlid endemic to the central western coastal region of Lake Malawi in East Africa. It has many common names, such as lemon yellow lab, the blue streak hap, the electric yellow or yellow prince, depending on the colour morph. The naturally occurring yellow-coloured variant from Lion's Cove is one of the most popular cichlids amongst aquarium hobbyists. Electric yellows inhabit water with a pH between 7.8 and 8.9 and an ideal temperature range of 23–26 °C (73.4–78.8 °F). Large males may reach 15 centimetres (5.9 in) in length.", "features": "FishBase lists a maximum length of 8.1 centimetres (3.2 in), although other sources state a larger size of 10 to 15 centimetres (3.9 to 5.9 in).", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q258797.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Labidochromis caeruleus (male)", "author": "Jmatz at English Wikipedia (Original text: Julian Matz (talk))", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Labidochromis_caeruleus_(male).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labidochromis_caeruleus", "revision": 1330645381, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1330645381", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "2aef3a33b783a8d7947a3b40651a1948a147e84a9bd2fbb4fb2ac4a8c278c5d6" }, { "id": "Q244080", "common_name": "Poor cod", "scientific_name": "Trisopterus minutus", "aliases": [ "Trisopterus minutus" ], "summary": "The poor cod (Trisopterus minutus) is a temperate marine fish belonging to the cod family (Gadidae). It is red brown in colour and has a pronounced chin barbel. It may grow up to a length of 40 cm (16 in). It is usually found in small shoals at depths between 10 and 300 feet (3 and 91 m) over muddy or sandy bottoms. Its distribution spans the eastern Atlantic, from Norwegian coasts to Portugal and along the Atlantic coast of Morocco. Spawning takes place towards the end of winter. They are often regarded as a mini species and are commonly confused with pouting as they have a similar appearance. They are often seen as a menace for anglers and have little commercial value and so are not currently at any risk of extinction. They feed on crustaceans, small fish and marine worms. They are eaten by seals, dolphins and larger fish. It is commercially harvested for the production of fish meal, and in southern Europe as food.", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q244080.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Trisopterus minutus Gervais", "author": "Gervais et Boulart", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Trisopterus_minutus_Gervais.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poor_cod", "revision": 1320123772, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1320123772", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "b8e54d5b30073d01d2a4e38d0a1c5030a7cebf8510b5ffebf61c834142fa06a1" }, { "id": "Q2574425", "common_name": "Round sardinella", "scientific_name": "Sardinella aurita", "aliases": [ "Sardinella aurita" ], "summary": "The round sardinella (Sardinella aurita), sometimes known as Spanish sardine, is a species of ray-finned fish in the genus Sardinella found in both sides of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. S. aurita went through a large boom in catch population around 1990. However, its numbers have been very stable through the last several years. S. aurita inhabits warm waters. It is a small, pelagic species that lives in tropical and subtropical waters of the western and eastern Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, the Mediterranean, and occasionally, the Black Sea. The gonads start to develop in April and are fully mature one month later. Plankton in spawning regions are full of eggs and larvae from the end of June into September.", "features": "", "habitat": "The fish prefer shallower waters around 24 °C (75 °F). It reaches depths of 350 m (1,150 ft). It is a schooling fish that feeds on phytoplankton and zooplankton such as copepods.", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q2574425.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Sardinella aurita New Jersey", "author": "avnj", "license": "CC BY 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sardinella_aurita_New_Jersey.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Round_sardinella", "revision": 1370023345, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1370023345", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "d9edbf10e961276a4671b53a5727ff2a445ca40f795b7a17103a1e8883592945" }, { "id": "Q28599939", "common_name": "Harlequin rasbora", "scientific_name": "Trigonostigma heteromorpha", "aliases": [ "Trigonostigma heteromorpha" ], "summary": "The harlequin rasbora (Trigonostigma heteromorpha) is a small fish in the family Cyprinidae. The species became an instant favorite among aquarists after its introduction in the early 1900s and is the best known and most widely kept species among the rasboras. In 1935, an image of a trio of harlequin rasboras, stamped in 14k gold, graced the cover of the first edition of William T. Innes's classic Exotic Aquarium Fishes, and remained through all 19 editions.", "features": "The harlequin rasbora is a fish that has an approximately lozenge-shaped body, whose basal colour from the head to the caudal peduncle is an orange-pink, the exact hue varying depending upon such factors as water conditions and the original population from which the fish was obtained. The posterior half of the body is overlaid with a large, roughly triangular black marking, that tapers toward the terminal end of the caudal peduncle, and begins approximately below the midpoint of the attachment of the dorsal fin (commonly called a \"black wedge\"). In common with all cyprinids, the articulation of the pectoral and pelvic fins follows a familiar pattern, the pectoral fins being located immediately posterior to the operculum or gill cover, whilst the pelvic fins are located some way farther back along the ventral portion of the body, in this case almost directly in a vertical line drawn through the dorsal fin. This relationship between the pectoral and pelvic fins is seen in characins as well as cyprinids, and is a feature of all the ostariophysans (fishes possessing an auxiliary mechanism for detecting sound consisting of a set of internal bones called the Weberian ossicles). The dorsal, anal, caudal and pelvic fins are all tinted red, the caudal fin being forked, with the red colour concentrated in the outermost rays, the inner section of the tail fin being more hyaline. It is possible to confuse this fish with two similar species that were indeed originally considered to be subspecies of T. heteromorpha, namely Trigonostigma espei and Trigonostigma hengeli.", "habitat": "The harlequin rasbora is a native of the Malay Peninsula, Singapore, Sumatra and Borneo. Populations distributed in southern Thailand were found to be of the related species Trigonostigma truncata in 2020. It inhabits streams and other watercourses characterised principally by low mineral content, high concentrations of dissolved humic acids, a consequence of those waters flowing through peat swamp forests. The waterlogged soils of these forests inhibit the complete decay of leaf litter, resulting in the formation of peat, which leaches humic acids and related compounds into the watercourses flowing through these forests. The conditions thus resemble those found on a different continent, namely the blackwater habitats of South America, and the water chemistry of the Asian habitats of the harlequin rasbora is accordingly similar to that of the Rio Negro.", "distribution": "The harlequin rasbora is a native of the Malay Peninsula, Singapore, Sumatra and Borneo. Populations distributed in southern Thailand were found to be of the related species Trigonostigma truncata in 2020. It inhabits streams and other watercourses characterised principally by low mineral content, high concentrations of dissolved humic acids, a consequence of those waters flowing through peat swamp forests. The waterlogged soils of these forests inhibit the complete decay of leaf litter, resulting in the formation of peat, which leaches humic acids and related compounds into the watercourses flowing through these forests. The conditions thus resemble those found on a different continent, namely the blackwater habitats of South America, and the water chemistry of the Asian habitats of the harlequin rasbora is accordingly similar to that of the Rio Negro.", "diet": "", "family": "Cyprinidae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q28599939.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Harlequin rasboras 03", "author": "Roel Balingit", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Harlequin_rasboras_03.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harlequin_rasbora", "revision": 1366230514, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1366230514", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "1ff71c899499dd69564a302c8a2d9790c8b5c1b2954da162649707faa75060fd" }, { "id": "Q630618", "common_name": "Tub gurnard", "scientific_name": "Chelidonichthys lucerna", "aliases": [ "Chelidonichthys lucerna", "Chelidonichthys lucernus", "Trigla lucerna", "Trigla corax" ], "summary": "The tub gurnard (Chelidonichthys lucerna), also known as the sapphirine gurnard, tube-fish, tubfish or yellow gurnard, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Triglidae, the gurnards and sea robins. It is found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean. It is exploited by commercial fisheries as a food fish.", "features": "This species reaches a maximum total length of 75.1 cm (29.6 in), the largest species in the family Triglidae, although 30 cm (12 in) is more typical. The heaviest published specimen weighed 6 kg (13 lb). The overall colour is deep reddish brown to pinkish red, with a pinkish lower body. The blue pectoral fins are spotted green in the centres and red on the margins.The tub gurnard has a large, bony, triangular head which bears many ridges and spines but which does not have an occipital groove. There are two spiny lobes on the tip of the snout and the eyes are relatively small. The large mouth is set low on the head and the jaws and vomer are covered by densely set rows of teeth. There are two dorsal fins. The first contains 8 to 10 spines and the second 16 or 17 soft rays. The anal fin has between 14 and 16 soft rays. The cleithral spine is short and is located over the pectoral fin and extends just to the first quarter of the pectoral fin. The lower three rays of the pectoral fins have developed into separate, finger-like processes that are packed with sensory organs with which the gurnard appears to \"walk\" while detecting prey in the sediment. These tentacle-like feeler appendages are located under the head. There are no scales present on the breast and front section of the belly; the body has small, well-embedded scales, while the scales on the lateral line are small and tubular. The caudal fin is slightly emarginate.", "habitat": "The tub gurnard is found in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean where it occurs from Norway south along the European and African coasts as far south as Ghana. It occurs throughout the Mediterranean Sea and in the Black Sea as well. It is also found in the Sea of Marmara and in the coastal waters of the British Isles. It is absent from Madeira and the Azores but is found around the Canary Islands. Its distribution is thought to be shifting northwards as its abundance is increasing in the central North Sea. This species is found on sand, mud-sand or gravel substrates at depths between 20 and 300 m (66 and 984 ft). It can also be found in the lower layers of sediment at the bottom of lakes, oceans and streams. The tub gurnard tends to go through migratory movements within its depth range during the year, occupying shallower depths in the spring and summer and moving to deeper waters in the winter. After completing an experiment based on the gurnard's dependency, subjects found that it migrates between habitats of different salinity throughout its life cycle. This shows its ability to adapt to different environments and explains why the distribution of the tub gurnard is very large. During the summer the tub gurnard may spend more time closer to the surface in water as shallow as 10 m (33 ft) and the juveniles can be found in brackish water in lagoons, estuaries and even the lower reaches of rivers. Juveniles are also more concentrated in shallow waters, where food is relatively abundant.", "distribution": "The tub gurnard is found in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean where it occurs from Norway south along the European and African coasts as far south as Ghana. It occurs throughout the Mediterranean Sea and in the Black Sea as well. It is also found in the Sea of Marmara and in the coastal waters of the British Isles. It is absent from Madeira and the Azores but is found around the Canary Islands. Its distribution is thought to be shifting northwards as its abundance is increasing in the central North Sea. This species is found on sand, mud-sand or gravel substrates at depths between 20 and 300 m (66 and 984 ft). It can also be found in the lower layers of sediment at the bottom of lakes, oceans and streams. The tub gurnard tends to go through migratory movements within its depth range during the year, occupying shallower depths in the spring and summer and moving to deeper waters in the winter. After completing an experiment based on the gurnard's dependency, subjects found that it migrates between habitats of different salinity throughout its life cycle. This shows its ability to adapt to different environments and explains why the distribution of the tub gurnard is very large. During the summer the tub gurnard may spend more time closer to the surface in water as shallow as 10 m (33 ft) and the juveniles can be found in brackish water in lagoons, estuaries and even the lower reaches of rivers. Juveniles are also more concentrated in shallow waters, where food is relatively abundant.", "diet": "The tub gurnard is an opportunistic predatory species which feeds on benthic prey, particularly crustaceans and smaller fishes. According to a study in the northwestern Mediterranean, the largest part of their diet was crustaceans, mostly Decapoda and especially crabs, including species such as Goneplax rhomboides and Liocarcinus spp. and caridean shrimps in the genus Philocheras, while the fish observed in the study were dominated by European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) and black goby (Gobius niger). Crustaceans were a more important part of the diet in the summer and fishes gained importance during the winter. Tub gurnards are also known to prey on molluscs and polychaetes. Small teleosts which are ray-finned fish may be preyed upon by the tub gurnard. According to Colloca (1999), tub gurnards change their diet with size. Juveniles target mysids, mainly Lophogaster typicus, which tends to burrow around the adolescents during daylight. As the fish continues to grow it depends less on mysids as prey and more on fish and cephalopods. According to a study done on the trophic relationships of C. lucerna, burrowing species such as Alpheus glabe, Goneplax rhomboi and Lesueurigobius fries have also been found as the main prey of this fish. At an intraspecific level, data suggests resource partitioning between juveniles and adults that change from preying on crustaceans to a piscivorous diet. Such behavior probably depends on the predator changing its energy requirements in relation to fish size and dietary protein levels influencing the size of the fish at first maturity.", "family": "Triglidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q630618.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Chelidonichthys lucernus 1 Luc viatour", "author": "Luc Viatour", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chelidonichthys_lucernus_1_Luc_viatour.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tub_gurnard", "revision": 1373678297, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1373678297", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "e86c94874239d393df5a824e0aa1f88cbb4b763613add2eba390c800c34106f5" }, { "id": "Q847501", "common_name": "Emperor angelfish", "scientific_name": "Pomacanthus imperator", "aliases": [ "Pomacanthus imperator" ], "summary": "The emperor angelfish (Pomacanthus imperator) is a species of marine angelfish. It is a reef-associated fish, native to the Indian and Pacific Oceans, from the Red Sea to Hawaii and the Austral Islands. This species is generally associated with stable populations and faces no major threats of extinction. It is a favorite of photographers, artists, and aquarists because of its unique, brilliant pattern of coloration.", "features": "The emperor angelfish shows a marked difference between the juveniles and the adults. The juveniles have a dark blue body which is marked with concentric curving lines, alternating between pale blue and white with the smallest which are completely enclosed within each other located posteriorly. These lines become vertical at the anterior end. The dorsal fin has a white margin and the caudal fin is transparent. The adults are striped with blue and yellow horizontal stripes, a light blue face with a dark blue mask over the eyes and a yellow caudal fin. There is a blackish band above the pectoral fins, the top of which is at the level of the upper orbit. The front margin of this band is bright blue and the rear margin is a thin yellow line. The anal fin has a dark blue background with lighter blue horizontal stripes. The dorsal fin has 13–14 spines and 17–21 soft rays while the anal fin has 3 spines and 18–21 soft rays. This species attains a maximum total length of 40 cm (16 in). Adult individuals of the Pacific Ocean population sport a filament trailing from the rear of the dorsal fin, while this is absent in the Indian Ocean population.", "habitat": "The emperor angelfish is found at depths between 1 and 100 metres (3.3 and 328.1 ft). The adults are found in areas where there is a rich growth of corals on clear lagoon, channel, or seaward reefs. Here they are normally observed underneath ledges and within caves. The subadults are frequently recorded in cavities in reefs and along surge channels on seaward reefs. The juveniles frequently shelter below ledges, in reef cavities and in relatively sheltered areas in channels and over outer reef flats.", "distribution": "The emperor angelfish has a wide Indo-Pacific distribution. It occurs from the Red Sea southwards along the East African coast to Mozambique and Madagascar, eastwards through the Indian and Pacific Oceans as far as the Tuamotu Islands and the Line Islands. It extends north to the Kansai region and to the southern regions of Japan and south to the Great Barrier Reef of Australia, New Caledonia and the Austral Islands in French Polynesia. Vagrants have been recorded from Hawaii. It has been recorded at several sites off the coast of Florida and off Puerto Rico, and since 2009 as a Lessepsian migrant to the eastern Mediterranean basin where it now found in low numbers in a number of localities.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q847501.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Emperor Angelfish, Western form - Pomacanthus imperator 1", "author": "Francois Libert", "license": "CC BY-SA 2.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Emperor_Angelfish,_Western_form_-_Pomacanthus_imperator_1.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_angelfish", "revision": 1370882371, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1370882371", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "5afb1229085b390477251c4094c2bfcc2091267e0503fb7ce0ee328a3ebd8874" }, { "id": "Q1471147", "common_name": "Ganges shark", "scientific_name": "Glyphis gangeticus", "aliases": [ "Ganges shark", "Glyphis gangeticus" ], "summary": "The Ganges shark (Glyphis gangeticus) is a critically endangered species of requiem shark found in the Ganges River (including the Padma River) and the Brahmaputra River of India and Bangladesh. Additionally, genetic evidence has shown that both the Borneo river shark (G. fowlerae) and Irrawaddy river shark (G. siamensis) should be regarded as synonyms of the Ganges shark, expanding the range of the species to Pakistan, Myanmar, Borneo, and Java. The species remains poorly known and is very rare throughout its range. Glyphis are often confused with the more common bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas), which also inhabits the Ganges River and is sometimes incorrectly referred to as the Ganges shark.", "features": "", "habitat": "G. gangeticus is known to inhabit only freshwater, inshore marine, and estuarine systems in the lower reaches of the Ganges-Hooghly River system. Their feeding habits are mostly unknown. The shark's small eyes and slender teeth suggest that it is primarily a fish-eater and is adapted to turbid water. With such limited visibility typical of many tropical rivers and estuaries, other senses − such as hearing, smell, and electroreception − are likely used for predation. Because its eyes are tilted towards its back rather than to the sides or bottom (as is the case in most carcharhinids), the shark may swim along the bottom and scan the water above it for potential prey back-lit by the sun. However, in the Bay of Bengal, G. gangeticus was found to feed heavily on dasyatid stingrays, which spend much of their time on the bottom.", "distribution": "The Ganges shark, as its name suggests, is largely restricted to the rivers of eastern and northeastern India, particularly the Hooghly River of West Bengal, and the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Mahanadi in Bihar, Assam, and Odisha, respectively. It is typically found in the middle to lower reaches of a river. One found in 2018 in a Mumbai fish market may have come from somewhere along the banks of the Arabian Sea. In theory, G. gangeticus could occur in shallow marine estuaries; however, no marine records of the species have been verified to date. Originally, the species was assigned a wide range in the Indo-West Pacific, but this was found to be mostly based on other species of requiem sharks, particularly members of the genus Carcharhinus. Most literature records and specimens labelled as this species are in fact bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas) or other carcharhinid species. An extensive 10-year search produced only a few specimens, caught in 1996 in the Ganges River.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Both", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1471147.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Naturalis Biodiversity Center - RMNH.ART.45 - Carcharhinus gangeticus (Müller and Henle) - Kawahara Keiga - 1823 - 1829 - Siebold Collection - pencil drawing - water colour", "author": "(Müller and Henle)", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Naturalis_Biodiversity_Center_-_RMNH.ART.45_-_Carcharhinus_gangeticus_(M%C3%BCller_and_Henle)_-_Kawahara_Keiga_-_1823_-_1829_-_Siebold_Collection_-_pencil_drawing_-_water_colour.jpeg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganges_shark", "revision": 1382473497, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1382473497", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "346f616b63c70432b33e9225b5e456bb00899a0c2b0ce568648d2e96479c864e" }, { "id": "Q1549158", "common_name": "Mediterranean sand smelt", "scientific_name": "Atherina hepsetus", "aliases": [ "Atherina hepsetus" ], "summary": "The Mediterranean sand smelt, Atherina hepsetus, is a species of fish in the family Atherinidae that inhabits the littoral zone of the east Atlantic, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.", "features": "The body is rather long, slender and moderately flattened. The mouth is protrusible, directed upward with small teeth; the head and body are scaly. The lower jaw has an upper expansion within the mouth (high dentary bone). Two separate dorsal fins, all rays of first and 1–2 anterior rays of second dorsal fin are unsegmented, with the remaining rays segmented. The anal fin is similar to the second dorsal fin, while the caudal fin is forked. Body is silverish white, darker on the back, with the light blue horizontal stripe extending to the tail. The maximum size is up to 20 cm (7.9 in) in length. Although rather small, as a carnivorous species, it feeds on pelagic copepods and benthic crustaceans. In the Mediterranean, it spawns from December to May.", "habitat": "It is a pelagic-neritic, brackishwater / marine fish, widespread in the eastern Atlantic coasts of Spain and Morocco including Madeira and the Canary Islands. It is also found in the Mediterranean, Adriatic and Black Seas.", "distribution": "It is a pelagic-neritic, brackishwater / marine fish, widespread in the eastern Atlantic coasts of Spain and Morocco including Madeira and the Canary Islands. It is also found in the Mediterranean, Adriatic and Black Seas.", "diet": "All Atherina species are carnivorous. They often school near riverbanks where they feed on worms, mollusks, larvae, and crustaceans.", "family": "Atherinidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1549158.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Atherina hepsetus 449181144", "author": "Julien Renoult", "license": "CC BY 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Atherina_hepsetus_449181144.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mediterranean_sand_smelt", "revision": 1375047512, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1375047512", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "ec892f3a738534f88d49c8a7becef596d0c88e8ad0b56c61e8daac8d541ce0ae" }, { "id": "Q1421947", "common_name": "Blue skate", "scientific_name": "Dipturus batis", "aliases": [ "Dipturus batis", "Flapper skate" ], "summary": "The blue skate (Dipturus batis), also known as the grey skate, blue-grey skate, and common skate, is a species of cartilaginous fish, a ray, belonging to the family Rajidae, the skates. It was formerly considered to be conspecific with the flapper skate (D. intermedius), the combined taxon being known as the common skate. Historically, it was one of the most abundant skates in the northeast Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Despite its name, today it appears to be absent from much of this range. Where previously abundant, fisheries directly targeted this skate and elsewhere it is caught incidentally as bycatch. The former species was uplisted to critically endangered on the IUCN Red List in 2006 and it is protected within the EU. Research published in 2009 and 2010 showed that the common skate should be split into two, the smaller southern D. cf. flossada (blue skate), and the larger northern D. cf. intermedius (flapper skate). Under this taxonomic arrangement, the name D. batis is recommended to be discarded. Currently, the scientific name D. batis (with flossada as a synonym) is retained for the blue skate and D. intermedius for the flapper skate.", "features": "The blue skate can reach up to 1.43 m (4 ft 8 in) in length. Overall shape features a pointed snout and rhombic shape, with a row of spines or thorns along the tail. The top surface is generally coloured olive-grey to brown, often with a pattern of spots, and the underside is lighter blue-grey. The blue skate has a pointed and long snout and can have from 0-3 interdorsal thorns, though it is usually 1-2. It can be confused with several other skates in its range, such as D. nidarosiensis, D. oxyrinchus, and Rostroraja alba.", "habitat": "The blue skate is native to the northeast Atlantic. It is a bottom dwelling species mainly found at depths of 100–200 m, but it can occur as shallow as 30 m and as deep as 1,000 m. Blue skates prefer seabeds with a soft substrate, but have been found to occur over gravel, cobble, and rocky seabeds. Now, their population and range are severely depleted and fragmented, with disappearances being reported on several places. This species is found in northeastern Atlantic from Norway and Iceland to Senegal. Its presence in the Mediterranean Sea is questionable since earlier records could concern D. intermedius recently considered as a distinct species.", "distribution": "The blue skate is native to the northeast Atlantic. It is a bottom dwelling species mainly found at depths of 100–200 m, but it can occur as shallow as 30 m and as deep as 1,000 m. Blue skates prefer seabeds with a soft substrate, but have been found to occur over gravel, cobble, and rocky seabeds. Now, their population and range are severely depleted and fragmented, with disappearances being reported on several places. This species is found in northeastern Atlantic from Norway and Iceland to Senegal. Its presence in the Mediterranean Sea is questionable since earlier records could concern D. intermedius recently considered as a distinct species.", "diet": "Like other skates, the blue skate is a bottom feeder. Its diet consists of crustaceans, clams, oysters, snails, bristle worms, cephalopods, and small to medium-sized fish (such as sand eel, flatfish, monkfish, catsharks, spurdog, and other skates). The size of the individual can affect its diet. Larger ones eat larger things like fish. The bigger the skate is, the more food will be needed to sustain its large body size. The activity level determines how much it eats; the more active it is, the more it eats. The blue skate does not feed only on creatures at the bottom of the ocean, as some do ascend to feed on mackerel, herring, and other pelagic fish, which are caught by rapidly moving up from the seabed to grab the prey.", "family": "Rajidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1421947.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "FMIB 50423 White Ray (Raia betis)", "author": "Charles Bevalet", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:FMIB_50423_White_Ray_(Raia_betis).jpeg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_skate", "revision": 1365679599, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1365679599", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "15256a4d9fe6e49e939fd6b4affb908f47ea39b78a7fb57deda2aeb6eb913ecd" }, { "id": "Q756975", "common_name": "Atlantic tarpon", "scientific_name": "Megalops atlanticus", "aliases": [ "Megalops atlanticus", "Tarpon", "Silver king" ], "summary": "The Atlantic tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) is a ray-finned fish that inhabits coastal waters, estuaries, lagoons, and rivers. It is also known as the silver king. It is found in the Atlantic Ocean, typically in tropical and subtropical regions, though it has been reported as far north as Nova Scotia and the Atlantic coast of southern France, and as far south as Argentina. As with all elopiformes, it spawns at sea. Its diet includes small fish and crustaceans. The tarpon has a reputation for great aerobatics, attaining astonishing size, and having impressive armored scales. It is generally considered to be of poor food quality, but it is highly valued as a game fish by recreational fishermen.", "features": "Atlantic tarpon evolved approximately 18 million years ago and are one of the oldest living fish. It has been recorded at up to 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) in length and weighing up to 161 kg (355 lb). Males rarely weigh more than 100 pounds. A tarpon is capable of filling its swim bladder with air, like a primitive lung. This gives it a predatory advantage when oxygen levels in the water are low. In appearance, it is greenish or bluish on top and silver on the sides. The large mouth is turned upwards and the lower jaw contains an elongated, bony plate. The last ray of the dorsal fin is much longer than the others, reaching nearly to the tail.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "Since tarpons are not commercially valuable as a food fish, very little has been documented concerning their geographical distribution and migrations. They inhabit both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Their range in the eastern Atlantic has been reliably established from Senegal to the Congo. Tarpons inhabiting the western Atlantic are principally found to populate warmer coastal waters primarily in the Gulf of Mexico, Florida, and the West Indies. Nonetheless, they are regularly caught by anglers at Cape Hatteras and as far as Nova Scotia, Bermuda, and south to Argentina. In the Gulf of Mexico there are two distinct populations divided by the Mississippi River Delta. Atlantic tarpon are highly migratory and often cross international boundaries. This introduces challenges in management and conservation. Scientific studies indicate schools have routinely migrated through the Panama Canal from the Atlantic to the Pacific and back for over 80 years. Since tarpons tolerate a wide range of salinity and are opportunistic feeders, their migrations are limited only by water temperatures. They prefer water temperatures of 22 to 28 °C (72 to 82 °F); below 16 °C (61 °F) they become inactive, and temperatures under 4 °C (39 °F) can be lethal. A large tarpon community is found in the Rio San Juan and Lake Nicaragua. In the Pacific a population has become established in Costa Rica. In 2024, it was recorded in northern Peru. Atlantic tarpon breed in spawning aggregations in the open ocean.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q756975.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Megalops atlanticus", "author": "This illustration was made by Citron You must credit this : Citron / CC-BY-SA-3.0", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Megalops_atlanticus.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_tarpon", "revision": 1379750262, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1379750262", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "e6b7677d8fd1a7a94a25b6a0956a9281bfd4135ee43e32eab91c3a9d7325fb28" }, { "id": "Q402751", "common_name": "Fourhorn sculpin", "scientific_name": "Myoxocephalus quadricornis", "aliases": [ "Myoxocephalus quadricornis" ], "summary": "The fourhorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus quadricornis) is a species of ray-finned fish belonging to the family Cottidae, the typical sculpins. This species has a Holarctic distribution and can be found in marine, brackish and fresh waters.", "features": "The fourhorn sculpin has a large knobbly head with protruding lips and four bony protuberances, though the latter are not present in freshwater, lake forms of this fish. The pectoral fins are large and rounded. Freshwater forms resemble the Alpine bullhead and European bullhead but can be distinguished from them by the fact that the dorsal and anal fins terminate further forward giving a greater length to the caudal peduncle. The head, body and fins are brownish, mottled and barred with darker colour. The belly of the male is yellowish-brown while that of the female is whitish. In the sea this fish reaches 20 to 30 cm (8 to 12 in) but in lakes it seldom exceeds 15 cm (6 in).", "habitat": "The fourhorn sculpin is a demersal fish distributed mainly in brackish arctic coastal waters in Canada, Greenland, Russia, and Alaska, and also as a relict in the boreal Baltic Sea. There are also freshwater populations in the lakes of Norway, Sweden, Finland and Karelia and in Arctic Canada (Nunavut and Northwest Territories).", "distribution": "The fourhorn sculpin is a demersal fish distributed mainly in brackish arctic coastal waters in Canada, Greenland, Russia, and Alaska, and also as a relict in the boreal Baltic Sea. There are also freshwater populations in the lakes of Norway, Sweden, Finland and Karelia and in Arctic Canada (Nunavut and Northwest Territories).", "diet": "", "family": "Cottidae", "water_type": "Both", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q402751.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Triglopsis quadricornis (Pieni)", "author": "encyclopedia, \"Pieni Tietosanakirja\"", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Triglopsis_quadricornis_(Pieni).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourhorn_sculpin", "revision": 1368237197, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1368237197", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "bcc14f74aaaca34f90c61ecbab90090967f1581ab5437b55a4ec6df1a8eeef31" }, { "id": "Q133987", "common_name": "Giant cichlid", "scientific_name": "Boulengerochromis microlepis", "aliases": [ "Giant cichlid", "Giant Cichlid", "Boulengerochromis microlepis" ], "summary": "The giant cichlid (Boulengerochromis microlepis), also known as the emperor cichlid, is a species of fish in the family Cichlidae, endemic to Lake Tanganyika in Africa. It is the only member of its genus Boulengerochromis and tribe Boulengerochromini.", "features": "", "habitat": "Males reach a length up to 90 cm (3.0 ft) and females up to 75 cm (2.5 ft), possibly making it the largest extant species of cichlid; only the speckled peacock bass (Cichla temensis) of South America attains similar sizes as an adult. The giant cichlid is endemic to Lake Tanganyika, where it occurs in portions of the lake controlled by Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, and Zambia. Within this range it is a relatively common species found in coastal areas to depths of 100 m (330 ft). Adults are chiefly piscivorous while juveniles are omnivores; they also display habitat differences related to age, with adults living in small pelagic foraging groups when not spawning while juveniles use shallower, rock-strewn waters for the protective cover they provide. They are occasionally offered for sale as aquarium fish, but their enormous adult size makes them ill-suited for all but the largest private and public aquariums.", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Cichlidae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q133987.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "DKoehl Boulengerochromis microlepis", "author": "Dan Koehl", "license": "CC BY 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:DKoehl_Boulengerochromis_microlepis.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_cichlid", "revision": 1314951309, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1314951309", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "ced7aa9f85d410ed90fb51f02dff6d52964c8181ba4ad69013f9aa5e2fa1fd56" }, { "id": "Q428921", "common_name": "Banggai cardinalfish", "scientific_name": "Pterapogon kauderni", "aliases": [ "Pterapogon kauderni" ], "summary": "The Banggai cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni) is a small tropical cardinalfish in the family Apogonidae. It is the only member of its genus, the sailfin cardinalfish which at first was included in Pterapogon now being separated in a distinct genus. This attractive fish is popular in the aquarium trade. It is among the relatively few marine fish to have been bred regularly in captivity, but significant numbers are still captured in the wild and it is now an endangered species. The detrimental impact of humans on its environment and certain fatal diseases threaten this species' numbers significantly. Iridovirus diseases are known to be a significant reason for fish mortality.", "features": "This species grows up to 8 centimetres (3 in) total length. It is easily differentiated from all other cardinalfishes by its tasseled first dorsal fin, elongated anal and second dorsal fin rays, deeply forked caudal fin, and color pattern consisting of three black bars across the head and body and prominent black anterior edges on the anal and second dorsal fin. The male can be differentiated from the female by a conspicuous, enlarged oral cavity, which is apparent only when they are brooding.", "habitat": "The Banggai cardinalfish is the only member of its family that is diurnal. It is a demersal tropical marine fish that forms stable groups of about 9 individuals in shallow water, being most common at 1.5 to 2.5 m in depth. It inhabits a variety of shallow habitats, including coral reefs, seagrass beds, and open areas of sand and rubble. It is most common in calm habitats on the protected side of larger islands.", "distribution": "This species is restricted to the Banggai Islands of Indonesia. This species has an extremely limited geographic range (5,500 km2) and small total population size (estimated at 2.4 million). The Banggai cardinalfish is composed of isolated populations concentrated around the shallows of 17 large and 10 small islands within the Banggai Archipelago. A small population also occurs off Central Sulawesi, within Luwuk harbor. One additional population has become established in the Lembeh Strait (North Sulawesi), 400 km north of the natural area of the species distribution, following introduction by aquarium fish traders in 2000. Small populations seen (May 2014) in Secret Bay, northwest Bali (Banggai cardinal fish, Secret Bay, Bali).", "diet": "This fish is an opportunistic feeder. Its diet includes planktonic, demersal, and benthic organisms. Copepods constitute the bulk of its diet. It serves as an important food source for several species of lionfish (Pterois spp.), the honeycomb grouper (Epinephelus merra), the crocodilefish (Cymbacephalus beauforti), the snowflake moray (Echidna nebulosa), the estuarine stonefish (Synanceia horrida), and the yellow-lipped sea krait (Laticauda colubrina).", "family": "Apogonidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q428921.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Banggai cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni) (43875107345)", "author": "Rickard Zerpe", "license": "CC BY 2.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Banggai_cardinalfish_(Pterapogon_kauderni)_(43875107345).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banggai_cardinalfish", "revision": 1377201015, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1377201015", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "a427e735095db42d7215965c4a9453d20bb966fbb43b68b8b0870723d2b9567e" }, { "id": "Q1331593", "common_name": "Lagoon triggerfish", "scientific_name": "Rhinecanthus aculeatus", "aliases": [ "Rhinecanthus aculeatus" ], "summary": "The lagoon triggerfish (Rhinecanthus aculeatus), also known as the blackbar triggerfish, the Picasso triggerfish, or the Picassofish, is a triggerfish, up to 30 cm (12 in) in length, found on reefs in the Indo-Pacific region. This species has been studied in a range of research contexts, from locomotion to color vision research.", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1331593.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Picasso.triggerfish.arp", "author": "Arpingstone", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Picasso.triggerfish.arp.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagoon_triggerfish", "revision": 1378612066, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1378612066", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "0157bef7575fa77f6f976e86accc5c3722f3584203cff30dc6bfecef2b8f8ec5" }, { "id": "Q629430", "common_name": "Serpae tetra", "scientific_name": "Megalamphodus eques", "aliases": [ "Serpae tetra", "Hyphessobrycon eques" ], "summary": "The serpae tetra (Megalamphodus eques), also known as the Red Minor tetra, Callistus tetra, jewel tetra or blood characin, is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Acestrorhamphidae, the American tetras. This species is found in South America.", "features": "The serpae tetra has a maximum standard length of 4 cm (1.6 in), and the body is laterally compressed and high. The overall colour is reddish-olive, brightening to scarlet along the flanks. There is a comma shaped black humeral spot and the dorsal fin is black, with the anal and caudal fins being red.", "habitat": "The serpae tetra has a disjunct native range, with subpopulations in the Amazon basin of Brazil and in the La Plata basin in Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay. It has also been introduced to French Guiana and eastern Brazil. Its preferred habitat includes slow-flowing tributaries, floodplain lakes and associated flooded environments. It readily colonises anthropogenic aquatic habitats, such as artificial ponds and reservoirs. It is normally found close to submerged aquatic vegetation.", "distribution": "The serpae tetra has a disjunct native range, with subpopulations in the Amazon basin of Brazil and in the La Plata basin in Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay. It has also been introduced to French Guiana and eastern Brazil. Its preferred habitat includes slow-flowing tributaries, floodplain lakes and associated flooded environments. It readily colonises anthropogenic aquatic habitats, such as artificial ponds and reservoirs. It is normally found close to submerged aquatic vegetation.", "diet": "", "family": "Acestrorhamphidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q629430.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Hyphessobrycon eques", "author": "Dubrovsky Alexander (Aledubr)", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hyphessobrycon_eques.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serpae_tetra", "revision": 1362884930, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1362884930", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "2c9205c47d847ee1a14f6e5096a78c146946d7a69e347020e9134b49a5e44254" }, { "id": "Q1811730", "common_name": "Transparent goby", "scientific_name": "Aphia minuta", "aliases": [ "transparent goby", "Aphia minuta" ], "summary": "Aphia minuta, the transparent goby, is a species of the goby native to the northeastern Atlantic Ocean where it can be found from Trondheim, Norway to Morocco. It is also found in the Mediterranean, Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. It is a pelagic species, inhabiting inshore waters and estuaries. It can be found at depths of from the surface to 97 metres (318 ft), though it is usually found at 5 to 80 metres (16 to 262 ft), over sandy and muddy bottoms and also in eelgrass beds. This species can reach a length of 7.9 centimetres (3.1 in) TL. It is an important species to local commercial fisheries. It is currently the only known extant member of its genus. A fossil relative, †Aphia macrophthalma Schwarzhans et al., 2016 is known from the Middle Miocene of Serbia.", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1811730.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "2 - Aphia minuta 03-11-06 DSCF4095", "author": "Etrusko25", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2_-_Aphia_minuta_03-11-06_DSCF4095.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transparent_goby", "revision": 1318236449, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1318236449", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "72c4d602531c5c4e3481ea4db2c6664e7d81b20fcdaa0e408a5000d75dd56b24" }, { "id": "Q2000591", "common_name": "White marlin", "scientific_name": "Kajikia albida", "aliases": [ "Kajikia albida" ], "summary": "The white marlin (Kajikia albida), also known as Atlantic white marlin, marlin, skilligalee, is a species of billfish that lives in the epipelagic zone of the tropical and subtropical Atlantic Ocean. They are found between the latitudes of 45° N and 45° S in waters deeper than 100 m (330 ft). Even though white marlin are found in bodies of water that are deeper than 100 m they tend to stay near the surface. White marlin have been found near banks, shoals, and canyons, but they are not limited to those locations. They prefer warm surface temperatures greater than 22 °C (72 °F).", "features": "White marlin are commonly misidentified as roundscale spearfish (Tetrapturus georgii). This likely caused a miscount of the population size of white marlin and roundscale spearfish before they were determined genetically different in 2001. Differentiation between the two species can be done with close external examination. As described in the name, roundscale spearfish have a broadband, round anterior end of their scales. White marlin scales are more rigid and rounded on the posterior region of the scale. Another way to identify between the two species without doing a genetic test is by looking at the distance between the anal opening and the anal fin. In roundscale spearfish, the anal opening is further way from the anal fin (greater than half the length of the anal fin) than it is in the white marlin.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "White marlin are found throughout warmer waters of the Atlantic between 45°N to 45°S, it is found in the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, and Mediterranean Sea, although records from the Mediterranean Sea and from as far north as Brittany, France, appear to refer to vagrants.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q2000591.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "White Marlin in North Carolina 1394318584", "author": "dominic sherony", "license": "CC BY-SA 2.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:White_Marlin_in_North_Carolina_1394318584.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_marlin", "revision": 1375766761, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1375766761", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "5dc9da7c5baf908b5eee36e586394ce8ed5c757fa85f9854a0fccaa526c7aa52" }, { "id": "Q221572", "common_name": "Indo-Pacific tarpon", "scientific_name": "Megalops cyprinoides", "aliases": [ "Megalops cyprinoides" ], "summary": "The Indo-Pacific tarpon (Megalops cyprinoides), also known as the oxeye herring or simply herring due to its superficial resemblance to the true herrings, of which it is not a member, is the smaller of the two species of tarpon and lives in Indo-Pacific waters.", "features": "In appearance, it is like the much larger Atlantic tarpon, M. atlanticus - olive-green on top, and silver on the sides. The large mouth is turned upwards; the lower jaw contains an elongated, bony plate. The last ray of the dorsal fin is much longer than the others, reaching nearly to the tail. It is capable of filling its swim bladder with air and absorbing oxygen from it. Those living in fresh water tend to be smaller than the ones living in saltwater, growing just over 50 cm (20 in), while saltwater examples grow over 1 m (3.3 ft). They live upwards of 44 years and mature within two. They complete their metamorphosis from their larval stage in 10 days.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "The Indo-Pacific tarpon is found from the coasts of East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula to the coastal waters of South Asia, Southeast Asia, southern Japan, French Polynesia, and southern Australia. Their usual habitat is in coastal waters, estuaries and many miles upstream (from the estuaries) in freshwater rivers and lakes. They are amphidromus, i.e. they migrate from the river to the sea, and from the sea to the river. The tarpon lives in many tropical areas of Australia in the tropical, coastal, and brackish waters of the Indo-Pacific Ocean in both fresh and salt water. They are widely distributed from Australia, Japan, South and Southeast Asia and North Africa. Data are deficient on their population, as their commercial landings and human disturbances are unknown, but they are known to be extremely common throughout their range. Over 300 specimens are found in museums.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q221572.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Megalops cyprinoides2", "author": "Melanochromis", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Megalops_cyprinoides2.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indo-Pacific_tarpon", "revision": 1347664024, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1347664024", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "e2bce63044212f1f744466f4d0c5bb78b3824e368bcf26cf2593d4daee7182e9" }, { "id": "Q1355191", "common_name": "Comber", "scientific_name": "Serranus cabrilla", "aliases": [ "Comber", "Serranus cabrilla" ], "summary": "The comber (; Serranus cabrilla) is a species of marine ray-finned fish from the family Serranidae, the sea basses. It is widely distributed in the eastern North and South Atlantic Oceans and into the southwestern Indian Ocean. It is caught for food and fishmeal in some parts of its range.", "features": "The comber has a relatively stout body with a large head and a prominent jaw. It has two dorsal fins, the first has 11 thin spines and is joined to the second, which has 13–15 branched rays. The anal fin has 3 spines and 7–8 soft rays. The caudal fin is slightly truncate in shape. The colouration of the comber varies from light brown to dark brown to an intense reddish brown. It is marked with 7 to 9 darker transverse bands along its flanks, these are broken by a longitudinal white to yellowish stripe, running from the head to the tail. There are a few yellow or orange longitudinal lines on the sides of the head. The first dorsal fin is normally folded flat against the back when the fish is in the water. The comber can reach a standard length of 40 centimetres (16 in) but 25 centimetres (9.8 in) fish are more common.", "habitat": "The comber occurs over the continental shelf and upper continental slope among rocks, Posidonia beds, and where there are substrates of sand and mud. It can be found to depths of 450 metres (1,480 ft). It is a predatory species which feeds mainly on crustaceans. Off the Canary Islands the diet varied with size, the smaller fish consuming more crabs while the larger fish ate carideans. Elsewhere their diet has been recorded as very varied and includes small and immature fish, annelids, squid and they have also been recorded scavenging on dead marine animals. The comber is a solitary and territorial species. They spawn between May and July, and are hermaphrodites, mature fish having both ovaries and testes. They are capable of being either male or female, and there are known to have been instances of self-fertilisation where fish have been unable to locate a partner for spawning. Sexual maturity is attained when the fish reaches a length of 152 millimetres (6.0 in).", "distribution": "The comber has an extensive distribution in the eastern Atlantic where it is found in the warmer waters in the south and southwest of England and off western Wales, south along the European coast, to the Straits of Gibraltar and into the Mediterranean and Black Seas. It also occur along the west coast of Africa from Morocco southwards to Angola. Combers are found around the islands of Macaronesia and São Tomé and Príncipe in the Gulf of Guinea. It also occurs off the coasts of South Africa where it is found from the Cape of Good Hope to KwaZulu-Natal. Records from the Red Sea were thought to be a result of Anti-Lessepsian migration from the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal. However, genetic analysis demonstrated that the Red Sea population must have existed before the opening of the Suez Canal.", "diet": "", "family": "Serranidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1355191.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Serranus cabrilla; Comber 2 (cropped)", "author": "Martijn Klijnstra / https://www.divehead.nl", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Serranus_cabrilla;_Comber_2_(cropped).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comber_(fish)", "revision": 1381995687, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1381995687", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "7c9a840eef2391b724581618766143596424d2456b0b74a674fa9cbbfb65e8e8" }, { "id": "Q1417448", "common_name": "Corkwing wrasse", "scientific_name": "Symphodus melops", "aliases": [ "Symphodus melops" ], "summary": "The corkwing wrasse (Symphodus melops) is a species of wrasse native to the eastern Atlantic Ocean from Norway to Morocco and out to the Azores, as well as being found in the Mediterranean Sea and the Adriatic Sea. This species can be found in areas of rock or eelgrass at depths from 1 to 30 m (3.3 to 98.4 ft).", "features": "Its body is deep and compressed sideways, with a single, long dorsal fin. It is usually about 15 cm (5.9 in) long, but has reached 25 cm (9.8 in). It is highly variable in colour, depending on the environment and age of the fish. The corkwing wrasse has a black spot in the middle of the tail stalk, and a comma-shaped spot behind the eye. Females and juveniles tend to be brown or greenish-brown, while the males are typically more brightly coloured. Both sexes have lines on their heads and gill covers which are brown and pale blue in the female, and bright green or blue in the male. It feeds on a large variety of prey, but mainly bivalves and copepods.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1417448.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Porredana (Symphodus melops), Parque natural de la Arrábida, Portugal, 2020-07-21, DD 23", "author": "Diego Delso", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Porredana_(Symphodus_melops),_Parque_natural_de_la_Arr%C3%A1bida,_Portugal,_2020-07-21,_DD_23.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corkwing_wrasse", "revision": 1314295959, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1314295959", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "6ab4af04ae09fa22384b5369a959bdf44fb3e995fd43c87a1ee8cc58558050cb" }, { "id": "Q1365437", "common_name": "Maroon clownfish", "scientific_name": "Premnas biaculeatus", "aliases": [ "Premnas biaculeatus", "Spine-cheeked anemonefish" ], "summary": "Amphiprion biaculeatus, commonly known as spine-cheeked anemonefish or the maroon clownfish, is a species of anemonefish found in the Indo-Pacific from western Indonesia to Taiwan and the Great Barrier Reef. They can grow up to be about 17 cm (6.7 in). Like all anemonefishes it forms a symbiotic mutualism with sea anemones and is unaffected by the stinging tentacles of the host anemone. It is a sequential hermaphrodite with a strict size-based dominance hierarchy; the female is largest, the breeding male is second largest, and the male nonbreeders get progressively smaller as the hierarchy descends. They exhibit protandry, meaning the breeding male changes to female if the sole breeding female dies, with the largest nonbreeder becoming the breeding male. The fish's natural diet includes algae and zooplankton.", "features": "The characteristic that defines this genus is the spine on the cheek. The colors of the body and bars vary according to sex and geographic location. Despite the common name maroon clownfish, only some females have a maroon body color, with a range of color to dark brown. Juveniles and males are bright red-orange. The fish has three body bars which may be white, grey, or yellow. Where the female bars are grey, they can be \"switched\" rapidly to white if fish is provoked. The size-based dominance hierarchy means in any group of anemonefish, the female is always larger than the male. A significant difference in size is seen in this species, with females being one of the largest anemonefish, growing up to 17 cm (6.7 in) while males are much smaller, usually being 6–7 cm (2.4–2.8 in).", "habitat": "A. biaculeatus is found in the Malay Archipelago and Western Pacific Ocean north of the Great Barrier Reef.", "distribution": "A. biaculeatus is found in the Malay Archipelago and Western Pacific Ocean north of the Great Barrier Reef.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1365437.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Spine-cheek Anemonefish (Premnas biaculeatus) (6056495382) (cropped)", "author": "Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE", "license": "CC BY-SA 2.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Spine-cheek_Anemonefish_(Premnas_biaculeatus)_(6056495382)_(cropped).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maroon_clownfish", "revision": 1362499190, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1362499190", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "282202780e8304e198bb3a0d2b4f402ba2457672bbf187747ee1617fdc4a3f78" }, { "id": "Q628790", "common_name": "Giant snakehead", "scientific_name": "Channa micropeltes", "aliases": [ "Channa micropeltes" ], "summary": "Channa micropeltes, giant snakehead, giant mudfish or toman harimau, is among the largest species in the family Channidae, capable of growing to 1.8 m (5.9 ft) in length and a weight of 30 kg (66 lb). It is native to the fresh waters of Southeast Asia (South Indian populations are now regarded as a separate species, C. diplogramma), but has also been introduced elsewhere and is considered invasive in Taiwan. Other names include shol machh (শোল মাছ ) in Bengali, red snakehead, redline snakehead, and ikan toman (where ikan is fish in Malay and Indonesian).", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "C. micropeltes is found in Southeast Asia, Malay Peninsula, and Indonesia . It used to be believed to have an oddly disjunctive distribution, inhabiting both Southeast Asia and southwest India and Bangladesh, about 2,500 km (1,600 mi) apart. The Indian population was speculated to be from an early human introduction, prior to the 19th century. In 2011, the Southeast Asian and Indian populations were found to be separate species, with the latter correctly named C. diplogramma (leaving C. micropeltes for the Southeast Asian population). This fish is reported to be highly suitable for culture in cages or ponds in combination with tilapia. It is found to be an effective tool in controlling the overpopulation of tilapia, which checks the stunted growth of tilapia.", "diet": "", "family": "Channidae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q628790.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Channa micropeltes 2012 G1", "author": "George Chernilevsky", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Channa_micropeltes_2012_G1.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Channa_micropeltes", "revision": 1321185299, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1321185299", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "8800583cbcf7e60eef24dfe767062f8c8560047dcf121b576f3a860ac0241436" }, { "id": "Q2000165", "common_name": "Bluestreak cleaner wrasse", "scientific_name": "Labroides dimidiatus", "aliases": [ "Labroides dimidiatus", "Blue-streak cleaner wrasse" ], "summary": "The bluestreak cleaner wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus) is one of several species of cleaner wrasses found on coral reefs from Eastern Africa and the Red Sea to French Polynesia. Like other cleaner wrasses, it eats parasites and dead tissue off larger fishes' skin in a mutualistic relationship that provides food and protection for the wrasse and considerable health benefits for the other fishes. It is also notable for having potentially passed the mirror test.", "features": "This is a young wrasse, averaging 10 cm (3.9 in) long, at most 14 cm (5.5 in). It can be recognized due to a wide, longitudinal, black stripe running along the side and eye; the back and the stomach are white (sometimes slightly yellowish). This white part changes to a bright blue on the front of the animal, while the black band widens at the tail. The young are black with an electric-blue line.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "The bluestreak cleaner wrasse is found on coral reefs in the tropics from the Red Sea and Indian Ocean to the western Pacific (including Papua New Guinea, Japan, Fiji, and French Polynesia). It was first recorded from the Kermadec Islands Marine Reserve north of New Zealand in 2015, after researchers examined hundreds of hours of unused documentary film footage.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q2000165.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Lábrido limpiador común (Labroides dimidiatus), mar Rojo, Egipto, 2023-04-17, DD 90", "author": "Diego Delso", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:L%C3%A1brido_limpiador_com%C3%BAn_(Labroides_dimidiatus),_mar_Rojo,_Egipto,_2023-04-17,_DD_90.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluestreak_cleaner_wrasse", "revision": 1372558420, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1372558420", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "02765eca5722e89815a919657edf6b8d6ef528dd0341bf3b3a66de36895ba764" }, { "id": "Q2014405", "common_name": "Bonefish", "scientific_name": "Albula vulpes", "aliases": [ "bonefish", "Albula vulpes" ], "summary": "The bonefish (Albula vulpes) or bananafish is the type species of the bonefish family (Albulidae), the only family in order Albuliformes.", "features": "The bonefish weighs up to 17 lb (7.7 kg) and measures up to 31 in (79 cm) long. The color of bonefish can range from very silver sides and slight darker backs to olive green backs that blend to the silver side. Slight shading on the scales often leads to very soft subtle lines that run the flank of the fish from the gills to the tail. The bases of the pectoral fins are sometimes yellow. The bonefish can live up to 20 years but reach sexual maturity at merely 2 to 3 years of age (when it is over 17 in (43 cm) long). Larvae drift for an average of 53 days, and juveniles often live over open sandy bottoms.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "The bonefish inhabits warm subtropical and tropical waters of the western Atlantic, and is found off the coasts of southern Florida, in the Gulf of Mexico, and around the West Indies.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q2014405.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Bonefish Albula vulpes", "author": "Brian Gratwicke", "license": "CC BY 2.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bonefish_Albula_vulpes.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonefish", "revision": 1356235947, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1356235947", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "97bf575f59df7aaa7ee94fc76b2dd7c7f5a0d94ee161a241e9949175d73abc9a" }, { "id": "Q896622", "common_name": "Atlantic pomfret", "scientific_name": "Brama brama", "aliases": [ "Brama brama" ], "summary": "The Atlantic pomfret (Brama brama), also known as Ray's bream, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a pomfret of the family Bramidae. It is found in the Atlantic, Indian, and South Pacific Oceans, at depths down to 1,000 m (3,300 ft). Its length is between 40 and 100 cm (16 and 39 in). In South Africa, where it is a common bycatch of the hake fishery, it is generally known and sold as \"angelfish\", although it is not a true marine angelfish. The Atlantic pomfret has very significant migration patterns which greatly depend on the temperature of intermediate waters, but are also affected by secondary reactions from density dependence and the climatic conditions of the surface. Although the species was first recorded in Irish waters in 1843, it was still regarded as scarce up until the late 1950s, but between the 1960s and 1970s large numbers were recorded.", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Bramidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q896622.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Brama brama McCoy", "author": "Arthur Bartholemew", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Brama_brama_McCoy.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_pomfret", "revision": 1362971062, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1362971062", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "8027368acc179bfc7c03aea82faa3a46f8faa7f3ec3e48b2387687f5ce2761e3" }, { "id": "Q11031462", "common_name": "Atlantic sturgeon", "scientific_name": "Acipenser oxyrinchus", "aliases": [ "Acipenser oxyrhynchus oxyrhynchus", "Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus", "Acipenser oxyrinchus" ], "summary": "The Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus) is a large species of sturgeon native to both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, and associated river basins. It is a member of the family Acipenseridae, and, along with other sturgeon, it is sometimes considered a living fossil. The main range of the Atlantic sturgeon is in eastern North America, extending from New Brunswick, Canada, to the eastern coast of Florida, United States. A highly endangered disjunct population occurs in the Baltic region of Europe (today only through a reintroduction project). The Atlantic sturgeon was in great abundance when the first European settlers came to North America, but has since declined due to overfishing, water pollution, and habitat impediments such as dams. It is considered threatened, endangered, and even locally extirpated in many of its original habitats. The fish can reach 60 years of age, 15 ft (4.6 m) in length and over 800 lb (360 kg) in weight.", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Acipenseridae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q11031462.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Huge sturgeon in the Gulf of St. Lawrence ecosystem - panoramio", "author": "Jiaqian AirplaneFan", "license": "CC BY 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Huge_sturgeon_in_the_Gulf_of_St._Lawrence_ecosystem_-_panoramio.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_sturgeon", "revision": 1371809526, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1371809526", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "50eb479e636171c63e0d21523cc1f78c3c82d1afab2362ded69b24a3232dab85" }, { "id": "Q206507", "common_name": "Lemon tetra", "scientific_name": "Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis", "aliases": [ "Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis" ], "summary": "The lemon tetra (Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis) is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Acestrorhamphidae, the American characins. This fish is from South America. It is a small tetra growing to 5 cm (2 in) in length. The species is a long established favourite aquarium fish, being introduced to the aquarium in 1932.", "features": "The lemon tetra is one of the deeper-bodied tetras, contrasting with slender, torpedo-shaped relations such as the cardinal tetra and the rummy nosed tetra, whose approximate body shape when seen from the side is that of a lozenge (often referred to as a diamond, a form of rhombus). The basic body color of an adult specimen is a translucent yellow, with a pearlescent lustre emanating from the scales in particularly fine specimens. The dorsal and anal fin of the fish are marked with black and yellow: specifically, the anal fin is hyaline (glass-like appearance), with a black outer margin, the anterior three or four rays being an intense, acrylic lemon-yellow in hue, while the dorsal fin is principally black with a yellow central patch. The tail fin is mostly hyaline but in fine specimens (particularly alpha males) acquires a gunmetal-blue lustre. The pectoral fins are hyaline whilst the pelvic fins are translucent yellow, becoming more solidly and opaquely yellow with black posterior edges in fine specimens (again, alpha males are particularly notable in this regard). The eye is a notable feature of this fish, the upper half of the iris being an intense red, in some specimens almost gemstone-ruby in appearance. The colour of this part of the iris is an indicator of the health of the fish: if this red colouration fades, or worse still turns grey, then this is an indicator of serious disease in the fish. In common with many characins, the lemon tetra possesses an adipose fin.", "habitat": "The lemon tetra inhabits clear waters with a modest to moderate current flow, remaining in shallower waters in close proximity to stands of aquatic plants. The water chemistry is slightly acidic, and the waters are relatively mineral-deficient. Lemon tetras congregate in their chosen waters in large shoals, numbering several thousand individuals, where the black and yellow colouration becomes disruptive from the standpoint of predatory fish species attempting to track an individual fish. The fishes are capable of moving at speed when required, and in a shoal the fishes will, when danger threatens, weave in and out of each other, adding to the visual confusion for a predator. The species preferentially occupies the middle and mid-lower water levels in the wild.", "distribution": "The lemon tetra is an Amazon River fish species, first collected from the basin of the Rio Tapajos, near Santarém, Brazil. The fish can be found in both the Rio Tapajos and stretches of the Amazon proper in this region (the Rio Tapajos joins the Amazon at Santarém).", "diet": "", "family": "Acestrorhamphidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q206507.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis", "author": "Waugsberg", "license": "CC BY 2.5", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hyphessobrycon_pulchripinnis.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lemon_tetra", "revision": 1355300203, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1355300203", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "2702e7cdabb932935df48ecb20d985d0a06d87162124be8361b049088f886fb3" }, { "id": "Q1145632", "common_name": "Frigate tuna", "scientific_name": "Auxis thazard", "aliases": [ "Auxis thazard" ], "summary": "The frigate tuna, frigate mackerel or alagaduwa (Auxis thazard) is a species of tuna, in the family Scombridae, found around the world in tropical oceans. The eastern Pacific population is now regarded as a separate species by some authorities, Auxis brachydorax.", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Scombridae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1145632.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Auxis thazard and Selar crumenopthalmus by Shrumster", "author": "Shrumster", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Auxis_thazard_and_Selar_crumenopthalmus_by_Shrumster.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frigate_tuna", "revision": 1354927007, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1354927007", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "4469be45de806de588a21bbb2e61c429f7a13847722131138dc4d95d675723cf" }, { "id": "Q1544489", "common_name": "Redeye tetra", "scientific_name": "Bario sanctaefilomenae", "aliases": [ "Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae" ], "summary": "The redeye tetra (Bario sanctaefilomenae) is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Acestrorhamphidae, the American characins. This fish is found in the São Francisco, upper Paraná, Paraguay and Uruguay River basins in eastern and central South America. This freshwater fish is commonly kept in aquariums and bred in large numbers at commercial facilities in Eastern Europe and Asia. The redeye tetra is one of the more popular aquarium fish due to their schooling capability. It can grow up to 7 cm (2.8 in) in length, and live for approximately 5 years. The red-eye tetra has a bright silver body accented by a white-edged black basal half of the tail and a thin red circle around its eye. It is part of a group that consists of three similar species, the two others being B. forestii (upper Paraguay and upper Paraná basins) and B. oligolepis (Amazon and Paraguay basins, and the Guianas). Yellow-banded tetra is another common name for B. sanctaefilomenae. The fish has a yellow band on its caudal peduncle, which differentiates it from the glass tetra.", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Acestrorhamphidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1544489.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae", "author": "No machine-readable author provided. Chle assumed (based on copyright claims).", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Moenkhausia_sanctaefilomenae.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redeye_tetra", "revision": 1355304791, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1355304791", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "daaa79580d9c5027ec3fde402304ae55680903dc1a0a7960645e5fd3f948dc03" }, { "id": "Q1480630", "common_name": "Spinner shark", "scientific_name": "Carcharhinus brevipinna", "aliases": [ "spinner shark", "Carcharhinus brevipinna" ], "summary": "The spinner shark (Carcharhinus brevipinna) is a type of requiem shark, in the family Carcharhinidae, named for the spinning leaps it makes as a part of its feeding strategy. This species occurs in tropical and warm temperate waters worldwide, except for in the eastern Pacific Ocean. It is found from coastal to offshore habitats to a depth of 100 m (330 ft), though it prefers shallow water. The spinner shark resembles a larger version of the blacktip shark (C. limbatus), with a slender body, long snout, and black-marked fins. This species can be distinguished from the blacktip shark by the first dorsal fin, which has a different shape and is placed further back, and by the black tip on the anal fin (in adults only). It attains a maximum length of 3 m (9.8 ft). Spinner sharks are swift and gregarious predators that feed on a wide variety of small bony fishes and cephalopods. When feeding on schools of forage fish, they speed vertically through the school while spinning on their axis, erupting from the water at the end. Like other members of its family, the spinner shark is viviparous, with females bearing litters of three to 20 young every other year. The young are born in shallow nursery areas near the coast, and are relatively fast-growing. This species is not usually dangerous to humans, but may become belligerent when excited by food. Spinner sharks are valued by commercial fisheries across their range for their meat, fins, liver oil, and skin.", "features": "The average spinner shark is 2 m (6.6 ft) long and weighs 56 kg (123 lb); this species attains a maximum known length and weight of 3 m (9.8 ft) and 90 kg (200 lb). Indo-Pacific sharks are generally larger than those from the northwest Atlantic. This species has a slim, streamlined body with a distinctive, long, pointed snout. The eyes are small and circular. Prominent, forward-pointing furrows occur at the corners of the mouth. The tooth rows number 15–18 in each half of the upper jaw and 14–17 in each half of the lower jaw, with two and one tiny symphysial (central) teeth, respectively. The teeth have long, narrow central cusps and are finely serrated in the upper jaw and smooth in the lower jaw. The five pairs of gill slits are long. The first dorsal fin is relatively small and usually originates behind the free rear tip of the pectoral fins. No ridge exists between the first and second dorsal fins. The pectoral fins are moderately short, narrow, and falcate (sickle-shaped). The body is densely covered with diamond-shaped dermal denticles with seven (rarely five) shallow horizontal ridges. The coloration is gray above, sometimes with a bronze sheen, and white below, with a faint white band on the sides. Young individuals have unmarked fins; the tips of the second dorsal fin, pectoral fins, anal fin, and lower caudal fin lobe (and sometimes the other fins, as well) are black in larger individuals. The spinner shark differs from the blacktip shark in that its first dorsal fin is slightly more triangular in shape and is placed further back on the body.", "habitat": "Some uncertainty exists in the distribution data for the spinner shark due to confusion with the blacktip shark. In the Western Atlantic Ocean, it occurs from North Carolina to the northern Gulf of Mexico, including the Bahamas and Cuba, and from southern Brazil to Argentina. In the Eastern Atlantic, it occurs from off North Africa to Namibia. In the Indian Ocean, it is found from South Africa and Madagascar, to the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, to India and nearby islands, to Java and Sumatra. In the Pacific Ocean, it occurs off Japan, Vietnam, Australia, and possibly the Philippines. Parasitological evidence suggests that Indian Ocean spinner sharks have passed through the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean Sea, becoming Lessepsian migrants. The spinner shark has been reported from the ocean surface to a depth of 100 m (330 ft), though it prefers water less than 30 m (98 ft) deep, and occupies all levels of the water column. This species may be found from coastal waters to well offshore, over continental and insular shelves. Juveniles have been known to enter bays, but avoid brackish conditions. The northwest Atlantic subpopulation is known to be migratory; in spring and summer, they are found in warm inshore waters, and in winter, they move south into deeper water. The spinner shark is a fast, active swimmer that sometimes forms large schools, segregated by age and sex. Young individuals prefer cooler water temperatures than adults. Off South Africa, females are found close to shore year-round, while males only appear during the summer.", "distribution": "Some uncertainty exists in the distribution data for the spinner shark due to confusion with the blacktip shark. In the Western Atlantic Ocean, it occurs from North Carolina to the northern Gulf of Mexico, including the Bahamas and Cuba, and from southern Brazil to Argentina. In the Eastern Atlantic, it occurs from off North Africa to Namibia. In the Indian Ocean, it is found from South Africa and Madagascar, to the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, to India and nearby islands, to Java and Sumatra. In the Pacific Ocean, it occurs off Japan, Vietnam, Australia, and possibly the Philippines. Parasitological evidence suggests that Indian Ocean spinner sharks have passed through the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean Sea, becoming Lessepsian migrants. The spinner shark has been reported from the ocean surface to a depth of 100 m (330 ft), though it prefers water less than 30 m (98 ft) deep, and occupies all levels of the water column. This species may be found from coastal waters to well offshore, over continental and insular shelves. Juveniles have been known to enter bays, but avoid brackish conditions. The northwest Atlantic subpopulation is known to be migratory; in spring and summer, they are found in warm inshore waters, and in winter, they move south into deeper water.", "diet": "Spinner sharks feed primarily on small bony fish, including tenpounders, sardines, herring, anchovies, sea catfish, lizardfish, mullets, bluefish, tunas, bonito, croakers, jacks, mojarras, grunts, and tongue-soles. They have also been known to eat stingrays, cuttlefish, squid, and octopus. Groups of spinner sharks are often found pursuing schools of prey at high speed. Individual prey are seized and swallowed whole, as this shark lacks cutting dentition. This species employs an unusual tactic when feeding on schools of small fish; the shark charges vertically through the school, spinning on its axis with its mouth open and snapping all around it. The shark's momentum at the end of these spiraling runs often carries it into the air, giving it its common name. The blacktip shark also performs this behavior, though not as often. Off Madagascar, spinner sharks follow migrating schools of mackerel, tunas, and jacks. Like blacktip sharks, they congregate around shrimp trawlers to feed on the discarded bycatch, and may be incited into feeding frenzies.", "family": "Carcharhinidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1480630.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Carcharhinus brevipinna JNC3080 Body", "author": "Jean-Lou Justine", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Carcharhinus_brevipinna_JNC3080_Body.JPG", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinner_shark", "revision": 1355300590, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1355300590", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "24468136f54948ac6b0d691d83ce34fd191aa22cd73f79c3d59500b7008001f0" }, { "id": "Q893969", "common_name": "Borneo shark", "scientific_name": "Carcharhinus borneensis", "aliases": [ "Carcharhinus borneensis" ], "summary": "The Borneo shark (Carcharhinus borneensis) is a species of requiem shark, and part of the family Carcharhinidae. Extremely rare, it is known only from inshore waters around Mukah in northwestern Borneo, though it may once have been more widely distributed. A small, gray shark reaching 65 cm (26 in) in length, this species is the only member of its genus with a row of enlarged pores above the corners of its mouth. It has a slender body with a long, pointed snout and a low second dorsal fin placed posterior to the anal fin origin. Almost nothing is known about the natural history of the Borneo shark. It is viviparous like other requiem sharks; the females bear litters of six pups, which are provisioned through gestation by a placental connection. The International Union for Conservation of Nature last assessed this species as Critically Endangered. While an extant population has since been found, the Borneo shark continues to merit conservation concern given its highly limited range within heavily fished waters.", "features": "The Borneo shark is slim-bodied, with a long, pointed snout and oblique, slit-like nostrils preceded by narrow, nipple-shaped flaps of skin. The eyes are rather large and circular, and equipped with nictitating membranes. The corners of the sizable mouth bear short, indistinct furrows, and immediately above are a series of enlarged pores that are unique within the genus. There are 25–26 upper and 23–25 lower tooth rows. The upper teeth have a single, narrow, oblique cusp with strongly serrated edges, and large cusplets on the trailing side. The lower teeth are similar, but tend to be more slender and finely serrated. The five pairs of gill slits are short. The pectoral fins are short, pointed, and falcate (sickle-shaped), while the pelvic fins are small and triangular with a nearly straight trailing margin. The first dorsal fin is fairly large and triangular, with a blunt apex sloping down to a sinuous trailing margin; its origin lies over the free rear tips of the pectoral fins. The second dorsal fin is small and low, and originates over the middle of the anal fin base. There is no ridge between the dorsal fins. The caudal peduncle bears a deep, crescent-shaped pit at the origin of the upper caudal fin lobe. The asymmetrical caudal fin has a well-developed lower lobe and a longer, narrow upper lobe with a strong ventral notch near the tip. The dermal denticles are small and overlapping, each with three horizontal ridges leading to marginal teeth.", "habitat": "All recent specimens of the Borneo shark have been collected solely from fishery landing sites at Mukah in Sarawak, despite thorough surveys across the rest of Borneo (including at the locality of the type specimen). Thus, its range may now be restricted to shallow, inshore waters in northwestern Borneo. Of the five earlier specimens, four came from Borneo and one from Zhoushan Island in China, hinting at a wider historical distribution. This species was also recorded from Borongan in the Philippines in 1895, and Java in 1933; these records cannot be substantiated and there have been no subsequent sightings from these areas. Bony fishes are probably the main food of the Borneo shark. It is viviparous like other requiem sharks, with the developing embryos provisioned by the mother through a placental connection formed from the depleted yolk sac. The litter size is six, and the pups are born at close to 24–28 cm (9.4–11.0 in) long. From the available specimens, the length at sexual maturity can be surmised to be under 55–58 cm (22–23 in) in males and under 61–65 cm (24–26 in) in females.", "distribution": "All recent specimens of the Borneo shark have been collected solely from fishery landing sites at Mukah in Sarawak, despite thorough surveys across the rest of Borneo (including at the locality of the type specimen). Thus, its range may now be restricted to shallow, inshore waters in northwestern Borneo. Of the five earlier specimens, four came from Borneo and one from Zhoushan Island in China, hinting at a wider historical distribution. This species was also recorded from Borongan in the Philippines in 1895, and Java in 1933; these records cannot be substantiated and there have been no subsequent sightings from these areas.", "diet": "", "family": "Carcharhinidae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q893969.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Carcharhinus borneensis (Bleeker, 1858) 2831935646", "author": "Naturalis Biodiversity Center", "license": "CC0", "license_url": "http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed.en", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Carcharhinus_borneensis_(Bleeker,_1858)_2831935646.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borneo_shark", "revision": 1354927341, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1354927341", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "ae0684d65c9a2d4ba979513ac9db151b0095e4e0d7820b915c75f2dde7115aeb" }, { "id": "Q40617", "common_name": "Barbeled houndshark", "scientific_name": "Leptocharias smithii", "aliases": [ "Leptocharias smithii" ], "summary": "The barbeled houndshark (Leptocharias smithii) is a species of ground shark and the only member of the family Leptochariidae. This demersal species is found in the coastal waters of the eastern Atlantic Ocean from Mauritania to Angola, at depths of 10–75 m (33–246 ft). It favors muddy habitats, particularly around river mouths. The barbeled houndshark is characterized by a very slender body, nasal barbels, long furrows at the corners of the mouth, and sexually dimorphic teeth. Its maximum known length is 82 cm (32 in). Likely strong-swimming and opportunistic, the barbeled houndshark has been known to ingest bony fishes, invertebrates, fish eggs, and even inedible objects. It is viviparous with females bearing litters of 7 young; the developing embryos are sustained via a unique globular placental structure. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed the barbeled houndshark as Vulnerable, as heavy fishing pressure occurs throughout its range and it is used for meat and leather.", "features": "The barbeled houndshark has an extremely slender body and horizontally oval eyes equipped with internal nictitating membranes. A pair of tiny spiracles is present behind the eyes. Each nostril is preceded by a slender barbel. The mouth is long and strongly arched, with very long furrows at the corners extending onto both jaws. It has 46–60 upper tooth rows and 43–54 lower tooth rows; each tooth is small, with a narrow central cusp and a pair of lateral cusplets. Unusually for a shark, dental sexual dimorphism occurs, with the front teeth in males being greatly enlarged. The two dorsal fins are small and about equal in size; the first is positioned between the pectoral and pelvic fins, and the second over the anal fin. The dorsal margin of the caudal fin is smooth and lacks a notch (precaudal pit) at its base; the lower caudal fin lobe is virtually absent. This shark is a plain light gray above and whitish below. Males and females grow up to 77 and 82 cm (30 and 32 in) long, respectively.", "habitat": "The barbeled houndshark occurs along the western coast of Africa from Mauritania to northern Angola, though it may range as far north as the Mediterranean Sea. This species inhabits inshore waters 10–75 m (33–246 ft) deep, with temperatures of 20–27 °C (68–81 °F), salinities of 35–36 ppt, and dissolved oxygen levels of 3–4 ppm. It is typically found close to the bottom over mud, particularly around river mouths. The barbeled houndshark seems to be an active swimmer, based on its strong musculature, long tail, short trunk, and small liver. It feeds on a wide variety of bottom- and shore-dwelling organisms. Crustaceans (including crabs, lobsters, and shrimp) are favored prey, while small bony fishes (including sardines, anchovies, snake eels, blennies, gobies, and flatfish), skate and flying fish eggs, octopus, and sponges are also eaten; miscellaneous objects such as feathers, vegetable scraps, and flowers have also been recovered from its stomach. Known parasites of this species include the copepods Eudactylina leptochariae and Thamnocephalus cerebrinoxius. The enlarged anterior teeth of male barbeled houndsharks may function in mating behaviors. This species is viviparous; once the embryos exhaust their supply of yolk, they are nourished through a placental connection formed from the depleted yolk sac. Unlike any other shark, the yolk-sac placenta is globular or spherical. Off Senegal, females bear litters of seven pups around October, after a gestation period of at least four months.", "distribution": "The barbeled houndshark occurs along the western coast of Africa from Mauritania to northern Angola, though it may range as far north as the Mediterranean Sea. This species inhabits inshore waters 10–75 m (33–246 ft) deep, with temperatures of 20–27 °C (68–81 °F), salinities of 35–36 ppt, and dissolved oxygen levels of 3–4 ppm. It is typically found close to the bottom over mud, particularly around river mouths.", "diet": "", "family": "Leptochariidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q40617.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Leptocharias smithii", "author": "Unknown illustrator", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Leptocharias_smithii.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbeled_houndshark", "revision": 1366344796, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1366344796", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "763a71ad347826fb2f39e01e2024df28c4f4217cab3c4c74e00f27934a05368b" }, { "id": "Q175560", "common_name": "Dwarf pufferfish", "scientific_name": "Carinotetraodon travancoricus", "aliases": [ "Carinotetraodon travancoricus", "Malabar pufferfish" ], "summary": "The dwarf pufferfish (Carinotetraodon travancoricus), also known as the Malabar pufferfish, pygmy pufferfish, or pea pufferfish, is a small freshwater pufferfish endemic to Kerala and southern Karnataka in Southwest India. They are popular in aquaria for their bright colours and small size. At a maximum total length of 3.5 cm, dwarf pufferfish are one of the smallest pufferfish in the world. They closely resemble the related Carinotetraodon imitator, and the two can be difficult to distinguish. C. imitator was not recognised as a different species until 1999. Dwarf pufferfish dwell at the bottom of heavily vegetated waterways, predating small animals. Unlike other species of pufferfish, they are found in large groups in the wild. They breed throughout most of the year, with spawning pairs producing 1–5 eggs in 1–4 day intervals. Habitat loss and overharvesting for the aquarium trade threaten wild populations of dwarf pufferfish.", "features": "The maximum documented size is 3.5 cm (1.4 in) total length (TL), with individuals typically reaching less than 2.5 cm (0.98 in) TL, making dwarf pufferfish one of the smallest pufferfish in the world. Both sexes are primarily greenish-yellow, with dark green to brown-black iridescent patches on the flanks and dorsal surface. Patterns and colouration vary considerably between individuals. Their pectoral fins are short, fan-shaped, and described as \"slightly emarginate\", that is to say, slightly indented at the tip. The dorsal and anal fins are situated opposite each other toward the posterior of the fish, both short and round, while the caudal fin is larger than the other fins and truncate, in that it terminates in a more-or-less vertical edge. Their bodies are round and oblong. As with other members of the genus, sexual dimorphism is apparent in mature fish, with males being more brightly coloured than females and having a yellow ventral surface. Males can also have a dark stripe down the centre of their pale belly and iridescent, blue \"eye wrinkle\" patterns that females do not have. Females are more rounded, tend to be larger than males, and may have more small spots between their larger dark markings. Their abdomens are white, and they may have a yellow patch on their throat.", "habitat": "Although closely related to marine pufferfish, they are not found in salt water, and reports to the contrary are based on misidentification. Dwarf pufferfish are one of only 27 known species of Tetraodontidae adapted to freshwater. They are a potamodromous species, meaning they migrate within freshwater river systems, and are endemic to rivers, lakes, and estuaries in Kerala and southern Karnataka in the Western Ghats of Peninsular India. They can be found in waters with a pH of 7.5–8.3 and temperatures of 22–28 °C (72–82 °F). Inhabiting heavily vegetated waters with beds of gravel and rock or clay loam with silt and sand, the species is reported from 13 rivers in Kerala, lakes such as Vembanad, the Nilambur harbours, and Kallar Stream, part of the Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary. They have been reported as rare in Bharathapuzha and the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The species was also found in inundated brickyards in Puthukkad, as well as ditches, ponds, irrigation channels, and artificial tanks or abandoned water bodies in paddy fields. Their presence in small, isolated water bodies is likely due to unintentional dispersal by waterfowl.", "distribution": "Although closely related to marine pufferfish, they are not found in salt water, and reports to the contrary are based on misidentification. Dwarf pufferfish are one of only 27 known species of Tetraodontidae adapted to freshwater. They are a potamodromous species, meaning they migrate within freshwater river systems, and are endemic to rivers, lakes, and estuaries in Kerala and southern Karnataka in the Western Ghats of Peninsular India. They can be found in waters with a pH of 7.5–8.3 and temperatures of 22–28 °C (72–82 °F). Inhabiting heavily vegetated waters with beds of gravel and rock or clay loam with silt and sand, the species is reported from 13 rivers in Kerala, lakes such as Vembanad, the Nilambur harbours, and Kallar Stream, part of the Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary. They have been reported as rare in Bharathapuzha and the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The species was also found in inundated brickyards in Puthukkad, as well as ditches, ponds, irrigation channels, and artificial tanks or abandoned water bodies in paddy fields. Their presence in small, isolated water bodies is likely due to unintentional dispersal by waterfowl.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Both", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q175560.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "アベニーパファー", "author": "Chunbin", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%E3%82%A2%E3%83%99%E3%83%8B%E3%83%BC%E3%83%91%E3%83%95%E3%82%A1%E3%83%BC.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwarf_pufferfish", "revision": 1379378765, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1379378765", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "1c96186d35d156e6f5a682dba75413efb994243852186aa141de85c83fb986e8" }, { "id": "Q737579", "common_name": "Shortnose sturgeon", "scientific_name": "Acipenser brevirostrum", "aliases": [ "Acipenser brevirostrum" ], "summary": "The shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) is a small and endangered species of North American sturgeon. As with most sturgeons, it is an anadromous bottom-feeder, which migrates upstream to spawn but spends most of its life feeding in rivers, deltas and estuaries. Shortnose sturgeons are long-lived and slow to sexually mature. The shortnose sturgeon is often mistaken as a juvenile Atlantic sturgeon (A. oxyrinchus) because of its small size. Prior to 1973, U.S. commercial fishing records did not differentiate between the two species: both were reported as \"common sturgeon\", although it is believed based on sizes that the bulk of the catch was Atlantic sturgeon. The shortnose is distinguishable from the Atlantic sturgeon due to its shorter and rounder head.", "features": "The shortnose sturgeon is the smallest of three sturgeon species that are present in the eastern seaboard of North America. It has a cylindrical body and compared to the Atlantic sturgeon, its head and snout are relatively small. Younger shortnose sturgeons tend to have longer snouts compared to their older counterparts. Adult sturgeons have bony plates along their esophagus that help them crush hard items instead of having teeth. Shortnose sturgeon are cartilaginous with bones only in the skull, jaw and pectoral girdle. It is a physostome fish, so its swim bladder is connected to the intestinal tract by a special duct. This duct allows for gas pressure regulation through swallowing air or releasing air through the gut. The intestines for shortnose sturgeon are dark and have a spiral valve (important for nutrient absorption), similar to that of sharks and rays. These sturgeons tend to be generally dark brown to olive/black on the dorsal surface. Shortnose sturgeon tend to consume small bivalves, gastropods, polychaetes, and small benthic fishes based on studies of their gut contents. The most common prey are amphipods, while Atlantic sturgeon primarily consume polychaetes. Some reports have found that female adult shortnose sturgeon feed throughout the year, but a study from the Saint John River found that pre-spawning females rarely had food in their stomachs and likely stopped feeding about eight months prior to spawning while ripening males generally had full stomachs.", "habitat": "Shortnose sturgeon live in rivers and coastal waters and streams that run from Canada to Florida. Because shortnose sturgeon are amphidromous fish, after spawning most of their time is spent in estuaries and rivers. Shortnose sturgeon rarely spend time in the Atlantic Ocean. However, if the sturgeon do enter marine waters to feed or migrate they stay close to the shore. Shortnose sturgeon are more likely to move through all areas of a river system. Times they remain at sites for an extended period of time include resting and feeding periods. Critical habitat has not been designated for the shortnose sturgeon. This is an area of the conservation plan that is essential to the conservation of the species. Research needs to be done to identify what habitats are critical to ensure the protection of each life stage. One area of research for discovering and designating critical habitat of shortnose sturgeon will be the study of foraging ecology and growth of the various life stages, as well as defining the benthic habitats that support preferred prey. To enhance this understanding, results on the mapping of the benthic organisms will be needed to better define both the available and preferred diets of sturgeon. Probabilistic or generalized linear models or similar approaches used to map benthic habitat should be constructed to help identify the distribution of shortnose sturgeon density. Additionally, obtaining information on nursery areas and characterization of nursery habitat is a major priority.", "distribution": "Historically, shortnose sturgeon were found in the coastal rivers along the East Coast of North America. Living from the Saint John River in New Brunswick all the way to the Indian River in Florida. Currently, shortnose sturgeon can be found in 41 bays and rivers along the East Coast. Their distribution across this range is broken up, with a large gap of about 250 miles separating the northern and mid-Atlantic metapopulations from the southern metapopulation. There has been a shift slightly with lower sturgeon levels in river systems particularly further south. Modern spawning locations for the sturgeon include areas such as the Saint John River, Bay of Fundy, and the Altamaha River with noticeable absences in North Carolina rivers. It is considered extirpated from Washington, D.C., and may be extirpated in Rhode Island and Virginia. The southern metapopulations of shortnose sturgeon are currently found in the Great Pee Dee, Waccamaw, Edisto, Cooper, Santee, Altamaha, Ogeechee, and Savannah rivers. They may also be found in the Black, Sampit, Ashley, Roanoke, and Cape Fear rivers. Shortnose sturgeon were considered extinct in the Satilla, St. Marys, and the St. Johns rivers, but were recently found again in both the Satilla and St. Marys rivers. In the northern and mid-Atlantic metapopulations, shortnose sturgeon are currently found in Saint John (Canada), Penobscot, Kennebec, Androscoggin, Piscataqua, Merrimack, Connecticut, Hudson, Delaware, and Potomac rivers. They have also been spotted foraging and transiting in the St.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q737579.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Acipenser brevirostrum head", "author": "Unknown authorUnknown author", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Acipenser_brevirostrum_head.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shortnose_sturgeon", "revision": 1368890076, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1368890076", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "982f74d72128478b66f79e42de41ccb39eb86cda464deee2cb778eacb11184e5" }, { "id": "Q1329475", "common_name": "Long-spine porcupinefish", "scientific_name": "Diodon holocanthus", "aliases": [ "Diodon holocanthus" ], "summary": "The long-spine porcupinefish (Diodon holocanthus), also known as the balloonfish, freckled porcupinefish, porcupine puffer, and porcupine pufferfish, is a species of marine fish in the family Diodontidae.", "features": "The long-spine porcupinefish is pale in color with large black blotches and smaller black spots; these spots becoming fewer in number with age. It has many long, two-rooted depressible spines particularly on its head. The teeth of the two jaws are fused into a parrot-like \"beak\". Adults may reach 50 cm (20 in) in length. The only other fish with which it might be confused is the black-blotched porcupinefish (D. liturosus), but it has much longer spines than that species.", "habitat": "They are found over the muddy sea bottom, in estuaries, in lagoons or on coral and rocky reefs around the world in tropical and subtropical seas.", "distribution": "The long-spine porcupinefish has a circumtropical distribution, being found in the tropical zones of major seas and oceans: In the Atlantic it is found from Florida and the Bahamas to Brazil and in the Eastern Atlantic from 30°N to 23°S, as well as around South Africa. And In the western Indian Ocean from the southern Red Sea to Madagascar, Réunion and Mauritius. Also In the Pacific Ocean from southern Japan to Lord Howe Island, and east to the Hawaiian and Easter islands. Also from southern California to Colombia and the Galapagos Islands.", "diet": "The long-spine porcupine fish is an omnivore that feeds on mollusks, sea urchins, hermit crabs, snails, and crabs during its active phase at night. They use their beak combined with plates on the roof of their mouths to crush their prey such as mollusks and sea urchins that would otherwise be indigestible.", "family": "Diodontidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1329475.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Diodon holocanthus 430513883", "author": "Chris Spain", "license": "CC0", "license_url": "http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed.en", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Diodon_holocanthus_430513883.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long-spine_porcupinefish", "revision": 1382733942, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1382733942", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "0309a001746b1981d8dec36f18a189f9a3ea18380595553eea57a83e7284169c" }, { "id": "Q275239", "common_name": "Clark's anemonefish", "scientific_name": "Amphiprion clarkii", "aliases": [ "clown fish", "Clark's Anemonefish", "Clarks anemonefish", "Yellowtail clownfish", "Amphiprion clarkii" ], "summary": "Clark's anemonefish (Amphiprion clarkii), also known as the yellowtail clownfish, is a marine fish belonging to the family Pomacentridae, the clownfishes and damselfishes. 28 species of anemonefish live within the Pomacentridae family (Steer P. 2012).", "features": "Clark's anemonefish is a small-sized fish which grows up to 10 cm (4 in) as a male and 15 cm (5+7⁄8 in) as a female. It is stocky, laterally compressed, and oval to rounded. It is colorful, with vivid black, white, and yellow stripes, though the exact pattern shows considerable geographical variation. Usually it is black dorsally and orange-yellow ventrally, the black areas becoming wider with age. There are two vertical white bands, one behind the eye and one above the anus, and the caudal peduncle is white. The snout is orange or pinkish. The dorsal and caudal fins are orange-yellow, and the caudal fin is generally lighter in tone than the rest of the body, sometimes becoming whitish.", "habitat": "Clark's anemonefish is the most widely distributed anemonefish, being found in tropical waters from the Indian Ocean to the Western Pacific. These anemonefish most commonly occupy reef biomes at 1 to 60 meters in areas with host anemones (Moore, Billy).", "distribution": "Clark's anemonefish is the most widely distributed anemonefish, being found in tropical waters from the Indian Ocean to the Western Pacific. These anemonefish most commonly occupy reef biomes at 1 to 60 meters in areas with host anemones (Moore, Billy).", "diet": "", "family": "Pomacentridae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q275239.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Pez payaso de cola amarilla (Amphiprion clarkii) en una anémona magnífica (Heteractis magnifica), islas Ad Dimaniyat, Omán, 2024-08-16, DD 76", "author": "Diego Delso", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pez_payaso_de_cola_amarilla_(Amphiprion_clarkii)_en_una_an%C3%A9mona_magn%C3%ADfica_(Heteractis_magnifica),_islas_Ad_Dimaniyat,_Om%C3%A1n,_2024-08-16,_DD_76.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clark%27s_anemonefish", "revision": 1372064586, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1372064586", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "e814b630af65952c14f269077f14d36698df9b619264350d3ab036863a1b2314" }, { "id": "Q29243", "common_name": "Epaulette shark", "scientific_name": "Hemiscyllium ocellatum", "aliases": [ "Hemiscyllium ocellatum" ], "summary": "The epaulette shark (, Hemiscyllium ocellatum) is a species of longtailed carpet shark of the family Hemiscylliidae, found in shallow, tropical waters off Australia and New Guinea (and possibly elsewhere). The common name of this shark comes from the very large, white-margined black spot behind each pectoral fin, which are reminiscent of military epaulettes. A small species (usually under 1 m (3.3 ft) long), the epaulette shark has a slender body with a short head and broad, paddle-shaped paired fins. The caudal peduncle (to which the tail fin is attached) comprises over half the shark's length. Adults are light brown above, with scattered darker spots and indistinct saddles. Epaulette sharks have nocturnal habits and frequent shallow water on coral reefs or in tidal pools. This shark has evolved to cope with the severe night time oxygen depletion (hypoxia) in isolated tidal pools by increasing the blood supply to its brain and selectively shutting down non-essential neural functions. It is capable of surviving complete anoxia for two hours without ill effects, and at a much higher temperature than most other hypoxia-tolerant animals. Rather than swim, epaulette sharks often \"walk\" by wriggling their bodies and pushing with their paired fins. This species feeds on a wide range of small benthic invertebrates and bony fishes. Epaulette sharks are oviparous, with females depositing pairs of egg capsules around every 14 days from August to December.", "features": "The epaulette shark has an elongated body, over half of which is comprised by the slender caudal peduncle. The snout is short and rounded, with the nares placed almost at the tip along with a pair of tiny barbels; there are grooves running from the nares to the mouth. There are 26–35 tooth rows in the upper jaw and 21–32 tooth rows in the lower jaw. The teeth are small, with broad bases and triangular cusps. The eyes are oval in shape and elevated, with a large spiracle below each. The five pairs of gill slits are small, with the fourth and fifth very close together. The pectoral and pelvic fins are broad and rounded and are thickly muscled. The two similarly sized dorsal fins are placed well back on the body. The anal fin is low and positioned just in front of the caudal fin. The caudal fin has only an upper lobe, which contains a prominent ventral notch near the tip and is angled almost horizontally relative to the body. Adult epaulette sharks are beige to brownish above with many widely spaced brown spots and subtle darker bands. There is a very large black spot ringed in white located behind each pectoral fin; this pair of spots are the origin of this shark's common name. Juveniles have alternating light and dark bands over their body and fins, which break up as they mature. Epaulette sharks are typically 70–90 cm (27.5–35.5 in) long; the maximum reported length is 107 cm (42 in).", "habitat": "The range of the epaulette shark extends from the southern coast of New Guinea to the northern coast of Australia, as far south as Sydney. The Capricorn-Bunker Group of the Great Barrier Reef contains a particularly large population, with thousands estimated to inhabit the reefs around Heron Island alone. The estimated population density of these reefs is approximately 0.3 to 1.2 individuals per 100 square meters. Additionally, there are unsubstantiated reports of this species from Malaysia, Sumatra, and the Solomon Islands. Epaulette sharks are found in shallow water to a maximum depth of 50 m (160 ft), and are often seen in water barely deep enough to cover their bodies. They prefer tidal pools, coral flats, and stands of staghorn coral. As an adaptation for navigating its complex reef environment, the epaulette shark moves by seemingly walking, bending its body from side-to-side and pushing off of the substrate with its paddle-shaped pectoral and pelvic fins. Its gait is similar to that of salamanders, an example of convergent evolution. The shark is capable of swimming, but often prefers to walk along the sandy or coral bottom even when the water is deep enough to allow it to swim freely. The cartilaginous supports of the epaulette shark's paired fins are reduced and separated when compared to other sharks, allowing them to be rotated for use as limbs. This mode of locomotion even enables the shark to crawl out of the water to access isolated tidal pools.", "distribution": "The range of the epaulette shark extends from the southern coast of New Guinea to the northern coast of Australia, as far south as Sydney. The Capricorn-Bunker Group of the Great Barrier Reef contains a particularly large population, with thousands estimated to inhabit the reefs around Heron Island alone. The estimated population density of these reefs is approximately 0.3 to 1.2 individuals per 100 square meters. Additionally, there are unsubstantiated reports of this species from Malaysia, Sumatra, and the Solomon Islands. Epaulette sharks are found in shallow water to a maximum depth of 50 m (160 ft), and are often seen in water barely deep enough to cover their bodies. They prefer tidal pools, coral flats, and stands of staghorn coral.", "diet": "The epaulette shark is an opportunistic predator of benthic crustaceans, worms, and small bony fish. Off Heron Island, over 90% of the epaulette shark's diet consists of polychaete worms and crabs, with juveniles taking mostly the former and adults mostly the latter. It hunts most actively at dawn and dusk, though feeding can occur at any time during the day. This shark relies mainly on its olfactory and electroreceptive senses to locate hidden prey. It is capable of sucking prey into its mouth by expanding its muscular buccal cavity. While searching for food, the epaulette shark sometimes turns over debris with its snout or thrusts its head into the sand, swallowing food items while expelling the sand grains through its gill slits. Unlike most sharks, the epaulette shark may chew its food for up to 5–10 minutes. Its teeth can be depressed to form a flat surface for crushing hard-shelled prey.", "family": "Hemiscylliidae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q29243.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Hemiscyllium ocellatum 060417w1", "author": "User:Strobilomyces", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hemiscyllium_ocellatum_060417w1.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epaulette_shark", "revision": 1357696084, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1357696084", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "35ff1df7e837430d81ca1bc184f8ab0552c7bbb15b2d83a4aedafa4f97fc884e" }, { "id": "Q911340", "common_name": "Ukrainian brook lamprey", "scientific_name": "Eudontomyzon mariae", "aliases": [ "Eudontomyzon mariae" ], "summary": "The Ukrainian brook lamprey (Eudontomyzon mariae) is a species of lamprey in the Petromyzontidae family. It is found in brackish and freshwater areas in Austria, Belarus, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Georgia, Hungary, Moldova, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Montenegro, Slovakia, Turkey, and Ukraine. It invaded the basin of the Volga River in 2001.", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q911340.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Одинока мінога", "author": "Geomyces.destructans", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%D0%9E%D0%B4%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%BA%D0%B0_%D0%BC%D1%96%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B3%D0%B0.JPG", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukrainian_brook_lamprey", "revision": 1315286758, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1315286758", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "45e924ad6cb5f4d32c72d2cf148510cd344015133654b42891dac22bc8428648" }, { "id": "Q6714971", "common_name": "Arctic cisco", "scientific_name": "Coregonus autumnalis", "aliases": [ "Arctic cisco", "Coregonus autumnalis" ], "summary": "The Arctic cisco (Coregonus autumnalis), also known as Arctic omul (Russian: Омуль), is an anadromous species of freshwater whitefish that inhabits the Arctic parts of Siberia especially Yenisey Gulf. It can also be found in Alaska and Canada. It has a close freshwater relative in several lakes of Ireland, known as the pollan, alternatively regarded as conspecific with it, or as a distinct species.", "features": "The Arctic cisco has a relatively small head with a non-prominent snout. It has a metallic silver body, a brown or dark green back, and nearly colorless fins. It has neither spots nor teeth on its jaw. It does not have a patch of teeth on its tongue. It can reach 50 cm (20 in) in length and weight up to 2 kg (4.4 lbs) but is usually less than 40 cm (16 in) in length and 1 kg (2.2 lbs) in weight.", "habitat": "The Arctic cisco can be found in the Beaufort Sea, Colville River delta, and freshwater drainages east of the Sagavanirktok River. It can be found in several drainages in the Northwest Territories and Siberia, such as the Chaun River, and is not often found east of Point Barrow.", "distribution": "The Arctic cisco can be found in the Beaufort Sea, Colville River delta, and freshwater drainages east of the Sagavanirktok River. It can be found in several drainages in the Northwest Territories and Siberia, such as the Chaun River, and is not often found east of Point Barrow.", "diet": "The Arctic cisco preys upon plankton, crustaceans and small fishes.", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q6714971.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Arctic Cisco", "author": "U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Arctic_Cisco.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctic_cisco", "revision": 1313940142, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1313940142", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "30c4334c01c14842bcac002960bdb8c0ac1d1924b9010173123539292bd28e69" }, { "id": "Q311732", "common_name": "Red-bellied Pacu", "scientific_name": "Piaractus brachypomus", "aliases": [ "Pirapitinga", "Red-bellied pacu", "Piaractus brachypomus" ], "summary": "Piaractus brachypomus also known as the red-bellied Pacu or pirapitinga, is a large species of pacu, a close relative of piranhas and silver dollars, in the serrasalmid family. As with a number of other closely related species, P. brachypomus is often referred to as the red-bellied pacu in reference to the appearance of the juveniles. This has resulted in a great deal of confusion about the nature and needs of all the species involved, with the reputation and requirements of one frequently being wrongly attributed to the others.", "features": "Piaractus brachypomus can reach up to 88 cm (2.9 ft) in length and 25 kg (55 lb) in weight. Juveniles have a distinct red chest and stomach, and are easily confused with the carnivorous red-bellied piranha (Pygocentrus nattereri), but the two can be separated by their teeth, which are molar-like in Piaractus brachypomus. This similarity is believed to be Batesian mimicry by P. brachypomus in an attempt of avoiding predation by other species. Adults lack the bright red chest and belly, and resemble the tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum), but can be separated by several meristic and morphological features: The Red-Bellied Pacu has a smaller adipose fin that lacks rays, as well as differences in teeth and operculum. The Red-bellied Pacu also has a more rounded head profile (less elongated and pointed). The other member of its genus, P. mesopotamicus, can be distinguished by its smaller scale-size and the higher number of lateral scales (more than 110).", "habitat": "In general, its behavior resembles that of the closely related tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum). It is migratory, but the pattern is poorly understood. Spawning occurs at the beginning of the flood season between November and February. Larvae of the Red-Bellied Pacu are found in whitewater rivers, but adults mainly live in flooded forests and floodplains of various river types, including those of both nutrient-rich and nutrient-poor. Unlike the tambaqui, the Red-bellied pacu also occurs in the headwaters of nutrient-poor rivers (not just in the lower sections). It mainly feeds on fruits, seeds, and nuts, but it is opportunistic and will also take zooplankton, insects, crustaceans and small fish, especially in the dry season. In general, more seeds are able to pass undamaged through the red-bellied pacu than the tambaqui, meaning that the former is overall a more efficient seed disperser.", "distribution": "It is native to the Amazon basin in tropical South America, but it formerly included populations in the Orinoco, which was described in 2019 as a separate species, P. orinoquensis. P. brachypomus is widely farmed and has been introduced to regions outside of its native range. In South Florida they are invasive in rivers, canals or lakes.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q311732.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Piaractus brachypomus 208962529", "author": "w_endo", "license": "CC0", "license_url": "http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed.en", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Piaractus_brachypomus_208962529.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piaractus_brachypomus", "revision": 1362055783, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1362055783", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "0ed9690a9931d5292eaacb634ae7265c75e636d82de8e3603f2a9373a4c549a3" }, { "id": "Q1274522", "common_name": "Pelagic thresher", "scientific_name": "Alopias pelagicus", "aliases": [ "Alopias pelagicus" ], "summary": "The pelagic thresher (Alopias pelagicus) is a species of thresher shark, family Alopiidae; this group of sharks is characterized by the greatly elongated upper lobes of their caudal fins. The pelagic thresher occurs in the tropical and subtropical waters of the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean, usually far from shore, although they do occasionally enter coastal habitats. Palagic thresher sharks are often confused with the common thresher (A. vulpinus), even in professional publications, but they can be taxonomically distinguished by the dark, rather than white, color over the bases of their pectoral fins. The smallest of the three thresher species, the pelagic thresher typically measures 3 m (9.8 ft) long. The diet of the pelagic thresher consists mainly of small midwater fishes, which are stunned with whip-like strikes of the palagic thresher's tail. Along with all other mackerel sharks, the pelagic thresher exhibits ovoviviparity and usually gives birth to litters of two. The developing embryos are oophagous, feeding on unfertilized eggs produced by the mother. The young are born unusually large, up to 43% the length of the mother. Pelagic threshers are valued by commercial fisheries for their meat, skin, liver oil, and fins, and are also pursued by sport fishers. The International Union for Conservation of Nature assessed this species as endangered species in 2019.", "features": "The pelagic thresher is the smallest of the thresher sharks, typically 3 m (10 ft) in length and 69.5 kg (153.2 lb) in weight, and usually not exceeding 3.3 m (11 ft) and 88.4 kg (195 lb). Males and females attain known maximum lengths of 3.5 m (11 ft) and 3.8 m (12 ft), respectively. A record of 5 m (16 ft) is dubious and may have resulted from confusion with other thresher species. This species has a fusiform body (wide in the middle and tapered at the ends) and a very slender upper caudal fin lobe nearly as long as the rest of the shark. The pectoral fins are long and straight with broad, rounded tips. The first dorsal fin is placed halfway between the pectoral and pelvic fins, and is of comparable size to the pelvic fins. The second dorsal and anal fins are tiny. The head is narrow with a short, conical snout and a distinctive \"pinched\" profile when viewed from below. The eyes are very large in juveniles and decrease in relative size with age. No furrows occur at the corners of the mouth. The teeth are very small, numbering 21–22 rows on each side with a symphysial (central) row in the upper jaw and 21 on each side without a symphysial row in the lower jaw. Five to 11 rows of posterior teeth are present. The teeth are smooth-edged, with oblique cusps and lateral cusplets on the outside margins. The body is covered with very small, smooth dermal denticles with flat crowns and cusps with parallel ridges. The coloration is an intense dark blue above and white below; the white does not extend to above the pectoral fins. The color rapidly fades to gray after death.", "habitat": "Due to confusion with the common thresher, the distribution of the pelagic thresher may be wider than is currently known. It ranges extensively in the Indo-Pacific, with scattered records from South Africa, the Red Sea, and the Arabian Sea (off Somalia, between Oman and India, and off Pakistan), to China, southeastern Japan, northwestern Australia, New Caledonia, and Tahiti, to the Hawaiian Islands, California, and the Galapagos Islands. The North Pacific population shifts northward during warm El Nino years. Analysis of mitochondrial DNA has shown extensive gene flow within the eastern and western Pacific pelagic thresher populations, but little flow between them. The pelagic thresher primarily inhabits the open ocean, occurring from the surface to a depth of at least 150 m (490 ft). However, it occasionally comes close to shore in regions with a narrow continental shelf, and has been observed near coral reef dropoffs or seamounts in the Red Sea and the Gulf of California, and off Indonesia and Micronesia. It has also been known to enter large lagoons in the Tuamotu Islands. The pelagic thresher is an active, strong swimmer and has been known to leap clear of the water (five times in a row on one documented occasion). Predators of the pelagic thresher include larger fishes (including other sharks) and toothed whales. Known parasites of this species include the tapeworms Litobothrium amplifica, L. daileyi, and L.", "distribution": "Due to confusion with the common thresher, the distribution of the pelagic thresher may be wider than is currently known. It ranges extensively in the Indo-Pacific, with scattered records from South Africa, the Red Sea, and the Arabian Sea (off Somalia, between Oman and India, and off Pakistan), to China, southeastern Japan, northwestern Australia, New Caledonia, and Tahiti, to the Hawaiian Islands, California, and the Galapagos Islands. The North Pacific population shifts northward during warm El Nino years. Analysis of mitochondrial DNA has shown extensive gene flow within the eastern and western Pacific pelagic thresher populations, but little flow between them. The pelagic thresher primarily inhabits the open ocean, occurring from the surface to a depth of at least 150 m (490 ft). However, it occasionally comes close to shore in regions with a narrow continental shelf, and has been observed near coral reef dropoffs or seamounts in the Red Sea and the Gulf of California, and off Indonesia and Micronesia. It has also been known to enter large lagoons in the Tuamotu Islands.", "diet": "Little information is available on the feeding ecology of the pelagic thresher. Its very slender tail and fine dentition suggest an exclusive diet of small, pelagic prey. Analysis of stomach contents reveals that pelagic threshers feed mainly on barracudinas, lightfishes, and escolars, all inhabitants of the mesopelagic zone. Therefore, little competition occurs between the pelagic thresher and other large oceanic piscivores such as billfishes, tunas, and dolphinfishes, which tend to feed near the surface. Pelagic threshers have been shown to stun their prey by striking them sharply with the upper lobe of their caudal fins allowing them to consume more than one prey item at one time . Because of this behaviour, pelagic threshers are often hooked on longlines by their tails.", "family": "Alopiidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1274522.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Pelagic thresher shark (Alopias pelagicus) (cropped)", "author": "Pierre Pericard", "license": "CC BY 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pelagic_thresher_shark_(Alopias_pelagicus)_(cropped).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelagic_thresher", "revision": 1382038163, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1382038163", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "764e195004390c84abedbd531ac14d49c38990db58ac5d0e193b492fb2fe0ef0" }, { "id": "Q2025898", "common_name": "Bigeye trevally", "scientific_name": "Caranx sexfasciatus", "aliases": [ "Caranx sexfasciatus", "Big-eye trevally", "dusky jack" ], "summary": "The bigeye trevally (Caranx sexfasciatus), also known as the bigeye jack, great trevally, six-banded trevally and dusky jack, is a species of widespread large marine fish classified in the jack family Carangidae. The bigeye trevally is distributed throughout the tropical waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, ranging from South Africa in the west to California and Ecuador in the east, including Australia to the south and Japan in the north. The bigeye trevally is best distinguished by its colouration, having a dark second dorsal fin with a white tip on the lobe, and also possessing a small dark spot on the operculum. Other more detailed anatomical features also set the species apart from other members of Caranx. The species is known to grow to a length of 120 cm and 18 kg. It is predominantly an inshore fish, inhabiting reefs down to depths of around 100 m in both coastal zones and offshore islands, often venturing into estuaries and sandy bays as juveniles. The bigeye trevally is commonly found in large slow moving schools during the day, becoming active at night when it feeds, taking a variety of fish, crustaceans, cephalopods and other invertebrates. The fish is known to move from a more crustacean dominated diet as a juvenile to a nearly completely fish dominated diet as an adult. Sexual maturity is reached at 42 cm, with spawning occurring in large aggregations occurring at different periods throughout its range, generally between July and March.", "features": "The bigeye trevally is one of the larger members of Caranx, growing to a maximum recorded size of 120 cm in length and 18.0 kg in weight. It is similar to most other jacks in having a compressed, oblong body, with the dorsal profile slightly more convex than the ventral profile, particularly anteriorly. The snout is slightly pointed, and is greater in length than the eye diameter. The dorsal fin is in two distinct sections; the first consisting of 8 spine and the second of 1 spine and 19 to 22 soft rays. The anal fin consists of 2 anteriorly detached spines followed by 1 spine and 14 to 17 soft rays. The pelvic fins consists of 1 spine and 17 to 18 soft rays, while the caudal fin is strongly forked and the pectoral fin falcate. The species lateral line is moderately arched anteriorly, with 49 to 50 scales in this section, while the straight section contains 0 to 3 scales and 27 to 36 strong scutes. The breast is completely covered in scales. The species has well-developed adipose eyelids, while its dentition consists of an outer row of widely spaced canine teeth and an inner band of villiform teeth in the upper jaw, with a row of widely spaced conical teeth on the lower jaw. The bigeye trevally has 21 to 25 gill rakers and 25 vertebrae. The bigeye trevally shows a change in colour as it ages, changing both overall colour and body patterns. Juveniles are a silvery yellow to silvery brown in colour, and possess five to six dark vertical bands on their sides, from which the specific epithet sexfasciatus arose.", "habitat": "The bigeye trevally is widely distributed throughout the tropical and subtropical waters of both the Indian and Pacific Oceans. In the Indian Ocean, it ranges from South Africa and Madagascar in the west, along the east African coastline up to both the Red Sea and Persian Gulf. Its range extends east along India, South East Asia, Indonesia and many offshore Indian Ocean islands. The range extends north to Japan and south to Australia in this central Indo-pacific region. In the Pacific Ocean, the bigeye trevally inhabits most of the tropical island groups including Hawaii, with its range extending east to the western American coastline. In this eastern region of its distribution it has been recorded from the American state of California in the north, including the Gulf of California, and south to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. The bigeye trevally predominantly live in inshore coastal waters, although does occur in pelagic settings far offshore, and around remote islands and seamounts. The species is known to reach depths of around 100 m. It is mostly found over coral and rocky reef complexes as adults, however often moves into more inshore areas in sandy bays and lagoons in small numbers. Those that live offshore often live on deeper seamounts or reefs around offshore islands. The species moves with the tide in some regions, entering shallow lagoonal areas as the tide rises, and moving back to the deeper reefs as it retreats. Juveniles inhabit more inshore, shallower waters around the coast, often venturing into lagoons, tidal flats, mangrove zones and even estuaries.", "distribution": "The bigeye trevally is widely distributed throughout the tropical and subtropical waters of both the Indian and Pacific Oceans. In the Indian Ocean, it ranges from South Africa and Madagascar in the west, along the east African coastline up to both the Red Sea and Persian Gulf. Its range extends east along India, South East Asia, Indonesia and many offshore Indian Ocean islands. The range extends north to Japan and south to Australia in this central Indo-pacific region. In the Pacific Ocean, the bigeye trevally inhabits most of the tropical island groups including Hawaii, with its range extending east to the western American coastline. In this eastern region of its distribution it has been recorded from the American state of California in the north, including the Gulf of California, and south to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. The bigeye trevally predominantly live in inshore coastal waters, although does occur in pelagic settings far offshore, and around remote islands and seamounts. The species is known to reach depths of around 100 m. It is mostly found over coral and rocky reef complexes as adults, however often moves into more inshore areas in sandy bays and lagoons in small numbers. Those that live offshore often live on deeper seamounts or reefs around offshore islands. The species moves with the tide in some regions, entering shallow lagoonal areas as the tide rises, and moving back to the deeper reefs as it retreats. Juveniles inhabit more inshore, shallower waters around the coast, often venturing into lagoons, tidal flats, mangrove zones and even estuaries.", "diet": "", "family": "Carangidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q2025898.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Bigeye trevally BoraBora", "author": "zsispeo", "license": "CC BY-SA 2.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bigeye_trevally_BoraBora.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bigeye_trevally", "revision": 1366881877, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1366881877", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "0a94baa0c35822b1306147c6d8fbfeead46143d8a9ccde3b06b30ed233bd1824" }, { "id": "Q301137", "common_name": "Devils Hole pupfish", "scientific_name": "Cyprinodon diabolis", "aliases": [ "Cyprinodon diabolis", "Devil’s Hole pupfish" ], "summary": "The Devils Hole pupfish (Cyprinodon diabolis) is a critically endangered species of the family Cyprinodontidae (pupfishes) found only in Devils Hole, a water-filled cavern in the US state of Nevada. It was first described as a species in 1930 and is most closely related to C. nevadensis and the Death Valley pupfish (C. salinus). The age of the species is unknown, with differing analyses offering ranges between one thousand and sixty thousand years. It is a small fish, with maximum lengths of up to 30 mm (1.2 in). Individuals vary in coloration based on age and sex: males are bright metallic blue while females and juveniles are more yellow. A defining trait of this species is its lack of pelvic fins. The pupfish consumes nearly every available food resource at Devils Hole, including beetles, snails, algae, and freshwater crustaceans, with diet varying throughout the year. It is preyed on by the predaceous diving beetle species Neoclypeodytes cinctellus, which was first observed in Devils Hole in 1999 or 2000. Reproduction occurs year-round, with spikes in the spring and fall. Females produce few eggs and the survivorship from egg to adult is low. Individuals live 10–14 months. Devils Hole is more than 130 m (430 ft) deep, though pupfish are only found in the upper 24 m (80 ft). The water is a constant temperature of 33 °C (91 °F) and dissolved oxygen levels are low. A small, shallowly submerged rock shelf provides critical feeding and spawning habitat for the pupfish.", "features": "The Devils Hole pupfish is the smallest pupfish species in the genus Cyprinodon, with lengths up to 30 mm (1.2 in). The average length is 23 mm (0.9 in). Males and females differ in coloration. Males are overall dark brown with metallic blue on their sides. The margins of all fins are black, and the back has golden iridescence. Iridescence is particularly pronounced on the opercles (gill covers) which have a violet sheen on their posterior side. The iris is blue and also iridescent. Females and young are more yellow in color than the males. Females have yellowish-brown backs, and the margins of their pectoral and caudal fins are yellow, not black. The dorsal fin has a black margin like the males, however. Females' opercles are metallic green, and their eyes are tinted metallic blue. The young are overall colored as the females, though they have a faint vertical bar on their sides. Individuals lack pelvic fins, though have been observed to grow them when raised in lower temperatures in captivity. Its dorsal fin has twelve rays, while each pectoral fin has seventeen rays. The caudal fin is convex in appearance and has twenty-eight rays, curving outward at the margin. Its lateral series (the number of scales from the back end of the opercle to the beginning of the tail) is twenty-seven scales. The scales are ctenoid, or toothed, on the outer margin.", "habitat": "The Devils Hole pupfish consumes a variety of food items representing nearly all possible food resources in Devils Hole. Its food resources include inorganic particulate matter; the algae Spirogyra and diatoms; the freshwater crustaceans Hyalella azteca and ostracods; protozoa; the beetle Stenelmis calida; the flatworm Girardia dorotocephala; and the freshwater snails Tryonia. The consumption of the various food resources varies seasonally, though inorganic particulate matter had a high frequency of occurrence in stomach contents year-round in one study. The inorganic particulate matter consists of primarily travertine, a form of limestone. The three most common food items for each season by frequency of occurrence were: Spring (March through May): inorganic particulate matter (83%), diatoms (75%), and Spirogyra (58%) Summer (June through August): inorganic particulate matter (79%), Spirogyra (46%), and diatoms (46%) Autumn (September through November): inorganic particulate matter (95%), Spirogyra (74%), and Hyalella azteca (33%) Winter (December through February): inorganic particulate matter (100%), diatoms (91%), and ostracods (45%) As Spirogyra was mostly found undigested in the stomach, the authors hypothesized that it was not important as a food resource, but rather as a foraging substrate. The inorganic particulate matter was thought to be incidentally consumed as well as a result of the fish's foraging strategy of bottom feeding and surface feeding.", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Cyprinodontidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q301137.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Cyprinodon diabolis, males", "author": "Olin Feuerbacher / USFWS", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cyprinodon_diabolis,_males.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devils_Hole_pupfish", "revision": 1383228847, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1383228847", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "b33a60c9583fabee32868830c6089d9bb8c144393e5a378ce319ef13518eaa1d" }, { "id": "Q1474934", "common_name": "Butterfly blenny", "scientific_name": "Blennius ocellaris", "aliases": [ "Blennius ocellaris" ], "summary": "The butterfly blenny (Blennius ocellaris) is a small marine blenniid fish of Northern and Western Europe, as well as the Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea and Morocco. It is usually found at a depth of 10–400 metres (33–1,312 ft) down, especially in areas with a rocky floor.", "features": "The butterfly blenny has a deep body at the front, tapering rather quickly to the caudal peduncle. It can grow as large as 20 cm (8 in) in length. It has 11 to 12 dorsal spines, 14 to 16 dorsal soft rays, 2 anal spines and 15 to 16 anal soft rays. It has tentacles on the nasal opening, above the eye and on the nape near the first dorsal fin ray. The lateral line is discontinuous. The front part of the dorsal fin is much higher than the remainder of the fin, and the anal fin is also long, running half the body length. The pelvic fins are set well forward and are divided in two. This fish is a mottled brownish-grey, with five to seven dark vertical bars. There is a large bluish-black eyespot surrounded by a white ring on the 6th and 7th rays of the dorsal fin.", "habitat": "The butterfly blenny has a range that extends from the Mediterranean Sea, up the coast of Spain, Portugal and France to the English Channel and the Irish Sea. It is found over rocky substrates covered with seaweed and this means that it is seldom caught in trawls, and may be more common than it seems. It occurs in the subtidal zone, and its depth range is down to about 100 m (330 ft).", "distribution": "The butterfly blenny has a range that extends from the Mediterranean Sea, up the coast of Spain, Portugal and France to the English Channel and the Irish Sea. It is found over rocky substrates covered with seaweed and this means that it is seldom caught in trawls, and may be more common than it seems. It occurs in the subtidal zone, and its depth range is down to about 100 m (330 ft).", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1474934.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Blennius ocellaris Messina", "author": "Etrusko25", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blennius_ocellaris_Messina.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butterfly_blenny", "revision": 1343827593, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1343827593", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "37bf4a5eba4b0b5e342a851ee837f9d4277350fc5dc23a5c16d4381838f703b2" }, { "id": "Q496154", "common_name": "Giant mottled eel", "scientific_name": "Anguilla marmorata", "aliases": [ "Anguilla marmorata" ], "summary": "The giant mottled eel (Anguilla marmorata), also known as the marbled eel, is a species of tropical anguillid eel that is found in the Indo-Pacific and adjacent freshwater habitats.", "features": "Similar to other anguillids, the giant mottled eel is cylindrical with small, well-developed pectoral fins and a protruding lower jaw. The eel has thick, fleshy lips. The eel has dorsal and anal fins that are continuous around the tail, with the origin of the dorsal-fin between the pectoral fins and anus. It has small, oval-shaped scales that are embedded in the skin. Unlike some other anguillid species, this species has a mottled color. The adult eels are yellow with a greenish-brown to black marbling on their back and a white belly. The young elvers have less visible marbling and are grayish to yellow. The dorsal fin of the marbled eel is closer to the gill opening than to the anus, more anterior than other species of Anguilla. Like all anguillid eels, it does not have pelvic fins. The head is rounded and the snout is depressed. Its teeth are small and in bands. It has a total of 100 to 110 vertebrae. It can grow up to 2 meters (6.6 ft) for females and 1.5 meters (4.9 ft) for males and can weigh up to 20.5 kilograms (45 lb), making it the largest species of anguillid eels. The marbled eel can live up to about 40 years.", "habitat": "This anguillid species can be found from East Africa to French Polynesia and as far north as southern Japan. In Africa, it may be found within Mozambique and the lower Zambezi River. The giant mottled eel has the widest distribution of all the Anguilla eels. It is usually found in tropical climates between 24°N to 33°S. It has also been found in other more distant regions such as the Galapagos possibly due to abnormal larval transport associated with El Niño-Southern Oscillation events. It is not on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, but in Taiwan, it is endangered. In 2002, a single eel was captured from a pond close to Kaupo, Maui, Hawaii, though it is not indigenous to the area. The adults of this species are demersal, living on the bottom of fresh to brackish waters, in rivers, lakes, and tributaries. This species and all anguillid eels are catadromous, migrating sometimes long distances out into the open ocean to spawning over deep water. A spawning area of this species is known to be west of the Mariana Islands in an area of the North Equatorial Current in the western North Pacific, but other spawning areas are thought to exist in the western South Pacific and Indian Ocean. Marbled eels spend their adult lives in freshwater or estuarine habitats, and migrate to the ocean to reproduce. When the eggs hatch, the leptocephali drift in ocean currents for months until they reach estuaries as glass eels where they migrate upstream into freshwater as elvers.", "distribution": "This anguillid species can be found from East Africa to French Polynesia and as far north as southern Japan. In Africa, it may be found within Mozambique and the lower Zambezi River. The giant mottled eel has the widest distribution of all the Anguilla eels. It is usually found in tropical climates between 24°N to 33°S. It has also been found in other more distant regions such as the Galapagos possibly due to abnormal larval transport associated with El Niño-Southern Oscillation events. It is not on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, but in Taiwan, it is endangered. In 2002, a single eel was captured from a pond close to Kaupo, Maui, Hawaii, though it is not indigenous to the area.", "diet": "The marbled eel is carnivorous, but harmless, with a wide-ranging diet, eating shrimp, crabs, bony fish, and frogs. It is nocturnal, so it is active at night.", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q496154.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Oounagi070224", "author": "ふうけ", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Oounagi070224.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_mottled_eel", "revision": 1365298190, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1365298190", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "0b21c40974ba19357726d5b13278ac9fe02a2be7ecfc6368e79e28bf53225231" }, { "id": "Q749460", "common_name": "Common remora", "scientific_name": "Remora remora", "aliases": [ "Remora remora", "common remora" ], "summary": "The common remora (Remora remora) is a pelagic marine fish belonging to the family Echeneidae. The dorsal fin, which has 22 to 26 soft rays, acts as a suction cup, creating a vacuum to allow the fish to attach to larger marine animals, such as whales, dolphins, sharks, and sea turtles.", "features": "", "habitat": "This remora is commonly found in warm marine waters and has been seen in the western Mediterranean and the Atlantic, as well as the North Sea.", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Echeneidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q749460.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Remora remora", "author": "NOAA CCMA Biogeography Team", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Remora_remora.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_remora", "revision": 1373924504, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1373924504", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "f461d062ea62988c0cf9b8c9d241f20c3933f8a28f4604a01631b7c7e0f4f928" }, { "id": "Q958827", "common_name": "Caucasian dwarf goby", "scientific_name": "Knipowitschia caucasica", "aliases": [ "Knipowitschia caucasica" ], "summary": "Knipowitschia caucasica, the Caucasian dwarf goby, is a species of goby native to marine, fresh and brackish waters along the coasts of the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov, the Caspian Sea and the Aegean Sea and to the Haliacmon drainage of Greece. It inhabits shallow waters (0 to 2 metres (0.0 to 6.6 ft)) with plentiful weed growth where it can find its prey consisting of small crustaceans, the larvae of chironomids and the larvae of the mussel Dreissena polymorpha. Spawning takes place after their first winter with the eggs being deposited onto the roof of a cavity formed by rocks, shells or plant materials. The male will remain to defend the eggs. This species can reach a length of 5 centimetres (2.0 in) TL", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q958827.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Knipowitschia caucasica - Iran", "author": "K. Abbasi", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Knipowitschia_caucasica_-_Iran.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caucasian_dwarf_goby", "revision": 1362495221, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1362495221", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "17f7a18331b7ddc6cada0e0fb529b64646785be3863433dd6b0fd972532d2c9b" }, { "id": "Q1930449", "common_name": "Eastern mosquitofish", "scientific_name": "Gambusia holbrooki", "aliases": [ "Gambusia holbrooki" ], "summary": "The eastern mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) is a species of freshwater fish, closely related to the western mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis. It is a member of the family Poeciliidae of order Cyprinodontiformes. The eastern mosquitofish is native to the eastern and southern United States from Florida to New Jersey and inland to Alabama and Tennessee, while the western mosquitofish has a larger distribution throughout the United States.", "features": "The eastern mosquitofish is a small, light-colored fish with semitransparent fins. The females usually have a black stripe near their eye area and light spots can be seen on the caudal and dorsal fins of both sexes. Due to its similar size, shape, and reproductive habits, it can easily be mistaken for a guppy. Generally, males reach 1.5 in (3.8 cm) and females 2.5 in (6.4 cm). These fish are a livebearer species, and as such, the females are larger and more rounded than the males. Pregnant females are also easily recognizable by their gravid spot; a darker area on their bellies where they hold the fry. Mosquitofish may have a melanistic color pattern with black spots, resembling a dalmatian. This could result in its being misidentified as another species.", "habitat": "Eastern mosquitofish are native to the southeastern United States. They have been introduced worldwide and have become an invasive species in many places including Australia and Europe. Eastern mosquitofish are found in shallow, standing to slow-flowing water, mostly in vegetated ponds, lakes, and sloughs. This species thrives in water between 31 °C (88 °F) and 35 °C (95 °F), and seems to be able to acclimate to temperatures above and below this. G. holbrooki has been shown to survive in water with pH and chemical levels known to kill other fish species, and prefers to live in areas where the water flows at a slow pace, is clear and without free-floating plant life, and seeks shelter in rooted plants. No decrease in this species due to human activities has been noted. The Eastern mosquitofish is easily maintained and has never been considered an endangered or threatened species due to its ability to thrive in its native habitat. Due to releases in new areas, G. holbrooki has actually increased its range. It tolerates chemical and thermal changes quite easily.", "distribution": "Eastern mosquitofish are native to the southeastern United States. They have been introduced worldwide and have become an invasive species in many places including Australia and Europe. Eastern mosquitofish are found in shallow, standing to slow-flowing water, mostly in vegetated ponds, lakes, and sloughs. This species thrives in water between 31 °C (88 °F) and 35 °C (95 °F), and seems to be able to acclimate to temperatures above and below this. G. holbrooki has been shown to survive in water with pH and chemical levels known to kill other fish species, and prefers to live in areas where the water flows at a slow pace, is clear and without free-floating plant life, and seeks shelter in rooted plants. No decrease in this species due to human activities has been noted. The Eastern mosquitofish is easily maintained and has never been considered an endangered or threatened species due to its ability to thrive in its native habitat. Due to releases in new areas, G. holbrooki has actually increased its range. It tolerates chemical and thermal changes quite easily. Through species distribution models, it has been revealed that Eastern mosquitofish exhibit significant niche expansions beyond their natural climatic ranges, with a notable shift towards tropical regions in Asia and a distinct niche shift observed in European G. holbrooki populations. These findings highlight the ecological flexibility of these species, contributing to their extensive success and posing a substantial risk for further range expansion.", "diet": "G. holbrooki is considered a planktivorous species which consumes algae and detritus. Feeding habits seem to change based on maturity and mating season. Gambusia holbrooki will, if need arises, switch food sources to survive. With an increase of competition, this species will switch from a diet rich in phytoplankton, algae, and detritus to one consisting of zooplankton, invertebrates, the larvae of many other fish and amphibian species, and plant-associated animals. The main source of competition for G. holbrooki seems to be an increase of its own species and other planktivorous species. The main problem with this is, as mentioned before, it will change its diet; this is common even among the juveniles and both sexes of its own species. The females tend to not specialize on one prey, and consume all evenly, whereas the males and juveniles specialize on one prey type. However. males, females, and juveniles all consume detritus at the same rate.", "family": "Poeciliidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1930449.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "EasternMosquitoFishJG Female", "author": "JeffreyGammon", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:EasternMosquitoFishJG_Female.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_mosquitofish", "revision": 1370868047, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1370868047", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "14670028852b4aa7655591096df86608090c8d0d037ec40681e300b7004e40c8" }, { "id": "Q1156455", "common_name": "Masu", "scientific_name": "Oncorhynchus masou", "aliases": [ "Oncorhynchus masou" ], "summary": "The masu salmon (Oncorhynchus masou), also known as masu (Japanese: マス, lit. 'trout') or cherry trout (桜鱒, サクラマス, sakura masu) in Japan, is a species of salmonid belonging to the genus Oncorhynchus, found in the North Pacific along Northeast/East Asian coasts from the Russian Far East (Primorsky, Kamchatka Peninsula, Sakhalin and Kuril Islands) to south through Korea, Japan and Taiwan. Although generally accepted as a salmon in the West, the fish is actually regarded as a trout in Japan (its most famous native range) as it is the most commonly seen freshwater salmonid in the Japanese archipelago. A number of subspecies are known, including the widespread nominate subspecies yamame (O. m. masou), the critically endangered Formosan salmon (O. m. formosanus) in landlocked waters of Taiwan, the Biwa trout (O. m. rhodurus) endemic of Lake Biwa, and the anadromous amago (O. m. macrostomus) restricted to western Japan.", "features": "A masu salmon which has reached sexual maturity has a darkened back, and the stripes on the body sides become bright red with crimson tinge to merge on the abdomen into one common longitudinal band of lighter color. For this reason, it was given the name cherry salmon. As adults, masu salmon tend to weigh 2.0 to 2.5 kg (4 lb 7 oz to 5 lb 8 oz) and measure roughly 50 cm (20 in) in length. The maximum size that can be attained by this species (which is in the region of Primorsky Krai) is 71 cm (28 in) long and 9 kg (19 lb 13 oz) in weight.", "habitat": "On average, this salmon prefers a temperate climate around the latitude of 65–58°N, and in the sea, it prefers a depth of 0–200 m (0–660 ft).", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1156455.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Cherry salmon", "author": "Jony Cooper", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cherry_salmon.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oncorhynchus_masou", "revision": 1377887139, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1377887139", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "c618ca928633b513464e1c30f0ad36eb2f23450caf09bdd476577d0e64b83264" }, { "id": "Q1510347", "common_name": "Pacific herring", "scientific_name": "Clupea pallasii", "aliases": [ "Clupea pallasii" ], "summary": "The Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii) is a species of the herring family associated with the Pacific Ocean environment of North America and northeast Asia. It is a silvery fish with unspined fins and a deeply forked caudal fin. The distribution is widely along the California coast from Baja California north to Alaska and the Bering Sea; in Asia, the distribution is south to Japan, Korea, and China. Clupea pallasii is considered a keystone species because of its very high productivity and interactions with many predators and prey. Pacific herring spawn in variable seasons, but often in the early part of the year in intertidal and sub-tidal environments, commonly on eelgrass, seaweed or other submerged vegetation. They do not die after spawning and can breed in successive years. According to government sources, the Pacific herring fishery collapsed in the year 1993 and is slowly recovering to commercial viability in several North American stock areas. The species is named for Peter Simon Pallas, a noted German naturalist and explorer.", "features": "Pacific herring have a bluish-green back and silver-white sides and bellies; they are otherwise unmarked. The silvery color derives from guanine crystals embedded in their laterals, leading to an effective camouflage phenomenon. There is a single dorsal fin located mid-body and a deeply forked tail-fin. Their bodies are compressed laterally, and ventral scales protrude in a somewhat serrated fashion. Unlike other genus members, they have no scales on heads or gills; moreover, their scales are large and easy to extract. This species of fish may attain a length of 45 centimetres (18 in) in exceptional cases and weigh up to 550 grams (19 oz), but a typical adult size is closer to 33 centimetres (13 in). The fish interior is quite bony with oily flesh. This species has no teeth on the jawline, but some are exhibited on the vomer. Pacific herring have an unusual retinal morphology that allows filter feeding in extremely dim lighting environments. This species is capable of rapid vertical motion, due to the existence of a complex nerve receptor system design that connects to the gas bladder.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1510347.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Clupea pallasii pallasii", "author": "AnonymousUnknown author", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Clupea_pallasii_pallasii.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_herring", "revision": 1367725053, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1367725053", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "15dc77736d9445cfedd0a995da1ccd3559826709bf0d9bb5005a710a04255f46" }, { "id": "Q1419990", "common_name": "Tompot blenny", "scientific_name": "Parablennius gattorugine", "aliases": [ "Parablennius gattorugine" ], "summary": "The tompot blenny (Parablennius gattorugine) is a species of combtooth blenny from the north eastern Atlantic Ocean which is found in shallow, coastal waters off western Europe, the Mediterranean and North Africa.", "features": "The tompot blenny is a relatively large blenny with an elongated body, large head and large eyes which grows to up to 30 centimetres (12 in) in length. The eyes are bicoloured with their top part being brown and the bottom part is white. There is a single branched tentacle over each of its eyes. It is mainly yellow-brown in colour, although occasionally it is greenish and is marked with at least seven dark bars starting at the dorsal fin and which reach the belly. As well as the tentacles over the eyes there are also tentacles over the nostrils. The lateral line is continuous but becomes broken towards the tail. The breeding males become chocolate brown in colour and develop bulb-like glands on the spines of the anal fin. The dorsal fin runs the length of its body and is divided into two halves by a shallow notch. The anterior portion of the fin is contains the spiny rays while the posterior portion contains the soft rays. The dorsal fin has 13–14 spines and 17–20 ray while the anal fin has 2 spines and 19–23 rays. It has relatively large pectoral fins. Each individual has a unique set of markings on the scales of the face which mean that studies of their biology can identify individuals.", "habitat": "Tompot blennies are very territorial and their territories are centred around a crevice in the rocky reef which the fish uses for shelter. They occur in shallow seas at depths of 3–32 metres (9.8–105.0 ft) although smaller specimens occur in rockpools. They may be found above the low tide mark at very low tides, sheltering under boulders or among exposed vegetation.", "distribution": "The tompot blenny is found along the Atlantic coast of Europe from southern England and Ireland to Morocco. It is also found throughout the Mediterranean Sea to the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea. In Great Britain it is mainly recorded off the south and west coasts and is largely absent from the North Sea coasts, although it has been seen on wrecks off the North Norfolk coast. and off eastern Scotland as far north as the Shetland Islands.", "diet": "Tompot blennies have sharp, comb-like teeth which they use to scrape food from the substrate. They feed on sea anemones and on other invertebrates such as prawns and other crustaceans. They are crepuscular, being active mainly at dawn and at dusk.", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1419990.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Parablennius gattorugine 2011", "author": "This illustration was made by Citron You must credit this : Citron / CC-BY-SA-3.0", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Parablennius_gattorugine_2011.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tompot_blenny", "revision": 1315251981, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1315251981", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "5a063f8c153005ab1e008eab2fc6783d8ff464744a6d6cc44ba6d5cda2a4069e" }, { "id": "Q127463", "common_name": "Lemon sole", "scientific_name": "Microstomus kitt", "aliases": [ "Microstomus kitt" ], "summary": "The lemon sole (Microstomus kitt) is a flatfish of the family Pleuronectidae. It is native to shallow seas around Northern Europe, where it lives on stony bottoms down to depths of about 1,400 metres (4,600 ft). It grows up to 65 centimetres (26 in) in length and reaches about 3 kilograms (6.6 lb) in weight. It is a popular food fish.", "features": "The lemon sole is a right-eyed flatfish with a small head and mouth and smooth, slimy skin. The upper surface is reddish brown in colour, mottled with pink and orange and flecks of yellow and green, and a prominent orange patch is typically found behind the pectoral fin, around which the lateral line also curves. The underside of the fish is white. Adults can reach lengths of up to 65 centimetres (26 in), but most measure around 20–30 centimetres (8–12 in).", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Pleuronectidae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q127463.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Microstomus kitt 1", "author": "Hans Hillewaert", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Microstomus_kitt_1.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lemon_sole", "revision": 1315120823, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1315120823", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "48c01d4b41755d3fb779c0e47de39d058b29ff895a85a0bfd0d7748f619e094f" }, { "id": "Q325591", "common_name": "East Atlantic peacock wrasse", "scientific_name": "Symphodus tinca", "aliases": [ "Symphodus tinca" ], "summary": "The East Atlantic peacock wrasse (Symphodus tinca) is a species of wrasse native to the eastern Atlantic Ocean from Spain to Morocco and in the coastal waters of the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea. This species lives around rocks surrounded by eelgrass and can also be found in brackish waters in lagoons. It occurs at depths from 1 to 50 m (3.3 to 164.0 ft). This species can reach 44 cm (17 in) in standard length, though most grow no larger than 25 cm (9.8 in). This species is sought as a game fish and is also important to local peoples as a food fish. It can also be found in the aquarium trade.", "features": "Body is oval and laterally flattened. Mouth is rather small, more or less protrusive, with rather strong canine-like teeth. There are a few cephalic pores on the snout; lips are with 6–9 folds. Head is generally longer than body depth. Dorsal fin is very long and reaches almost to the tail. Both sexes have a small dark spot at base of caudal fin and a dark blotch just above pectoral fin. Also, many darker spots on the body form 3 or 4 longitudinal stripes. Generally, color reflects sexual dimorphism. Females and juveniles are grey-greenish or brownish, fading to a silvery color on the belly. Between immature males and mature females there are almost no differences in color. Males are more brightly colored, especially in the breeding season. Pale green, green-bluish or green-yellowish, longitudinal rows of red spots, with upper part of head dark blue. East Atlantic Peacock Wrasse can reach 44 cm (17 in) in standard length, though most grow no larger than 25 cm (9.8 in). Due to relatively small dimensions, this species is rarely sought as a game fish, but it is sometimes sold locally for food when caught in local artisanal fisheries. It can also be found in the aquarium trade. Peacock wrasse feeds on sea urchins, ophiuroids, bivalves, shrimps and crabs. Spawning takes place in spring, when a seaweed nest is built and guarded by the male, with one or more females laying their adhesive eggs in it.", "habitat": "It is native to the eastern Atlantic Ocean from Spain to Morocco and can be found in the coastal waters of the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea. This gregarious littoral fish is found on rocky reefs covered by algae, on sea-grass meadows, around rocks surrounded by eelgrass and can also be found in brackish waters in lagoons. It occurs at depths from 1 to 50 m (3.3 to 164.0 ft).", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q325591.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Symphodus tinca mâle avec des femelles (Linnaeus, 1758)", "author": "Parent Géry", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Symphodus_tinca_m%C3%A2le_avec_des_femelles_(Linnaeus,_1758).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Atlantic_peacock_wrasse", "revision": 1381857836, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1381857836", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "29a47c510dec7643c0979528bd8c87a167a4c0de1156cda8cf60a901cfd134bc" }, { "id": "Q73897", "common_name": "Copperband butterflyfish", "scientific_name": "Chelmon rostratus", "aliases": [ "Chelmon rostratus" ], "summary": "The copperband butterflyfish (Chelmon rostratus), also known as the beaked coral fish, is found in reefs in both the Pacific and Indian Oceans. This butterflyfish is one of the three species that make up the genus Chelmon and all have long beaks.", "features": "These fish are easily identified by the yellow banding and long snout. The young fish are similar in appearance to adult fish. Butterflyfish grow up to 20 cm in length. The fish appears taller than its length because of its compressed, deep-bodied form with a long dorsal and posterior fins as well as its vertical yellow stripes on a white background. The snout is long and slender, and the dark eye of the fish is less conspicuous than the dark eye-spot on the dorsal fin. The base of the tail features a dark band that runs perpendicular to the tail. Butterflyfish may be distinguished from the similar C. marginalis by their color pattern and number of dorsal fin rays.", "habitat": "Copperband butterflyfish are found at depths of 1−25 metres either alone or in pairs. These fish form monogamous pairs during breeding. They are usually found on coral reefs or rocky shorelines, and also in estuaries and silty inner reefs. This species is territorial and oviparous.", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q73897.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Chelmon rostratus Luc Viatour", "author": "Luc Viatour", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chelmon_rostratus_Luc_Viatour.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copperband_butterflyfish", "revision": 1314105934, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1314105934", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "394802562290d58532d18e1009a3ca4e3f4a5d1144c43f55004798882f8fb467" }, { "id": "Q1515914", "common_name": "Senegal bichir", "scientific_name": "Polypterus senegalus", "aliases": [ "Polypterus senegalus" ], "summary": "Polypterus senegalus, commonly known as the Senegal bichir, gray bichir or Cuvier's bichir, is an African species of ray-finned fish in the bichir family, Polypteridae. It is a typical example of polypterid fishes, as most of its defining physical features are common across the genus, such as its ancient, lungfish- or arowana-like appearance, the ability to breathe atmospheric oxygen, and its armor-like scales. These factors have influenced the species' popularity in captivity, and it is commonly kept by aquarists and other hobbyists. P. senegalus is sometimes, confusingly, called the \"dinosaur eel\" or \"dragon fish\", among other misnomers; however, the bichir is not an eel, nor is it a reptile or dinosaur.", "features": "Polypterus senegalus is an elongated fish, usually grey or beige in color, though sometimes displaying shades of white, pink or blueish; albino individuals also occur. Its body is covered in rhomboid-shaped, multilayered scales, with very subtle patterns and occasional darker blotches or dots. At the nose, the face is smooth and rounded, with larger scales than the rest of the fish. External nostrils protrude from the front. Eyes are on either side of the head, and they are usually pale yellow with a black pupil. P. senegalus has poor eyesight, and relies largely on sense of smell and subtle movements when detecting prey. The mouth is large and appears to grin when closed. The dentary, premaxilla, and maxilla each carry one row of large, slightly recurved teeth. There are multiple rows of smaller teeth between these rows of large teeth, on the prearticular and coronoids of the lower jaw, and on the bones forming the roof of the mouth. The body is long and vaguely cylindrical; a serrated dorsal fin runs along most of the body until it meets the caudal fin, which is pointed and flat. There are 8–11 dorsal spines and 14–17 anal spines. The large, paddle-like pectoral fins attach just behind and below the gill openings, and are their primary means of locomotion, providing a slow, graceful appearance. P. senegalus is smaller than other bichirs, reaching about 35.5 cm (14 in). This fish exhibits sexual dimorphism, where the males are generally smaller than the females and have a thicker anal fin.", "habitat": "This species of bichir is found in lakes, river margins, swamps, and floodplains of tropical Africa and the Nile river system, it occurs in at least twenty-six African countries which include Senegal, Egypt, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Chad, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Ivory Coast, Tanzania, Sudan, Nigeria, Gambia, Uganda, and others. Its distribution is widespread, detailed to include the Nile basin and West Africa (Senegal, Gambia, Niger, Volta, and Lake Chad basins, and Congo River Basin. Provided the skin remains moist, P. senegalus can remain out of the water indefinitely – it can even be raised on land, where it uses its large pectoral fins to walk.", "distribution": "This species of bichir is found in lakes, river margins, swamps, and floodplains of tropical Africa and the Nile river system, it occurs in at least twenty-six African countries which include Senegal, Egypt, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Chad, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Ivory Coast, Tanzania, Sudan, Nigeria, Gambia, Uganda, and others. Its distribution is widespread, detailed to include the Nile basin and West Africa (Senegal, Gambia, Niger, Volta, and Lake Chad basins, and Congo River Basin. Provided the skin remains moist, P. senegalus can remain out of the water indefinitely – it can even be raised on land, where it uses its large pectoral fins to walk.", "diet": "Polypterus senegalus feed on small vertebrates, insects, and crustaceans. They use suction feeding to ingest prey from the bottom of freshwater lakes and rivers. P. senegalus is said to consume anything it can swallow, which is why it is recommended that their tankmates be at least half of their size. They are opportunistic ambush predators, moving slowly and cautiously, and occasionally hiding, to capture their prey. Even though they are sold in pet stores as cute eel like fish, they can be real predators. They can hunt very little fish such as tetras, guppies, catfish, and any small fish that can fit in their mouth.", "family": "", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1515914.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Polypterus senegalus Natural History Museum University of Pisa", "author": "Mattia Nocciola", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Polypterus_senegalus_Natural_History_Museum_University_of_Pisa.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polypterus_senegalus", "revision": 1379846829, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1379846829", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "79df9618a14a601cf7945872de566f402b252b5dacf658e2f16bb5c60d82e7a2" }, { "id": "Q1194328", "common_name": "Blue mackerel", "scientific_name": "Scomber australasicus", "aliases": [ "slimy mackerel", "blue mackerel", "Japanese mackerel", "Scomber australasicus" ], "summary": "The blue mackerel (Scomber australasicus), also called Japanese mackerel, Pacific mackerel, slimy mackerel, or spotted chub mackerel, is a fish of the family Scombridae.", "features": "The blue mackerel typically reaches 30 cm (12 in) in fork length. It can reach 44 cm (17 in) in fork length and 1.4 kg (3.1 lb) in weight. Mackerels have a round body that narrows into the tail after the second dorsal fin, similar to a tuna fish. Blue mackerel are often mistaken for chub mackerel. In fact, blue mackerel were believed to be a subspecies of chub mackerel until the late 1980s. Though they are both in the same genus (Scomber), blue mackerel set themselves apart by differing structural genes than those of the chub mackerel. Other, more obvious, characteristics set these two apart, like the longer anal spine of the blue mackerel, and the amount of spines on the first dorsal fin.", "habitat": "The blue mackerel is found in tropical to subtropical waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. In the Indo-West Pacific, there is a population in the Red Sea and western Arabian Sea, one in the Northwest Pacific (Japan, China, and Taiwan), and another one in the Southwest Pacific (Australia and New Zealand). Furthermore, the blue mackerel also occur in the eastern Pacific (Hawaii and Revillagigedo Islands, Mexico). It occurs in surface waters down to 300 m (980 ft). The blue mackerel is known as a voracious and indiscriminate carnivore, devouring microscopic plankton, krill, anchovies, and dead cut bait, and striking readily on lures and other flies. When in a school and in a feeding frenzy, blue mackerel will strike at nonfood items such as cigarette butts and even bare hooks. They typically eat smaller pelagic fish. Due to their eating habits and their diurnal lifestyles, blue mackerel have evolved large eyes with higher sensitivity in their retinas.", "distribution": "The blue mackerel is found in tropical to subtropical waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. In the Indo-West Pacific, there is a population in the Red Sea and western Arabian Sea, one in the Northwest Pacific (Japan, China, and Taiwan), and another one in the Southwest Pacific (Australia and New Zealand). Furthermore, the blue mackerel also occur in the eastern Pacific (Hawaii and Revillagigedo Islands, Mexico). It occurs in surface waters down to 300 m (980 ft).", "diet": "", "family": "Scombridae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1194328.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "GomaSB", "author": "Izuzuki", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:GomaSB.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_mackerel", "revision": 1363099967, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1363099967", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "74326158a7aa15aea6309d51c7355812dfbde281292d1f2d12ce1251932842c7" }, { "id": "Q1210054", "common_name": "Striped marlin", "scientific_name": "Kajikia audax", "aliases": [ "Kajikia audax" ], "summary": "The striped marlin (Kajikia audax; see synonyms list for other scientific names) is a species of marlin found globally in tropical to temperate oceans not far from the surface. It is a desirable commercial and game fish, although conservation measures are in place to restrict its commercial landings. An epipelagic predator, it hunts during the day in the top 100 metres (330 ft) or so of the water column, often near the surface. One of its chief prey are sardines and other pelagic forage fish.", "features": "The striped marlin has a torpedo-like body, dark blue or black above and silvery-white below (countershading), with an average length of 2.9 m (9.5 ft), a maximum length of 4.2 m (13.8 ft), and weight up to 220 kg (490 lb). Its first dorsal fin is tall, of the same dimension or greater than its body depth, supported by 42–48 fin rays; the second is much smaller. It has around 12–20 pronounced bluish stripes on the sides of its body, which display even after death. Chromatophores, specialized pigmentation cells, contract or expand to enable the stripes to transform from blue-tinged to lavender when the fish is excited.", "habitat": "The striped marlin is epipelagic, residing away from shore but near the surface of the water. It is widely distributed around the world, and typically found in tropical and/or temperate water bodies. A study on its habitat preferences utilized opportunistic occurrence data to determine that the eastern Pacific Ocean is among the most ideal bodies of water for the species to inhabit. Additionally, it was discovered that its largest populations reside in water bodies with dissolved oxygen levels from 4.5 to 5.5 mL/L and a sea surface temperature between 20 and 28 °C (68 and 82 °F). It was also determined that chlorophyll a levels are of the greatest importance when it comes to striped marlin distribution. High levels of chlorophyll a in a water body are indicative of high productivity, or nutrient level, within that aquatic ecosystem. An abundance of nutrients supports the growth of aquatic plants and algae, which contributes to the congregation of species that feed upon them, the striped marlin's principle prey. The striped marlin has also demonstrated diel vertical migration patterns. A study observed that it tends to occupy deep regions of the water during the day, and typically gather near the surface at night. These patterns were prominent in all of the regions tested in the study, including waters off of Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, California, and Ecuador.", "distribution": "The striped marlin is epipelagic, residing away from shore but near the surface of the water. It is widely distributed around the world, and typically found in tropical and/or temperate water bodies. A study on its habitat preferences utilized opportunistic occurrence data to determine that the eastern Pacific Ocean is among the most ideal bodies of water for the species to inhabit. Additionally, it was discovered that its largest populations reside in water bodies with dissolved oxygen levels from 4.5 to 5.5 mL/L and a sea surface temperature between 20 and 28 °C (68 and 82 °F). It was also determined that chlorophyll a levels are of the greatest importance when it comes to striped marlin distribution. High levels of chlorophyll a in a water body are indicative of high productivity, or nutrient level, within that aquatic ecosystem. An abundance of nutrients supports the growth of aquatic plants and algae, which contributes to the congregation of species that feed upon them, the striped marlin's principle prey. The striped marlin has also demonstrated diel vertical migration patterns. A study observed that it tends to occupy deep regions of the water during the day, and typically gather near the surface at night. These patterns were prominent in all of the regions tested in the study, including waters off of Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, California, and Ecuador.", "diet": "The striped marlin is a top predator, feeding mainly on a wide range of fish such as sardines, mackerel, small tuna, and cephalopods. One study off the coast of Mexico found that it preferred schooling fish such as the chub mackerel, Etrumeus sadina, and Sardinops caeruleus. It also feeds on some species of squid, most commonly the jumbo.", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1210054.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Stripe marlin right off the coast of Carrillo", "author": "Jackiemora01", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Stripe_marlin_right_off_the_coast_of_Carrillo.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Striped_marlin", "revision": 1310260248, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1310260248", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "e45bbf635cd71e86908e9e3d39a75e0e0c1878d160c16b9becb8acd45fe7da52" }, { "id": "Q197957", "common_name": "Muksun", "scientific_name": "Coregonus muksun", "aliases": [ "Muksun", "Coregonus muksun" ], "summary": "The muksun (Coregonus muksun) is a type of whitefish widespread in the Siberian Arctic waters. It is mostly found in the freshened areas of the Kara and Laptev Seas and up the major rivers, as well as in Lake Taymyr. Like all whitefishes, it is a silvery, fusiform fish. The average length of mature fish is 33 cm and weight of 1–2 kg, and it can reach a length of 75 cm and a weight of 7–8 kg. Depending on population, the muksun can live up to 16–25 years of age. It is valuable commercially as well as locally as a source of food.", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q197957.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Muksun", "author": "UR3IRS", "license": "CC BY 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Muksun.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muksun", "revision": 1170153542, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1170153542", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "1574daa1574dfab5223fbeb21c5c99334633ebfc8ed5727628c631d212410887" }, { "id": "Q779340", "common_name": "Spotted gar", "scientific_name": "Lepisosteus oculatus", "aliases": [ "spotted gar", "Lepisosteus oculatus" ], "summary": "The spotted gar (Lepisosteus oculatus) is a freshwater fish native to North America that has an abundance of dark spots on its head, fins, and dart-like body. Spotted gar have an elongated mouth with many needle-like teeth to catch other fish and crustaceans. It is one of the smallest of the seven species of gar found in North America, growing 2–3 ft (0.61–0.91 m) in length and weighing 4–6 lb (1.8–2.7 kg) typically. Gars have diamond-shaped, thick, enamel (ganoid) scales. The name Lepisosteus is Greek for \"bony scale\". Gars are almost never eaten in the central and northern United States. They have high levels of mercury and are considered a cancer risk.", "features": "", "habitat": "The spotted gar is native to North America and its current range is from southern Ontario to the west from the Devils River in Texas east to the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico and southeast to the lower Apalachicola River in Florida. The gar population is small in the north and is being threatened in Lake Erie by the destruction of their habitat and pollution. The gar is more common in the southern waters like the Mississippi River basin from southern Minnesota to Alabama and western Florida. Historical records indicate the spotted gar resided in the Thames and Sydenham Rivers in Ontario, Canada. Also, the fish was once common in Illinois in the Green and Illinois Rivers to the swamps in Union County; though sporadic, the population has dwindled in these water systems because of the loss of specific habitat they need to live, clear pools with aquatic vegetation. Habitats for spotted gar are clear, slow-moving, shallow waters of creeks, rivers, and lakes. It occasionally enters brackish or more salty waters. In response to the low oxygen levels created by slow-moving water, the gars have developed the ability to gulp air and send it to a primitive lung called a gas bladder. In one study, most spotted gar were shoreline oriented, preferred submerged branches as cover, and avoided areas of exposed bank. During a flood pulse, a floodplain provides habitat for spawning and nursery habitat for gar eggs. The spotted gar is a voracious predator. Its sharp-toothed beak is very effective at catching fast moving prey.", "distribution": "The spotted gar is native to North America and its current range is from southern Ontario to the west from the Devils River in Texas east to the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico and southeast to the lower Apalachicola River in Florida. The gar population is small in the north and is being threatened in Lake Erie by the destruction of their habitat and pollution. The gar is more common in the southern waters like the Mississippi River basin from southern Minnesota to Alabama and western Florida. Historical records indicate the spotted gar resided in the Thames and Sydenham Rivers in Ontario, Canada. Also, the fish was once common in Illinois in the Green and Illinois Rivers to the swamps in Union County; though sporadic, the population has dwindled in these water systems because of the loss of specific habitat they need to live, clear pools with aquatic vegetation. Habitats for spotted gar are clear, slow-moving, shallow waters of creeks, rivers, and lakes. It occasionally enters brackish or more salty waters. In response to the low oxygen levels created by slow-moving water, the gars have developed the ability to gulp air and send it to a primitive lung called a gas bladder. In one study, most spotted gar were shoreline oriented, preferred submerged branches as cover, and avoided areas of exposed bank. During a flood pulse, a floodplain provides habitat for spawning and nursery habitat for gar eggs.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q779340.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Lepisosteus oculatus1", "author": "Brian.gratwicke on English Wikipedia", "license": "CC BY 2.5", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lepisosteus_oculatus1.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spotted_gar", "revision": 1328522447, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1328522447", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "2b57e8e494cd576666476144e0142fad544977e8eda63f807a2690b6614ebb09" }, { "id": "Q599799", "common_name": "Pouting", "scientific_name": "Trisopterus luscus", "aliases": [ "bib", "pout", "Gadus luscus", "pout whiting", "stink-alive", "blens", "blinds", "miller's thumb", "bull pout", "pouter", "pouting", "Trisopterus luscus" ], "summary": "Trisopterus luscus (Latin pronunciation: [ˈtrisopterus ˈluskus]; most commonly known as pouting, but also called bib, pout whiting or pout) is a sea fish belonging to the cod family (Gadidae).", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "The pouting is found predominantly in European waters, especially around the south and west of the British Isles and in Scandinavian waters, although populations can also be found in the Mediterranean and along the north African coast. They can be found across rocky and sandy seabeds with smaller specimens being found close to the shore and larger pouting moving further offshore. The greatest depths at which pouting can be found is 300 metres (980 ft). The pouting is generally a small fish, seldom exceeding 30 centimetres (12 in) in length, although rare specimens can reach almost double this length. Pouting can reproduce before they reach two years of age and grow rapidly, reaching around 15 centimetres (5.9 in) in length by the end of their first year. Pouting are a relatively short lived species, with the average lifespan thought to be around four years.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q599799.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Faneca (Trisopterus luscus), Parque natural de la Arrábida, Portugal, 2022-07-29, DD 43", "author": "Diego Delso", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Faneca_(Trisopterus_luscus),_Parque_natural_de_la_Arr%C3%A1bida,_Portugal,_2022-07-29,_DD_43.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trisopterus_luscus", "revision": 1357074362, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1357074362", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "fa7602f580433e9641b5a57590a4b507525739f0859b91e4b2ffd59a5f2e114e" }, { "id": "Q1050262", "common_name": "Mediterranean killifish", "scientific_name": "Aphanius fasciatus", "aliases": [ "Aphanius fasciatus" ], "summary": "The Mediterranean killifish, Mediterranean banded killifish or South European toothcarp (Aphanius fasciatus) is a species of fish in the family Aphaniidae. It is found in Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, Libya, Malta, Morocco, Montenegro, Slovenia, Syria, Tunisia, and Turkey. Its natural habitats are saline lakes, saline marshes, and coastal saline lagoons.", "features": "The Mediterranean killifish has an elongated body that is slightly flattened on the sides. Its head which is flattened on the top, has large eyes and an upper mouth that is covered with small, three-pointed teeth. There are 25 to 30 large scales in a longitudinal row on the body, and the head is also scaled. The pectoral fins are located below the middle of the body, the ventral fins are located on the abdomen. The dorsal fin with its ten to thirteen rays is located quite far back, just before the anal fin, which consists of nine to twelve rays. The caudal fin is not forked and ends rounded. All of the Mediterranean killifish's fins have only soft rays . As with many Toothcarps, the coloring varies greatly between the sexes. Males are olive-green-bluish on the back and flanks and light on the belly with a silvery sheen, and they also have ten to fifteen broad, dark transverse bands on the flanks. Their fins are yellowish. The female is much more subtly colored, it is light gray-green with only indistinct, narrow transverse bands. Their fins are light gray and transparent. The body length also varies, males reach a length of about 5.5 centimeters, females can reach up to 6 centimeters. This fish has no lateral line organ .", "habitat": "The distribution area of the Mediterranean killifish extends from the Mediterranean coast from the Ligurian Sea to the Middle East . It is also found in North Africa from Gibraltar to the Bitter Lakes in Egypt. It inhabits salt, fresh and brackish water . It can be found in lagoons and river mouths, but also in small stagnant bodies of water and very salty water. From April to September, the females lay their eggs on the bottom, preferably on aquatic plants and algae. After ten to fifteen days, the young hatch and reach sexual maturity at the end of their first year of life . Its diet consists of both animal and plant food. It eats small crustaceans and plankton, as well insects and their larvae, but also plant parts, algae and detritus .", "distribution": "The distribution area of the Mediterranean killifish extends from the Mediterranean coast from the Ligurian Sea to the Middle East . It is also found in North Africa from Gibraltar to the Bitter Lakes in Egypt. It inhabits salt, fresh and brackish water . It can be found in lagoons and river mouths, but also in small stagnant bodies of water and very salty water. From April to September, the females lay their eggs on the bottom, preferably on aquatic plants and algae. After ten to fifteen days, the young hatch and reach sexual maturity at the end of their first year of life . Its diet consists of both animal and plant food. It eats small crustaceans and plankton, as well insects and their larvae, but also plant parts, algae and detritus .", "diet": "", "family": "Aphaniidae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1050262.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Aphanius fasciatus Natural History Museum University of Pisa male", "author": "Mattia Nocciola", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aphanius_fasciatus_Natural_History_Museum_University_of_Pisa_male.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mediterranean_killifish", "revision": 1376473432, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1376473432", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "da1465e85d0825a61ec13427734512cb13b16e1a9ab7c2ea45e8fc7124f40aea" }, { "id": "Q953316", "common_name": "Goldsinny wrasse", "scientific_name": "Ctenolabrus rupestris", "aliases": [ "Ctenolabrus rupestris" ], "summary": "The goldsinny wrasse (Ctenolabrus rupestris) is a species of ray-finned fish, a wrasse from the family Labridae which is native to the eastern Atlantic Ocean and associated seas. This species is the only known member of its genus.", "features": "The goldsinny wrasse can reach a total length of 18 cm (7.1 in), though most do not exceed 12 cm (4.7 in). Its coloration is brown, greenish or orange-red and there are two noticeable dark spots which readily identify it from other eastern Atlantic wrasses, one on the dorsal fin and one situated on the caudal peduncle immediately in front of the caudal fin. It has a slender body with a small, pointed head and large eyes. The large, fleshy lipped mouth is equipped with two rows of small teeth in each jaw.", "habitat": "The goldsinny wrasse is normally found in areas dominated by rock or by boulders and requires there to be many crevices for it to hide in. It is most frequently recorded at depths of between 10–50 metres (33–164 ft) but it is infrequently recorded in rockpools near the low water mark. Their diet consists of bryozoan, small crustaceans and molluscs. it is often associated with beds of algae and eelgrass. These wrasses attain maturity at two years of age, with the life span being up to eight years, and they do not display sexual dimorphism. spawning takes place from the winter into summer. When breeding the males defend territories. Spawning happens in mid water and when the pelagic eggs hatch the larvae are planktonic.", "distribution": "The goldsinny wrasse is found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean from Norway south as far as Morocco. It is also found throughout the western and central Mediterranean Sea as far as Antalya in Turkey, but it is absent from the far eastern Mediterranean. It extends through the Sea of Marmara into the Black Sea.", "diet": "", "family": "Labridae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q953316.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Ctenolabrus rupestris", "author": "Hwf", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ctenolabrus_rupestris.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goldsinny_wrasse", "revision": 1354652414, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1354652414", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "b90646a94945115d1b8a979b32f3709d561779b90005dde468abb9e524fad819" }, { "id": "Q1107181", "common_name": "Grey gurnard", "scientific_name": "Eutrigla gurnardus", "aliases": [ "Eutrigla gurnardus" ], "summary": "The grey gurnard (Eutrigla gurnardus) is a species of ray-finned fish from the family Triglidae, the gurnards and sea robins. It is native to the eastern Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Black Sea. It is caught as a food fish and is known for producing sounds. It is the only member of the monotypic genus Eutrigla.", "features": "The grey gurnard has a large head but does not have a deep occipital groove. There are two dorsal fins, the first has 7–10 spines and the second has 18–20 rays. The anal fin has 17–20 rays, the pectoral fins are short, just extending as far as the anal fin origin. The scales along the lateral line are slightly larger than the scales covering the body, and have a spiny keel and a toothed rear edge. The breast is naked of scales while the belly is partially covered in scales. The colour of this fish is variable but it is usually greyish-brown, rarely dull red, and tinged with red on its back and flanks. The underside is cream coloured and the back and flanks are usually covered with small white spots. The first dorsal fin has a large, circular black mark. It can grow to a maximum total length of 60 centimetres (24 in), although a more common total length is 30 centimetres (12 in) while the maximum published weight is 956 grams (2.108 lb).", "habitat": "The grey gurnard is a common fish on sandy seabeds but it does occur infrequently on rocky substrates, as well as in mud areas from the shoreline down to 140 metres (460 ft). In the eastern Ionian Sea it has been recorded as deep as 340 metres (1,120 ft). It is a predatory species which feeds on crustaceans, largely shrimps and shore crabs, and small fish, such as gobies, flatfish, young Atlantic herring and sand eels. As with other sea robins, grey gurnards produce sounds. Sound production in this species is often associated with competition for food. Small individuals produce more sounds than larger ones, and emit more \"grunts\" than \"knocks\", probably because they more often compete for food by contest tactics whereas larger specimens predominantly scramble for food. In Ireland, the fish has been called the cuckoo fish, knoud, or noud.", "distribution": "The grey gurnard occurs in the eastern Atlantic Ocean from Iceland and Norway south to Morocco, it is found in the North Sea and the southern Baltic Sea as well as off Madeira. In the Mediterranean Sea, its range extends from eastern Spain to Turkey and into the Black Sea.", "diet": "", "family": "Triglidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1107181.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Grey Gurnard, Ards, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom imported from iNaturalist photo 436873353", "author": "(c) Libby Keatley, some rights reserved (CC BY)", "license": "CC BY 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Grey_Gurnard,_Ards,_Northern_Ireland,_United_Kingdom_imported_from_iNaturalist_photo_436873353.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grey_gurnard", "revision": 1382462215, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1382462215", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "220cccbda764cd1fe9894bf2deb49ebf50485136a42ba3ec839943a24561628e" }, { "id": "Q141066", "common_name": "Blackmouth catshark", "scientific_name": "Galeus melastomus", "aliases": [ "Galeus melastomus" ], "summary": "The blackmouth catshark (Galeus melastomus) is a species of deepwater catshark, belonging to the family Pentanchidae, common in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean from Iceland to Senegal, including the Mediterranean Sea. It is typically found over the continental slope at depths of 150–1,400 m (490–4,590 ft), on or near muddy bottoms. The youngest sharks generally inhabit shallower water than the older juveniles and adults. This slim-bodied species is characterized by the black interior of its mouth, a marbled pattern of pale-edged brownish saddles or blotches along its back and tail, and a prominent saw-toothed crest of enlarged dermal denticles along the upper edge of its caudal fin. It reaches lengths of 50–79 cm (20–31 in), with sharks in the Atlantic growing larger than those in the Mediterranean. Slow-swimming but active, the blackmouth catshark is a generalist that preys on a wide variety of crustaceans, cephalopods, and fishes. Its visual and electroreceptive systems are adept at tracking moving, bioluminescent prey. This species is oviparous, with females producing batches of up to 13 egg cases throughout the year. Because of its abundance, the blackmouth catshark forms a substantial part of the bycatch of deepwater commercial fisheries across much of its range. It has low economic value and is usually discarded, though the largest sharks may be marketed for meat and leather.", "features": "The reported maximum lengths attained by the blackmouth catshark varies from 67 to 79 cm (26 to 31 in) for Atlantic sharks and 50 to 64 cm (20 to 25 in) for Mediterranean sharks; a length record of 90 cm (35 in) may be dubious. Females attain a larger ultimate size than males. The maximum weight on record is 1.4 kg (3.1 lb). This species has a slender, firm body with a rather long, pointed snout comprising roughly 6–9% of the total length. The anterior rim of each nostril bears a large triangular flap, which divides the nostril into incurrent and excurrent openings. The eyes are horizontally oval and equipped with rudimentary nictitating membranes (protective third eyelids). Beneath each eye is a subtle ridge, and behind is a small spiracle. The mouth forms a short, wide arch, and bears moderately long furrows around the corners. The upper and lower jaws contain around 69 and 79 tooth rows respectively. Each tooth is small, with a narrow central cusp flanked by one or two smaller cusplets on either side. There are five pairs of gill slits, with the fifth pair over the pectoral fin bases. The two dorsal fins are roughly equal in size and placed far back on the body: the first originates behind the midpoint of the pelvic fin bases and the second behind the midpoint of the anal fin base. The pectoral fins are large, while the pelvic fins are small and low, with angular margins. The anal fin is much larger than either dorsal fin; its base measures 13–18% of the total length and greatly exceeds the distance between the pelvic and anal fins, or between the dorsal fins.", "habitat": "The blackmouth catshark is widely distributed in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean, from southwestern Iceland and Trondheim, Norway southward to Senegal, including the Faroe Islands, the British Isles, the Azores, and the northern portion of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. It occurs throughout the Mediterranean Sea, save for the northern waters of the Adriatic and Aegean Seas, and is absent from the Black Sea. This species primarily inhabits the continental slope, at depths of 150–1,400 m (490–4,590 ft). However, it has been documented from water as shallow as 20–25 m (66–82 ft) in Norway, and as deep as 2,300–3,850 m (7,550–12,630 ft) in the eastern Mediterranean. The depths at which it is most common vary between regions, for example 300–500 m (980–1,640 ft) in the Bay of Biscay, 400–800 m (1,300–2,600 ft) off Portugal, 500–800 m (1,600–2,600 ft) in the Strait of Sicily, 1,000–1,400 m (3,300–4,600 ft) in the Catalan Sea, and 1,500–1,830 m (4,920–6,000 ft) in the eastern Mediterranean. Water temperature does not appear to be an important factor in determining the distribution of this species. Found on or near the bottom, the blackmouth catshark favors a muddy habitat. There is little evidence for segregation by sex. A number of studies in the northern and western Mediterranean have reported that adults occur deeper than juveniles. Other studies though have found no such pattern. It is possible that areas such as the waters off southern France offer a habitat suitable for sharks of all ages.", "distribution": "The blackmouth catshark is widely distributed in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean, from southwestern Iceland and Trondheim, Norway southward to Senegal, including the Faroe Islands, the British Isles, the Azores, and the northern portion of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. It occurs throughout the Mediterranean Sea, save for the northern waters of the Adriatic and Aegean Seas, and is absent from the Black Sea. This species primarily inhabits the continental slope, at depths of 150–1,400 m (490–4,590 ft). However, it has been documented from water as shallow as 20–25 m (66–82 ft) in Norway, and as deep as 2,300–3,850 m (7,550–12,630 ft) in the eastern Mediterranean. The depths at which it is most common vary between regions, for example 300–500 m (980–1,640 ft) in the Bay of Biscay, 400–800 m (1,300–2,600 ft) off Portugal, 500–800 m (1,600–2,600 ft) in the Strait of Sicily, 1,000–1,400 m (3,300–4,600 ft) in the Catalan Sea, and 1,500–1,830 m (4,920–6,000 ft) in the eastern Mediterranean. Water temperature does not appear to be an important factor in determining the distribution of this species. Found on or near the bottom, the blackmouth catshark favors a muddy habitat. There is little evidence for segregation by sex. A number of studies in the northern and western Mediterranean have reported that adults occur deeper than juveniles. Other studies though have found no such pattern. It is possible that areas such as the waters off southern France offer a habitat suitable for sharks of all ages.", "diet": "The blackmouth catshark is an active, generalist predator that feeds on both bottom-dwelling and free-swimming organisms. Its diet is dominated by decapods, krill, bony fishes (including lanternfishes, bristlemouths, dragonfishes, and moras), and cephalopods. The most significant prey species generally reflect what is most available in the environment, for example the shrimps Calocaris macandreae and Pasiphaea multidentata off southern France and the prawns Sergestes arcticus and Sergia robusta off the Iberian Peninsula. Juveniles consume a greater amount and variety of crustaceans than adults, including smaller types such as mysids and hyperiid amphipods. Adults favor relatively large fish prey and have been known to take other sharks and rays and smaller members of the same species. The importance of cephalopod prey across ages differs between regions. The stomachs of some blackmouth catsharks have found to contain pieces of animals too large for a single shark to overwhelm, suggesting that it may sometimes attack in groups. Scavenging has been infrequently documented, including of human refuse. When foraging, the blackmouth catshark swings its head from side to side to employ its senses more effectively. It likely relies mainly on vision and electroreception to find food, and less on smell. As in most sharks, its visual acuity is greatest along the median horizontal plane. The lens and cone cells of its eyes are large, allowing smaller or farther objects to be discerned from the background.", "family": "Pentanchidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q141066.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Galeus melastomus Sardinia", "author": "Etrusko25", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Galeus_melastomus_Sardinia.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackmouth_catshark", "revision": 1383326996, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1383326996", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "75c0780ea8fab3b45747cf61979209e506b9dc0ca3a1b50a8fa73784470cf002" }, { "id": "Q377713", "common_name": "Sohal surgeonfish", "scientific_name": "Acanthurus sohal", "aliases": [ "Acanthurus sohal" ], "summary": "The sohal surgeonfish (Acanthurus sohal) or sohal tang, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Acanthuridae, which includes the surgeonfishes, unicornfishes, and tangs. This fish is found in the northwestern Indian Ocean.", "features": "The sohal surgeonfish has its dorsal fin supported by 9 spines and 30 or 31 soft rays, while the anal fin is supported by three spines and 28 or typically 29 soft rays. The depth of the body is around half the standard length. This fish has longitudinal, thin, black stripes separated by greenish-olive stripes, and these join together at the spine on the caudal peduncle. The stripes are finer and more sinuous on the upper body, but broader and straighter on the lower body. The stripes are greyer on the upper head and nape. The lower head and ventral surface of the body are pale with faint grey and greenish-grey longitudinal lines; the dorsal, anal and pelvic fins are black with vivid blue margins, a large patch of orange is on the body underneath the pectoral fin and the sheath of the spine on the caudal peduncle is orange. The caudal fin is lunate. This species has a maximum published total length of 40 cm (16 in).", "habitat": "The sohal surgeonfish is endemic to the northwestern Indian Ocean, where it is found in the Red Sea, east along the coast of the Arabian Peninsula to the Persian Gulf. It has been found in the Mediterranean Sea, in 2017 and 2018, and reached there either by release from an aquarium or by Lessepsian migration through the Suez Canal from the Red Sea. It is usually found on the outer edges of fringing reefs that are exposed to surge, typically down to depths around 20 m (66 ft).", "distribution": "The sohal surgeonfish is endemic to the northwestern Indian Ocean, where it is found in the Red Sea, east along the coast of the Arabian Peninsula to the Persian Gulf. It has been found in the Mediterranean Sea, in 2017 and 2018, and reached there either by release from an aquarium or by Lessepsian migration through the Suez Canal from the Red Sea. It is usually found on the outer edges of fringing reefs that are exposed to surge, typically down to depths around 20 m (66 ft).", "diet": "", "family": "Acanthuridae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q377713.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Acanthurus sohal 334315485", "author": "Andrew Deacon", "license": "CC0", "license_url": "http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed.en", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Acanthurus_sohal_334315485.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sohal_surgeonfish", "revision": 1378975714, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1378975714", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "ec97dec2247163265fbfec2d30a94e15b4bc6479b09a588bf9a97f85f907815e" }, { "id": "Q547572", "common_name": "Common bluestripe snapper", "scientific_name": "Lutjanus kasmira", "aliases": [ "Lutjanus kasmira" ], "summary": "The common bluestripe snapper (Lutjanus kasmira), bluestripe snapper, bluebanded snapper, bluestripe sea perch, fourline snapper, blue-line snapper or moonlighter, is a species of snapper belonging to the family Lutjanidae. It is native to the Indian Ocean from the coast of Africa and the Red Sea to the central Pacific Ocean. It is commercially important and sought as a game fish. It can also be found in the aquarium trade.", "features": "The body is moderately deep in profile, with the dorsal profile of the head steeply sloped, having a well-developed preopercular notch and knob. Identifying morphological features include the number of gill rakers on lower limb of the first arch, which number 13 or 14, with the total rakers on the first arch numbering 20 to 22. The dorsal fin consists of 10 spines anterior to 14 or 15 soft rays, while the anal fin has three spines and seven or eight soft rays. The pectoral fins have 15 or 16 rays, with the caudal fin being slightly emarginate. The row of scales on the back rise obliquely above the lateral line, which contains 48 to 51 scales. This species can reach a length of 40 cm (16 in), though most do not exceed 25 cm (9.8 in). The color is probably the most diagnostic feature of the fish, especially when alive or fresh from the water. The back and sides of the fish are bright yellow, with the lower sides and underside of head fading to white. Four bright-blue stripes run longitudinally on the side of the fish, with several faint greyish stripes on lowermost part of sides. Most fins are yellow.", "habitat": "The bluestripe snapper is one of the most widespread species of the Lutjanidae, ranging from the coast of Egypt bordering the Red Sea, south to Madagascar and east to India, China, Southeast Asia, Australia, and a number of Pacific islands. Like many snappers, it inhabits coral reefs, occurring in both shallow lagoons and on outer reef slopes to depths of at least 60 m (200 ft), at depths reaching 180 m (590 ft) at the Marquesas Islands and 265 m (869 ft) in the Red Sea. In Hawaii, they spend some time over seagrasses and sandy substrates. They frequently gather in large aggregations around coral formations, caves, or wrecks during daylight hours. The preferred habitat of the species changes with age, with young fish schooling on sandy substrates, while larger fish are more solitary, and inhabit deep reefs.", "distribution": "The bluestripe snapper is one of the most widespread species of the Lutjanidae, ranging from the coast of Egypt bordering the Red Sea, south to Madagascar and east to India, China, Southeast Asia, Australia, and a number of Pacific islands. Like many snappers, it inhabits coral reefs, occurring in both shallow lagoons and on outer reef slopes to depths of at least 60 m (200 ft), at depths reaching 180 m (590 ft) at the Marquesas Islands and 265 m (869 ft) in the Red Sea. In Hawaii, they spend some time over seagrasses and sandy substrates. They frequently gather in large aggregations around coral formations, caves, or wrecks during daylight hours. The preferred habitat of the species changes with age, with young fish schooling on sandy substrates, while larger fish are more solitary, and inhabit deep reefs.", "diet": "The bluestripe snapper has a varied diet, feeding on fishes, shrimp, crabs, stomatopods, cephalopods and planktonic crustaceans, as well as plant and algal materials. Diets vary with age, location, and the prevalent prey items available locally.", "family": "Lutjanidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q547572.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Pargo de rayas azules (Lutjanus kasmira), Mauricio, 2025-09-23, DD 37", "author": "Diego Delso", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pargo_de_rayas_azules_(Lutjanus_kasmira),_Mauricio,_2025-09-23,_DD_37.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_bluestripe_snapper", "revision": 1379113749, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1379113749", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "eb047d207884e91e144c790a37f9e70a42fabd66f81e77b6b46a78728dc5c667" }, { "id": "Q17141297", "common_name": "Asprete", "scientific_name": "Romanichthys valsanicola", "aliases": [ "Romanichthys valsanicola" ], "summary": "Romanichthys is a genus of ray-finned fish. It is one of two genera in the tribe Romanichthyini which, along with the tribe Luciopercini, forms the subfamily Luciopercinae of the family Percidae. This happens alongside the perches, ruffes, and darters. The genus contains the single species Romanichthys valsanicola, known as the sculpin-perch, asprete, or Romanian darter. This fish was described in 1957 by Romanian student scientists M. Dumitrescu, P. Bănărescu, and N. Stoica. Local names include asprete, poprete, and sforete. Endemic to a very restricted area in southern Romania, it was found in the upper reach of the Argeş River and in two of its tributaries: Râul Doamnei and Vâlsan. Due to hydrotechnical constructions and deterioration of its habitat, it survived only in the tributary Vâlsan.", "features": "R. valsanicola is a small, greyish-brown fish growing to about 10–12 cm (4–4.5 in) long, covered with small, rough scales. It can be distinguished from other European perches by the two clearly separated dorsal fins. The first has eight or nine spines and the anal fin has 7½ branched rays and 58–68 scales along the lateral line. The fish is considered to be a living fossil, unchanged for tens of millions of years.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Percidae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q17141297.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Asprete", "author": "Danvasilis", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Asprete.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romanichthys", "revision": 1354643498, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1354643498", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "1e9d229f9e984d81849f90f858df4be36c584ae956918bfc435a447f3003c16d" }, { "id": "Q1297913", "common_name": "Ocellate river stingray", "scientific_name": "Potamotrygon motoro", "aliases": [ "Potamotrygon motoro", "peacock-eye stingray", "black river stingray" ], "summary": "The ocellate river stingray (Potamotrygon motoro), also known as the peacock-eye stingray or black river stingray, is a species of freshwater stingray in the family Potamotrygonidae. It was the first species to be described in the family and is also the most widespread, ranging throughout much of the Río de la Plata, Amazon, Mearim and Orinoco basins in tropical and subtropical South America. It is sometimes kept in aquaria.", "features": "Potamotrygon motoro can grow up to 50 cm (1.6 ft) in disc width, 1 m (3.3 ft) in total length, and 34.2 kilograms (75 lb 6 oz) in weight. (though the official IGFA record is only 12.59 kg (27 lb 12 oz)) Its disk is roughly circular in shape, and its eyes are raised from the dorsal surface. The dorsal coloration is typically beige or brown, with numerous yellow-orange spots with dark rings. Its exact color, and the arrangement and size of the spots can vary significantly, both from individual to individual and depending on location. Three primary types have been identified in the Amazon basin, but each of these include a number of subtypes (two additional main types now are considered a separate species, P. marquesi). The two main Amazonian types, informally known as CD1 and CD2, are found throughout much of the Amazon (except most of the Rio Negro basin) and they often occur together. Those from the Río de la Plata Basin and Mearim River resemble CD1. Individuals from the Rio Negro and Orinoco basins (which are connected by the Casiquiare canal) are similar to each other and informally known as CD3, but differ from P. motoro elsewhere. Some individuals of CD3 have spots near the rim of the disc that are connected, forming a chain-like pattern. However, the \"marbled\" type is generally only reported from the Orinoco basin, including the Ventuari River.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Potamotrygonidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1297913.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Pfauenaugen-Stechrochen - Ocellate river stingray - Potamotrygon motoro", "author": "Raimond Spekking", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pfauenaugen-Stechrochen_-_Ocellate_river_stingray_-_Potamotrygon_motoro.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocellate_river_stingray", "revision": 1371014436, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1371014436", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "60c7942f5cef733953d876627fdbbaeefcecc4285991a1edfa367d68c2fcb4df" }, { "id": "Q833254", "common_name": "Boeseman's rainbowfish", "scientific_name": "Melanotaenia boesemani", "aliases": [ "Melanotaenia boesemani", "Boeseman's rainbowfish" ], "summary": "Boeseman's rainbowfish (Melanotaenia boesemani), also known as the Boesemani rainbowfish, is a species of fish in the family Melanotaeniidae.", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "M. boesemani is endemic to the Ayamaru Lakes and their tributaries in a mountainous region of the Bird's Head Peninsula, West Papua, Indonesia.", "diet": "These omnivores are not picky eaters and will happily eat anything you drop in the tank, but they do prefer meatier foods if given the choice. For optimal health, provide a variety of dry, frozen, and live foods to ensure they get all the essential nutrients and vitamins they need. Rainbowfish have smaller mouths in proportion to their bodies, so feed them appropriate-sized foods—such as krill flakes, dry pellets, frozen bloodworms, daphnia, and brine shrimp.", "family": "Melanotaeniidae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q833254.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Melanotaenia boesemani Natural History Museum University of Pisa", "author": "Mattia Nocciola", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Melanotaenia_boesemani_Natural_History_Museum_University_of_Pisa.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeseman%27s_rainbowfish", "revision": 1359649701, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1359649701", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "65af762c099712834bee42ac4aaedc092a6d7f97ba3a18afc2f1159331838cc8" }, { "id": "Q1519045", "common_name": "Stellate pufferfish", "scientific_name": "Arothron stellatus", "aliases": [ "Arothron stellatus" ], "summary": "Arothron stellatus, also known as the stellate pufferfish, starry puffer, or starry toadfish, is a demersal marine fish belonging to the family Tetraodontidae. It is found in shallow water in the Indo-Pacific region.", "features": "Arothron stellatus is a very large pufferfish that grows up to 120 cm (47 in) in length. Its body is oval shaped, spherical and relatively elongated. The skin is not covered with scales but is prickly. The fish has no pelvic fin and no lateral line. The dorsal fin and the anal fin are small, symmetric, and located at the rear end of the body. The head is large with a short snout that has two pairs of nostrils, and the mouth is terminal with four strong teeth. The background coloration goes from white to grey, and the body is harmoniously dotted with black spots. The ventral area is usually clearer. The size of the spots is inversely proportional to the size of the fish; thus, a young individual will have large spots and adults of maximal size will have small spots. The juveniles have a yellowish body background coloration with dark stripes. The young adults still have stripes on the ventral area that will turn to spots later, and also some recollection of yellow on the body.", "habitat": "This species is found in tropical and subtropical waters from the Indian Ocean and Red Sea as far as Polynesia, southern Japan, the western, northern and eastern coasts of Australia and Lord Howe Island. It is a relatively uncommon species and lives close to external reef slopes and sheltered lagoons with clear water, but mainly in close proximity to sandy areas, at depths from the surface down to about 58 m (190 ft).", "distribution": "This species is found in tropical and subtropical waters from the Indian Ocean and Red Sea as far as Polynesia, southern Japan, the western, northern and eastern coasts of Australia and Lord Howe Island. It is a relatively uncommon species and lives close to external reef slopes and sheltered lagoons with clear water, but mainly in close proximity to sandy areas, at depths from the surface down to about 58 m (190 ft).", "diet": "", "family": "Tetraodontidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1519045.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Pez globo (Arothron stellatus), Ras Katy, Sharm el-Sheij, Egipto, 2022-03-26, DD 119", "author": "Diego Delso", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pez_globo_(Arothron_stellatus),_Ras_Katy,_Sharm_el-Sheij,_Egipto,_2022-03-26,_DD_119.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arothron_stellatus", "revision": 1376630775, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1376630775", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "8d984381e5b45ac971d627568446befd601ad02938096ece9ce30e34d3311dc1" }, { "id": "Q1934719", "common_name": "Atlantic chub mackerel", "scientific_name": "Scomber colias", "aliases": [ "Scomber colias" ], "summary": "Atlantic chub mackerel (Scomber colias), also known as tinker mackerel, is a pelagic schooling species of mackerel found in the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Black Sea. It was originally thought to be a subspecies of the chub mackerel, Scomber japonicus.", "features": "The Atlantic chub mackerel is a long, streamlined fish with a deeply forked tail, is all covered with very small fish scale. The first dorsal fin has 9 or 10 spines and is separated from the second dorsal fin by a space at least as long as its base. The origin of the anal fin is directly below or just behind the origin of the second dorsal fin. This fish is silvery in colour, the upper surface has oblique zigzagging lines while the belly is paler and spotted or marked with wavy lines.", "habitat": "Atlantic chub mackerel is an important pelagic forage species.", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1934719.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Lanzardo 2", "author": "Etrusko25", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lanzardo_2.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_chub_mackerel", "revision": 1378232824, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1378232824", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "42338d28bb400afc4cff554eef6f4621888656bb751464bbc7f317613703b740" }, { "id": "Q1094698", "common_name": "Largetooth sawfish", "scientific_name": "Pristis pristis", "aliases": [ "common sawfish", "Leichhardt's sawfish", "wide sawfish", "freshwater sawfish", "river sawfish", "northern sawfish", "Pristis pristis" ], "summary": "The largetooth sawfish (Pristis pristis, syn. P. microdon and P. perotteti) is a species of sawfish in the family Pristidae. It is found worldwide in tropical and subtropical coastal regions, but also enters freshwater. It has declined drastically and is now critically endangered. A range of English names have been used for the species, or populations now part of the species, including common sawfish (despite it being far from common today), wide sawfish, freshwater sawfish, river sawfish (less frequently, other sawfish species also occur in freshwater and rivers), Leichhardt's sawfish (after explorer and naturalist Ludwig Leichhardt) and northern sawfish.", "features": "The largetooth sawfish may mature to 15 ft in total length, though the largest confirmed specimen was a 7 m (23 ft)-long West African individual. A sawfish caught in 1951 near Galveston, Texas, was documented on film but not measured; this fish has been estimated to be of similar size. Today, most individuals are far smaller and a typical length is 2–2.5 m (6.6–8.2 ft). Large individuals may weigh as much as 500–600 kg (1,102–1,323 lb), or possibly even more. The largetooth sawfish is recognized by the forward position of the dorsal fin with its leading edge placed in front of the leading edge of the pelvic fins (when the sawfish is seen from above or the side), the relatively long pectoral fins with angular tips, and the presence of a small lower tail lobe. In all other sawfish species the leading edge of their dorsal fin is placed at, or behind, the leading edge of the pelvic fins, and all other Pristis sawfish species have shorter pectoral fins with less pointed tips and lack a distinct lower tail lobe (very small or none). The rostrum (\"saw\") of the largetooth sawfish has a width that is 15–25% of its length, which is relatively wide compared to the other sawfish species, and there are 14–24 equally separated teeth on each side of it. On average, females have shorter rostrums with fewer teeth than males. The rostral teeth are large and grooved from base to tip. The proportional rostrum length also varies with age, with average being around 27% of the total length of the fish, but can be as high as 30% in juveniles and as low as 20–22% in adults.", "habitat": "The largetooth sawfish can be found worldwide in tropical and subtropical coastal regions, but it also enters freshwater and has been recorded in rivers as far as 1,340 km (830 mi) from the sea. Historically, its East Atlantic range was from Mauritania to Angola. There are old reports (last in the late 1950s or shortly after) from the Mediterranean and these have typically been regarded as vagrants, but a review of records strongly suggests that this sea had a breeding population. Its West Atlantic range was from Uruguay to the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico. Although there are claimed reports from several Gulf Coast states in the United States, a review indicates that only those from Texas are genuine. Other specimens, notably several claimed to be from Florida, were likely imported from other countries. Its East Pacific range was from Peru to Mazatlán in Mexico. Historically it was widespread in the Indo-Pacific, ranging from South Africa to the Horn of Africa, India, Southeast Asia and Northern Australia. Its total distribution covered almost 7,200,000 km2 (2,800,000 mi2), more than any other species of sawfish, but it has disappeared from much of its historical range. The last record taken in the Mediterranean dates back to 1959. A parasitic flatworm, Dermopristis paradoxus, is commonly found on the skin and lining of the mouth and exclusively in Australian waters on the largetooth sawfish. The flatworm has been discovered to have a male reproductive system that lacks the copulatory organ.", "distribution": "The largetooth sawfish can be found worldwide in tropical and subtropical coastal regions, but it also enters freshwater and has been recorded in rivers as far as 1,340 km (830 mi) from the sea. Historically, its East Atlantic range was from Mauritania to Angola. There are old reports (last in the late 1950s or shortly after) from the Mediterranean and these have typically been regarded as vagrants, but a review of records strongly suggests that this sea had a breeding population. Its West Atlantic range was from Uruguay to the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico. Although there are claimed reports from several Gulf Coast states in the United States, a review indicates that only those from Texas are genuine. Other specimens, notably several claimed to be from Florida, were likely imported from other countries. Its East Pacific range was from Peru to Mazatlán in Mexico. Historically it was widespread in the Indo-Pacific, ranging from South Africa to the Horn of Africa, India, Southeast Asia and Northern Australia. Its total distribution covered almost 7,200,000 km2 (2,800,000 mi2), more than any other species of sawfish, but it has disappeared from much of its historical range. The last record taken in the Mediterranean dates back to 1959. A parasitic flatworm, Dermopristis paradoxus, is commonly found on the skin and lining of the mouth and exclusively in Australian waters on the largetooth sawfish. The flatworm has been discovered to have a male reproductive system that lacks the copulatory organ.", "diet": "", "family": "Pristidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1094698.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "2009 Pristis microdon1", "author": "J. Patrick Fischer", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2009_Pristis_microdon1.JPG", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Largetooth_sawfish", "revision": 1383476214, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1383476214", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "edcf355dbe89293becd3e042306e7af8ab41f7be2e33bf3aca131ec660661721" }, { "id": "Q1470652", "common_name": "Lesser weever", "scientific_name": "Echiichthys vipera", "aliases": [ "Echiichthys vipera" ], "summary": "The lesser weever (Echiichthys vipera) is a venomous weever of the family Trachinidae, in the order Perciformes, and the class Actinopterygii. It is generally found on the sandy sea beds of the open sea, near the shore. Lesser weevers may sting swimmers badly if disturbed in the water, and fishermen when they clean their fishing nets. The lesser weever grows up to 27.7 cm (10.9 in) long, but generally less than 10 cm (3.9 in), with an elongated body. Its color can be described as greyish-brown on the back and silvery-white on the sides. It has no spines in front of its eyes.", "features": "", "habitat": "Lesser weever fish occur in the eastern Atlantic from the North Sea around the British Isles to Morocco and Madeira, and in the Mediterranean. It is typically found resting on the bottom, partially buried with its eyes and tip of the first dorsal fin exposed.", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Trachinidae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1470652.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Echiichthys vipera", "author": "Hans Hillewaert", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Echiichthys_vipera.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lesser_weever", "revision": 1324303351, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1324303351", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "7200b3b52f657bf4e01ccc0e3167d8bcd4e526b9e44a952f23faa3422c31b3a8" }, { "id": "Q924585", "common_name": "Pearl danio", "scientific_name": "Danio albolineatus", "aliases": [ "Danio albolineatus" ], "summary": "The pearl danio (Danio albolineatus) is a tropical, freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Danioinidae. Originating in Sumatra, Myanmar, and Thailand and Vietnam (Phu Quoc Island), this fish is sometimes found in aquariums by fish-keeping hobbyists. It grows to a maximum length of 2.6 inches (6.6 cm) and lives for around five years. The fish could have a brownish-yellow, pink, or a silver body and two light yellow/white or blue/red stripes. It has an iridescent look. The female fish has two pairs of barbels. In the wild, the pearl danio is found in along the surface of small, clear rivers and hill streams. They live in a tropical climate with water with a 6.0 – 8.0 pH, a water hardness of up to 5 – 19 dGH, and a temperature range of 68–77 °F (20–25 °C). Their diet consists mostly of exogenous insects and zooplankton. The pearl danio is an egglayer. Golden varieties are often seen in shops; these are in reality semi-albino fish. The blue-redstripe danio (D. pulcher) and the Kedah danio (D. tweediei) were considered synonymous with this species, but Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes recognises them as valid, distinct species.", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Danioinidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q924585.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Danio albolineatus", "author": "Sc99cs at English Wikipedia (Original text: Steven Coburn sc99cs)", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Danio_albolineatus.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pearl_danio", "revision": 1355113489, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1355113489", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "50169bc992325097eab1a426fecca961bea8eb613b565c866d9871aa810ad8c2" }, { "id": "Q844602", "common_name": "Glowlight Tetra", "scientific_name": "Hemigrammus erythrozonus", "aliases": [ "Hemigrammus erythrozonus" ], "summary": "Hemigrammus erythrozonus, the glowlight tetra, is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Acestrorhamphidae, the American characins. This fish is found in the Essequibo River and the Courantyne River in Guyana and Suriname. It is silver in colour and a bright iridescent orange to red stripe extends from the snout to the base of its tail, the front of the dorsal fin being the same color as the stripe. Other fins are silver to transparent. The glowlight tetra is a peaceful, shoaling fish. It is larger than the neon tetra, and its peaceful disposition makes it an ideal, and popular, community tank fish. It should be kept with similar sized, non-aggressive species. Hemigrammus gracilis is a senior synonym. The red-line rasbora (Rasbora pauciperforata) of Malaysia and Indonesia has markings and coloring very similar to H. erythrozonus, but is a member of order Cypriniformes, not a close relative. H. erythrozonus is a medium-sized tetra growing to 4 to 5 cm (1.6 to 2.0 in), notably larger than both neon and cardinal tetras. It has a life span of two to four years when kept in good conditions. In the wild, the fish eats aquatic insect larvae.", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Acestrorhamphidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q844602.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Tetra Glowlight cropped", "author": "Tetra_Glowlight.jpg: gonzalovalenzuela derivative work: Kyknos (talk)", "license": "CC BY 2.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tetra_Glowlight_cropped.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemigrammus_erythrozonus", "revision": 1356156541, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1356156541", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "99ec7a4fb63dcff88675cf07f4ac70fa2f53edb4b1a8a608c7f4a6123289b122" }, { "id": "Q244011", "common_name": "Pygmy seahorse", "scientific_name": "Hippocampus bargibanti", "aliases": [ "Hippocampus bargibanti" ], "summary": "Hippocampus bargibanti, also known as Bargibant's seahorse or the pygmy seahorse, is a species of seahorse in the family Syngnathidae found in the central Indo-Pacific area. This pygmy seahorse is tiny—usually less than 2 centimetres (0.79 in) in size—and lives exclusively on gorgonian sea-fans, as its coloration and physical features expertly mimic the coral for camouflage. The relationship between a pygmy seahorse and its host sea-fan is non-invasive and non-parasitic, serving only to shelter the diminutive seahorse. There are two known color variations, grey with red tubercles and yellow with orange tubercles. It is unknown whether or not, though speculated that, these color varieties are linked to specific host gorgonians (corals).", "features": "The pygmy seahorse measure less than one inch in length (2 cm), and is naturally well camouflaged and extremely difficult to see amongst the gorgonian coral it lives on. So effective is this camouflage that the species was not formally discovered by researchers until an apparent host coral was being examined in a laboratory; in 1969, a New Caledonian scientist named Georges Bargibant had been collecting specimens of Muricella gorgonians, for the Nouméa museum, when he happened to spot a pair of the tiny seahorses on the coral upon the examination table. The next year, they were officially named by Whitley as \"Bargibant's pygmy seahorse\". Large, bulbous tubercles (or knobs) cover its body, matching the colors and forms of the polyps of its host species of gorgonian coral, while its body matches the gorgonian stem (to which the seahorse wraps its tail around for stability). It is unknown whether individuals can change color if they alternate sea-fans—although the ability to change colour according to their surroundings does exist in some other seahorse species, such as Hippocampus whitei. Other distinctive pygmy seahorse characteristics include a fleshy head and body, a very short snout, and a long, prehensile tail. The pygmy seahorse’s coloration and tubercles closely match the Muricella gorgonian coral it inhabits, providing effective camouflage from predators.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "The pygmy seahorse is found in coastal areas ranging from southern Japan and Indonesia to northern Australia and New Caledonia on reefs and slopes at a depth of 10–40 metres (33–131 ft).", "diet": "", "family": "Syngnathidae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q244011.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Hippocampus bargibanti3", "author": "Jens Petersen", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hippocampus_bargibanti3.JPG", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippocampus_bargibanti", "revision": 1380847977, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1380847977", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "e5010dd5cc62e95ac5d538adfd8dcfa3b22c7b7fdf64bdf0872bf537bfae65a4" }, { "id": "Q260678", "common_name": "Giant guitarfish", "scientific_name": "Rhynchobatus djiddensis", "aliases": [ "Rhynchobatus djiddensis", "Giant guitarfish" ], "summary": "The giant guitarfish (Rhynchobatus djiddensis), also known as the whitespotted wedgefish and the sand skate, is a large species of guitarfish in the family Rhinidae. It is restricted to the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and western Indian Ocean, but was formerly considered more widespread due to confusion with its relatives.", "features": "A large fish reaching up to 3.1 m (10 ft) long and weighing as much as 227 kg (500 lb), it is brownish or greyish above with a variable pattern of white spots. Juveniles have a black spot above each pectoral fin, but in adults it is a dusky ring or absent. There is a dark, bar-like pattern between the eyes (on top of the head), which separates it from the other Rhynchobatus species in its range. In addition to this, the guitarfish can also be characterized by the large black eyespots on the pectoral bases and a distinct pointed snout. The species may be confused with the distantly related common shovelnose ray, from which it differs in a smaller first dorsal fin set farther back on the body; a more rounded head with a prominent snout; a lack of upper jaw indentations; and larger skin denticles.", "habitat": "It is a shy fish, found at depths of 2–50 m (6.6–164.0 ft), inhabiting areas with a sandy sea floor. These are generally around coastal reefs or reef flats, but they will sometimes venture into the brackish waters of estuaries.", "distribution": "The giant guitarfish was previously believed to range throughout a large part of the Indo-Pacific, but recent evidence has shown that it, as traditionally defined, actually was a species complex consisting of four different species. In addition to the giant guitarfish, this complex includes the white-spotted guitarfish, the broadnose wedgefish and possibly the smoothnose wedgefish. With these as separate species, the giant guitarfish has a relatively restricted range; it is found only in the Red Sea and Persian Gulf, and the western Indian Ocean as far south as South Africa. Ranging across the western Indian Ocean, it is common to misidentify the separate species of guitarfish within a similar range.", "diet": "The giant guitarfish feeds on bivalves, crabs, lobsters, squid and small fish.", "family": "Rhinidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q260678.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Rhynchobatus djiddensis durban", "author": "Peter Giger", "license": "CC BY 2.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rhynchobatus_djiddensis_durban.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_guitarfish", "revision": 1374266257, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1374266257", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "e24e03228f67605a0621c45c7e6eeb5aa9ba1dc60ddfffe408d2a373656f82bf" }, { "id": "Q2343773", "common_name": "Green humphead parrotfish", "scientific_name": "Bolbometopon muricatum", "aliases": [ "green humphead parrotfish", "Humphead parrotfish", "bumphead parrotfish", "Bolbometopon muricatum" ], "summary": "The green humphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum) is the largest species of parrotfish, growing to lengths of 1.3 m (4.3 ft) and weighing up to 46 kg (101 lb), though some sources report a total length of 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) and weight of 75 kg (165 lb). It is the only species in the monotypic genus Bolbometopon. Fossil remains of Bolbometopon sp. are known from the Late Miocene of Sri Lanka. Other common names include bumphead parrotfish, humphead parrotfish, double-headed parrotfish, buffalo parrotfish, and giant parrotfish. It inhabits reefs in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, from the Red Sea in the west to Samoa in the east, and from the Yaeyama Islands in the north to the Great Barrier Reef, Australia, in the south. In regions that are not overfished, the humphead parrotfish is a prominent member of the ecosystem, whether through their social interactions or their feeding behavior.", "features": "Unlike typical wrasse, it has a vertical head profile, and unlike other parrotfishes, it is uniformly covered with scales except for the leading edge of the head, which is often light green to pink. Primary phase colouration is a dull gray with scattered white spots, gradually becoming uniformly dark green. This species does not display sex-associated patterns of color change common in the wrasse family Labridae. The adult develops a bulbous forehead sometimes described as an \"ossified ridge\", and the tooth plates are exposed, being only partly covered by lips. This species is gregarious and usually occurs in small schools, but group size can be quite large on seaward and clear outer lagoon reefs, exceeding 75 individuals. Records from the 1970s suggest even larger schools of up to 250 individual fish.", "habitat": "Humphead parrotfish are generally found in the Indian and Pacific oceans, as far as the great barrier reef, covering Samoa, Japan, and the red sea. They live in areas from the surface down as far as 40 meters. Juveniles like to stay in shallower areas, where adults usually stray farther out into deeper waters.", "distribution": "Humphead parrotfish are generally found in the Indian and Pacific oceans, as far as the great barrier reef, covering Samoa, Japan, and the red sea. They live in areas from the surface down as far as 40 meters. Juveniles like to stay in shallower areas, where adults usually stray farther out into deeper waters.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q2343773.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Bolbometopon muricatum 290186802", "author": "Dirk Froebel", "license": "CC BY 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bolbometopon_muricatum_290186802.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_humphead_parrotfish", "revision": 1380290551, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1380290551", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "d32263fba13bf7c364bb0a0161f931cccf5847b8bd77fe740c930c7b940d7807" }, { "id": "Q529885", "common_name": "Whitetail dascyllus", "scientific_name": "Dascyllus aruanus", "aliases": [ "Dascyllus aruanus" ], "summary": "Dascyllus aruanus, known commonly as the whitetail dascyllus or humbug damselfish among other vernacular names, is a species of marine fish in the family Pomacentridae.", "features": "Whitetail dascyllus is up to 10 centimetres (3.9 in) in length but its common size is 6 centimetres (2.4 in) and is white with three black vertical bars. It is morphologically identical to D. emamo, differing only in the sounds they make and their geographic distribution. It also appears very similar to the closely related D. abudafur. It may also be mistaken for D. melanurus, which has four black stripes instead of three. They have a small mouth, a flat spine, a black and white body with a large white spot between the eyes. In the first year of life, the damselfish grows to be about 6 centimeters. However, it is fully grown by the end of its second year and remains at around 10 centimeters for another three to four years until it dies. The colors remain the same throughout their lives and serve multiple purposes. It has been hypothesized that the bold contrast of black and white attract fish of the same species, yet display as a sign of their host coral's toxicity to potential predators.", "habitat": "Associated with coral reefs, most usually in groups above Acropora coral heads. The black and white damselfish maintains a symbiotic relationship with its coral reef through exchange of nutrients for shelter. As planktivores, the humbug acts as a \"gardener\" by grazing on unwanted algae and excreting its waste in the form of phosphate and ammonium. In return, they can use the coral reef for protection and shelter, leaving only when necessary. To remain in the safety of the reef, the humbug will feed on waste and small prey nearby.", "distribution": "Dascyllus aruanus inhabits the Indo-Pacific, east and north of the Sunda Shelf. The population in French Polynesia are now considered their own cryptic species, D. emamo. They live in small groups of around 30 individuals and prefer smaller territories in the shallow coral reefs. The shallow reefs can range from around one to ten meters deep and the inhabiting damselfish rarely stray far from the home they were born in. Most of these coral reefs are smaller with less species diversity. The humbug damselfish are particularly territorial and will act accordingly to protect their coral shelters. However, the humbug is found to reside in some of the same coral as Dascyllus marginatus. Instead of seeing this fish as competition, they adapted similar behaviors and are able to cohabitate with each other efficiently.", "diet": "", "family": "Pomacentridae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q529885.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Humbug dascyllus (Dascyllus aruanus) (48652156722)", "author": "Rickard Zerpe", "license": "CC BY 2.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Humbug_dascyllus_(Dascyllus_aruanus)_(48652156722).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitetail_dascyllus", "revision": 1354931338, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1354931338", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "b66d46bd2539a806c121e43a771b9cdf31ca2db45d5cf21c7c9c1bec11f609b1" }, { "id": "Q74366", "common_name": "Tomato clownfish", "scientific_name": "Amphiprion frenatus", "aliases": [ "Tomato clownfish", "Amphiprion frenatus" ], "summary": "The tomato clownfish (Amphiprion frenatus) is a species of marine fish in the family Pomacentridae, the clownfishes and damselfishes. It is native to the waters of the Western Pacific, from the Japan to Indonesia. Other common names include blackback anemonefish, bridled anemonefish, fire clown, and red tomato clown.", "features": "The adult fish is bright orange-red, with a white head bar or vertical stripe just behind the eyes, joined over the head and with a distinctive black outline. Females are mainly blackish on the sides. Males are considerably smaller and are red overall. Juveniles are a darker red, with two or three white bars. They have 9-10 dorsal spines, 2 anal spines, 16–18 dorsal soft rays and 13–15 anal soft rays. They reach a maximum length of 14 cm (5+1⁄2 in). One of the most serious ectoparsitic diseases that effects warmwater marine fishes is the Marine Velvet disease (amyloodiniosis) which is caused by Amyloodinium ocellatum, a species of Dinoflagellate. The Tomato clownfish has a strong and long-lived immunity to this parasite. It gains this immunity by having several nonleathal infections and the production of specific antibodies. This immunoglobulin antibody is reduced and consist of heavy chain of 70 kD and a light chains of 32 kD. The estimated weight of the entire antibody is 816 kD.", "habitat": "This species is found as far north as Ryukyu Islands, Japan, to the South China Sea and surrounding areas including Malaysia and Indonesia. Some authors report that this species is associated with a single species of anemone, the bubble-tip anemone (Entacmaea quadricolor). Other authorities report that it may be associated with the sebae anemone (Heteractis crispa), as well.", "distribution": "This species is found as far north as Ryukyu Islands, Japan, to the South China Sea and surrounding areas including Malaysia and Indonesia. Some authors report that this species is associated with a single species of anemone, the bubble-tip anemone (Entacmaea quadricolor). Other authorities report that it may be associated with the sebae anemone (Heteractis crispa), as well.", "diet": "", "family": "Pomacentridae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q74366.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Pez payaso tomate (Amphiprion frenatus) en una anémona magnífica (Heteractis magnifica), Anilao, Filipinas, 2023-08-22, DD 208", "author": "Diego Delso", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pez_payaso_tomate_(Amphiprion_frenatus)_en_una_an%C3%A9mona_magn%C3%ADfica_(Heteractis_magnifica),_Anilao,_Filipinas,_2023-08-22,_DD_208.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomato_clownfish", "revision": 1381078636, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1381078636", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "1748606ef24c2dba31aa2bf6bc3078ddd7c526e45b8eeed271c97847d71c819f" }, { "id": "Q2082203", "common_name": "Giant goby", "scientific_name": "Gobius cobitis", "aliases": [ "Gobius cobitis" ], "summary": "The giant goby (Gobius cobitis) is a species of goby native to coastal marine and brackish waters of the eastern Atlantic, the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea at depths of 10 to 35 metres (33 to 115 ft). This species is of minor importance to commercial fisheries and is also popular as a game fish.", "features": "The giant goby, which grows to 27 centimetres (11 in) in length, is greyish to olive brown with 'pepper and salt' markings. These are especially notable in smaller specimens. In the breeding season the male is darker than the female. The body is covered in small scales, and the tail stalk is short. The eyes are small.", "habitat": "The giant goby inhabits rock pools high up in the intertidal zone of sheltered shores. Occupied pools typically contain boulders under which the giant goby can take shelter, and have inputs of freshwater, so the water in the pools is usually brackish.", "distribution": "In the UK, the giant goby occurs only on the south coast, ranging along the southern West Country coast between Wembury in southwest Devon and the Isles of Scilly. Outside of the UK, it is found from the western English Channel to Morocco, in the Mediterranean, the Black Sea and the Gulf of Suez, more than likely a Lessepsian migrant via the Suez Canal.", "diet": "This species has been recorded to feed upon polychaete worms, green algae of the genus Ulva, amphipods, crabs and insects.", "family": "", "water_type": "Both", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q2082203.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Gobius cobitis.004 - Aquarium Finisterrae", "author": "Fernando Losada Rodríguez", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gobius_cobitis.004_-_Aquarium_Finisterrae.JPG", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_goby", "revision": 1372516215, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1372516215", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "55951d4cb6e78fe01fe6c63dbc1698d14153569274d3e6178d0bda42a98cb37d" }, { "id": "Q512042", "common_name": "West African lungfish", "scientific_name": "Protopterus annectens", "aliases": [ "Protopterus annectens" ], "summary": "The West African lungfish (Protopterus annectens), also known as the Tana lungfish or simply African lungfish, is a species of African lungfish. It is found in a wide range of freshwater habitats in West and Central Africa, as well as the northern half of Southern Africa.", "features": "Protopterus annectens is a member of the lungfish, a group thought to have existed for over 400 million years. This species has various physiological adaptations which allow it to survive periods of drought, making the lungfish resilient in many habitats. P. annectens is known for its eel-like appearance with an anguilliform body. It has pelvic fins that are described as \"whip-like\" with skeletal elements. It has a prominent snout and small eyes that are known to be partially blind. Although their eyesight is not well-developed, they have sensory structures called lateral lines. These structures allow them to detect water movement. These sensory receptors extend along the snout of the animal, similar to those found in amphibians and other fish. Its body is about 9–15 times the length of the head. It has two pairs of long, filamentous fins. The pectoral fins have a basal fringe and are about three times the head length, while its pelvic fins are about twice the head length. In general, three external gills are inserted posterior to the gill slits and above the pectoral fins. It has cycloid scales embedded in the skin. About 40–50 scales occur between the operculum and the anus, and 36–40 around the body before the origin of the dorsal fin. It has 34–37 pairs of ribs. The dorsal side is olive or brown in color and the ventral side is lighter, with great blackish or brownish spots on the body and fins except on its belly. West African lungfish can grow up to 1 meter long (3.3 feet) and weigh up to 4 kilograms (9 pounds).", "habitat": "The West African lungfish is distributed throughout Africa typically, it can be found in freshwater swamps, backwaters, and small rivers in West and South Africa. It has also been reported in African countries such as Senegal, Niger, Gambia, Western Sudan, Côte d'Ivoire, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and many others. Like other African lungfish, the West African lungfish is an obligate air breather and a freshwater-dwelling fish. It is demersal, meaning that it lives primarily buried within riverbeds. Within its habitat, dry seasons are frequent, causing the rivers and floodplains to dry up. During these periods, the West African lungfish can aestivate for up to a year.", "distribution": "The West African lungfish is distributed throughout Africa typically, it can be found in freshwater swamps, backwaters, and small rivers in West and South Africa. It has also been reported in African countries such as Senegal, Niger, Gambia, Western Sudan, Côte d'Ivoire, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and many others. Like other African lungfish, the West African lungfish is an obligate air breather and a freshwater-dwelling fish. It is demersal, meaning that it lives primarily buried within riverbeds. Within its habitat, dry seasons are frequent, causing the rivers and floodplains to dry up. During these periods, the West African lungfish can aestivate for up to a year.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q512042.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Protopterus annectens Natural History Museum University of Pisa", "author": "Mattia Nocciola", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Protopterus_annectens_Natural_History_Museum_University_of_Pisa.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_African_lungfish", "revision": 1380373430, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1380373430", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "ec07952bbb0a38da88b1657614d41dfddbaf9c9610f7d6da47b5e2edbbc311da" }, { "id": "Q1529385", "common_name": "Three-lined rasbora", "scientific_name": "Rasbora trilineata", "aliases": [ "Scissor-tail rasbora", "Rasbora trilineata" ], "summary": "Rasbora trilineata is a species of ray-finned fish in the genus Rasbora. Common names include scissortail rasbora and three-lined rasbora. It comes from Southeast Asia. Its length is up to 15 cm (6\").", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1529385.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Rasbora trilineata", "author": "Lerdsuwa", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rasbora_trilineata.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rasbora_trilineata", "revision": 1314683850, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1314683850", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "9b2c0953d1635a725358d3399cbdd97e576c93e975766392bc6b965211989bf7" }, { "id": "Q377591", "common_name": "Broadnose sevengill shark", "scientific_name": "Notorynchus cepedianus", "aliases": [ "Notorynchus cepedianus" ], "summary": "The broadnose sevengill shark (Notorynchus cepedianus) is the only extant member of the genus Notorynchus, in the family Hexanchidae. It is recognizable because of its seven gill slits, while most shark species have five gill slits, with the exception of the members of the order Hexanchiformes and the sixgill sawshark. This shark has a large, thick body, with a broad head and blunt snout. The top jaw has jagged, cusped teeth and the bottom jaw has comb-shaped teeth. Its single dorsal fin is set far back along the spine towards the caudal fin, and is behind the pelvic fins. In this shark the upper caudal fin is much longer than the lower, and is slightly notched near the tip. Like many sharks, this sevengill is counter-shaded. Its dorsal surface is silver-gray to brown in order to blend with the dark water and substrate when viewed from above. In counter to this, its ventral surface is very pale, blending with the sunlit water when viewed from below. The body and fins are covered in a scattering of small black & white spots. In juveniles, their fins often have white margins. It is also known as sevengill shark or simply sevengill and was formerly known as cow shark and mud shark; it is called sevengill due to its seven gill slits. Because of this, it was listed along with the sharpnose sevengill shark (Heptranchias perlo) by Guinness World Records as having the most gill slits.", "features": "The length at birth is 40–45 cm (15.5–17.5 in) while the mature male length is 1.5 m (4.9 ft) and mature female length is around 2.2 m (7.2 ft). The maximum length found is 3.0 metres (9.8 ft). The maximum recorded weight is 182 kg (401 lb) for a 2.91-metre (9.5 ft) individual. The shark is large and active and has a large head but small eyes and snout. The mouth is broad and prominent. The shark has one dorsal fin at the back of the body that spans from the insertion to the tops of the pelvic fins. The mottled grey and white body is covered in a variable number of small black spots.", "habitat": "The broadnose sevengill has so far been found in the western Pacific Ocean off China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, the eastern Pacific Ocean off Canada, United States and Chile, and the southern Atlantic Ocean off Argentina and South Africa. It is significantly found in the San Francisco Bay particularly near the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island. Large, old individuals tend to live in deep offshore environments as far down as 446 feet (136 m). However, most individuals live in either the deep channels of bays, or in the shallower waters of continental shelves and estuaries. These sharks are mainly benthic in nature, cruising along the sea floor and making an occasional foray to the surface. Individuals that live closer to the coast in South Africa tend to prefer more open areas with a sandy sea floor and sparse clumps of kelp.", "distribution": "The broadnose sevengill has so far been found in the western Pacific Ocean off China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, the eastern Pacific Ocean off Canada, United States and Chile, and the southern Atlantic Ocean off Argentina and South Africa. It is significantly found in the San Francisco Bay particularly near the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island. Large, old individuals tend to live in deep offshore environments as far down as 446 feet (136 m). However, most individuals live in either the deep channels of bays, or in the shallower waters of continental shelves and estuaries. These sharks are mainly benthic in nature, cruising along the sea floor and making an occasional foray to the surface. Individuals that live closer to the coast in South Africa tend to prefer more open areas with a sandy sea floor and sparse clumps of kelp.", "diet": "", "family": "Hexanchidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q377591.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Notorynchus cepedianus SI4", "author": "D Ross Robertson", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Notorynchus_cepedianus_SI4.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadnose_sevengill_shark", "revision": 1381738477, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1381738477", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "4dfd35397ba759fe38258f07b3d31a9d96e0f3ef26de97fb04db779e77f9aaa4" }, { "id": "Q582842", "common_name": "Common goby", "scientific_name": "Pomatoschistus microps", "aliases": [ "Pomatoschistus microps" ], "summary": "The common goby (Pomatoschistus microps) is a species of ray-finned fish native to fresh and brackish waters along the Atlantic and Baltic Sea coasts of Europe and northern Africa, with a range stretching from Norway to Morocco and Mauritania. It is also found in the Canary Islands. This species reaches a maximum length of 9 centimetres (3.5 in) TL.", "features": "The common goby has two dorsal fins with a narrow gap between them, the anterior one consisting of six to eight spines and the posterior one eight to eleven soft rays. The pelvic fins are fused. There are 39 to 51 scales along the lateral line and these scales are slightly larger than those of the sand goby (Pomatoschistus minutus). The caudal fin is rounded. In males, there is a conspicuous dark spot on the anterior dorsal fin and dark markings at the base of the pectorals and the caudal fin. Otherwise the colour is light grey or sandy brown with indistinct dark markings and dark striations on the pale fins. The colour of the male darkens during the breeding season and his fins become more coloured. The average size is about 4 to 5 cm (1.6 to 2.0 in) with a maximum of about 9 cm (3.5 in)", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q582842.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "046-011 Pomatoschistus microps (cropped)", "author": "Ove Glenjen", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:046-011_Pomatoschistus_microps_(cropped).JPG", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_goby", "revision": 1313632404, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1313632404", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "67e0d11298c585699fc4ba5e2382fff5e4b217ba2052a61f9685308f3ce92864" }, { "id": "Q1204162", "common_name": "Potato grouper", "scientific_name": "Epinephelus tukula", "aliases": [ "Epinephelus tukula", "potato grouper", "potato bass" ], "summary": "The potato grouper (Epinephelus tukula), also called the potato cod or potato bass, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grouper from the subfamily Epinephelinae which is part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the anthias and sea basses. It has a wide Indo-Pacific distribution.", "features": "The potato grouper has a standard length which is 2.9 to 3.5 times its depth. It has a slightly convex region between the eyes and the dorsal profile of the head is straight. The preopercle is rounded or subangular and it has slightly enlarged serrations at its corner while the gill cover has a straight upper margin. There are 11 spines and 14-15 soft rays in the dorsal fin and three spines and eight rays in the anal fin. The membranes between the dorsal fin spines are notched. The caudal fin is rounded. This species is pale brownish-grey in overall colour and it is covered in large dark widely separated blotches. Dark lines radiate out from the eyes and there are small dark spots on the fins. This is a large and robust species of grouper which attains a maximum published length of 200 centimetres (79 in) and a weight of 110 kilograms (240 lb). The dark blotches on the body are thought to resemble potatoes in shape and thus give rise to the common name.", "habitat": "The potato grouper are found in coral reefs in the channels in the reefs and around sea mounts in areas where there is a strong current. The juveniles prefer the shallow water and are often found in tidal pools on the reef, while the adults are found at depths between 10 and 150 metres (33 and 492 ft). They are solitary and usually remain within their home range. They are ambush predators which prey on small rays, crabs, fish, squid, octopodes and spiny lobsters. They hide from their prey using the coral as cover and lunge when the prey is in range, swallowing the prey item whole. They are aggressive and defend their territory but they have a relatively small home range. They reach sexual maturity at 90 to 99 centimetres (35 to 39 in) and a weight of 16 to 18 kilograms (35 to 40 lb), at approximately 12 years of age. Aggregations of smaller fishes have been observed but it is not known if this species aggregates to spawn. Captive specimens have been induced to change sex from female to male so the potato grouper may, like other groupers, be a protogynous hermaphrodite.", "distribution": "The potato grouper has a wide distribution in the Indian and Pacific Oceans but is uncommon to rare in most areas. It is commonest along the coast of eastern Africa from the Red Sea to KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa and around the Indian Ocean islands of Madagascar, Seychelles, Mauritius and Réunion. It further occurs off western India and Sri Lanka east into the Pacific where it reaches as far east as the Solomon Islands, north to southern Japan and south to Australia. It has not been recorded in the Persian Gulf. In Australia it is distributed from Shark Bay in Western Australia along the northern coasts to Moreton Bay in Queensland. It is also found on the Great Barrier Reef.", "diet": "", "family": "Serranidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1204162.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Epinephelus tukula 2573", "author": "Amada44", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Epinephelus_tukula_2573.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potato_grouper", "revision": 1381097372, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1381097372", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "18a1b38225ff1a2f88882d2c2091f1ed681df94b2687424ce79ab1c8f5e67ebb" }, { "id": "Q14023599", "common_name": "Abactochromis", "scientific_name": "Abactochromis labrosus", "aliases": [ "Abactochromis labrosus" ], "summary": "Abactochromis is a monotypic genus of cichlid fish containing the single species Abactochromis labrosus (formerly known as Melanochromis labrosus). The genus name combines the Latin for \"driven away from\" (\"ab\" - away from, \"actus\" - driven) with the commonly used haplochromine name \"chromis\". The name encompasses both the origin of the genus (the species was \"banished\" from the genus Melanochromis) and the fish's solitary, wandering behaviour (as if it had been driven away from the other cichlids). A. labrosus is native to Lake Malawi. The largest known wild specimen (shown in the photo at right) had a standard length (without caudal fin) of 119 mm (4.7 in).", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q14023599.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Abactochromis labrosus", "author": "Michael K. Oliver, Ph.D.", "license": "CC BY 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Abactochromis_labrosus.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abactochromis", "revision": 1381946919, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1381946919", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "c209be1305b1a730077eed9e4d9d31f3e521582a4e2b7a8adf81819334f5900f" }, { "id": "Q132895", "common_name": "Common dragonet", "scientific_name": "Callionymus lyra", "aliases": [ "Callionymus lyra" ], "summary": "The common dragonet (Callionymus lyra) is a species of dragonet which is widely distributed in the eastern North Atlantic where it is common near Europe from Norway and Iceland southwards. It is a demersal species that occurs over sand bottoms. It lives to a maximum age of around seven years. It is caught in bycatch by fisheries and is used in the aquarium trade.", "features": "The common dragonet has a broad, triangular, flattened head with a long snout and protruding lower jaw, the body is also flattened, although the tail is rounded. The eyes are placed on the top head and the gills are also on the upper part of the body. The preopercular bone is strongly hooked and has four robust spines, the front facing forwards and the other three face rearwards. The adults are sexually dimorphic and the mature males have elongate rays in their dorsal and caudal fins. The second dorsal fin is yellowish with bright blue longitudinal stripes and they have bright blue marks on the head and body. The females and immature males are brown, paler on the underside, with a series of 6 brown blotches along their flanks. There are three symmetrical brown saddle-like blotches along the back with indistinct darker longitudinal stripes on their second dorsal fin. The females are normally smaller than the males with an average total length of 20 centimetres (7.9 in) long and the larger males grow up to 30 centimetres (12 in). Their colour and patterning mean that common dragonets are well camouflaged on coarse sand or gravel substrates. When the common dragonet is at rest on the seabed its fins are often folded.", "habitat": "The common dragonet is a demersal species which is occurs from the sublittoral zone to depths of up to 430 metres (1,410 ft), although it is most frequently found between 5 metres (16 ft) and 50 metres (160 ft). It is found in temperate waters with a water temperature of 16–20 °C (61–68 °F). It spends most of its time on the seabed partially buried in sand or shell gravel. When it is buried in the substrate only the head and eyes will protrude and the fish may emerge quickly to feed. They are opportunistic feeders which will prey on whichever suitable prey species are most abundant, it feeds mostly on small invertebrates, such as worms and crustaceans, for example in one study crustaceans were found to make up over 85% of the identifiable diet with the porcelain crab Pisidia longicornis making up 43%. Molluscs, especially cockles, are also preyed upon by common dragonets. Common dragonets are an important prey item of Atlantic cod and pouting in the Irish Sea. Male common dragonets are territorial and they aggressively defend their territories from other males. Unlike many species of pelagic spawning fish the common dragonet spawns as a pair. They have quite an elaborate courtship in which the male approaches the female, spreading his pectoral fins and erecting both dorsal fins, displaying their colours, while simultaneously repeatedly raising his head and opening his mouth very wide.", "distribution": "The common dragonet is found in inshore waters in the eastern North Atlantic from Iceland and Norway in the north through the western coasts of Europe to Mauritania, as well as the islands groups of the Faroes, the British Isles, the Canary Islands, Madeira and the Azores. It also occurs throughout the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q132895.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Callionymus lyra", "author": "Hans Hillewaert", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Callionymus_lyra.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_dragonet", "revision": 1348404179, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1348404179", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "593d71bd683e6538c5c396c7b8f5f98bd758f8b120b464b19d63f52154d3475b" }, { "id": "Q1787410", "common_name": "False trevally", "scientific_name": "Lactarius lactarius", "aliases": [ "Lactarius lactarius" ], "summary": "The false trevally (Lactarius lactarius) is a species of carangiform ray-finned fish in the family Lactariidae, currently the sole member of the family.", "features": "This fish is colored silvery-grey on the upper parts with blue iridescence dorsally and a dusky black spot on the upper gill cover. The underparts are colored silvery-white. The fins are pale yellow. This species can reach a length of 40 cm (16 in), though most do not exceed 30 cm (12 in).", "habitat": "", "distribution": "The false trevally is native to the Indian Ocean and from East Africa to Southeast Asia, and in the western Pacific Ocean from Japan to Queensland, Australia. It is a coastal species, occurring in marine and brackish waters at depths of from 15 to 100 m (49 to 328 ft). It is an important species to local commercial fisheries.", "diet": "", "family": "Lactariidae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1787410.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Lactarius lactarius 02", "author": "Hamid Badar Osmany", "license": "CC BY 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lactarius_lactarius_02.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_trevally", "revision": 1366832754, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1366832754", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "11f407d8ee92a863132731588700c61c7bfc186634c1da268be87fb948976ac3" }, { "id": "Q950415", "common_name": "Kuhl's maskray", "scientific_name": "Neotrygon kuhlii", "aliases": [ "Bluespotted stingray", "Neotrygon kuhlii" ], "summary": "Kuhl's maskray (Neotrygon kuhlii), also known as the blue-spotted stingray, blue-spotted maskray, or Kuhl's stingray, is a species of stingray of the family Dasyatidae. Originally classified in the genus Dasyatis, it was transferred to the genus Neotrygon in 2008 after morphological and molecular analyses showed it to be distinct. The body is rhomboidal and colored green with blue spots. Maximum disk width is estimated 46.5 cm (18.3 in). It is popular in aquaria, but usually not distinguished from the blue-spotted ribbontail ray. The ribbontail has a rounded body, is a brighter green with brighter blue and more vivid spots, but Kuhl's maskray is larger. The stingray's lifespan is estimated at 13 years for females and 10 years for males. The blue-spotted stingray preys on many fish and small mollusks. It is also generally found from Indonesia to Japan, and most of Australia. Kuhl's maskray also is targeted by many parasites, such as tapeworms, flatworms, and flukes.", "features": "", "habitat": "The blue-spotted stingray is commonly found in waters of depths less than 90 m (295 ft), being commonly found in sand and mudflats, but is also encountered near rocky coral reefs and sea grass beds. This stingray is found in a tropical climate at 29°N to 31°S, and 20°E to 171°W. At high tide, the blue-spotted stingray moves into the shallow lagoons and reef flats. It is found in northern Australia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Somalia, the east coast of South Africa, and India, and in almost the entire continental waters of Asia, including the Sea of Japan, Yellow Sea, East China Sea, Philippine Sea, Sulu Sea, Java Sea, Banda Sea, Celebes Sea, Andaman Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Arabian Sea.", "distribution": "", "diet": "Kuhl's maskray feeds on shrimp, small bony fish, mollusks, crabs, and worms. Because this ray is a shallow-bottom feeder, it has a small variety of marine life on which to prey. It overpowers its prey by pinning it to the bottom of the seafloor with its fins. This ray has numerous tiny teeth, with the lower jaw being slightly convex. Like most stingrays, it has plate-like teeth to crush prey.", "family": "Dasyatidae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q950415.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Blue-spotted Stingray (Neotrygon kuhlii) (8465011759)", "author": "Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE", "license": "CC BY-SA 2.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blue-spotted_Stingray_(Neotrygon_kuhlii)_(8465011759).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuhl%27s_maskray", "revision": 1370851868, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1370851868", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "4725ac94cf8f6765f8fcfdd21b75949e56adf3f5a21b0f8e8deb870c42d3dce3" }, { "id": "Q387352", "common_name": "Atlantic mudskipper", "scientific_name": "Periophthalmus barbarus", "aliases": [ "Periophthalmus barbarus" ], "summary": "The Atlantic mudskipper (Periophthalmus barbarus) is a species of mudskipper native to fresh, marine, and brackish waters of the tropical Atlantic coasts of Africa, including most offshore islands. The Greek scientific name Periophthalmus barbarus is named after the eyes that provide the Atlantic mudskipper with a wide field of vision. The Atlantic mudskipper is a member of the genus Periophthalmus, which includes oxudercine gobies that have one row of canine-like teeth. The Atlantic mudskipper can grow up to 25 cm (9.8 in) in body length. Similar to other members of the genus, it has dorsally positioned eyes and pectoral fins that aid in locomotion on land and in water. Atlantic mudskippers can skip, crawl, and climb on land using their pelvic and pectoral fins. The Atlantic mudskipper is a semi-aquatic animal that occurs on tidal flats and mangrove forests, where it readily crosses mud and sand surfaces out of the water. The Atlantic mudskipper is carnivorous and utilises an ambushing strategy to capture prey. This involves using a 'hydrodynamic tongue' and water to suction the prey into the mouth. Sexual maturity is reached at approximately 10.2 cm (4.0 in) for females and 10.8 cm (4.3 in) for males, making it one of the largest species of mudskippers. The Atlantic mudskipper can live up to 15 years. Atlantic mudskippers have been used by humans for food, bait, and medicinal purposes. The conservation status of the Atlantic mudskipper is classified as 'Least Concern'.", "features": "", "habitat": "Atlantic mudskippers are semi-aquatic animals that live in areas with water that is slightly salty, such as river estuaries and mudflats. Generally, Atlantic mudskippers spend the majority of the day on land. In tidal regions, Atlantic mudskippers may appear only during low tide to feed; conversely, they hide in their burrow at high tide. Their burrows can extend to 1.5 metres deep, in which mudskippers can seek refuge from predators. Burrows may contain a pocket of air which the Atlantic mudskipper can breathe from, despite there being low oxygen availability. The Atlantic mudskipper is generally able to tolerate high concentrations of toxic substances produced by industrial waste, including cyanide and ammonia, in the surrounding environments. For example, in the presence of high ammonia contamination, the Atlantic mudskipper can actively secrete ammonia through its gills within highly acidic environments. They are also able to survive in a variety of environments, including waters with different temperatures and salinity levels. Hot and humid climates are optimal for Atlantic mudskippers as it enhances cutaneous respiration and helps them with maintaining their body temperature. The body temperature of Atlantic mudskippers on the surface can range from 14 to 35 degrees celsius. The Atlantic mudskipper is territorial and builds a wall of mud around its territory and its resources. The territory is approximately 1 metre long and can aid in maintaining Atlantic mudskipper populations by storing food resources.", "distribution": "Atlantic mudskippers are found throughout West Africa, in mangrove swamps, and primarily brackish bodies of water near the coast. Countries where the mudskipper are found include Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cameroon, and Ghana. The distribution of Atlantic mudskippers within these regions are influenced by the availability of food and shelter. The distribution may also be influenced by the Atlantic mudskipper's hibernation.", "diet": "The Atlantic mudskipper is a consumer of a wide variety of food. In the wild, mudskippers prefer to eat worms, crickets, flies, mealworms, beetles, small fish, and small crustaceans (sesarmid crabs). Mudskippers kept as pets can eat frozen fare such as bloodworm or artemia and flakes. It cannot eat dried food; however, because its stomach swells up. It is recommended to feed it frozen food for a healthy diet.", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q387352.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "GambianMudskippers", "author": "Bjørn Christian Tørrissen", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:GambianMudskippers.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_mudskipper", "revision": 1362971060, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1362971060", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "a27f6a6c8da8b08ce32b0e9670014f8cf9b57e6a7434026d53133b735d4814cb" }, { "id": "Q28802", "common_name": "Sawback angelshark", "scientific_name": "Squatina aculeata", "aliases": [ "Sawback angelshark", "Squatina aculeata" ], "summary": "The sawback angelshark (Squatina aculeata) is an angelshark of the family Squatinidae It is one of rarest species of sharks known to date, and one of the three species of angelsharks that inhabits the Mediterranean. The Sawback angelshark lives in sandy and muddy bottoms of the ocean at depths of 30–500m.", "features": "Their eyes are larger than their spiracle. The frontal cephalic membranes are lobed; external nasal flap fringed; spiracle with 13–14 pseudo branchial lamellae. Has concave between eye, eye spiracle distance <1.5 x eye length. They have between 19 and 24 teeth, the average of the species being 21 total teeth. Their pectoral fin base at is least half of their fin length. They have denticles on their back which are large-based, almost pyramidal, with a line of median spines. The lower belly of the shark has denticles only on outer edges of pectoral and pelvic fins Obtains large thorns atop its head in a row down its back. The colour of the angelshark is light brown mottled with dark brown, with white sports arranged on the head and some of the body. Obtains dark blotches on head, back, the fin bases and tail. The species contains no ocelli.", "habitat": "Subtropical; offshore species, outer continental shelf and upper slope, demersal, marine. Usually found on muddy bottoms. 30–500 m (98–1,640 ft) down.", "distribution": "The range of the sawback angelshark continues to decrease as their population declines. They range along the Eastern Atlantic in Senegal, Gambia, and Sierra Leone. They also inhabit the Southern Mediterranean coastline in Algeria to the eastern basin, and along the northern coast from Turkey possibly to Albania, although their presence is unknown further east. Its presence is unknown in Algeria, Sardinia, Malta, Libya, Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, southern Cyprus, Crete, and Western Mainland Greece.", "diet": "Sawback angelsharks are ambush predators, meaning they lie on the ocean floor and wait for their prey to pass by. They feed on small sharks, bony fishes, cephalopods, and crustaceans.", "family": "Squatinidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q28802.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Squatina aculeata.004 - Aquarium Finisterrae", "author": "Fernando Losada Rodríguez", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Squatina_aculeata.004_-_Aquarium_Finisterrae.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sawback_angelshark", "revision": 1355302161, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1355302161", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "cf12d6ce07b7470050f2d8a092bcee0af91efcd1e61d6f9be4675c776a0a915d" }, { "id": "Q684322", "common_name": "Whitecheek shark", "scientific_name": "Carcharhinus dussumieri", "aliases": [ "Carcharhinus dussumieri" ], "summary": "The whitecheek shark or widemouth blackspot shark (Carcharhinus dussumieri) is a requiem shark of the family Carcharhinidae, found in the Indo-West Pacific Ocean between latitudes 34°N and 25°S. It can reach a length of 1 m (39 in). It feeds mainly on fish, cephalopods, and crustaceans. It is a viviparous species, with the female giving birth to up to four live young. The specific name honours the French explorer and trader Jean-Jacques Dussumier (1792–1883).", "features": "The whitecheek shark grows to a length around 100 cm (39 in). It has a slender body and long head with a rounded snout. The eyes are oval and both jaws have multiple rows of backward-pointing, serrated teeth. The pectoral fins are long, narrow, and curved and have narrow, pointed tips. The first dorsal fin is triangular, uncurved, and moderately sized, and the second dorsal fin is much smaller than the first and bears a large black patch at its apex. The whitecheek shark's dorsal (upper) surface is grey or brownish-grey, while its ventral (under) surface is pale.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "The whitecheek shark is native to the Indo-Pacific Ocean, where it is found on continental shelves and inshore slopes around islands down to about 170 m (560 ft). Its range extends from the Arabian Sea and Persian Gulf to Java, Indonesia, Japan, and Australia.", "diet": "", "family": "Carcharhinidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q684322.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Carcharhinus dussumieri terengganu", "author": "Tassapon KRAJANGDARA", "license": "CC BY 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Carcharhinus_dussumieri_terengganu.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitecheek_shark", "revision": 1354928234, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1354928234", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "8afbeeb24b539330e06d2c05aa3d25370f11b3d9d36297a0e3ba51942eb40862" }, { "id": "Q525968", "common_name": "Night shark", "scientific_name": "Carcharhinus signatus", "aliases": [ "Carcharhinus signatus" ], "summary": "The night shark (Carcharhinus signatus) is a species of requiem shark, in the family Carcharhinidae, found in the temperate and tropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean. An inhabitant of the outer continental shelf and upper continental slope, this shark most commonly occurs at depths of 50–600 m (160–1,970 ft) and conducts a diel vertical migration, spending the day in deeper water and moving into shallower waters at night. Off northeastern Brazil, large numbers congregate around seamounts of varying depths. A slender, streamlined species, the night shark typically reaches a length of 2 m (6.6 ft). It can be identified by its long, pointed snout and large, green eyes (when alive), and is dark grayish blue or brown above and white below. Night sharks are quick, nocturnally active, schooling predators that feed mainly on small bony fishes and squid. Reproduction is viviparous as with the other members of its family; females mate during the summer and give birth to litters of usually 12–18 pups after a gestation period of a year. This deepwater species is not known to pose a danger to humans. It is caught incidentally by commercial tuna and swordfish longline fisheries in the western Atlantic, and also by a targeted longline fishery operating off northeastern Brazil. The night shark is highly valued for its fins, and additionally as a source of meat, liver oil, and fishmeal.", "features": "The night shark has a slender build with an elongated, pointed snout. The nares are flanked by moderately developed flaps of skin. The eyes are large, circular, and green in life, with irregularly shaped pupils and a nictitating membrane (protective third eyelid). The mouth lacks conspicuous furrows at the corners and usually bears 15 tooth rows on either side of both jaws, plusone to two upper and one lower symphysial (jaw midline) tooth rows. Each upper tooth has a smooth to serrated edge, a narrow cusp becoming more oblique towards the corner of the mouth, and two to five coarse serrations at the base of the trailing margin. The number and size of serrations on the leading margin of the tooth cusp increase relative to those on the trailing margin as the animal grows older. The lower teeth are upright and smooth-edged. The five pairs of gill slits are rather short. The pectoral fins are less than a fifth as long as the total body length and taper towards a somewhat rounded tip. The first dorsal fin is relatively small, triangular, and pointed, originating over the free rear tips of the pectoral fins. The second dorsal fin is much smaller than the first and originates over or slightly ahead of the anal fin. A ridge runs between the dorsal fins. The dermal denticles are not tightly packed and overlap each other minimally. Each denticle is diamond-shaped with horizontal ridges leading to marginal teeth, the number increasing from three in juveniles to five to seven in adults. The coloration is grayish blue or brown above and whitish below, without fin markings.", "habitat": "The distribution of the night shark extends along the outer continental shelves and upper continental slopes of the Atlantic Ocean, from the U.S. state of Massachusetts to Argentina in the west, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, and from Senegal to northern Namibia in the east. In United States waters, it is relatively common off North Carolina and Florida (particularly the Florida Straits) and rarer elsewhere. There are questionable reports of this species off the Pacific coast of Panama. The night shark is a deepwater species that has been reported from as far down as 2 km (1.2 mi), though it occasionally ventures to within 26 m (85 ft) of the surface. Off the southeastern United States, it is usually caught at a depth range of 50–600 m (160–1,970 ft). Off northeastern Brazil, the night shark is most commonly found near the summits of seamounts ranging from 38 to 370 m (125 to 1,214 ft) deep. Off West Africa, it occurs at depths of 90–285 m (295–935 ft), where the temperature is 11–16 °C (52–61 °F), the salinity is 36 ppt, and the dissolved oxygen level is 1.81 mL/L. Annual variation in Cuban catch rates may indicate a seasonal migration. Fast and energetic, the night shark feeds primarily on small, active bony fishes such as mullet, mackerel, butterfish, sea basses, and flyingfish. Squid and shrimp are also sometimes taken. Most feeding activity occurs at night, hence its common name, with peaks at dawn and dusk.", "distribution": "The distribution of the night shark extends along the outer continental shelves and upper continental slopes of the Atlantic Ocean, from the U.S. state of Massachusetts to Argentina in the west, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, and from Senegal to northern Namibia in the east. In United States waters, it is relatively common off North Carolina and Florida (particularly the Florida Straits) and rarer elsewhere. There are questionable reports of this species off the Pacific coast of Panama. The night shark is a deepwater species that has been reported from as far down as 2 km (1.2 mi), though it occasionally ventures to within 26 m (85 ft) of the surface. Off the southeastern United States, it is usually caught at a depth range of 50–600 m (160–1,970 ft). Off northeastern Brazil, the night shark is most commonly found near the summits of seamounts ranging from 38 to 370 m (125 to 1,214 ft) deep. Off West Africa, it occurs at depths of 90–285 m (295–935 ft), where the temperature is 11–16 °C (52–61 °F), the salinity is 36 ppt, and the dissolved oxygen level is 1.81 mL/L. Annual variation in Cuban catch rates may indicate a seasonal migration.", "diet": "", "family": "Carcharhinidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q525968.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Carcharhinus signatus nmfs", "author": "SEFSC Pascagoula Laboratory; Collection of Brandi Noble, NOAA/NMFS/SEFSC", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Carcharhinus_signatus_nmfs.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_shark", "revision": 1354830609, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1354830609", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "0fe16e1ec977d3b9f0d50987bde9d8247c7db753e88083dec9b557847486c33a" }, { "id": "Q254565", "common_name": "Sand smelt", "scientific_name": "Atherina presbyter", "aliases": [ "Atherina presbyter" ], "summary": "The sand smelt (Atherina presbyter) is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Atherinidae, the silversides. This species is found in the Northeastern Atlantic Ocean.", "features": "", "habitat": "The sand smelt is found in the Northeastern Atlantic Ocean, from the Kattegat and Scotland south to Mauritania and into the Western Mediterranean. Its range includes the Macaronesian Islands, although it is not recorded from the Azores. The sand smelt is a pelagic species of estuaries and coastal areas.", "distribution": "The sand smelt is found in the Northeastern Atlantic Ocean, from the Kattegat and Scotland south to Mauritania and into the Western Mediterranean. Its range includes the Macaronesian Islands, although it is not recorded from the Azores. The sand smelt is a pelagic species of estuaries and coastal areas.", "diet": "", "family": "Atherinidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q254565.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Atherina presbyter", "author": "This illustration was made by Citron You must credit this : Citron / CC-BY-SA-3.0", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Atherina_presbyter.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sand_smelt", "revision": 1355329024, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1355329024", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "f2fc64dc737c5a446ee65d176e897fbe9af684db2e8139d6e8c553f4785889e2" }, { "id": "Q882999", "common_name": "Blackbelly rosefish", "scientific_name": "Helicolenus dactylopterus", "aliases": [ "Helicolenus dactylopterus", "bluemouth rockfish" ], "summary": "Helicolenus dactylopterus, blackbelly rosefish, bluemouth rockfish, and bluemouth seaperch, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the subfamily Sebastinae which is classified within the family Scorpaenidae. This Atlantic species is a typical sit-and-wait predator with a highly cryptic coloration.", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "Helicolenus dactylopterus is widely distributed in the Atlantic Ocean. In the west, it ranges from Nova Scotia to Venezuela. In the east, it ranges from Iceland and Norway to South Africa, including the Azores, Madeira and Canary Islands, and the entire Mediterranean Sea.", "diet": "", "family": "Scorpaenidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q882999.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Fish4271 - Flickr - NOAA Photo Library", "author": "NOAA Photo Library", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fish4271_-_Flickr_-_NOAA_Photo_Library.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helicolenus_dactylopterus", "revision": 1354662167, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1354662167", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "1a278480705ca5ae1b97b05f87707dec1c09e24615b50ef8412240f3b225ad36" }, { "id": "Q1507886", "common_name": "Amu Darya sturgeon", "scientific_name": "Pseudoscaphirhynchus kaufmanni", "aliases": [ "Pseudoscaphirhynchus kaufmanni" ], "summary": "The Amu Darya sturgeon or false shovelnose sturgeon (Pseudoscaphirhynchus kaufmanni) is a critically endangered species of fish in the family Acipenseridae. It is found in Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and perhaps Afghanistan. It inhabits quite shallow flowing waters that are turbid and muddy.", "features": "The Amu Darya sturgeon is a small sturgeon, but the largest species of Pseudoscaphirhynchus, reaching up to 2 kg (4.4 lb) in weight and 75 cm (30 in) in total length, excluding tail filament. It has a long, thin tail filament. For example, two individuals that both had a length of about 55 cm (22 in) excluding tail filament were 77 cm (30.5 in) and 85.5 cm (33.5 in) including tail filament. The species occurs in two morphs: a relatively large, light-coloured and late maturing morph, and a small, dark-coloured and early maturing morph. The small morph is roughly of similar size to P. hermanni, a species that lacks a tail filament.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Acipenseridae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1507886.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Live Pseudoscaphirhynchus kaufmanni", "author": "Bakhtiyor Sheraliev", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Live_Pseudoscaphirhynchus_kaufmanni.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amu_Darya_sturgeon", "revision": 1363689204, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1363689204", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "b53c424fa6bd70a1f16c76cc0c524037545a74ab2b7169dce1f138c25dbbbeda" }, { "id": "Q957840", "common_name": "Saffron cod", "scientific_name": "Eleginus gracilis", "aliases": [ "Eleginus gracilis" ], "summary": "The saffron cod (Eleginus gracilis) is a commercially harvested fish closely related to true cods (genus Gadus). It is dark grey-green to brown, with spots on its sides and pale towards the belly. It may grow to 55 cm and weigh up to 1.3 kg. Its range spans the North Pacific, from the Yellow Sea and the Sea of Okhotsk in the west to the northern Gulf of Alaska and Sitka, Alaska, in the east. It also occurs in the Chukchi Sea (Arctic Ocean). It normally occurs in shallow coastal waters at less than 60 m depth but may also be found at depths up to 200 m. The saffron cod may also enter brackish and even fresh waters, occurring quite far up rivers and streams, but remaining within regions of tidal influence. Saffron cods begin to mature during their third year of life. They feed on fish and small crustaceans. They are commercially fished in many areas of the northwestern Pacific. The country with the largest catch is Russia. It is used for human consumption in the Russian Federation and Japan, fresh or frozen.", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q957840.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Saffron Cod Juveniles", "author": "Kitty Mecklenburg", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Saffron_Cod_Juveniles.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saffron_cod", "revision": 1354563275, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1354563275", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "2800811f0782526e0aad0aba7498be458feef67435e778e3b76675acb6e82860" }, { "id": "Q2288528", "common_name": "Blue runner", "scientific_name": "Caranx crysos", "aliases": [ "Caranx crysos" ], "summary": "The blue runner (Caranx crysos), also known as the bluestripe jack, Egyptian scad, hardtail jack, or hardnose, is a common species of moderately large marine fish classified in the jack family, Carangidae. The blue runner is distributed across the Atlantic Ocean, ranging from Brazil to Canada in the western Atlantic and from Angola to Great Britain including the Mediterranean in the east Atlantic. The blue runner is distinguished from similar species by several morphological features, including the extent of the upper jaw, gill raker count, and lateral line scale counts. The blue runner is known to reach a maximum length of 70 cm and 5.05 kg in weight, but is much more common below 35 cm. The species inhabits both inshore and offshore environments, predominantly over reefs, but it is known to congregate around large, man-made, offshore structures such as oil platforms. Juveniles tend to inhabit shallower reef and lagoon waters, before moving to deeper waters as adults. The blue runner is a schooling, predatory fish, predominantly taking fish in inshore environments, as well as various crustaceans and other invertebrates. Fish living offshore feed nearly exclusively on zooplankton. The species reaches sexual maturity between 225 and 280 mm across its range, with spawning occurring offshore year-round, although this peaks during the warmer months. Larvae and juveniles live pelagically, often under sargassum mats or jellyfish until they move inshore.", "features": "The blue runner is moderately large in size, growing to a maximum confirmed length of 70 cm and 5.05 kg in weight, but is more common at lengths less than 35 cm. The blue runner is morphologically similar to a number of other carangids, having an elongated, moderately compressed body with dorsal and ventral profiles of approximately equal convexity and a slightly pointed snout. The posterior section of the eye is covered by a moderately well developed adipose eyelid, and the posterior extremity of the jaw is vertically under the center of the eye. The dorsal fin is in two parts, the first consisting of eight spines and the second of one spine followed by 22 to 25 soft rays. The anal fin consists of two anteriorly detached spines followed by one spine and 19 to 21 soft rays. The pectoral fins become more falcated with age, having 21 to 23 rays, and are slightly longer than the head. The lateral line has a pronounced but short anterior arch, with the curved section intersecting the straight section below the spine of the second dorsal fin. The straight section contains from none up to seven scales followed by 46 to 56 very strong scutes, with bilateral keels present on the caudal peduncle. From 86 to 98 scales and scutes are over the entire lateral line. The chest is completely scaled. The upper jaw contains an irregular series of outer canines with an inner band of small, regularly spaced teeth, while the lower jaw contains a single band of small teeth.", "habitat": "The blue runner is primarily an inshore fish throughout most of its range, but it is known to live on reefs in water depths greater than 100 m. Throughout much of its Central American range, it is quite rare inshore, instead more commonly sighted on the outer reefs. The blue runner is primarily a semipelagic fish, inhabiting both inshore reefs and the outer shelf edges, sill reefs, and upper slopes of the deep reef. Those individuals on shallower reefs often move between reef patches over large sand expanses. Juvenile fish are also known to inhabit the shallow waters of inshore lagoons, taking refuge around mangroves or in seagrass amongst coral reef patches. Fishermen have also taken the species in the Mississippi Delta, indicating it can tolerate lower salinities in almost estuarine environments. Blue runner are easily attracted to any large underwater or floating device, either natural or man made. Several studies have shown the species congregates around floating, buoy-like fish aggregating devices, both in shallower waters and in extremely deep (2500 m) waters, indicating the species may move around pelagically. In these situations, blue runner always form small aggregations at the water surface, while other larger species tend to congregate slightly deeper. A number of investigations around oil and gas platforms in the Gulf of Mexico have found blue runner congregate in large numbers around these in the warmer months, where they modify their feeding behavior to take advantage of the structure.", "distribution": "The blue runner is extensively distributed throughout the tropical and temperate waters of the Atlantic Ocean, ranging widely along both the eastern American coastline and the western African and European coastlines. In the western Atlantic, the species' southernmost record comes from Maceio, Brazil, with the species ranging north along the Central American coastline, and throughout the Caribbean and the numerous archipelagos throughout. From the Gulf of Mexico, its distribution extends north along the U.S. coast and as far north as Nova Scotia in Canada, also taking in several north-west Atlantic islands. The blue runner is also present on several central Atlantic islands, making its distribution Atlantic-wide. In the eastern Atlantic, the southernmost record is from Angola, with the blue runner distributed extensively along the west African coast north to Morocco and into the Mediterranean Sea. The blue runner is found throughout the Mediterranean, having been recorded from nearly all the countries on its shores. The species is rarely found north of Portugal in the north-east Atlantic, although records do exist of isolated catches from Madeira Island and Galicia, Spain. The furthest north it has been reported is southern Great Britain, where two specimens were taken in 1992 and 1993. A trend has been seen of having this and other tropical species found further north more often, with publications indicating the blue runner has recently established stable populations in the Canary Islands, where it had been rarely sighted.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q2288528.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Blue runner (Caranx crysos)", "author": "NOAA", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blue_runner_(Caranx_crysos).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_runner", "revision": 1379871140, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1379871140", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "1a95051b46390704c369637d2c18f4300e73dac5fe6e32fe1204a876a79de833" }, { "id": "Q302151", "common_name": "Queen triggerfish", "scientific_name": "Balistes vetula", "aliases": [ "cochino", "Balistes vetula" ], "summary": "The queen triggerfish (Balistes vetula) is a large triggerfish species found in the tropical Atlantic Ocean. Its body coloration ranges from steel grey to olive green, but around the mouth are orange areas with striking electric blue rays. This species is commonly found in coral reefs or rocky bottoms of the sea. Its diet is mainly composed of shelled invertebrates like crabs and sea urchins. When breeding, the queen triggerfish dig a sandpit with its fin to lay eggs and fiercely defend eggs. This species is an important food fish among Caribbean communities, often harvested by hook-and-lines or fish traps.", "features": "Among all triggerfishes, the queen triggerfish is a fairly large species, often reaches a total length of 45 centimeters. The female tends to be larger than male. It is oval-shaped and laterally compressed, with small eyes close to the top of its head. Despite having a small mouth, its jaw is extremely powerful and accompanied by sharp incisors. Compared to other larger triggerfishes with overlapped spread, such as grey triggerfish and ocean triggerfish, the queen triggerfish is easily recognizable with its color patterns. The body is generally steel grey to oval green, with orange parts below its mouth and pectoral fin. There are electric blue rays presented around its mouth, as well as dark blue lines radiating from its eyes. A blue line is visible at the end of the caudal fin. Its first dorsal fin is triangular, with spines to stuck the fish into cervices when resting or escaping from predators. Its second dorsal fin and anal is very long and triangular, while its caudal fin is crescent-shaped. The juvenile queen triggerfish has almost identical appearance, but is duller compared to an adult. It can change colour somewhat to match its surroundings, or if subjected to stress.", "habitat": "The queen triggerfish generally resides in rocky seabed or coral reefs, but is occasionally found in sandy seabed or seagrass meadows. It could inhabit in water as deep as 275m, but is most commonly found in much shallower water no deeper than 30m.", "distribution": "The queen triggerfish could be found in the Atlantic waters, most commonly in warmer regions. In the Western Atlantic, its range spans from Massachusetts to Brazil, as well as the Caribbean Sea. It's most common in Florida, the Bahamas and the Caribbean. While on the Eastern Atlantic, its range stretches from the Azores to Southern Angola.", "diet": "The queen triggerfish feeds on a variety of prey items, mainly on sea urchins, crabs and chitons, but also occasionally preys on shrimps, snails, bivalves, small fishes and brittle stars. When feeding, it generally repeatedly bites the victim in order to crush its shell or detach it from the reef by sharp incisors. In this process, the queen triggerfish may swallow the prey and immediately spit it out. Purposes of such behavior include to repositioning the prey for further bites or removing inedible parts. However, in occasions that it is foraging a more agile and fast-swimming prey, it would simply suck the prey into its mouth.", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q302151.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Balistes vetula - 01", "author": "Clark Anderson / Aquaimages", "license": "CC BY-SA 2.5", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Balistes_vetula_-_01.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balistes_vetula", "revision": 1383087901, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1383087901", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "a546494138b1c4094e93780e8d0a5d6818219a138c251ef4e61e56f738b581aa" }, { "id": "Q545697", "common_name": "American shad", "scientific_name": "Alosa sapidissima", "aliases": [ "Alosa sapidissima", "Atlantic shad", "common shad", "white shad" ], "summary": "The American shad (Alosa sapidissima) is a species of anadromous clupeid fish naturally distributed on the North American coast of the North Atlantic, from Newfoundland to Florida, and as an introduced species on the North Pacific coast. The American shad is not closely related to the other North American shads. Rather, it seems to form a lineage that diverged from a common ancestor of the European taxa before these diversified. The American shad has been described as \"the fish that fed the (American) nation's founders\". Adult shad weigh between 1.5 and 3.5 kg (3 and 8 lb), and they have a delicate flavor when cooked. It is considered flavorful enough not to require sauces, herbs, or spices. It can be boiled, filleted and fried in butter, or baked. Traditionally, a little vinegar is sprinkled over it on the plate. In the Eastern United States, roe shads (females) are prized because the eggs are considered a delicacy. The name \"shad\" derives from the Old English sceadd, meaning \"herring\"; it is a cognate to Irish, Welsh, and Scottish Gaelic words for herring.", "features": "", "habitat": "As adults, shad filter feed at sea and during their return journey to spawn. They are pursued and hunted primarily by striped bass and, at times, harbor seals. They may not actively feed on their return and are caught with special 'dart' lures instead of typical bait.", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q545697.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Dentonshad1904", "author": "Shermon Foote Denton", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dentonshad1904.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_shad", "revision": 1374520983, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1374520983", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "fad9dfeac747dc43c250420c7a2ba8caee02875549e3f6e4f8b3313b48462695" }, { "id": "Q1144324", "common_name": "Greater pipefish", "scientific_name": "Syngnathus acus", "aliases": [ "Syngnathus acus" ], "summary": "The greater pipefish (Syngnathus acus) is a pipefish of the family Syngnathidae. It is a seawater fish and the type species of the genus Syngnathus.", "features": "The greater pipefish has a long segmented armoured body, angular in cross section and stretching up 45 cm long with its stiff appearance. It ranges a color brown to green in with broad alternating light and dark hue along it. Its customized by a long snout with mouth on end and a slight hump on the top of the body just behind the eyes. The fish is generally 33 cm to 35 cm in length with a reported maximum length of 47 cm. They are almost square in each segment of the body, and known to feel rigid when handled. The greater pipefish has distinctive body rings which are a sandy brown with darker bars covering its body in between.", "habitat": "These fishes are common on southerly and westerly coasts in a variety of habitats, often amongst seaweeds and seagrass.", "distribution": "The greater pipefish is found all around the British Isles and is regularly found in the Mediterranean Sea.", "diet": "", "family": "Syngnathidae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1144324.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Syngnathus acus", "author": "Hans Hillewaert", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Syngnathus_acus.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_pipefish", "revision": 1355306307, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1355306307", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "27f61577299a4e5887933c525f4b4dcecc2711eb3214ba7fd7e2f66a9910a493" }, { "id": "Q2655115", "common_name": "Jarbua terapon", "scientific_name": "Terapon jarbua", "aliases": [ "Jarbua terapon", "Terapon jarbua" ], "summary": "Terapon jarbua, also known as the jarbua terapon, crescent grunter, crescent banded grunter, crescent perch, spiky trumpeter, thornfish or tiger perch, is a species of ray-finned fish, of the family Terapontidae, with a distribution in the Indo-Pacific. It is an important commercial species within its range and is sometimes found in the aquarium trade, where it is known as \"target fish\" for the pattern visible from above.", "features": "Terapon jarbua is a medium-sized grunter with an oblong, slightly laterally compressed body. The mouth is oblique; the jaws are of equal length, and the maxilla is level with the front edge of the eye in juveniles and the centre of the eye in adults. It has conical, slightly recurved teeth which are set in bands along the jaw. The teeth in the outer rows are enlarged and are present in juveniles but not all adults. There are 11-12 spines in the dorsal fin and 9-11 rays. The spiny portion of the fin is strongly arched, with the fourth to sixth spines being the longest and most deeply notched. The anal fin has 3 spines and 7-10 soft rays while the caudal fin is emarginate. They have 75–100 pored scales in their lateral line. They have a silvery white body lined by 3-4 curved stripes from the nape to the rear of the body with the lowest stripe bisecting the caudal fin. There is a black spot on the spines of the dorsal fin between the third and sixth spines and the tail is striped with a black tip to each lobe. This species reaches sexual maturity after attaining a total length of 13 centimetres (5.1 in). They are most commonly recorded at total lengths of around 25 centimetres (9.8 in), and the longest recorded fish was 36 centimetres (14 in).", "habitat": "Terapon jarbua is a euryhaline grunter which can tolerate a wide range of salinities from pure freshwater to up to 70% and so can live in a variety of habitats from purely marine areas through coastal waters, into estuaries, coastal lagoons and freshwater. It is mainly a marine species but it may move quite far up rivers where the water is fresh. Juveniles of T. jarbua can be numerous in intertidal areas where there are sandy and are frequently recorded in tidal pools. This is a predatory species which feeds on smaller fishes but which also acts as a cleaner fish eating ectoparasites from larger fishes and is known to eat their scales which are high in calories. The distinctive colour and small scales of T. jarbua may be an adaptation to avoid attack by its conspecifics. They will also feed on insects and other invertebrates. The juveniles have been reported as being territorial and to have excavated craters in sand, possibly helping them to keep their position as the tide ebbs and flows. The young fish between standard lengths of 2 and 5 centimetres (0.79 and 1.97 in) are gregarious but become territorial between 9 and 15 centimetres (3.5 and 5.9 in). They can produce sounds using extrinsic muscles on the swimbladder which have been shown to be used for communication and that these sounds change both as the fish mature and with changes to the fish's environment. Although these fish have been reported as juveniles and adults in freshwater, reproduction takes place in the marine environment.", "distribution": "Terapon jarbua has a wide Indo-Pacific distribution which extends from the Red Sea and the coasts of eastern Africa as far south as South Africa through the Indian Ocean, including the Persian Gulf and into the Pacific Ocean as far east as Samoa. Its range extends northwards to Japan and south to the Arafura Sea and Lord Howe Island. A single specimen was reported in 2010 from the eastern Mediterranean Sea, a likely entry from the Suez Canal.", "diet": "", "family": "Terapontidae", "water_type": "Both", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q2655115.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Terapon jarbua", "author": "Sahat Ratmuangkhwang", "license": "CC BY 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Terapon_jarbua.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terapon_jarbua", "revision": 1379744459, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1379744459", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "48cf9f3c1c85f12bd21d6ee047751862dd39b9b7e954da78eff78a95d1b4145e" }, { "id": "Q311740", "common_name": "Pouched lamprey", "scientific_name": "Geotria australis", "aliases": [ "Geotria australis", "Lamprey" ], "summary": "The pouched lamprey (Geotria australis), also known as the piharau in New Zealand's North Island, korokoro, kanakana in the South Island, or wide-mouthed lamprey, is a species in the genus Geotria, which is the only genus in the family Geotriidae. The second species in the genus is the Argentinian lamprey (Geotria macrostoma), which was revalidated as a separate species in 2020. The pouched lamprey is native to the southern hemisphere. It spends the early part of its life in fresh water, migrating to the sea as an adult, and returning to fresh water to spawn and die.", "features": "G. australis, like other lampreys, has a thin eel-like body, and grows up to 60 cm (24 in) long. It has two low dorsal fins on the back half. Like other lampreys, it has no jaws, only a sucker. The skin is a striking silver in adult lampreys caught fresh from the sea but soon changes to brown after they have been in fresh water for some time, due to deposition of biliverdin. Adult's eyes are relatively small and located on the side of the head. When fully mature, males develop a baggy pouch under their eyes, which may be used to massage and oxygenate their eggs. There have also been suggestions that the pouch in northern hemisphere species has been used by males during breeding times for gathering stones to make a nest.", "habitat": "The pouched lamprey is widespread in the Southern Hemisphere, occurring in New Zealand, Chile, Argentina, the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the southwest and southeast corners of Australia. It is the only lamprey species found in New Zealand.", "distribution": "The pouched lamprey is widespread in the Southern Hemisphere, occurring in New Zealand, Chile, Argentina, the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the southwest and southeast corners of Australia. It is the only lamprey species found in New Zealand.", "diet": "", "family": "Geotriidae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q311740.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Geotria australis", "author": "W.Wing", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Geotria_australis.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pouched_lamprey", "revision": 1332607607, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1332607607", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "eaf0cb89f5e0172e22f97e71da38600ca53abd88c59e9a50788b5e9207e29e1b" }, { "id": "Q1516813", "common_name": "Mbu pufferfish", "scientific_name": "Tetraodon mbu", "aliases": [ "Tetraodon mbu" ], "summary": "The Mbu pufferfish, also known as Mbuna pufferfish, giant pufferfish, or giant freshwater pufferfish (Tetraodon mbu), is a carnivorous freshwater pufferfish originating from the middle and lower sections of the Congo River in Africa, as well as the east coast of Lake Tanganyika near the Malagarasi River mouth.", "features": "The species is commonly referred to as the giant freshwater pufferfish due to its massive size, growing to a length of 67 cm (26 inches). As such, these fish are difficult to adequately house in home aquaria since they require a very large tank and appropriately scaled water filtration. Mbu puffers are distinct from other members of the Tetraodon genus due to their labyrinthine patterns of skin pigmentation, in contrast to mottled or straight-striped patterns such as those seen in Fahaka pufferfish. These patterns become more pronounced as adults. Like all of its relatives, the Mbu puffer is capable of inflating itself with water or air when stressed or otherwise frightened.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "It feeds on smaller fish, mollusks, crustaceans, snails, worms, and crayfish. Species kept in captivity require a varied diet consisting of shelled foods to help ensure good health and to prevent tooth overgrowth.", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1516813.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Tetraodon mbu 2", "author": "Tiia Monto", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tetraodon_mbu_2.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mbu_pufferfish", "revision": 1337497172, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1337497172", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "ab9ca2639943212ad706ab8be3c99790433d7b2145c274b85eeb05e2d9ac895f" }, { "id": "Q640454", "common_name": "Rock gunnel", "scientific_name": "Pholis gunnellus", "aliases": [ "butterfish", "Pholis gunnellus" ], "summary": "The rock gunnel (Pholis gunnellus), or butterfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Pholidae, the gunnels. This species is found in the coastal waters of the North Atlantic Ocean and in the Atlantic part of the Arctic Ocean.", "features": "The rock gunnel is often mistaken for an eel due to its flattened, elongated body. Fully grown adults can reach 30 cm in length. A long dorsal fin spans the body from just behind the head, supported by soft spiny rays. Its anal fin begins roughly midway along the body. The head is rather small with its lower jaw protruding and mouth turned upwards. Coloration is highly variable, ranging from hues of yellow-green to brown to crimson. A row of 9–13 dark spots, each surrounded by a pale ring, lines the dorsal fin. The butterfish has a maximum published standard length of 25 cm (9.8 in).", "habitat": "The rock gunnel is found in the coastal waters of North America and Europe. It ranges from Labrador and Greenland to Delaware Bay in the West Atlantic, and from the Kanin Peninsula to the Bay of Biscay in the East Atlantic. Within its range it is found from the intertidal zone to depths of over 100 m. The rock gunnel uses habitat sheltered by rocks and algae both above and below the waterline, likely to protect it from its natural predators, which include seabirds, fish, and marine mammals.", "distribution": "The rock gunnel is found in the coastal waters of North America and Europe. It ranges from Labrador and Greenland to Delaware Bay in the West Atlantic, and from the Kanin Peninsula to the Bay of Biscay in the East Atlantic. Within its range it is found from the intertidal zone to depths of over 100 m. The rock gunnel uses habitat sheltered by rocks and algae both above and below the waterline, likely to protect it from its natural predators, which include seabirds, fish, and marine mammals.", "diet": "", "family": "Pholidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q640454.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Butterfish", "author": "Jack Sewell", "license": "CC BY 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Butterfish.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_gunnel", "revision": 1354667357, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1354667357", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "c3d8269359e05b372f1e05bc2f5225417a7f05223702978b306791c1860151c1" }, { "id": "Q1189550", "common_name": "Caspian roach", "scientific_name": "Rutilus caspicus", "aliases": [ "Rutilus caspicus" ], "summary": "The Caspian roach (Rutilus caspicus) is a species of brackish water ray-finned fish belonging to the family Leuciscidae, which includes the daces, Eurasian minnows and related fishes. This fish is found in the Caspian Sea, commonly known as vobla. The Caspian roach can be distinguished from other roaches by its laterally compressed body, silvery grey iris, rounded snout and grey pectoral pelvic and anal fins with dark margins. The Caspian roach is semi-anadromous and inhabits mostly shallow coastal waters. It enters Volga, Ural, Emba, Terek and Kura drainages for spawning. Vobla is popular as a dried-fish snack. Newer research however suggests that R. caspicus is part of a more widely distributed species of roach, whose range extends to Siberia. The proper name of that species is Rutilus lacustris. In particular another popular as a dried-fish snack, taran (Rutilus heckelii) is thought to differ from vobla only as a result of different habitat.", "features": "The Caspian roach has a typical size of 30–35 cm (12–14 in) (maximum published 45 cm (18 in)) and a weight of 800 g (1 lb 12 oz) (maximum published 2 kg (4 lb 7 oz)). It can be distinguished from its congeners in the Caspian Sea by these characteristics: usually 42–44 scales along the lateral line dorsal fin usually with 9½ branched rays anal fin usually with 10½ branched rays rounded snout and subterminal mouth anal fins and pectoral pelvic are grey with dark margins", "habitat": "", "distribution": "The vobla is found in brackish coastal waters of the northern and northwestern Caspian Sea, and enters Volga, Ural, Emba, Terek, and Kura drainages for spawning. There it is locally known as vobla.", "diet": "", "family": "Leuciscidae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1189550.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Wobla 4", "author": "Brücke-Osteuropa", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wobla_4.JPG", "changes": "Resized for display; no cropping. Source edits are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caspian_roach", "revision": 1355090006, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1355090006", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "95e6f6b9b94ef52cde842243c9ad6dae57b47b1bea2b39c698de5361200bc593" }, { "id": "Q855167", "common_name": "Silvertip tetra", "scientific_name": "Hasemania nana", "aliases": [ "Hasemania nana" ], "summary": "The silvertip tetra (Hasemania nana) is a species of ray-finned fishes belonging to the family Acestrorhamphidae, the American characins. This species is an omnivore which is restricted to streams and creeks in the São Francisco basin in Brazil, but is frequently kept in aquariums.", "features": "The silvertip tetra is a small fish which reaches up to 5 cm (2.0 in) in standard length. The tetras are transparent with a gold color, and have a black stripe that runs along the middle to back section of their bodies. The males have brighters colors compared to the paler females. They are a social species that can become territorial. They usually enjoy being with a school of their own kind. The fish thrive in temperatures that range from 72 to 82 °F (22 to 28 °C). They live in slightly acidic waters that range from a pH of 6.0 to 8.0. They are common to find in pet stores and are relatively easy to care for. They can be affected by parasites and infections. When they are preparing to breed, the male will be brightly colored while the female will be swollen. When they breed, the female scatters the eggs among vegetation while the male fertilizes them. The species has been known to eat their own eggs. The eggs hatch after one and a half days. The genome was fully sequenced in 2013, by standard PCR, and found to be 16,581 base pairs long.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Acestrorhamphidae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q855167.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Kobbertetra Hasemania nana", "author": "Malene Thyssen (User Malene)", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kobbertetra_Hasemania_nana.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silvertip_tetra", "revision": 1355310452, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1355310452", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "ccd16c7763e08ef91d44caadcac1bb057ba54b932826baa1745d63ee2af57e7b" }, { "id": "Q135378", "common_name": "Mexican tetra", "scientific_name": "Astyanax mexicanus", "aliases": [ "Mexican tetra", "blind cave fish", "Astyanax mexicanus" ], "summary": "The Mexican tetra (Astyanax mexicanus), also known as the blind cave fish, blind cave characin or the blind cave tetra, is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Acestrorhamphidae, the American characins. This fish is found in the lower Rio Grande, and the Nueces and Pecos Rivers in Texas, into the Central Plateau and eastern states of Mexico. Maturing at a total length of about 12 cm (4.7 in), the Mexican tetra is of typical characin form, albeit with silvery, unremarkable scalation, likely an evolutionary adaptation to its natural environment. By comparison, the species' blind \"cave\" form has scales which evolved a depigmented, pinkish-white color, somewhat resembling an albino, as it inhabits pitch-black caverns and subterranean streams and has no need for a colorful appearance (i.e. for attracting mates, camouflage, UV protection). Likewise, the blind cave tetra has fully lost functionality of its eyes as a result of inhabiting an environment completely devoid of natural light, with only empty sockets covered with skin in their place. The blind tetra instead has highly developed sensory organs along its body, as well as a heightened nervous system (and senses of smell and touch), and can immediately detect where objects or other animals are located by slight changes in the surrounding water pressure, a process vaguely similar to echolocation—another adaptation known from cave-dwelling, as well as aquatic, species, such as the bats and cetaceans.", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Acestrorhamphidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q135378.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Mexican Tetra (Astyanax mexicanus) (2687270083)", "author": "Clinton & Charles Robertson from RAF Lakenheath, UK & San Marcos, TX, USA & UK", "license": "CC BY 2.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mexican_Tetra_(Astyanax_mexicanus)_(2687270083).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_tetra", "revision": 1383400378, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1383400378", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "0604b0e969b27df6c2440e9e05cbdb07b05b787f4c7dc49154aba21e28129208" }, { "id": "Q1515491", "common_name": "Undulate ray", "scientific_name": "Raja undulata", "aliases": [ "Raja undulata" ], "summary": "The undulate ray (Raja undulata) is a species of skate and cartilaginous fish found in the Mediterranean and East Atlantic from southern Ireland and England to the Gulf of Guinea. It is found in areas with mud or sand, and may occur as deep as 200 m (660 ft), though it prefers shallower depths. It is considered endangered due to overfishing.", "features": "The undulate ray features a disc-shaped body, triangular in the front and near-circular in the rear, and dermal denticles developed as spines for protection. Median spines are scattered in adults, regular on young. The males have one lateral row each side, whereas the females have three. There are 0-2 interdorsal spines. Adult males have alar spines. The eyes are medium-sized and followed by spiracles. The mouth is on the ventral surface and is slightly arched, followed by the five pairs of small gill slits. Tail is as long as body, and has two well separated dorsal fins near its end, usually with two spines between them. The colouring of the dorsal surface varies from light brown to citrine or grey, with darker waved bands and numerous small white patches. Snout and margins are frequently clearer with dark spots. The underside is creamy-white with a greyish margin. It typically weighs about 10 lb (4.5 kg), but can reach to as much as 22.13 lb (10.04 kg) and 100 cm (39 in) in length.", "habitat": "This species has a patchy and discontinuous distribution in northeastern Atlantic. It is found from southern Ireland and England to Senegal, and in the western Mediterranean. It is uncommon overall but can be locally abundant, mainly around the north-west of Ireland, in the eastern side of the English Channel, and near the south coast of Portugal. It is also present sporadically across the northern Mediterranean Sea. It is usually found on sandy, muddy or detrital bottoms, at depths of 50–200 m from coastal regions to the upper continental slope, even if it's sometimes possible to find it in shallower water.", "distribution": "This species has a patchy and discontinuous distribution in northeastern Atlantic. It is found from southern Ireland and England to Senegal, and in the western Mediterranean. It is uncommon overall but can be locally abundant, mainly around the north-west of Ireland, in the eastern side of the English Channel, and near the south coast of Portugal. It is also present sporadically across the northern Mediterranean Sea. It is usually found on sandy, muddy or detrital bottoms, at depths of 50–200 m from coastal regions to the upper continental slope, even if it's sometimes possible to find it in shallower water.", "diet": "The ray eats small fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other macrobenthos.", "family": "", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1515491.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Raya mosaico (Raja undulata), Parque natural de la Arrábida, Portugal, 2020-07-21, DD 92-93 PAN", "author": "Diego Delso", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Raya_mosaico_(Raja_undulata),_Parque_natural_de_la_Arr%C3%A1bida,_Portugal,_2020-07-21,_DD_92-93_PAN.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Undulate_ray", "revision": 1351443086, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1351443086", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "3bd2e9d7c38befc1c32097a2ee727869096c883a119f0abc6662ec2810fbaffc" }, { "id": "Q1113162", "common_name": "Sargassum fish", "scientific_name": "Histrio histrio", "aliases": [ "Histrio histrio" ], "summary": "The sargassum fish, anglerfish, or frog fish (Histrio histrio) is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Antennariidae, the frogfishes, the only species in the genus Histrio. It lives among Sargassum seaweed which floats in subtropical oceans. The scientific name comes from the Latin histrio meaning a stage player or actor and refers to the fish's feeding behaviour.", "features": "Histrio histrio, a strange-looking fish, blends well with its surroundings in its seaweed habitat. It is laterally compressed and its length can reach 20 cm (7.9 in). The colour of the body and the large oral cavity is very variable but is usually mottled and spotted yellow, green, and brown on a paler background, and the fins often have several dark streaks or bands. The fish can change colour rapidly, from light to dark and back again. The body and the fins are covered with many weed-like protrusions, but other than these, the skin is smooth without dermal spines. The dorsal fin has three spines and 11–13 soft rays. The front spine is modified into a slender growth on the upper lip known as an illicium, which is tipped by a fleshy lump, the esca. The junction between the head and body is indistinct because no gill slits are present; the gills open as pores near the base of the pectoral fins. The anal fin has no spines and seven to 13 soft rays. The pelvic fins are large and the pectoral fins have 9–11 rays and are stalked and able to grip objects. The outer rays of the tail fin are simple, but the central rays are forked.", "habitat": "The sargassum fish has a cosmopolitan distribution in tropical and subtropical seas down to a depth of around 10 m (30 ft). It is found in parts of the Atlantic Ocean and the Indo-Pacific Ocean, where drifting seaweed accumulates. In the western Atlantic, it ranges from the Gulf of Maine south to Uruguay. It has been reported from northern Norway, but that sighting is likely to be as a result of its having been carried along by the North Atlantic Current. In the Indian Ocean it is found from the Western Cape east through the Mascarenes to India and Sri Lanka and then into the Western Pacific Ocean as far east as the Mariana Islands, south to as far as Perth in Western Australia and New Zealand and north to Hokkaido.", "distribution": "The sargassum fish has a cosmopolitan distribution in tropical and subtropical seas down to a depth of around 10 m (30 ft). It is found in parts of the Atlantic Ocean and the Indo-Pacific Ocean, where drifting seaweed accumulates. In the western Atlantic, it ranges from the Gulf of Maine south to Uruguay. It has been reported from northern Norway, but that sighting is likely to be as a result of its having been carried along by the North Atlantic Current. In the Indian Ocean it is found from the Western Cape east through the Mascarenes to India and Sri Lanka and then into the Western Pacific Ocean as far east as the Mariana Islands, south to as far as Perth in Western Australia and New Zealand and north to Hokkaido.", "diet": "", "family": "Antennariidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1113162.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Histrio histrio", "author": "Art Howard/Ross et al, NOAA-OE, HBOI", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Histrio_histrio.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sargassum_fish", "revision": 1354732621, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1354732621", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "34654c95d370e3e28c6ce858a0976034581b9c023ea378df9e38bb0f0b16ff79" }, { "id": "Q1367312", "common_name": "Escolar", "scientific_name": "Lepidocybium flavobrunneum", "aliases": [ "escolar", "Lepidocybium flavobrunneum" ], "summary": "The escolar (Lepidocybium flavobrunneum) is a species of scombriform ray-finned fish with a cosmopolitan distribution in tropical and temperate oceans at depths of 200 to 1,100 metres (660 to 3,610 ft). Also known as snake mackerel or walu walu (Hawaiian, sometimes written waloo), it is the only member of the genus Lepidocybium and the family Lepidocybiidae.", "features": "The escolar is dark brown, growing darker with age until it is quite black. It is a fast-swimming fish with a prominent lateral keel and four to six finlets after the anal and second dorsal fins. Escolar can grow to over 2 metres (7 ft) in length, but are on average around 1.5 metres (4.9 ft). Like its relative the oilfish (Ruvettus pretiosus), escolar cannot metabolize the wax esters naturally found in its diet, instead distributing the undigestible oil throughout their bodies. As a result, around 20% of the escolar's body weight is oil.", "habitat": "Escolar are widely distributed throughout coastal and temperate waters. They are typically found on the edges of continental slopes below 200 meters and exhibit a benthopelagic lifestyle by floating in the water column over the sea floor. Migrating upwards at night, Escolar prey on a variety of squid, crustaceans, and other fish.", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Lepidocybiidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1367312.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Escolier noir (Lepidocybium flavobrunneum) (Ifremer 00761-87291)", "author": "Hugues Evano (IFREMER, Délégation océan Indien (DOI), Département Ressources Biologiques et Environnement (RBE), F-97420 Le Port, France)", "license": "CC BY 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Escolier_noir_(Lepidocybium_flavobrunneum)_(Ifremer_00761-87291).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escolar", "revision": 1366879245, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1366879245", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "1c8c30065c61202c185bf27190343d762327b84d0adba6a387fc4263d5b74f71" }, { "id": "Q2128540", "common_name": "Clown coris", "scientific_name": "Coris aygula", "aliases": [ "Coris aygula" ], "summary": "The clown coris (Coris aygula), also known as the clown wrasse, false clownwrasse, humphead wrasse, hump-headed wrasse, red-blotched rainbowfish or twinspot wrasse, is a species of wrasse native to the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean.", "features": "This species can reach a total length of 120 cm (47 in). A marked difference in appearance and coloration is noted between juveniles and adults: juveniles are white and orange with false eyes on the dorsal fin, while adults are uniformly dark green or with light banding. Adults also develop a prominent, projecting forehead.", "habitat": "C. aygula is an inhabitant of coral reefs where they prefer areas of rubble or sandy bottoms at depths from 2 to 30 m (6.6 to 98.4 ft), though juveniles can often be found in tide pools. They are generally solitary as adults. Studies at Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia show that clown coris are important predators of the burrowing urchin, which the fish feed upon by crushing the urchin in their jaws. In the Red Sea, however, clown coris have been observed preying on long-spined Diadema urchins by picking them up and bashing them apart against large rocks, rather than using their jaws outright.", "distribution": "In the Indian Ocean, C. aygula can be found from the Red Sea and the African coast eastward to the Line Islands and Ducie Island of the Pacific Ocean. Its Pacific range also extends to southern Japan to Lord Howe Island.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q2128540.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Coris aygula", "author": "Mr. Mohammed Al Momany, Aqaba, Jordan", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Coris_aygula.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clown_coris", "revision": 1327597663, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1327597663", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "6d996f56bee6bf50e4bdaeb9cac5297062742cee05df42c0d23de6b7d33bd9ac" }, { "id": "Q265715", "common_name": "Variable platyfish", "scientific_name": "Xiphophorus variatus", "aliases": [ "Xiphophorus variatus" ], "summary": "The variable platyfish (Xiphophorus variatus), also known as variatus platy or variegated platy, is a species of freshwater fish in the family Poeciliidae of the order Cyprinodontiformes. A livebearer, it is native to southern Tamaulipas and northern Veracruz states in northeastern Mexico. Due to its prolific breeding, it is a popular fish in the aquarium trade, as are hybrids with other members of its genus, most notably the southern platyfish.", "features": "The variable platyfish grows to a maximum overall length of 7.0 cm (2.8 in). In the wild, they are olive in colour with black marbling or spots on the side of the caudal peduncle. Large males show blackish blotches on the dorsal fin. Unlike some other members of the genus, X. variatus has no claw at the tip of the fifth anal fin ray. The fourth pectoral ray shows well-developed serrae (saw-like notches). They typically have 20 to 24 lateral scales, 10 to 12 dorsal rays and two rows of jaw teeth. Males exhibit a more pointed or \"needle-like\" anal fin, known as a gonopodium, whereas the female have a more triangular anal fin.", "habitat": "The variable platyfish is endemic to the Atlantic slope of Mexico from southern Tamaulipas south to northern Veracruz. It is considered uncommon across its range. The species has also been introduced and become established in a number of locales, largely due to releases related to the aquariums trade. In the United States, they have been established in canals along the eastern shore of Tampa Bay, Florida, as well as in Gainesville. They are also naturalised in springs in the counties of Beaverhead, Granite and Madison in Montana. The species has been spread to a number of other countries outside of its range, including Colombia, Singapore, and Hong Kong, the latter of which reports a negative impact on native species due to its prodigious breeding. The fish's habitats include slow-moving waters of vegetated canals, ditches, and warm springs. Omnivorous, its diet includes both plants and small crustaceans, insects, and annelid worms.", "distribution": "The variable platyfish is endemic to the Atlantic slope of Mexico from southern Tamaulipas south to northern Veracruz. It is considered uncommon across its range. The species has also been introduced and become established in a number of locales, largely due to releases related to the aquariums trade. In the United States, they have been established in canals along the eastern shore of Tampa Bay, Florida, as well as in Gainesville. They are also naturalised in springs in the counties of Beaverhead, Granite and Madison in Montana. The species has been spread to a number of other countries outside of its range, including Colombia, Singapore, and Hong Kong, the latter of which reports a negative impact on native species due to its prodigious breeding. The fish's habitats include slow-moving waters of vegetated canals, ditches, and warm springs. Omnivorous, its diet includes both plants and small crustaceans, insects, and annelid worms.", "diet": "", "family": "Poeciliidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q265715.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Xipho variatus maschio", "author": "Marrabbio2", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Xipho_variatus_maschio.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variable_platyfish", "revision": 1355590747, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1355590747", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "0fc4db1311ca1e69a999236166614d11bb682de3c73b8b9b6cf10a5d95e33f61" }, { "id": "Q1278753", "common_name": "Hogfish", "scientific_name": "Lachnolaimus maximus", "aliases": [ "Lachnolaimus maximus" ], "summary": "The hogfish (Lachnolaimus maximus), also known as boquinete, doncella de pluma, or pez perro in Mexico is a species of wrasse native to the western Atlantic Ocean, living in a range from Nova Scotia, Canada, to northern South America, including the Gulf of Mexico. This species occurs around reefs, especially preferring areas with plentiful gorgonians. It is a carnivore that feeds on molluscs, crabs, and sea urchins. This species is currently the only known member of its genus.", "features": "The hogfish possesses a very elongated snout, which it uses to search for crustaceans buried in the sediment. This very long \"pig-like\" snout and its rooting behavior give the hogfish its name. A prominent black spot behind the pectoral fins differentiates males from females. The dorsal fin usually is composed of three or four long dorsal spines followed by a series of shorter dorsal spines. Hogfish reach a maximum of 90 cm (35 in) in total length and a weight around 11 kg (24 lb). Females and juveniles usually start out as pale gray, brown, or reddish-brown in color, with a paler underside and no distinct patterns. Males are distinguished by a deep, dark band spanning from the snout to the first dorsal spine, and by a lateral black spot behind the pectoral fins. Hogfish also have a form of active camouflage with the assist of dermal photoreception, a sensory capability allowing them to detect light through their skin. Specialized cells containing opsins, located beneath chromatophores, enable hogfish to perceive changes in ambient light.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1278753.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "A hogfish is a large wrasse, Lachnolaimus maximus", "author": "Brian Gratwicke", "license": "CC BY 2.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:A_hogfish_is_a_large_wrasse,_Lachnolaimus_maximus.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hogfish", "revision": 1368842997, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1368842997", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "8485347d285e09bdb68582538e7c6de28e4ad694b0c40f170c27d888fe64b490" }, { "id": "Q1328265", "common_name": "Spot-fin porcupinefish", "scientific_name": "Diodon hystrix", "aliases": [ "Diodon hystrix", "spotted porcupinefish", "black-spotted porcupinefish", "porcupinefish", "porcupine puffer fish", "Porcupine pufferfish" ], "summary": "The spot-fin porcupinefish (Diodon hystrix), also known as the spotted porcupinefish, black-spotted porcupinefish or simply porcupinefish, is a member of the family Diodontidae.", "features": "The spot-fin porcupinefish is a medium-sized fish which grows up to 91 cm, but the typical size mostly observed is 40 cm. Its body is elongated with a spherical head with big round protruding eyes, and a large mouth that is rarely closed. The pectoral fins are large, the pelvic fins are absent, and the anal and dorsal fins are close to the caudal peduncle. The latter move simultaneously during swimming. The skin is smooth and firm; the scales are modified into spines. The body coloration is beige to sandy-yellow marbled with dark blotches and dotted with numerous small, black spots.", "habitat": "The porcupinefish is circumglobal, found in tropical and subtropical waters. It has been recorded twice in the Mediterranean Sea, off southern Italy (1963) and the Balearic islands (2016). Juveniles are pelagic until they are about 20 cm in length. Adults favour lagoons, top reefs, and seaward coral or rocky reefs from one to 50 m depth, sheltering under ledges or in caves during the day.", "distribution": "The porcupinefish is circumglobal, found in tropical and subtropical waters. It has been recorded twice in the Mediterranean Sea, off southern Italy (1963) and the Balearic islands (2016). Juveniles are pelagic until they are about 20 cm in length. Adults favour lagoons, top reefs, and seaward coral or rocky reefs from one to 50 m depth, sheltering under ledges or in caves during the day.", "diet": "The porcupinefish's diet is based on sea urchins, gastropods, clams, and crustaceans.", "family": "Diodontidae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1328265.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Pez erizo moteado (Diodon hystrix), Cabo Pulmo, Baja California, México, 2024-12-19, DD 23", "author": "Diego Delso", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pez_erizo_moteado_(Diodon_hystrix),_Cabo_Pulmo,_Baja_California,_M%C3%A9xico,_2024-12-19,_DD_23.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spot-fin_porcupinefish", "revision": 1382735559, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1382735559", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "a09844279bb68cea574c1cd04d196770553a2a1c925360e40684ba072b9bb95f" }, { "id": "Q530817", "common_name": "Congo tetra", "scientific_name": "Phenacogrammus interruptus", "aliases": [ "Phenacogrammus interruptus" ], "summary": "The Congo tetra (Phenacogrammus interruptus) is a species of fish in the African tetra family, found in the central Congo River Basin in Africa. It is commonly kept in aquaria.", "features": "The Congo tetra has a typical full-bodied tetra shape with rather large scales. When mature, the iridescent colors of the Congo tetra run through the fish from front to back, starting with blue on top changing to red through the middle, to yellow-gold, and back to blue just above the belly. It is not its fluorescent colors that make this tetra so distinct, but rather its tail fin, which develops into a grayish-violet feathery appendage with white edges. The males get up to 3.0 inches (7.6 cm). Females up to 2.75 inches (7.0 cm). The male is larger with more color, also the tail fin and dorsal fin are more extended. They also have different colors and extensions in the caudal fin.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q530817.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Phenacogrammus interruptus (aka)", "author": "André Karwath aka Aka", "license": "CC BY-SA 2.5", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Phenacogrammus_interruptus_(aka).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congo_tetra", "revision": 1350967573, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1350967573", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "8d82af0bfa2222796196def9c65516428da45cb225ba2b8b6394e3299c7dc001" }, { "id": "Q950421", "common_name": "Camouflage grouper", "scientific_name": "Epinephelus polyphekadion", "aliases": [ "Epinephelus polyphekadion" ], "summary": "The camouflage grouper (Epinephelus polyphekadion), also known as the blue-tailed cod, camouflage rockcod, small-toothed rockcod, smooth flowery rock-cod, snout-spot grouper or snout-spot rock-cod, is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a grouper from the subfamily Epinephelinae which is part of the family Serranidae, which also includes the anthias and sea basses. It has a wide Indo-Pacific distribution where it is associated with reefs. There is actually a French documentary called Le Mystère Mérou (\"The Grouper Mystery\") about the spawning and behavior of these fish shot in the Atol of Fakarava in French Polynesia.", "features": "The camouflage grouper has a body which has a standard length that is 2.7 to 3.1 times its depth. The area between the eyes is flat while the dorsal profile of the head is convex. The preopercle rounded with the serrations at its corner slightly enlarged and the gill cover has a distinctly convex upper edge. The dorsal fin has 11 spines and 14-15 soft rays while the anal fin contains 3 spines and 8 soft rays. The fourth spine in the dorsal fin is longer than the others and the membranes between the dorsal fin spines are slightly notched. The caudal fin is rounded in shape. This is a pale brown species which is covered in small dark brown spots. The upper body is whitish, with the white being broken up by large dark blotches which resemble diagonal bands. There is a dark saddle-like blotch on the upper part of the base of the caudal fin. This species is frequently misidentified, the confusion species being Epinephelus fuscoguttatus. The camouflage grouper attains a maximum total length of 90 centimetres (35 in).", "habitat": "The camouflage grouper is found in lagoons and outer reefs in shallow water in areas which are rich in coral and is more numerous around islands, especially atolls. It also likes to have caves and crevices in the reefs to swim through. It is normally found in small schools but it can be a solitary species. It prefers areas where the water is clear. This is a predatory species which preys largely on crustaceans, especially portunid crabs, and fishes, occasionally on cephalopods and gastropods. It is thought to be gonochoristic and hermaphroditism is still to be demonstrated for this species. It reaches sexual maturity at around 4 years of age and can live for up to 42 years. They form spawning aggregations and individuals are known to follow regular migratory routes to reach these aggregations.", "distribution": "The camouflage grouper has a wide Indo-Pacific distribution. Its range extends from the coast of East Africa from the Red Sea south to Mozambique, eastwards across the Indian Ocean where it is found around the Comoros, British Indian Ocean Territory, Mauritius and the Seychelles and east into the Pacific Ocean as far as French Polynesia. In the Pacific its range extends north to southern Japan and south as far as Australia. In Australia it is found from Shark Bay and Scott Reef in Western Australia around the northern coast to One Tree Island in Queensland. It is also found around reefs and islands in the Coral Sea and the Tasman Sea.", "diet": "", "family": "Serranidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q950421.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Epinephelus polyphekadion5", "author": "The original uploader was ALaydier at French Wikipedia.", "license": "CC BY-SA 2.5", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Epinephelus_polyphekadion5.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camouflage_grouper", "revision": 1358558690, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1358558690", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "7f4be8c8ecc03a5b18f7bcc190ab4274799705bda1cbe485ebf0cec49bdd15b2" }, { "id": "Q481718", "common_name": "Amur catfish", "scientific_name": "Silurus asotus", "aliases": [ "Silurus asotus" ], "summary": "The Amur catfish (Silurus asotus), also called the Japanese common catfish, Far Eastern catfish, and Chinese catfish, is a carnivorous catfish species belonging to the Siluridae family. It lives in widespread distribution in freshwater habitats across East Asia and is subject to extensive aquaculture. As a freshwater species, it can be found only in the catchments of rivers, ponds, and lakes located in China, Japan, the Korean Peninsula, Taiwan, the Russian Amur Basin and northern Vietnam. S. asotus features are characteristic of a huge silurid catfish, featuring a white stomach and sporadic white spots on its sides. Fish have one pair of mandibular barbels and one pair of maxillary barbels, which are longer than the head, in both immature and adulthood. The young of this species have an additional pair of mandibular barbels. This species may reach a maximum length of 130 cm, although its typical length is between 30 and 60 cm, and its maximum weight is 30–40 kg.", "features": "This species belongs to the family Siluridae and is characterized by a robust and elongated body that grows approximately 20 – 50 cm per year, which can reach lengths of up to 1.5 meters. S. asotus exhibits a distinctive appearance with a flattened, broad head and a terminal mouth, armed with numerous small, sharp teeth. Its body is covered with smooth, scaleless skin, and its coloration can vary, ranging from olive-green to yellowish-brown, with irregular white dots along the side. One of the features of S. asotus is its long, filamentous barbels, which extend from the corners of its mouth. These sensitive appendages aid in locating food, as S. asotus is primarily a nocturnal predator. Both immature and mature fish possess a single pair of maxillary barbels that surpass the length of the head, along with a pair of mandibular barbels measuring approximately 20 to 30% of the length of the maxillary barbel. In juvenile fish measuring 6 to 7 cm (2.4 to 2.8 in) in standard length, this species exhibits an additional pair of mandibular barbels. S. asotus is well-adapted to a variety of freshwater aquatic habitats, that range in temperature from 20 to 27 °C (68 to 81 °F), in Taiwan, China, Japan, and in all Korean rivers.", "habitat": "S. asotus is a common freshwater fish in Eastern Asia, with a preference for larger bodies of freshwater such as slow-moving rivers, irrigation canals and lakes. It prefers an environment that is dense with grass with a free flow of water and light prevention due to sleeping habits.", "distribution": "", "diet": "S. asotus are carnivorous fishes and primarily feed on aquatic organisms. Due to the anatomy of S. asotus, the fish have the ability to sink to the bottom of the water and find food more easily. Amur catfish eat aquatic insects, crustaceans, and smaller fishes in their freshwater ecosystem. With the diverse diet selections, S. asotus is able to expand its mouth in order to accommodate larger prey. S. asotus are nocturnal creatures which affects their feeding times. The fishes feed during the night and go back to their caves during the day. This nocturnal feed is linked to poor floating ability due to bladder enlargement that only allows for swimming in freshwater's floors.", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q481718.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Silurus", "author": "rhosoi", "license": "CC BY 2.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Silurus.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amur_catfish", "revision": 1377544125, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1377544125", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "e5f9e2be789c5e9c9ce6fcc37186704cfcbdb4f313b7ec59b642a89ee54e9c58" }, { "id": "Q664133", "common_name": "Humpback grouper", "scientific_name": "Chromileptes altivelis", "aliases": [ "Humpback grouper", "Cromileptes altivelis", "panther grouper", "Chromileptes altivelis" ], "summary": "The humpback grouper (Chromileptes altivelis), also known as the panther grouper, (in Australia) barramundi cod, (in the Philippines, in Tagalog) lapu-lapung senorita, (in the Philippines, in Bisayan) miro-miro, (in France) mérou de Grace Kelly, (in Japan) sarasa-hata, (in India) kalava, and many other local names, is a species of marine ray-finned fish. Specifically, it is a grouper from the subfamily Epinephelinae, which is in the family Serranidae, which also includes the anthias and sea basses. It occurs in the Western Pacific Ocean.", "features": "The humpback grouper is a medium-sized fish which grows up to 70 cm (28 in). Its particular body shape makes this grouper difficult to confuse with other fishes. Its body is compressed laterally, is relatively high, and has a unique head profile compared to other groupers. The head is depressed anteriorly and elevated posteriorly, with a sharp rise at the nape. This stocky and strange visual effect gives it the unique humpbacked appearance.In addition, there has been genetic evidence of increased activity in this fish's frontal osteoblasts. This may be the genetic basis for the change of C. altivelis' frontal bone to the sunken, 'humpback,' head. Relating to its coloration, the young are white with round black spots. The adults have a body colouration with variances of grey and beige, with darker blotches variable in size on the body. Small black spots cover the whole body. In comparison, juveniles have fewer of these black spots than adults, but the spots can be larger, or as large, as their eyes. Furthermore, their coloration has been observed to change with a drop in pH. In terms of its fins, the grouper has rounded pectoral and caudal fins, aiding in stability. Their pectoral fins range between 17 and 18 rays, with the middle rays being the longest. They also have a long dorsal fin that originates from their opercle, and runs all the way to its caudal fin. The dorsal fin consists of around 10 spines and 17–19 rays, which greatly aids in stability against turning. The anal fin, which is about half in length of the dorsal fin, consists of around 3 spines, and 9–10 rays.", "habitat": "It is widely distributed throughout the tropical waters of the central Indo-West Pacific region. The humpback grouper lives in clear waters from lagoons and seaward reefs with a preference for dead or silty areas. They are found in a range of depth from 2 to 40 m (10 to 130 ft), but usually found at depths less than 10 m (30 ft). The humpback fish has a preferendum temperature of 24.5 C, similar to other cool, temperate, freshwater fishes.", "distribution": "It is widely distributed throughout the tropical waters of the central Indo-West Pacific region. The humpback grouper lives in clear waters from lagoons and seaward reefs with a preference for dead or silty areas. They are found in a range of depth from 2 to 40 m (10 to 130 ft), but usually found at depths less than 10 m (30 ft). The humpback fish has a preferendum temperature of 24.5 C, similar to other cool, temperate, freshwater fishes. In Florida, the grouper was first recorded to be observed in 1984, with the last recorded observation in 2012. Throughout Florida, it has been spotted in Tampa Bay, Pompano Beach, and West Beach. In 2012, a single individual was speared near Key Largo, raising fears that it could become invasive, similar to the lionfish. It was a large specimen, with a size of 78 cm (31 in), and weight of 15 lb (6.8 kg). Although there are fears of the humpback grouper becoming invasive in North America, there remains no current breeding populations within the western Atlantic as of 2013. Despite this, researchers have pointed out Florida towns Jupiter and Vero Beach as likely spots for this species to establish. The humpback grouper has a short history of being introduced in Hawaii, being first observed in 1991. It has since been extirpated, with the last observation in 2005. There has been one recording of the humpback grouper spotted in Kenya.", "diet": "The diet of this grouper is based on small fishes and crustaceans, such as krill, shrimp, squids, and clams. In human care, they are commonly fed fresh or dried fish. Like the other members of its family, the humpback grouper is demersal, solitary (except during mating periods), defends a territory, and is an ambush predator. Its feeding activity is maximal at sunrise and/or at sunset. Because of their carnivorous diet, C. altivelis has been commonly blamed for Ciguatera poisoning throughout their native and non-nonnative distribution.", "family": "Serranidae", "water_type": "Both", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q664133.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Panther.grouper.arp", "author": "Arpingstone", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Panther.grouper.arp.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humpback_grouper", "revision": 1378922240, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1378922240", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "8ae2255dbff72c042b3c19960664374db7113ed462e3f8ede66b1e92fa8add93" }, { "id": "Q1202973", "common_name": "Japanese amberjack", "scientific_name": "Seriola quinqueradiata", "aliases": [ "Japanese amberjack", "yellowtail", "Seriola quinqueradiata" ], "summary": "The Japanese amberjack or yellowtail, Seriola quinqueradiata, is a species of jack fish in the family Carangidae, native to the northwest Pacific Ocean. It is known as shiyu (鰤魚) in China, bang'eo (방어) in Korea, and buri (鰤) or hamachi (魬) in Japan. Although it is frequently listed on menus as \"yellowtail tuna\", it is a fish of an entirely different family, the Carangidae, rather than the family Scombridae that includes tunas, mackerels, and bonitos.", "features": "Japanese amberjack usually grows to around 1 meter in length, though some can reach 1.5 meters. They have a characteristic yellow band that runs horizontally along the length of the body, as well as a yellow tail, hence their name.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Carangidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1202973.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Seriola quinqueradiata (200810)", "author": "E-190's", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Seriola_quinqueradiata_(200810).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_amberjack", "revision": 1366795956, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1366795956", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "9d60cc0fd02092b8e5600f9eb573453b35b4471de85d3829c0f7e18e72060114" }, { "id": "Q1854173", "common_name": "Redtail catfish", "scientific_name": "Phractocephalus hemioliopterus", "aliases": [ "Phractocephalus hemioliopterus" ], "summary": "The redtail catfish (Phractocephalus hemioliopterus) is a large species of South American pimelodid (long-whiskered) catfish. It is known in Venezuelan Spanish as cajaro; in Guyana, it is known as a banana catfish, and in Brazil it is known as pirarara, a fusion of words from the indigenous Tupi language: pirá and arara. It is the only extant species of its genus, Phractocephalus. The redtail catfish is quite common in the aquarium trade, although it is often sold in its juvenile state, only measuring a few centimeters or inches at the time of sale. Additionally, they are often sold with little to no information for novice or uninformed buyers, with vague warnings, if any, regarding the fish's massive adult size. Thus, many redtail catfish are sold and subsequently purchased as very small specimens, soon outgrowing their new aquariums—something which makes them highly unsuitable for all but the largest, usually public, aquariums (or outdoor stock tanks, pools, ponds, lakes, etc). Unfortunately, many have likely been purchased when young, by uninformed shoppers, and later released by these same individuals when their true size and voracity became evident. In this way, humans have directly contributed to the species' spreading in areas outside of its natural range. Hatchling (fry) and juvenile redtail catfish are most at-risk of being consumed by a range of predators, both aquatic and terrestrial.", "features": "Phractocephalus hemioliopterus can reach about 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in) in length, and about 80 kg (180 lb) in weight. However, this is exceptionally rare, and most do not approach this size. They average 42–54 inches (3 ft 6 in – 4 ft 6 in; 1.1–1.4 m) in length. These colorful large catfishes have a brownish back, with yellow sides, and characteristic orange-red dorsal fin and caudal fin (hence the common name). Sometimes the dorsal, pelvic and anal fins are also red. They have a broad head with long whiskers, dark black body and white underneath that extends from the mouth to the caudal fin. It has a pair of barbels on the upper jaw, and two pairs on the lower jaw. Their whiskers are sensitive and have chemical reception cells which are used as the sense of smell. They breed using external fertilization after laying their eggs. They communicate by making a clicking sound to warn off potential dangers.", "habitat": "The redtail catfish is native to the Amazon, Orinoco, and Essequibo river basins of South America, in Ecuador, Venezuela, Guyana, Colombia, Peru, Suriname, Bolivia, and Brazil. It is found only in fresh water, and inhabits larger rivers, streams, and lakes. They eat during the evening and night and stay motionless during the day. They are bottom-dwellers and move about quite slowly. Red-tailed catfish are territorial fish. Redtail catfish is also an invasive species in Malaysia; they are now found mostly in the Perak River and Pahang River.", "distribution": "The redtail catfish is native to the Amazon, Orinoco, and Essequibo river basins of South America, in Ecuador, Venezuela, Guyana, Colombia, Peru, Suriname, Bolivia, and Brazil. It is found only in fresh water, and inhabits larger rivers, streams, and lakes. They eat during the evening and night and stay motionless during the day. They are bottom-dwellers and move about quite slowly. Red-tailed catfish are territorial fish. Redtail catfish is also an invasive species in Malaysia; they are now found mostly in the Perak River and Pahang River.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1854173.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Phractocephalus hemioliopterus Natural History Museum University of Pisa", "author": "Mattia Nocciola", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Phractocephalus_hemioliopterus_Natural_History_Museum_University_of_Pisa.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redtail_catfish", "revision": 1380583596, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1380583596", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "9ca2424e730123e16c54611791d0f6db2bf93dd0ff8ab90f1523666f4c49604c" }, { "id": "Q861774", "common_name": "Flagfish", "scientific_name": "Jordanella floridae", "aliases": [ "Jordanella floridae", "American flagfish" ], "summary": "The flagfish (Jordanella floridae), also known as the American flagfish or Florida flagfish, is a species of pupfish, a type of killifish from the family Cyprinodontidae which is endemic to Florida. It is found in the aquarium trade. Its common name derives from the dominant males' body pattern, which bears some resemblance to the flag of the United States.", "features": "Flagfish are small, robust fish, 6 centimetres (2.4 in) in length, with a truncated snout which has been compared to that of a bulldog. They have rounded fins with the dorsal and anal fins positioned posteriorly and adjoining the caudal fin. Females have an obvious spot on their flanks and a clear spot near the posterior end of the dorsal fin, this has an opaque white margin. The fins may show a slight reddish color but this comes and goes in any individual but the reason for this is unknown. The females body is mainly olive but marked with turquoise scales. The common name of the flagfish is derived from the male due to the resemblance of its patterning to the flag of the United States. There is a dark rectangle on the shoulder which is imagined as the blue and white stars in the corner of the US flag and there are stripes along the flanks, some of which are red and others paler, albeit greenish rather than white. The male also has a dark spot positioned at the lower posterior corner of the dark rectangle. The olive-grey coloration and pattern of nondominant males, females, and juveniles underlies the more colorful pattern of the dominant males.", "habitat": "The flagfish normally occurs in shallow, well vegetated freshwater habitats such as backwaters, marshes, canals and ditches but it has occasionally been recorded in slightly brackish water. The flagfish is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the species of fish which lays the fewest eggs, a female will lay 20 eggs over a period of a few days. They have a courtship display in which the female encourages the male to chase her by nipping him. After that they face each other with the female swimming backwards, the male then backflips. After the eggs are laid the male guards them, attacking fish which stray too close. However, the male may also eat his own eggs or offspring. Other sources say that this species shows no parental care. This species is omnivorous, it is a micropredator feeding on small invertebrates and zooplankton but it will also feed on algae and other plant material. They are often used to naturally control hair algae in suitable aquariums, as they are one of the only fish to consume it in an impactful volume.", "distribution": "The flagfish is endemic to Florida where it is found in the Florida Peninsula south of the drainage basins of the St. Johns River and Ochlockonee River.", "diet": "", "family": "Cyprinodontidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q861774.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Jordanella floridae", "author": "USGS; individual creator not named in source", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jordanella_floridae.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flagfish", "revision": 1355115580, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1355115580", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "839feee0ca8a8d660bb8c49159853e9cb3dfafb9e1cde0f4820e83fdf5c257c9" }, { "id": "Q1481591", "common_name": "Shorthorn sculpin", "scientific_name": "Myoxocephalus scorpius", "aliases": [ "Myoxocephalus scorpius" ], "summary": "Myoxocephalus scorpius, typically known as the shorthorn sculpin or bull-rout, is a species of fish in the family Cottidae. It is a demersal species of the Northern Atlantic and adjacent subarctic and Arctic seas. The species has many English names that are used less frequently or in small parts of its range, including Arctic sculpin, daddy sculpin, European sculpin, father-lasher, goat sculpin, Greenland sculpin, guffy, horny whore, pig-fish, scully, scummy, short-spined sea scorpion and warty sculpin.", "features": "It reaches maturity at 15–30 cm (6–12 in) in length and specimens from the Arctic and subarctic, which grow to the largest size, can reach up to 60 cm (24 in). The fish has a squat appearance, a large spiny head and a tapering body. It is a mottled grey-brown in colour but can be darker, including black as base colouring. It has a large mouth and spiny gill covers. The shorthorn sculpin is not venomous, but it can be mistaken for similar looking venomous fishes, notably scorpionfish.", "habitat": "The shorthorn sculpin is found among seaweed or on rocky bottoms with mud or sand from 0 to 451 m (0–1,480 ft). Although primarily a marine species, it also occurs in brackish waters like the Baltic Sea. Like some other coldwater fish, it has antifreeze proteins, which allow it to survive at temperatures around or slightly below freezing. It was known that sculpin have been affected by heavy metal exposure in West Greenland by a former lead (Pb) - zinc (Zn) mine. Through analysing samples of three different sites, a positive correlation was found between fish at a closer distance to the mine and mucus secretion. This mucus creates a layer over the body that can cause respiratory stress, irregular swimming, and also affects their relationships with parasites. Researchers are hoping to use this mucosal mapping to help better understand effects of contaminant and parasite exposure for future studies. They feed on a wide range of demersal and benthic fishes and crustaceans. The shorthorn sculpin spawns in December through March, the eggs being laid on between rocks in a clump protected by the male. They usually hatch in five weeks.", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Cottidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1481591.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Myoxocephalus scorpius PAQ", "author": "Cephas", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Myoxocephalus_scorpius_PAQ.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myoxocephalus_scorpius", "revision": 1314652018, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1314652018", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "7910c4c2c451e8c70fad42dbbb1ae737c09699956785b89006979c34390fab29" }, { "id": "Q239480", "common_name": "Emperor tetra", "scientific_name": "Nematobrycon palmeri", "aliases": [ "emperor tetra", "Nematobrycon palmeri" ], "summary": "Nematobrycon palmeri, commonly known as the emperor tetra, is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Acestrorhamphidae, the American tetras. This species is found in the Atrato and San Juan river basins in western Colombia. It was first imported in the aquarium trade to the United States in 1960 and has since become well established. It is named in honor of Mervyn George Palmer (1882–1954), an English traveler who collected in Central and South America for the British Museum, and who collected the type specimen.", "features": "The purple hue of these tetras will be more apparent in an aquarium with floating plants on the surface and relatively subdued lighting. If the aquarium is too bright, the yellow coloration will dominate. The body is long, slim, and flattened to about 3 inches (76 mm) at maturity. Looking from the eye to the tail area, one will find a black line placed within a blue stripe. The sickle-shaped dorsal fin, along with the pectoral fin and anal fins, are yellow. The male is larger than the female, and his anal fins are longer. The male caudal is more pointed than the female. Emperor tetras are highly sexually dimorphic, and thus males and females are quite easily distinguished from each other. There are several ways to tell a male and female apart; the most reliable method is to observe the eye color. Males have metallic blue eyes, while females have metallic green eyes. Also, the male has a three pronged tail, with the medial black stripe usually extending beyond the rest of the tail, while in the females this median black stripe will typically only reach as far as the clear part of the tail. However, this is not always the best indicator, as the third prong in males can sometimes be nipped off in competitions with tank mates, and more dominant females sometimes grow this extension of the tail as well. This species should not be confused with the royal tetra Inpaichthys kerri, whose appearance and alternate common names resemble N. palmeri.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Acestrorhamphidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q239480.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Emperor tetra", "author": "Citron", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Emperor_tetra.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nematobrycon_palmeri", "revision": 1355314520, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1355314520", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "de5d149f96e8fe9f358ec2568359edca8b636923ddb8296ddba7cf72667fdcc0" }, { "id": "Q135918", "common_name": "Longcomb sawfish", "scientific_name": "Pristis zijsron", "aliases": [ "Pristis zijsron", "Green sawfish" ], "summary": "The longcomb sawfish, narrowsnout sawfish or green sawfish (Pristis zijsron) is a species of sawfish in the family Pristidae, found in tropical and subtropical waters of the Indo-West Pacific. It has declined drastically and is now considered a critically endangered species.", "features": "The longcomb sawfish is possibly the largest species of sawfish, reaching a total length of up to 7.3 m (24 ft), but rarely more than 6 m (20 ft) today. Its upperparts are greenish-brown to olive, while the underparts are whitish. A combination of characters are necessary to distinguish it from the other sawfish species: the longcomb sawfish has teeth to near the base of the rostrum or \"saw\" (unlike the knifetooth sawfish, Anoxypristis cuspidata), 23–37 teeth on each side of the rostrum (18–24 in the dwarf sawfish, P. clavata, 20–32 in smalltooth sawfish, P. pectinata, and 14–24 in largetooth sawfish, P. pristis), the teeth towards the tip of the rostrum are clearly closer to each other than those at its base (unlike the dwarf, smalltooth and largetooth sawfish where either equally spaced or only marginally closer to each other towards the tip of the rostrum), a relatively narrow rostrum, width equalling 9–17% of its length (typically wider in dwarf and largetooth sawfish), a rostrum that is 23–33% of the total length of the fish (20–25% in dwarf sawfish), relatively short pectoral fins (unlike the knifetooth and largetooth sawfish), a leading edge of the dorsal fin that is located clearly behind the leading edge of the pelvic fins (in front of in largetooth sawfish and roughly above in smalltooth sawfish) and it has a very small or no lower tail lobe (present in knifetooth and largetooth sawfish).", "habitat": "The longcomb sawfish is native to tropical and subtropical waters in the western and central Indo-Pacific. Historically its distribution covered almost 5,900,000 km2 (2,300,000 mi2) and it ranged from South Africa, north to the Red Sea and Persian Gulf, east to the South China Sea, through Southeast Asia to Australia. In Australia, it ranged from Shark Bay, along the northern part of the country, and south to Jervis Bay on the eastern coast. Today it has disappeared from much of its historical range. It can live in colder waters than its relatives, as also evidenced by the range in Australia where it occurs further south than the other species of sawfish. The longcomb sawfish is mainly found in coastal marine, mangrove and estuarine habitats, even in very shallow waters, but can also occur far offshore to a depth of more than 70 m (230 ft). There are records from rivers far inland, but it is not frequent in freshwater. It is mainly found in places with a bottom consisting of sand, mud or silt.", "distribution": "The longcomb sawfish is native to tropical and subtropical waters in the western and central Indo-Pacific. Historically its distribution covered almost 5,900,000 km2 (2,300,000 mi2) and it ranged from South Africa, north to the Red Sea and Persian Gulf, east to the South China Sea, through Southeast Asia to Australia. In Australia, it ranged from Shark Bay, along the northern part of the country, and south to Jervis Bay on the eastern coast. Today it has disappeared from much of its historical range. It can live in colder waters than its relatives, as also evidenced by the range in Australia where it occurs further south than the other species of sawfish. The longcomb sawfish is mainly found in coastal marine, mangrove and estuarine habitats, even in very shallow waters, but can also occur far offshore to a depth of more than 70 m (230 ft). There are records from rivers far inland, but it is not frequent in freshwater. It is mainly found in places with a bottom consisting of sand, mud or silt.", "diet": "", "family": "Pristidae", "water_type": "Both", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q135918.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Sawfish genova", "author": "Flavio Ferrari", "license": "CC BY-SA 2.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sawfish_genova.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longcomb_sawfish", "revision": 1376206170, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1376206170", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "726cab5a5690d4fc3167bfd6aee109e6d179e081794d7c2a6c5ae91856c66044" }, { "id": "Q2217479", "common_name": "Indo-Pacific sergeant", "scientific_name": "Abudefduf vaigiensis", "aliases": [ "Abudefduf vaigiensis", "Indo-Pacific Sergeant", "Five-banded Sergeant-major" ], "summary": "The Indo-Pacific sergeant (Abudefduf vaigiensis) is a species of damselfish in the family Pomacentridae. It may also be known as the Sergeant major although this name is usually reserved for the closely related species Abudefduf saxatilis. The closely related Abudefduf caudobimaculatus was formerly considered to be synonymous with this species and, according to some authorities, is synonymous.", "features": "Abudefduf vaigiensis are white bluish with a yellow top. They have a black spot around their dorsal fin. It has yellow eyes. The dorsal fin on this fish has 13 dorsal spines and 11 to 14 dorsal soft rays. The anal fin on the Indo-Pacific sergeant has 2 anal spines and 11 to 13 anal soft rays. Its maximum recorded size is 20 centimetres (7.9 in). Juveniles mature at 12 centimetres (4.7 in). Males turn more blue during spawning. Many people confuse this fish for Abudefduf saxatilis, a closely related species found in the Atlantic Ocean.", "habitat": "Adults live in coral reefs, tide pools, and rocky reefs. Larva of this species live in the open sea. It is found in tropical and subtropical waters. Depth ranges of 1 to 15 metres (3.3 to 49.2 ft) are where people encounter this fish.", "distribution": "The Indo-Pacific sergeant is found in the Indo-Pacific including the Red Sea. Indian Ocean populations are found in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, Arabia, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea, the Maldives, eastern Africa, Tanzania, Madagascar, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, the Andaman Sea, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Australia. Populations in the Pacific Ocean are found in the Gulf of Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Japan, the Yellow Sea, the Great Barrier Reef around Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific islands all the way to Hawaii. Likely introduced via Suez Canal in the Mediterranean Sea, where its distribution remains unclear due to possible confusion with Abudefduf saxatilis and Abudefduf troschelii.", "diet": "They feed on zooplankton, benthic algae, and small invertebrates.", "family": "Pomacentridae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q2217479.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Abudefduf vaigiensis 1", "author": "Photo2222", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Abudefduf_vaigiensis_1.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indo-Pacific_sergeant", "revision": 1366550820, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1366550820", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "00d8de22541b7cf1a72bb20b361e4621f57e834b28afc3ac1c108762ba3e658a" }, { "id": "Q538967", "common_name": "Pink skunk clownfish", "scientific_name": "Amphiprion perideraion", "aliases": [ "pink skunk clownfish", "Pink anemonefish", "Amphiprion perideraion" ], "summary": "The pink skunk clownfish (Amphiprion perideraion), also known as the pink anemonefish, is a species of anemonefish that is widespread from northern Australia through the Malay Archipelago and Melanesia. Like all anemonefishes, it forms a symbiotic mutualism with sea anemones and is unaffected by the stinging tentacles of the host. It is a sequential hermaphrodite with a strict size-based dominance hierarchy; the female is largest, the breeding male is second largest, and the male nonbreeders get progressively smaller as the hierarchy descends. They exhibit protandry, meaning the breeding male changes to female if the sole breeding female dies, with the largest nonbreeder becoming the breeding male.", "features": "The body of A. perideraion is pink to peach. It has the white stripe along the dorsal ridge that is common to all members of the skunk complex and a white head bar running vertically just behind the eye. While the largest species of anemonefish can reach a length of 18 cm (7.1 in), A. perideraion is one of the smallest species, with females growing to a length of 10 cm (3.9 in).", "habitat": "A. perideraion is found throughout the Malay Archipelago and Melanesia, in the west Pacific Ocean from the Great Barrier Reef and Tonga, north to the Ryukyu Islands of Japan and in the eastern Indian Ocean from Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia, through the Rowley Shoals, Scott and Ashmore Reefs, Cocos and Christmas Islands to Sumatra. It inhabits reef lagoons and outer reef slopes. A. perideraion has been thought to be found at depths of 3–20 m, but surveys using autonomous underwater vehicles of mesophotic reefs at Viper Reef and Hydrographers Passage in the central Great Barrier Reef observed A. perideraion at depths between 50 and 65 m. A. perideraion and A. clarkii are the only anemonefish found on both the east and west coasts of Australia. While the morphological features of A. perideraion are consistent throughout its range, genetic analysis of fish in the Indo-Malay Archipelago has shown a genetic break between the Java Sea population (Karimun Java) and all other locations. A north-to-south connection exists from the Philippines to the rest of the archipelago and a mixing of central populations along the strong current of the Indonesian throughflow.", "distribution": "A. perideraion is found throughout the Malay Archipelago and Melanesia, in the west Pacific Ocean from the Great Barrier Reef and Tonga, north to the Ryukyu Islands of Japan and in the eastern Indian Ocean from Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia, through the Rowley Shoals, Scott and Ashmore Reefs, Cocos and Christmas Islands to Sumatra. It inhabits reef lagoons and outer reef slopes. A. perideraion has been thought to be found at depths of 3–20 m, but surveys using autonomous underwater vehicles of mesophotic reefs at Viper Reef and Hydrographers Passage in the central Great Barrier Reef observed A. perideraion at depths between 50 and 65 m. A. perideraion and A. clarkii are the only anemonefish found on both the east and west coasts of Australia. While the morphological features of A. perideraion are consistent throughout its range, genetic analysis of fish in the Indo-Malay Archipelago has shown a genetic break between the Java Sea population (Karimun Java) and all other locations. A north-to-south connection exists from the Philippines to the rest of the archipelago and a mixing of central populations along the strong current of the Indonesian throughflow.", "diet": "The natural diet of anemonefish includes zooplankton, (diatoms and copepods), benthic worms, tunicates, and algae. A. perideraion is the only species of anemonefish to primarily feed on algae.", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q538967.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Pez payaso rosado (Amphiprion perideraion), Anilao, Filipinas, 2023-08-25, DD 101", "author": "Diego Delso", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pez_payaso_rosado_(Amphiprion_perideraion),_Anilao,_Filipinas,_2023-08-25,_DD_101.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pink_skunk_clownfish", "revision": 1369399127, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1369399127", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "c22f4227f1cab9aaf4b7a53287d7a6fa39f0a392f6f58b19959216b34b8ac34a" }, { "id": "Q1758490", "common_name": "Pineapplefish", "scientific_name": "Cleidopus gloriamaris", "aliases": [ "Cleidopus gloriamaris" ], "summary": "The pineapplefish (Cleidopus gloriamaris) also known as the mailfish, is a species of fish in the family Monocentridae, and the sole member of the genus Cleidopus. It is also known as the knightfish or the coat-of-mail fish, due to the armor-like scales covering its body, and the port-and-starboard light fish, as it has a pair of bioluminescent organs that are reminiscent of navigation lights on ships. Its specific epithet is from the Latin gloria and maris, meaning \"glory of the sea\".", "features": "The pineapplefish grows up to 22 cm (8.7 in) long. It has a plump, rounded body almost completely covered in large, rough scales with sharp, backward-pointing spines. The head is large, with mucous pits bordered by rough ridges, and is armored with heavy bone. The snout is blunt and overhangs the wide mouth. The teeth are tiny and thin, present on the jaws, palatine, and vomer. There are two pits containing bioluminescent bacteria on the lower jaw near the corners of the mouth, which are concealed when the mouth is closed. This photophore is green in young fish and becomes more red as it ages. The first dorsal fin consists of 5–7 strong spines; the spines are free of a membrane and point alternatingly left and right. The second dorsal fin contains 12 soft rays. Each pelvic fin contains an extremely large spine, nearly as long as the head, and 3–4 rudimentary rays. The pelvic spine can be locked erect at a right angle to the body. The anal fin contains 11–12 rays and the pectoral fins 14–15 rays. The scales of the pineapplefish are yellow to whitish with black rear margins, forming the striking pattern that gives this fish its name. The lips, chin, and parts of the jaw are black. There is a red stripe on the lower jaw running to the photophore. This species is very similar to the pinecone fishes of the genus Monocentris, and is placed within that genus by some authors. Cleidopus differs from Monocentris in having a narrow preorbital bone and in the position of its light organs, which are near the tip of the lower jaw in Monocentris.", "habitat": "The pineapplefish is native to coastal waters off Queensland, New South Wales, and Western Australia. It occurs at a depth of 6–200 meters (20–656 ft) in reefs and harbors. Due to its small fins and rigid armor, the pineapplefish is a weak swimmer. A nocturnal species, it may be found inside caves and under rocky ledges during the day. In the Fly Point Halifax Park Aquatic Preserve, New South Wales, a small group of pineapplefish has been documented under the same ledge for at least seven years, and another group under a different ledge for three years. At night, this species ventures out onto sandy flats to feed, using its light organs to illuminate small shrimp. The light may also be used to communicate with conspecifics. The light of the pineapplefish is produced by symbiotic colonies of the bacteria Vibrio fischeri within its photophores. V. fischeri are also found free-living in sea water and are naturally released from the pineapplefish's photophores. However, their luminescence dims within a matter of hours after being released. This species has lived up to 10 years in captivity.", "distribution": "The pineapplefish is native to coastal waters off Queensland, New South Wales, and Western Australia. It occurs at a depth of 6–200 meters (20–656 ft) in reefs and harbors.", "diet": "", "family": "Monocentridae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1758490.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Monocentridae - Cleidopus gloriamaris", "author": "Hectonichus", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Monocentridae_-_Cleidopus_gloriamaris.JPG", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pineapplefish", "revision": 1379047019, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1379047019", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "792ed9ec0994d0a9606e883af4cb22ad8ef2a2ce458626b7320407542f572d6a" }, { "id": "Q453994", "common_name": "Queen angelfish", "scientific_name": "Holacanthus ciliaris", "aliases": [ "Holacanthus ciliaris" ], "summary": "The queen angelfish (Holacanthus ciliaris), also known as the blue angelfish, golden angelfish, or yellow angelfish, is a species of marine angelfish found in the western Atlantic Ocean. It is a benthic (ocean floor) warm-water species that lives in coral reefs. It is recognized by its blue and yellow coloration and a distinctive spot or \"crown\" on its forehead. This crown distinguishes it from the closely related and similar-looking Bermuda blue angelfish (Holacanthus bermudensis), with which it overlaps in range and can interbreed. Adult queen angelfish are selective feeders and primarily eat sponges. Their social structure consists of harems which include one male and up to four females. They live within a territory where the females forage separately and are tended to by the male. Breeding in the species occurs near a full moon. The transparent eggs float in the water until they hatch. Juveniles of the species have different coloration than adults and act as cleaner fish. The queen angelfish is popular in the aquarium trade and has been a particularly common exported species from Brazil. In 2010, the queen angelfish was assessed as least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as the wild population appeared to be stable.", "features": "The queen angelfish has a broad, flattened, oval-shaped body with triangular tail fin, a reduced, dulled snout and a small mouth containing bristle-like teeth. The dorsal fin contains 14 spines and 19–21 soft rays, and the anal fin has 3 spines and 20–21 soft rays. The dorsal and anal fins both dangle behind the body. This species attains a maximum total length of 45 cm (18 in) and weight of 1,600 g (56 oz). Males may be larger than females. The species is covered in yellow-tipped blue-green scales, with a bright yellow tail, pectoral and pelvic fins. Both the dorsal and anal fins have orange-yellow end points, while the pectoral fins have blue patches at the base. On the forehead is an eye-like spot or \"crown\" that is cobalt blue with an electric blue outer ring and dotted with electric blue spots. This crown is the main feature distinguishing the species from the Bermuda blue angelfish. Juveniles are dark blue with bright blue vertical stripes and a yellow pectoral area. They resemble juvenile blue angelfish and are distinguished by more curved vertical stripes. Growing juveniles develop transitional patterns as they reach their adult coloration. Seven other color morphs have been recorded off the coast of the Saint Peter and Saint Paul Archipelago, Brazil. The most commonly recorded is a mostly gold or bright orange morph. Other morphs may be bright blue with some yellow, black or white coloration or even all white. Another color morph was recorded off Dry Tortugas, Florida, in 2009. This fish was mostly cobalt blue with white and yellow-orange colored areas.", "habitat": "Queen angelfish are found in tropical and subtropical areas of the Western Atlantic Ocean around the coasts and islands of the Americas. They occur from Florida along the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea down to Brazil. Their range extends as far east as Bermuda and the Saint Peter and Saint Paul Archipelago. Queen angelfish are benthic or bottom-dwelling and occur from shallow waters close to shore down to 70 m (230 ft). They live in coral reefs, preferring soft corals, and swim either alone or in pairs. Queen angelfish eat sponges, tunicates, jellyfish, corals, plankton, and algae. Juveniles act as cleaner fish and establish and remove ectoparasites from bigger fish. Off St. Thomas Island and Salvador, Bahia, 90% of the diet of adults is sponges. Off the Saint Peter and Saint Paul Archipelago, more than 30 prey species may be consumed, 68% being sponges, 25% being algae, and 5% being bryozoans. Queen angelfish appear to be selective feeders as the proportion of prey in their diet does not correlate with their abundance. On the species level, the angelfish of the Saint Peter and Saint Paul Archipelago target the less common sponges Geodia neptuni, Erylus latens, Clathria calla, and Asteropus niger.", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q453994.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Queen Angelfish", "author": "Pedro Lastra", "license": "CC BY-SA 2.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Queen_Angelfish.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_angelfish", "revision": 1369245664, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1369245664", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "e568e66dcedf935ef9ac9c23f3c96b0ae38d58bd519d74292e26159524aaaae5" }, { "id": "Q1934944", "common_name": "Whitemargin unicornfish", "scientific_name": "Naso annulatus", "aliases": [ "Naso annulatus", "Ring-tailed unicornfish" ], "summary": "The whitemargin unicornfish (Naso annulatus), also known as the ringtailed unicornfish or short-horned unicorn-fish, is a tropical fish found throughout the Indo-Pacific. It can reach a length of 100 cm, making it one of the largest members of the family Acanthuridae.", "features": "The whitemargin unicornfish has its dorsal fin supported by 5 spines and 28 or 29 soft rays while the anal fin contains 2 spines and 27 or 28 soft rays. Their body has a standard length which is between 2.2 and 3 times its depth, deepest in adults. There is a long, horizontal, tapering bony protuberance in front of the eyes, this starts of as a bump in individuals with a total length of less than 20 cm (7.9 in). There is an angle of around 60° between the snout and the protuberance. The caudal peduncle has 2 bony plates on each side and, in adults, these develop blade-like keels. The caudal fin is truncate in juveniles but becomes scalloped in adults and the males develop long filaments from the tips of the lobes. The background colour of the body is bluish-grey or bluish-brown, paler on the lower body, and with no dark markings. They have white lips and in juveniles and subadults there is a clear white band on the caudal peduncle and a white edge to the caudal fin. As the grow into adults a black submarginal band develops in the caudal fin and they retain a thin white margin and tail filaments. With a maximum total length of 100 cm (39 in) this is the largest species in the genus Naso and one of the largest species of Acanthurid.", "habitat": "The white margin unicornfish has a wide distribution in the Indo-Pacific it occurs from the Red Sea and eastern coasts of Africa east as far as Cocos Island, part of Costa Rica. The juveniles occur in shallow, clear water on reefs in lagoons, as shallow as 1 m (3 ft 3 in), but adults are infrequently encountered at depths of less than 25 m (82 ft) off the outer drop-offs of reefs.", "distribution": "The white margin unicornfish has a wide distribution in the Indo-Pacific it occurs from the Red Sea and eastern coasts of Africa east as far as Cocos Island, part of Costa Rica. The juveniles occur in shallow, clear water on reefs in lagoons, as shallow as 1 m (3 ft 3 in), but adults are infrequently encountered at depths of less than 25 m (82 ft) off the outer drop-offs of reefs.", "diet": "", "family": "Acanthuridae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1934944.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Naso annulatus", "author": "Jens Petersen", "license": "CC BY 2.5", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Naso_annulatus.JPG", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitemargin_unicornfish", "revision": 1378759292, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1378759292", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "e79ea91ab2145c5c98e8912a847a54f5bdfa9165b10c5546168a2b70d2a51558" }, { "id": "Q1431766", "common_name": "Rainbow shark", "scientific_name": "Epalzeorhynchos frenatum", "aliases": [ "Epalzeorhynchos frenatum" ], "summary": "The rainbow shark (Epalzeorhynchos frenatum) is a species of Southeast Asian freshwater fish from the family Cyprinidae. It is also known as the ruby shark, red-fin shark, red-finned shark, rainbow sharkminnow, green fringelip labeo, whitefin shark and whitetail sharkminnow. It is a popular, semi-aggressive aquarium fish. Unlike true sharks, which belong to the Chondrichthyes (\"cartilagenous fishes\") lineage, the rainbow shark is an actinopterygiian (\"ray-finned fish\").", "features": "The rainbow shark has an elongated black, dark blue or bright blue body. The snout is pointed. The abdominal area is flat. The fins possess red to orange-red coloration. The linear area from the gill cover, the eye, and the mouth has a characteristic brief stripe. Compared to females, male rainbow sharks have thinner bodies with black lines along the tailfins. Males also have brighter coloration. They can grow up to about 6 in (15 cm) long.", "habitat": "Rainbow sharks are native to the basins of Mekong, Chao Phraya, Xe Bangfai and Maeklong in Indochina. They live in water with sandy substrates, near the river bottom. This species feeds on algae and plankton, and seasonally migrates into flooded areas, then recedes back to the rivers as the floods dry up.", "distribution": "Rainbow sharks are native to the basins of Mekong, Chao Phraya, Xe Bangfai and Maeklong in Indochina. They live in water with sandy substrates, near the river bottom. This species feeds on algae and plankton, and seasonally migrates into flooded areas, then recedes back to the rivers as the floods dry up.", "diet": "Rainbow sharks are omnivores that in captivity primarily consume algae in the form of flakes, but also live foods such as insect larvae, tubifex worms, periphyton, crustaceans, phytoplankton, zooplankton and aquatic insects, and lettuce and spinach. They will also eat frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp.", "family": "Cyprinidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1431766.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Fransenlipper", "author": "MerlinSenger at German Wikipedia", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fransenlipper.JPG", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow_shark", "revision": 1361494016, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1361494016", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "c81190918a59091477b923f03a5ae9eaf03c69e5f21317fe8c944c6ff858bb74" }, { "id": "Q169482", "common_name": "Zebra moray", "scientific_name": "Gymnomuraena zebra", "aliases": [ "Gymnomuraena zebra", "Zebra moray eel" ], "summary": "The zebra moray (Gymnomuraena zebra) is a species of marine fish in the family Muraenidae. It is the only member of the genus Gymnomuraena, though it sometimes has been included in Echidna instead.", "features": "The zebra moray is considered as a medium-sized fish even if it can reach a maximum length of 150 cm. However, the average size commonly observed is more of the order of 50 cm. It is densely banded dark and whitish, giving rise to its common name. Its snout is round and short.", "habitat": "The zebra moray is widespread throughout the Indo-Pacific area from eastern coast of Africa until western coast of the Americas, including the Red Sea, Hawaii and Galápagos. The zebra moray is a benthic fish, its favorite habitat corresponds to the rocky or coral reef on coastal shallow water up to 40 meters deep.", "distribution": "The zebra moray is widespread throughout the Indo-Pacific area from eastern coast of Africa until western coast of the Americas, including the Red Sea, Hawaii and Galápagos. The zebra moray is a benthic fish, its favorite habitat corresponds to the rocky or coral reef on coastal shallow water up to 40 meters deep.", "diet": "", "family": "Muraenidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q169482.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Gymnomuraena zebra by NPS", "author": "NPS photo - Bill Eichenlaub", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gymnomuraena_zebra_by_NPS.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zebra_moray", "revision": 1355303129, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1355303129", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "2fa1ccec7538ed8770e7f443f4296881cd757e618b22fa71f65d3ff4173a8b59" }, { "id": "Q169395", "common_name": "Zebra loach", "scientific_name": "Botia striata", "aliases": [ "Botia striata" ], "summary": "The zebra loach (Botia striata) is a freshwater loach endemic to a small area within the rivers and streams of the Western Ghats in India. They are a source of food and income to the Katkari people, and a popular aquarium fish loved for their dazzling appearance.", "features": "The first description of B. striata was published in 1920 by Indian Zoologist C R Narayan Rao, stating that:\"The color of this Loach is most beautiful. The body is diversified by broad dark and narrow yellow bands, which from behind the nape form oblique hoops directed backwards.\" The fish takes on a fusiform shape, with a body approximately as tall as their heads are long. They have an inferior positioned mouth lined by 4 pairs of barbels, and while they are sexually dimorphic, the differences are subtle – females tend to be larger, reaching sexual maturity at a size of approximately 6.15 cm from the tip of the snout to the end of the tail. In addition, males have enlarged pectoral fins. The largest zebra loach recorded was 9.5cm (3.74\") from the tip of the snout to the base of the tail. Some are found with variations in their striping, taking on twisted or reticulated patterns.", "habitat": "They are known to inhabit clear mountain streams, preferring waterways with pebble or gravel beds. They are found in water with a pH between 6.0 - 8.0, dH between 5-12, and temperatures from 23 - 26°C. Zebra loaches are omnivores, feeding on phytoplankton and crustaceans within the substrate. B. striata lives amongst many other popular aquarium fish, such as Devario aequipinnatus.", "distribution": "The Western Ghats is one of the most bio-diverse regions in the world, known for its tropical evergreen forests and designation as an UNESCO World Heritage Site. The area experiences two seasons, a 3 month monsoon season and a 9 month dry season. The zebra loach's range is restricted to four different rivers: the Tunga and Bhadra rivers of Karnataka, and the Panchganga river and Koyna river in the state of Maharashtra. Overall, their entire distribution is inside of an area about 400km² in size.", "diet": "B. striata will accept a wide variety of fish foods, including live food, such as tubifex, blackworms, snails, and small shrimp, most commercial brands of fish food, and vegetables like spinach or zucchini. They prefer a diet high in crude protein (40%+), and it has been shown that feeding four times a day increases their growth rate and potentially reduces stress.", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q169395.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Botia striata", "author": "Lerdsuwa", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Botia_striata.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zebra_loach", "revision": 1376964451, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1376964451", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "1af22aff68b8b57cea5ae55d245c14fd1ac8881f31b9c30f4f08c0b1690fbd67" }, { "id": "Q1570265", "common_name": "Siamese algae-eater", "scientific_name": "Crossocheilus oblongus", "aliases": [ "Crossocheilus oblongus" ], "summary": "The Siamese algae-eater (Crossocheilus oblongus) is a species of freshwater fish in the carp family, Cyprinidae. This bottom-dwelling tropical fish is found in Mainland Southeast Asia, including the Chao Phraya and Mekong basins as well as the Malay Peninsula. Its natural habitats are streams and rivers as well as flooded forests during the rainy season. The Siamese algae-eater should not be confused with the flying fox (Epalzeorhynchos kalopterus) or the false siamensis (Garra cambodgiensis), lacking the distinctive black bands of the former.", "features": "The Siamese algae-eater has a black horizontal stripe extending from nose to end of tail. The stripe can quickly fade to camouflage the fish against its surroundings, which is observed during fights or stress. Genuine Crossocheilus siamensis, without maxillary barbels and with deeply fringed V-shaped upper lip are rarely encountered in the aquarium trade. Siamese algae-eaters can grow up to 15 centimetres (6 inches) within two years, and live for over 10 years in optimal conditions. They are valued in the aquarium trade for being the only known fish species to consume red algae, including ‘black brush’ or ‘beard’ algae. Closely related is the red algae-eater Crossocheilus langei, a species that is widely sold as the Siamese algae-eater. It has a bright brownish elongate body with a slightly flat belly. It has a prominent brown-black horizontal stripe extending from nose to tail. This fish may grow to measure up to 16 centimetres (6.3 in). It possesses small maxillary barbels and an unfringed shallowly arcuate upper lip. Two other similar species are traded as Siamese algae-eaters, namely Crossocheilus atrilimes, a species that prefers Java moss to red algae, and an undescribed species of Crossocheilus.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1570265.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Crossocheilus siamensis by Ark", "author": "User:Ark pl wiki", "license": "CC BY 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Crossocheilus_siamensis_by_Ark.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siamese_algae-eater", "revision": 1322349982, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1322349982", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "46387f857ecbbdbff102fd37dbf110653a577147e54f8fac3a9ed6c649431ef9" }, { "id": "Q81014", "common_name": "Arctic grayling", "scientific_name": "Thymallus arcticus", "aliases": [ "Thymallus arcticus" ], "summary": "The Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus) is a species of freshwater fish in the salmon family Salmonidae. T. arcticus is widespread throughout the Arctic and Pacific drainages in Canada, Alaska, and Siberia, as well as the upper Missouri River drainage in Montana. In the U.S. state of Arizona, an introduced population is found in the Lee Valley and other lakes in the White Mountains. They were also stocked at Toppings Lake by the Teton Range and in lakes in the high Uinta Mountains in Utah, as well as alpine lakes of the Boulder Mountains (Idaho) in central Idaho.", "features": "Arctic grayling grow to a maximum recorded length of 76 cm (30 in) and a maximum recorded weight of 3.8 kg (8.4 lb). Of typical thymalline appearance, the Arctic grayling is distinguished from the similar European grayling (T. thymallus) by the absence of dorsal and anal spines and by the presence of a larger number of soft rays in these fins,and also having a larger mouth. There is a dark midlateral band between the pectoral and pelvic fins, and the flanks may possess a pink iridescence. T. a. arcticus has been recorded as reaching an age of 18 years.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "Arctic grayling are widespread in Arctic Ocean drainages from Hudson Bay, Canada to Alaska and in Arctic and Pacific drainages to central Alberta and British Columbia in Canada. They do not occur naturally in the Fraser and Columbia river basins. There are remnant native populations of fluvial Arctic grayling in the upper Missouri River drainage in the Big Hole River and Red Rock basin (\"Montana Arctic grayling\"). Fluvial Arctic grayling have been reestablished in the upper Ruby River, a tributary of the Beaverhead River. The native range formerly extended south into the Great Lakes basin in Michigan, where the species was extirpated by 1936 due to habitat destruction, unregulated logging, and competition from non-native fish species. The arctic grayling occurs naturally in the Arctic Ocean basin in Siberia from the Ob to Yenisei drainages and in European Russia in some tributaries of Pechora river. Lake dwelling forms of Arctic grayling have been introduced in suitable lake habitats throughout the Rocky Mountains including lakes in the Teton Range in Wyoming, central Idaho and the high Uinta Mountains in Utah, Cascade Mountains and Sierra Nevada Mountains as far south as Arizona.", "diet": "", "family": "Salmonidae", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q81014.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Underwater Arctic Grayling", "author": "No machine-readable author provided. AKSMITH assumed (based on copyright claims).", "license": "CC BY-SA 2.5", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Underwater_Arctic_Grayling.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctic_grayling", "revision": 1360991539, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1360991539", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "743874226ce4cb244052ead766a350ca4c2d229ffb2608a0eb7132229c335b9f" }, { "id": "Q908364", "common_name": "Threespot dascyllus", "scientific_name": "Dascyllus trimaculatus", "aliases": [ "Threespot dascyllus", "Dascyllus trimaculatus" ], "summary": "The threespot dascyllus (Dascyllus trimaculatus), also known as the domino damsel or simply domino, is a species of damselfish from the family Pomacentridae. It is native to the Indo-Pacific from the Red Sea and East Africa, to the Pitcairn Islands, southern Japan, and Australia, and can also be found in some parts of the Philippines.", "features": "Its grey to black body has two lateral white spots and one between the eyes like domino hence the name; the threespot dascyllus grows up to 13 cm (5.1 in) in length. Coloration is somewhat variable; the spot on the forehead may be absent and the lateral spots very much reduced. It feeds on algae, copepods and other planktonic crustaceans.", "habitat": "Generally, adults are found in small groups around coral heads or large rocks. Juveniles may be found associated with large sea anemones or sheltering between the spines of diadema sea urchins or branching corals. This species may be found to depths of 55 m (180 ft).", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Pomacentridae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q908364.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Three-spot Dascyllus, No Name, Ko Tao, Surat Thani, Thailand imported from iNaturalist photo 332636408", "author": "(c) portioid, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Three-spot_Dascyllus,_No_Name,_Ko_Tao,_Surat_Thani,_Thailand_imported_from_iNaturalist_photo_332636408.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Threespot_dascyllus", "revision": 1375982683, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1375982683", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "a466e4e28cd86f96f7fe848deb7983c1c8e0be265384b7ad1e4eb26f5aacaf7b" }, { "id": "Q1150019", "common_name": "Smalleye hammerhead", "scientific_name": "Sphyrna tudes", "aliases": [ "Sphyrna tudes" ], "summary": "The smalleye hammerhead (Sphyrna tudes), also called the golden hammerhead or curry shark, is a small species of hammerhead shark in the family Sphyrnidae. This species was historically common in the shallow coastal waters of the western Atlantic Ocean, from Venezuela to Uruguay. It favors muddy habitats with poor visibility, reflected by its relatively small eyes. Adult males and juveniles are schooling and generally found apart from the solitary adult females. Typically reaching 1.2–1.3 m (3.9–4.3 ft) in length, this shark has a unique, bright golden color on its head, sides, and fins, which was only scientifically documented in the 1980s. As in all hammerheads, its head is flattened and laterally expanded into a hammer-shaped structure called the cephalofoil, which in this species is wide and long with an arched front margin bearing central and lateral indentations. The yellow-orange pigments of the smalleye hammerhead seem to have been acquired from the penaeid shrimp Xiphopenaeus kroyeri, the main food of juvenile sharks, and from sea catfish and their eggs, the main food of adults. The golden color may serve to conceal it from predators such as larger sharks. This species is viviparous, with the developing embryos sustained by a placental connection formed from the depleted yolk sac. Females bear litters of five to 19 pups every year following a gestation period of 10 months. Reproductive seasonality, litter size, and size at maturity vary between geographical regions.", "features": "One of the smaller members of its family, the smalleye hammerhead can reach a length of 1.5 m (4.9 ft), though 1.2–1.3 m (3.9–4.3 ft) is more typical, and a weight of 9 kg (20 lb). The body is streamlined and fairly slender. The mallet-shaped cephalofoil is wide and long, with a span measuring 28–32% of the body length; the leading margin forms a broad arch with indentations in the middle and on either side. The cephalofoils of newborns are longer, more arched, and less indented in front than those of adults. The eyes, placed at the ends of the cephalofoils, are proportionately smaller than in other hammerheads and equipped with nictitating membranes (protective third eyelids). The nostrils are positioned just inside of the eyes, each with a well-developed groove running towards the center of the cephalofoil. The mouth is strongly curved, containing on either side 15–16 upper tooth rows and 15–17 lower tooth rows. The teeth have single narrow cusps with smooth or weakly serrated edges, that are angled in the upper jaw and upright in the lower jaw. The first dorsal fin is tall and slightly falcate (sickle-shaped), originating behind the pectoral fin bases; its free rear tip lies over the origin of the pelvic fins. The second dorsal fin is smaller than the first, but still rather large, with a concave, trailing margin. The pelvic fins have nearly straight trailing margins. The anal fin is taller and longer than the second dorsal fin. The caudal fin has a well-developed lower lobe and a notch near the tip of the upper lobe.", "habitat": "The smalleye hammerhead is found along the eastern coast of South America from Uruguay to Venezuela, though it seldom occurs further west than the Orinoco Delta southeast of Trinidad. Reports of this species from off Panama, Mexico, and western Florida are unconfirmed; records from other parts of the world are most likely erroneous, resulting from its tangled taxonomic history. This species inhabits inshore murky waters 5–40 m (16–131 ft) deep, over muddy bottoms. Segregation occurs by sex and age; newborns and juveniles under 40 cm (16 in) long are found in the shallowest waters, moving deeper after a few months of life. Adult females are mostly found at depths of 9–18 m (30–59 ft), while larger juveniles and adult males are mostly found at depths of 27–36 m (89–118 ft). This species is tolerant of brackish water, and can be found over a salinity range of 20–34 ppt. Four other species of hammerhead sharks overlap in range with the smalleye hammerhead - the small-sized scoophead and bonnethead, and the large-sized scalloped hammerhead and great hammerhead. Little competition occurs between these species because of their differing habitats and dietary preferences. The smalleye hammerhead is the dominant hammerhead in shallow, muddy areas, where high turbidity limits the utility of vision (hence its smaller eyes). Adult males and juveniles of both sexes form schools of uniform body size; these schools do not appear to relate to reproduction or migration. Adult females are apparently solitary.", "distribution": "The smalleye hammerhead is found along the eastern coast of South America from Uruguay to Venezuela, though it seldom occurs further west than the Orinoco Delta southeast of Trinidad. Reports of this species from off Panama, Mexico, and western Florida are unconfirmed; records from other parts of the world are most likely erroneous, resulting from its tangled taxonomic history. This species inhabits inshore murky waters 5–40 m (16–131 ft) deep, over muddy bottoms. Segregation occurs by sex and age; newborns and juveniles under 40 cm (16 in) long are found in the shallowest waters, moving deeper after a few months of life. Adult females are mostly found at depths of 9–18 m (30–59 ft), while larger juveniles and adult males are mostly found at depths of 27–36 m (89–118 ft). This species is tolerant of brackish water, and can be found over a salinity range of 20–34 ppt.", "diet": "", "family": "Sphyrnidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1150019.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Sphyrna tudes2", "author": "manimalworld.net", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sphyrna_tudes2.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smalleye_hammerhead", "revision": 1354924038, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1354924038", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "796a572fd9e78f42ddde7e7303c973ee991c5af74dfaa65a63017d67a9566ddf" }, { "id": "Q244454", "common_name": "Solenette", "scientific_name": "Buglossidium luteum", "aliases": [ "Buglossidium luteum", "yellow sole" ], "summary": "The solenette or yellow sole, Buglossidium luteum, is a species of flatfish in the family Soleidae, and the only member of its genus. It is characterized by its small size, low-slung semi-circular mouth, and regularly placed dark fin rays. A common and widespread species, it is native to sandy bottoms in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. It is of little commercial value. A fossil relative, †Buglossidium apsheronskiense Bannikov, 2001 is known from the Early Miocene of the North Caucasus, Russia.", "features": "The smallest of the soles in European waters, the solenette usually measures 10–13 cm (3.9–5.1 in) long and attains a maximum length of 15 cm (5.9 in). It has an oval, compressed, slightly elongate body with both eyes on the right side of the head. The snout is rounded with the upper jaw slightly elongated to form a \"beak\". The diameter of the upper eye is less than the distance between it and the front of the head. The dorsal fin begins on the anterior profile of the head, with 65–78 fin rays. The anal fin contains 49–63 fin rays, and the caudal fin is connected to the dorsal and anal fins by a small membrane. The pectoral fin on the eyed side is small, with 3–5 fin rays, and the one on the blind side is reduced to 1 long and 1–2 short fin rays. The lateral line scales number 55–70, and are rectangular in shape with short, strongly curved intercanalicular striae. The coloration of the eyed side is variable, frequently yellowish or light brown with or without darker blotches or spots. The dorsal and anal fins are sandy with every 5th or 6th (occasionally 4th or 7th) fin ray dark for the majority of their lengths. The solenette can change its color to better match its background.", "habitat": "The solenette occurs in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean from Iceland and Scotland southward, as well as in the North Sea, Kattegat and the Baltic Sea. It also occurs in the Mediterranean Sea, including the Adriatic Sea, the Sea of Marmara, and the Bosphorus. It has been reported from a range of 5–450 m (16–1,476 ft), but is rare in very shallow waters. The highest abundances occur at depths of 5–15 m (16–49 ft) in the English Channel and at 20–35 m (66–115 ft) in the Bay of Biscay. Their distribution is not restricted by sediment type as in some other flatfish species. In the Solway Firth, there is a general movement offshore in the winter. This species has more specific habitat requirements than other widespread Atlantic flatfish such as the European plaice, common sole, and common dab. It is concentrated in waters moderately influenced by estuary outflows, at a salinity of 29–33 ppt, and is absent from the mouths of the largest estuaries where the salinity is lower. The solenette is often found on or half-buried in muddy or muddy-sandy substrates. Adult solenette feed on a variety of small benthic organisms, mainly crustaceans (copepods, amphipods, and cumaceans), bivalve molluscs, and polychaete worms. The diet of the solenette varies by geographical region; solenette from the English Channel feed on a larger variety of prey than those from the Bay of Biscay, and take proportionally more polychaetes as opposed to crustaceans and molluscs for the Bay of Biscay. Feeding activity peaks in summer and declines markedly in winter.", "distribution": "The solenette occurs in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean from Iceland and Scotland southward, as well as in the North Sea, Kattegat and the Baltic Sea. It also occurs in the Mediterranean Sea, including the Adriatic Sea, the Sea of Marmara, and the Bosphorus. It has been reported from a range of 5–450 m (16–1,476 ft), but is rare in very shallow waters. The highest abundances occur at depths of 5–15 m (16–49 ft) in the English Channel and at 20–35 m (66–115 ft) in the Bay of Biscay. Their distribution is not restricted by sediment type as in some other flatfish species. In the Solway Firth, there is a general movement offshore in the winter. This species has more specific habitat requirements than other widespread Atlantic flatfish such as the European plaice, common sole, and common dab. It is concentrated in waters moderately influenced by estuary outflows, at a salinity of 29–33 ppt, and is absent from the mouths of the largest estuaries where the salinity is lower. The solenette is often found on or half-buried in muddy or muddy-sandy substrates.", "diet": "", "family": "Soleidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q244454.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Buglossidium luteum", "author": "Hans Hillewaert", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Buglossidium_luteum.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solenette", "revision": 1315375127, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1315375127", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "c657d29508d8ca9df9a168ed0a54655072015c73beda4dea07a5d98fd5894ed9" }, { "id": "Q747783", "common_name": "Pontic shad", "scientific_name": "Alosa immaculata", "aliases": [ "Alosa immaculata", "Black Sea shad" ], "summary": "The Pontic shad (Alosa immaculata, previously Alosa pontica), also referred to as the Black Sea shad or Kerch shad, is a species of clupeid fish in the genus Alosa, native to the Black Sea and Sea of Azov basins.", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "Alosa immaculata lives in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov, and adults migrate up rivers to spawn. It may also be found in the Marmara Sea in Turkey. It currently migrates up and spawns in six rivers: the Danube, Dnieper, Dniester, Southern Bug, Don and Kuban Rivers. Previously the migrations reached far upstream, up to 1,600 in Danube and 900 km in Don, now dams are restricting the migrations. There is also a landlocked population in Don.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q747783.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Caspialosa kessleri pontica Dunai hering", "author": "Zsoldos Márton", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Caspialosa_kessleri_pontica_Dunai_hering.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontic_shad", "revision": 1362494805, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1362494805", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "52efbcbe489df59104f76ff574b0f57ecc6fc69a4a705d7da66393ea00e69f1f" }, { "id": "Q1433296", "common_name": "Guineafowl puffer", "scientific_name": "Arothron meleagris", "aliases": [ "Arothron meleagris" ], "summary": "Arothron meleagris, commonly known as the guineafowl puffer or golden puffer, is a pufferfish from the Indo-Pacific, and Eastern Pacific. It is occasionally caught for the aquarium trade. It reaches 50 centimetres (20 in) in length. Guineafowl puffers have heavy rounded bodies that are uniformly black with numerous small white spots (black puffer or botete negro), bright yellow spots (golden puffer or botete dorado) or a mixture of the two morphologies with bright yellow spots and black patches. They have large blunt heads with short snouts and are equipped with a set of massive teeth. They have small and similarly shaped anal and dorsal fins that are well back on their body. Their caudal fin base is long and deep and their caudal fin is rounded. Their body is covered with small denticles that resemble coarse sandpaper. When this fish is scared or frightened, they inflate and make themselves larger, exposing the denticles.", "features": "A. meleagris has three main color phases. The most common color phase includes a dark brown background with many white spots on its whole body. The spots located on the rear of A. meleagris are more minuscule compared to the spots on its sides, a characteristic that is especially prevalent on those that are located in the Indian Ocean. The fins are usually dark brown with white spots and pale edges. Another color phase is almost uniformly yellow, with a few black spots scattered around its body. The yellowish fins have white edges. The areas near its gills have a light brown patch. The third color phase is intermediate between the dark phase and yellow phase, with a great degree of variation. A survey of museum specimens found that 79% of individuals were dark phase, 10% were yellow phase, and 11% were in an intermediate phase. Apart from the three most common color variations, there exists several other rarer color patterns found in A. meleagris. An unusual Arothron specimen attributed to A. meleagris was found at Cabo Pulma Reef, in the southwestern Gulf of California. The specimen displayed white lines across a black-purple background instead of white spots. Other features of the specimen include a circular black line around its eye, a black belly and a white reticula. Additionally, its posterior area contained a white line while both its dorsal and anal fin had black stripes over a yellow background.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "A. meleagris is distributed from the western Indian Ocean along the east coast of Africa, eastward through the Indian and Pacific Oceans to the west coast of Mexico, Colombia, Panama, and Ecuador in the eastern Pacific, north to the Ryukyu Islands, and south to Mangareva in the central Pacific and Easter Island in the south Pacific. It is not found in the East-Indian area with the exception of the Christmas Island. A. meleagris can also be found in huge abundance within seafaring islands, residing at depths from 3–24 metres (10–80 ft).", "diet": "While the diet of this species mainly consists of corals and invertebrates such as tunicates, crustose coralline algae, sponges and echinoids, it also varies according to the number of corals within different reefs, such as La Azufrada. In some areas, it acts as a passive generalist, eating corals that are dependent on their abundance, while in others, it acts as an active generalist, increasing its dietary preferences by only consuming uncommon corals. Coral reefs are one of the most common foods that this species feeds on as they greatly assist with their growth. The availability of food types may affect its diet. This is due to the fact that the predation pressure applied by A. meleagris may rise or fall as the overall population of its prey shifts. A study by Guzman, Hector M., and D. Ross Robertson in 1989 shows that the diet variations of A. meleagris depend on its food availability. An example is the diet of this species at Caño Island. It was shown in the study that the 1985 red tides at Caño Island had a huge impact on the Pocillopora, a coral species that it feeds heavily on, growing there, greatly decreasing its population. As a result, A. meleagris switched its feeding habits, consuming crustose coralline algae, a food that is plentiful but inferior in quality to the Pocillopora. This species was then observed to switch to a more healthy diet consisting of the next most available coral, Porites. The pufferfish then developed a strong preference for the Porites as a food source. In addition to corals, several other foods were eaten by this species.", "family": "", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1433296.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Botete negro (Arothron meleagris), Cabo Pulmo, Baja California, México, 2024-12-19, DD 54", "author": "Diego Delso", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Botete_negro_(Arothron_meleagris),_Cabo_Pulmo,_Baja_California,_M%C3%A9xico,_2024-12-19,_DD_54.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arothron_meleagris", "revision": 1383156815, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1383156815", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "c9e5af546b8a6b2e08948c71258cb8d749acd12075a7d6791fba8dc2a6ec9b68" }, { "id": "Q1225422", "common_name": "Longspine snipefish", "scientific_name": "Macroramphosus scolopax", "aliases": [ "Macroramphosus scolopax" ], "summary": "The longspine snipefish (Macroramphosus scolopax), is a snipefish of the genus Macroramphosus, also known by various names such as bellowfish, common bellowsfish, snipe-fish, snipefish, spine trumpet fish, or trumpetfish. It is also known as the slender snipefish particularly off the South African coast. Its distinct features, including its long, pointed snout and protruding dorsal spine, make it easily recognizable.", "features": "Longspine snipefish are reddish pink dorsally but have silvery bellies. They have a large eye, long snouts, and a slender spine protruding dorsally. Longspine snipefish range from 4.8 to 16.0 cm (1.9 to 6.3 in), with measurements including head length, fin lengths, and snout features. Males range from 9.1 cm to 13.8 cm, with a mean of 11.74 cm, while females are slightly larger, ranging from 9.7 cm to 16.0 cm, with a mean of 13.12±1.743 cm. A prominent feature of the longspine snipefish is their second spine in the first dorsal fin, which ranges from 21.92 mm to 36.47 mm. Males exhibit a slightly shorter postocular head length compared to females. Longspine snipefish exhibit wide morphological variation. In research by Barbara Zorica and Nedo Vrgoč, three morphological types were identified: scolopax type, gracilis type, and intermediate type. The scolopax type is deep-bodied with a long, serrated dorsal spine and a brick reddish coloration. Conversely, the gracilis type has an elongated body with a shorter, non-serrated dorsal spine and a bluish-grey coloration. A series of intermediate forms exist between these two extremes. During their experiment, no data were found on external sexual dimorphism; however, individuals with a dark genital papilla and swollen abdomen were identified as females. Males showed color changes during courtship, developing darker ventral areas and red patterns that quickly faded when disturbed or fed. In another study, Thomas A.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "This fish is found worldwide in tropical to subtropical waters in the Atlantic, Indian, and west Pacific Oceans. It has also been observed in the eastern Pacific off Santa Catalina Island, California. The snipefish occurs mainly in temperate latitudes at 20–40°N, although it also occurs in the southern hemisphere down to 43°S. They are typically found at depths of 25 to 600 m (80 to 1,970 ft), especially favoring depths exceeding 100 metres (330 ft), with a clear preference for deeper areas along the continental shelf and slope regions.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1225422.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Macroramphosus scolopax - Wilhelma 01", "author": "H. Zell", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Macroramphosus_scolopax_-_Wilhelma_01.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longspine_snipefish", "revision": 1381550971, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1381550971", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "1a60c984456a609c2e959f627548205ab495285a9c3bae6b4441f8126e87a5eb" }, { "id": "Q928985", "common_name": "Yellowtail snapper", "scientific_name": "Ocyurus chrysurus", "aliases": [ "Yellowtail snapper", "Ocyurus chrysurus" ], "summary": "The yellowtail snapper (Ocyurus chrysurus) is an abundant species of snapper native to the western Atlantic Ocean including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. Although they have been found as far north as Massachusetts, their normal range is along Florida south to the West Indies and Brazil. This species is mostly found around coral reefs, but may be found in other habitats. They occur at depths of from near the surface to 180 meters (590 ft), though mostly between 10 and 70 m (33 and 230 ft). This species can reach a length of 86.3 cm (34.0 in), though most do not exceed 40 cm (16 in). The greatest weight recorded for this species is 4.98 kg (11.0 lb). Yellowtail snapper is a commercially important species and has been farmed. It is sought as a game fish by recreational anglers and is a popular species for display in public aquaria. This species is the only known member of its genus. In certain reefs, most notably in the Florida Keys, this beautifully colored fish is commonly spotted among divers and snorkelers.", "features": "Yellowtail snapper have a distinct yellow lateral band beginning at the snout that gets wider towards the forked tail, which is completely yellow. The rest of the fish is an olive to bluish black color with yellow spots above the lateral band. The dorsal fin is yellow while the anal and pelvic fins are whitish. The species has one dorsal fin and one anal fin, which are partially supported by bony spines. The dorsal fin consists of ten spines and between twelve and fourteen soft rays, while the anal fin has three spines and eight or nine soft rays. Scales are found on the bases of the soft portions of the dorsal and anal fins. The pectoral fin is long, and its tip reaches the level of the vent. In contrast to other snapper species, the head and mouth of Ocyurus chrysurus are small and the species does not have a dark lateral spot below its dorsal fin. Like other snappers, canine teeth are present in the upper jaw of O. chrysurus. Most teeth in the upper and lower jaws are villiform, however. A distinctive characteristic is the presence of teeth on the ectopterygoid bones.", "habitat": "Yellowtail snapper are native to the Western Atlantic Ocean. Though their range extends as far north as Massachusetts and as far south as southeastern Brazil, the species is most common in the Bahamas, off the coast of south Florida and throughout the Caribbean. Natural predators of adult yellowtail snapper include large fishes such as barracuda, mackerel, grouper, sharks, and even other snapper species. Yellowtails feed on shrimp, crabs, worms, and smaller fish. They spawn in groups off the edges of reefs from spring to fall, but heavily in midsummer.", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q928985.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Yellowtail snapper seen from Underwater Tunnel Atlantis", "author": "Fred Hsu (Wikipedia:User:Fredhsu on en.wikipedia)", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Yellowtail_snapper_seen_from_Underwater_Tunnel_Atlantis.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellowtail_snapper", "revision": 1362499398, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1362499398", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "71688ada39c53c69814b9ebaf53e1c91e52cd6df8cd70c7a5820a5e258063c46" }, { "id": "Q943193", "common_name": "Nassau grouper", "scientific_name": "Epinephelus striatus", "aliases": [ "Epinephelus striatus" ], "summary": "The Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus) is one of the large number of perciform fishes in the family Serranidae commonly referred to as groupers. It is the most important of the groupers for commercial fishery in the West Indies, but has been endangered by overfishing. The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists the Nassau grouper as critically endangered, due to commercial and recreational fishing and reef destruction. Fishing the species is prohibited in US federal waters. The Nassau grouper is a US National Marine Fisheries Service-listed threatened species by authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973.", "features": "The Nassau grouper is a medium to large fish, growing to over 1 m (3.3 ft) in length and up to 25 kg (55 lb) in weight. It has a thick body and large mouth, which it uses to \"inhale\" prey. Its color varies depending on an individual fish's circumstances and environment. In shallow water down to 60 ft (18 m), the grouper is a tawny color, but specimens living in deeper waters are pinkish or red, or sometimes orange-red in color. Superimposed on this base color are a number of lighter stripes, darker spots, bars, and patterns, including black spots below and behind the eyes, and a forked stripe on the top of the head.", "habitat": "The Nassau grouper lives near reefs; it is one of the largest fish to be found around coral reefs. It can be found from the shoreline to depths near 330 ft (100 m). It lives in the western Atlantic Ocean and around the Caribbean Sea, from Bermuda, Florida, and the Bahamas in the north to the eastern coast of Venezuela, but it is only found in a few places in the Gulf of Mexico, most notably along the coast of Belize.", "distribution": "The Nassau grouper lives near reefs; it is one of the largest fish to be found around coral reefs. It can be found from the shoreline to depths near 330 ft (100 m). It lives in the western Atlantic Ocean and around the Caribbean Sea, from Bermuda, Florida, and the Bahamas in the north to the eastern coast of Venezuela, but it is only found in a few places in the Gulf of Mexico, most notably along the coast of Belize.", "diet": "", "family": "Serranidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q943193.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "2017, cuba, jardines aggressor, los indios, nassau grouper maw (36883128693)", "author": "q phia", "license": "CC BY 2.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2017,_cuba,_jardines_aggressor,_los_indios,_nassau_grouper_maw_(36883128693).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nassau_grouper", "revision": 1382631197, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1382631197", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "d53a0f03e56ef8cf7b4e9a29e31f07092404fbcff0d78f857973a722b7af198a" }, { "id": "Q182807", "common_name": "Alfonsino", "scientific_name": "Beryx decadactylus", "aliases": [ "Beryx decadactylus" ], "summary": "The alfonsino (Beryx decadactylus), also known as the alfonsin, longfinned beryx, red bream, or imperador, is a species of deepwater berycid fish of the order Beryciformes. It can be found in temperate and subtropical ocean waters nearly worldwide, though it is uncommon. It is typically associated with deep-sea corals, and schools are known to form over seamounts. Adults are demersal and search for prey along the ocean floor, primarily fish, cephalopods, and crustaceans. Like other members of its family, it is remarkably long-lived, with individuals reaching ages of up to 69 years, and possibly longer. It can reach sizes of up to 1 m (3.3 ft) in length and 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) in weight and is targeted by commercial fisheries. Its low reproductive rate and the time it takes for juveniles to mature make it vulnerable to expanding deep-sea fisheries, but it is listed as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to its extensive range.", "features": "The alfonsino has large eyes and a deep, compressed body, 1.9–2.5 times its standard length at the greatest depth. It is a rose red color dorsally and orange ventrally. The rest of its body is silvery-pink, and the breast is yellow-white in color. Fins and the inside of the mouth are bright red. The anal fin is distinctly larger than in many fish species and its caudal fin is deeply forked. Its bright red color is a common adaptation to deepwater surroundings, where red is filtered out of the light spectrum. Although the most common size is 35.0 cm (13.8 in), it can reach lengths of up to 100.0 cm (39.4 in) TL. The maximum published weight for an alfonsino is 2.5 kg (5.5 lb). Juveniles have heavy head spines, while adults do not.", "habitat": "The alfonsino is found worldwide in subtropical and temperate waters, with a latitudinal range extending from 70°N to 48°S. It is found from as far north as Greenland and Iceland south to Brazil in the western Atlantic and South Africa in the eastern Atlantic. In the Indo-Pacific it is found from South Africa east to Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. It has also been reported off the coasts of Argentina and Hawaii. It is likely more common in the western Pacific than records indicate due to lack of fishing in its depth range in the region. With an extensive depth range 110–1,000 m (360–3,280 ft) below the surface, the alfonsino occurs in localized aggregations over deep-sea coral habitats on the continental shelf and continental slope. By day it stays in deeper water and vertically migrates to shallower waters at night. It is most commonly found 200–400 m (660–1,310 ft) deep in waters around 24 °C (75 °F) in temperature, however depth range varies by region. In the eastern Atlantic its depth range is 350–600 m (1,150–1,970 ft), while in the western Atlantic its depth range is 100–972 m (328–3,189 ft), common depth range 400–600 m (1,300–2,000 ft). Its depth range is largest in the Indo-Pacific, where it is found as deep as 1,000 m (3,300 ft) in the waters off of Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, La Reunion Island, Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros, Seychelles, Korea, Japan, New Guinea, the Ryukyu Islands, and Hawaii. The splendid alfonsino is the far more studied species of Beryx, but the alfonsino's biology is very similar to that of its congener.", "distribution": "The alfonsino is found worldwide in subtropical and temperate waters, with a latitudinal range extending from 70°N to 48°S. It is found from as far north as Greenland and Iceland south to Brazil in the western Atlantic and South Africa in the eastern Atlantic. In the Indo-Pacific it is found from South Africa east to Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. It has also been reported off the coasts of Argentina and Hawaii. It is likely more common in the western Pacific than records indicate due to lack of fishing in its depth range in the region. With an extensive depth range 110–1,000 m (360–3,280 ft) below the surface, the alfonsino occurs in localized aggregations over deep-sea coral habitats on the continental shelf and continental slope. By day it stays in deeper water and vertically migrates to shallower waters at night. It is most commonly found 200–400 m (660–1,310 ft) deep in waters around 24 °C (75 °F) in temperature, however depth range varies by region. In the eastern Atlantic its depth range is 350–600 m (1,150–1,970 ft), while in the western Atlantic its depth range is 100–972 m (328–3,189 ft), common depth range 400–600 m (1,300–2,000 ft). Its depth range is largest in the Indo-Pacific, where it is found as deep as 1,000 m (3,300 ft) in the waters off of Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, La Reunion Island, Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros, Seychelles, Korea, Japan, New Guinea, the Ryukyu Islands, and Hawaii.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q182807.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "BeryxDecadactylus", "author": "Dr. Ken Sulak", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:BeryxDecadactylus.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfonsino", "revision": 1362638778, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1362638778", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "28c9d747fae8f335cef0655e76f44c9bcf63dfce36cbb4807ee14f13f917b47b" }, { "id": "Q10623625", "common_name": "Chinese sleeper", "scientific_name": "Perccottus glenii", "aliases": [ "Amur sleeper", "Perccottus glenii", "Eleotris dybowskii", "Eleotris pleskei" ], "summary": "The Chinese sleeper (Perccottus glenii), also known as the Amur sleeper, is a species of freshwater sleeper native to the Amur River basin in eastern Asia with introduced populations in other regions of Eurasia. It is currently the only known member of its genus.", "features": "The Chinese sleeper, known as rotan in Russia, resembles a perch, ruffe, or sculpin. The eyes are placed high on the head, which has a rounded snout and projecting lower jaw. There is little or no gap between the two dorsal fins, the front one of which has six to eight spines and the back one, nine to eleven soft rays. The anal fin has one to three spines and seven to ten soft rays. The pelvic fins are not fused together, which helps to distinguish this fish from the gobies. The second dorsal and the anal fins are both more rounded and shorter than the gobies and the caudal fin is also more rounded. The general colour is brownish with a checker-board pattern of darker marks or dark barring. There are dark lines on the head radiating from the eye. This species can reach a length of 25 centimetres (9.8 in) TL and the greatest recorded weight for a specimen is 250 grams (8.8 oz).", "habitat": "The Chinese sleeper is native to the inland waters of north-eastern China, northern North Korea, and the Russian Far East. Specimens were first transported to Saint Petersburg from the River Zeya in 1912 by a scientific expedition as ornamental fish. During the 1920s, the Chinese sleeper invaded many water bodies around Saint Petersburg and in the 1950s, it was recorded in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Finland in the Baltic Sea and was considered an invasive species. Its typical habitat is ponds, closed water-bodies, and slow-moving streams. The westernmost locality of the Chinese sleeper range is the ponds in the Bavarian Danube basin in Germany. A finding in the mesohaline environment is registered in the North-Western Black Sea in Ukraine.", "distribution": "The Chinese sleeper is native to the inland waters of north-eastern China, northern North Korea, and the Russian Far East. Specimens were first transported to Saint Petersburg from the River Zeya in 1912 by a scientific expedition as ornamental fish. During the 1920s, the Chinese sleeper invaded many water bodies around Saint Petersburg and in the 1950s, it was recorded in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Finland in the Baltic Sea and was considered an invasive species. Its typical habitat is ponds, closed water-bodies, and slow-moving streams. The westernmost locality of the Chinese sleeper range is the ponds in the Bavarian Danube basin in Germany. A finding in the mesohaline environment is registered in the North-Western Black Sea in Ukraine.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Freshwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q10623625.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Ротан в аквариуме фото2", "author": "Andshel", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%D0%A0%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%B0%D0%BD_%D0%B2_%D0%B0%D0%BA%D0%B2%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%B8%D1%83%D0%BC%D0%B5_%D1%84%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%BE2.JPG", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_sleeper", "revision": 1369958772, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1369958772", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "813419d7e15ad488a0728edbc04241f9b5276c2c399411be4204d3ce70062de3" }, { "id": "Q674381", "common_name": "Clown unicornfish", "scientific_name": "Naso lituratus", "aliases": [ "Naso lituratus" ], "summary": "Naso lituratus, also known as the clown unicornfish, orangespined unicornfish, orangespine unicornfish, black-finned unicornfish, Pacific orangespined unicornfish, blackfinned unicornfish or the stripefaced unicornfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Acanthuridae, which includes the surgeonfishes, unicornfishes and tangs. It is native to the eastern Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean, where it is found in coral reefs, often in pairs. Naso lituratus is easily identified by two bright orange forward-hooked spines on the caudal peduncle (the tail base), as well as its orange lips and black face mask. The body is brownish grey with a yellow nape and a broad black band on the dorsal fin. It reaches about 45 cm (18 in) in length. Unique to members of Acanthuridae, including Naso lituratus, are the Epulopiscium bacteria. These bacteria aid the fishes' digestion, helping them process the algae in their diet.", "features": "", "habitat": "Naso lituratus lives in the East Indian and Pacific Oceans including in the waters around the Great Barrier Reef, as well as in Hawaii, with their habitat primarily in the coral reefs of those oceans. As in all species of the Acanthuridae, the sexes are separate and permanent; the sexes of N. lituratus also show distinct differences in size. In populations living near Guam, spawning occurs year-round. N. lituratus needs high oxygen levels, strong water currents, companions, and plenty of wild algae to feed upon. Their primary self-defense tactic is extending their strong tail spines to strike approaching predators.", "distribution": "Naso lituratus lives in the East Indian and Pacific Oceans including in the waters around the Great Barrier Reef, as well as in Hawaii, with their habitat primarily in the coral reefs of those oceans. As in all species of the Acanthuridae, the sexes are separate and permanent; the sexes of N. lituratus also show distinct differences in size. In populations living near Guam, spawning occurs year-round. N. lituratus needs high oxygen levels, strong water currents, companions, and plenty of wild algae to feed upon. Their primary self-defense tactic is extending their strong tail spines to strike approaching predators.", "diet": "", "family": "Acanthuridae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q674381.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Naso lituratus Gratwicke", "author": "Brian Gratwicke", "license": "CC BY 2.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Naso_lituratus_Gratwicke.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naso_lituratus", "revision": 1355041543, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1355041543", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "5304c49056174ec5fb874f4c2436a2a1df314ece351549add7733d3b16331a05" }, { "id": "Q1051743", "common_name": "Crevalle jack", "scientific_name": "Caranx hippos", "aliases": [ "Caranx hippos" ], "summary": "The crevalle jack (Caranx hippos), also known as the common jack, black-tailed trevally, couvalli jack, black cavalli, jack crevale, or yellow cavalli is a common species of large marine fish classified within the jack family, Carangidae. The crevalle jack is distributed across the tropical and temperate waters of the Atlantic Ocean, ranging from Nova Scotia, Canada to Uruguay in the western Atlantic and Portugal to Angola in the eastern Atlantic, including the Mediterranean Sea. It is distinguishable from similar species by its deep body, fin colouration and a host of more detailed anatomical features, including fin ray and lateral line scale counts. It is one of the largest fish in the genus Caranx, growing to a maximum known length of 124 cm and a weight of 32 kg, although is rare at lengths greater than 60 cm. The crevalle jack inhabits both inshore and offshore waters to depths of around 350 m, predominantly over reefs, bays, lagoons and occasionally estuaries. Young fish dispersed north by currents in the eastern Atlantic are known to migrate back to more tropical waters before the onset of winter; however, if the fish fail to migrate, mass mortalities occur as the temperature falls below the species' tolerance. The crevalle jack is a powerful, predatory fish, with extensive studies showing the species consumes a variety of small fish, with invertebrates such as prawns, shrimps, crabs, molluscs and cephalopods also of minor importance.", "features": "The crevalle jack is one of the largest members of Caranx, growing to a known maximum length of 125 cm and a weight of 32 kg, although it is generally uncommon at lengths greater than 65 cm. Unverified reports of fish over 150 cm may also be attributable to this species. The crevalle jack is morphologically similar to a number of other deep-bodied carangids, having an elongate, moderately compressed body with the dorsal profile more convex than the ventral profile, particularly anteriorly. The eye is covered by a well-developed adipose eyelid, and the posterior extremity of the jaw is vertically under or past the posterior margin of the eye. The dorsal fin is in two parts, the first consisting of eight spines and the second of one spine followed by 19 to 21 soft rays. The anal fin consists of two anteriorly detached spines followed by one spine and 16 or 17 soft rays. The pelvic fins contain one spine and five soft rays, while the pectoral fins contain 20 or 21 soft rays. The caudal fin is strongly forked, and the pectoral fins are falcate, being longer than the length of the head. The lateral line has a pronounced and moderately long anterior arch, with the curved section intersecting the straight section midway below the second dorsal fin. The straight section contains 23 to 35 very strong scutes, with bilateral keels present on the caudal peduncle. The chest is devoid of scales with the exception of a small patch of scales in front of the pelvic fins.", "habitat": "The crevalle jack lives in both inshore and offshore habitats, with larger adults preferring deeper waters than juveniles. In the inshore environment, crevalle jack inhabit shallow flats, sandy bays, beaches, seagrass beds, shallow reef complexes and lagoons. The species is also known to enter brackish waters, with some individuals known to penetrate far upstream; however, like most euryhaline species, they generally do not penetrate very far upriver. The water salinities where the species has been reported from range from 0% to 49%, indicating the species can adapt to a wide range of waters. Studies in West Africa found marked differences in the sex ratios of populations in brackish waters, with females very rarely seen in such environments once they are mature. Research in the coastal waters of Ghana suggests the availability of food is the primary control on the species distribution in inshore waters. Adults that move offshore generally do not leave continental shelf waters, however still penetrate to depths of 350 m, and possibly deeper. These individuals live on the outer shelf edges, sill reefs and upper slopes of the deep reef, and tend to be more solitary than juveniles. Adults have also been sighted around the large oil rig platforms throughout the Gulf of Mexico, where they use the man-made structure like a reef to hunt prey. The larvae and young juveniles of the species live pelagically offshore along the continental shelf and slope, and are also known to congregate around oil platforms, as well as natural floating debris such as sargassum mats.", "distribution": "The crevalle jack inhabits the tropical and temperate waters of the Atlantic Ocean, ranging extensively along both the eastern American coastline and the western African and European coastlines. In the western Atlantic, the southernmost record comes from Uruguay, with the species ranging north along the Central American coastline, and throughout the Caribbean and many of the numerous archipelagos within. The species is found throughout the Greater Antilles, however it is absent from the leeward Lesser Antilles, with its distribution being patchy throughout other Caribbean archipelagos. From the Gulf of Mexico, its distribution extends north along the U.S. coast and as far north as Nova Scotia in Canada, also taking in several northwest Atlantic islands. The crevalle jack is also known from Saint Helena Island in the southern Atlantic Ocean. In the eastern Atlantic, the southernmost record comes from Angola, with the species distributed north along the west African coastline up to West Sahara and Morocco, with its distribution also including much of the Mediterranean Sea. In the Mediterranean, its range extends as far east as Libya in the south and Turkey in the north, and includes most of the northern Mediterranean, including Greece, Italy and Spain. The species' northernmost record in the eastern Atlantic comes from Portugal, with the species also known to inhabit many of the northeastern Atlantic islands, including Cape Verde, Madeira Island, and the Canary Islands.", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1051743.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Atlantic Crevalle Jack, Gulf State Park, Gulf Shores, AL, US imported from iNaturalist photo 122719283", "author": "(c) Farren Dell Rossman, some rights reserved (CC BY)", "license": "CC BY 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Atlantic_Crevalle_Jack,_Gulf_State_Park,_Gulf_Shores,_AL,_US_imported_from_iNaturalist_photo_122719283.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crevalle_jack", "revision": 1363901677, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1363901677", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "9a749f3e7519c66906cda19ee7393502901683cdb4149b3f4d93f05137f391e1" }, { "id": "Q1575272", "common_name": "Sablefish", "scientific_name": "Anoplopoma fimbria", "aliases": [ "Anoplopoma fimbria", "blue cod" ], "summary": "The sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria) is one of two members of the fish family Anoplopomatidae and the only species in the genus Anoplopoma. In English, common names for it include sable (US), butterfish (US), black cod (US, UK, Canada), blue cod (UK), bluefish (UK), candlefish (UK), coal cod (UK), snowfish (ปลาหิมะ; Thailand), coalfish (Canada), beshow, and skil (Canada), although many of these names also refer to other, unrelated, species. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration accepts only \"sablefish\" as the acceptable market name in the United States; \"black cod\" is considered a vernacular (regional) name and should not be used as a statement of identity for this species. The sablefish is found in muddy sea beds in the North Pacific Ocean at depths of 300 to 2,700 m (980 to 8,860 ft) and is commercially important to Japan.", "features": "The sablefish is a species of deep-sea fish common to the North Pacific Ocean. Adult sablefish are opportunistic piscivores, preying on Alaskan pollock, eulachon, capelin, herring, sandlance, and Pacific cod, as well as squid, euphausiids, and jellyfish. Sablefish are long-lived, with a maximum recorded age of 94 years although the majority of the commercial catch in many areas is less than 20 years old. Sablefish growth varies regionally, with larger maximum sizes in Alaska, where total lengths up to 114 cm (3 ft 9 in) weights up to 25 kg (55 lb) have been recorded. However, average lengths are typically below 70 cm (2 ft 4 in) and 4 kg (8.8 lb). Tagging studies have indicated that sablefish have been observed to move as much as 2,000 km (1,200 mi) before recapture with one study estimating an average distance between release and recapture of 602 km (374 mi), with an average annual movement of 191 km (119 mi).", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Anoplopomatidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1575272.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria) 01 (cropped)", "author": "Bloopityboop", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sablefish_(Anoplopoma_fimbria)_01_(cropped).jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sablefish", "revision": 1378745659, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1378745659", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "b4f397e014cd12312fdd0f5d83f6f3d47dd2ddf4ad5dc00cfd267be1cfb86b59" }, { "id": "Q1907084", "common_name": "Rock goby", "scientific_name": "Gobius paganellus", "aliases": [ "Gobius paganellus" ], "summary": "The rock goby (Gobius paganellus) is a small coastal goby of eastern Atlantic waters, from Scotland to Senegal. It is also reported from the Mediterranean and Black Seas, and is an anti-Lessepsian migrant in the Gulf of Aqaba and the Red Sea. There are unconfirmed records from the area around Pointe Noire in Congo-Brazzaville.", "features": "The rock goby is usually black with white blotches, but they can change color, and males are much more black when guarding the eggs. The neck area lacks scales and there is a pale band on the top of the first dorsal fin. Both dorsal fins lack black spots on their leading edges. This species can reach a length of 12 centimetres (4.7 in) TL and has been known to live for ten years.", "habitat": "The rock goby is found in the temperate East Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea. Its range extends from western Scotland southwards to the Azores and Senegal, most of the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea. It sometimes migrates through the Suez Canal to the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba. It prefers rocky sea floors below the low tidemark, although it can be found in larger rock pools in Summer. It may also live in fresh or brackish water. It can be found at depths of from 0 to 15 metres (0 to 49 ft).", "distribution": "The rock goby is found in the temperate East Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea. Its range extends from western Scotland southwards to the Azores and Senegal, most of the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea. It sometimes migrates through the Suez Canal to the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba. It prefers rocky sea floors below the low tidemark, although it can be found in larger rock pools in Summer. It may also live in fresh or brackish water. It can be found at depths of from 0 to 15 metres (0 to 49 ft).", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q1907084.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Gobius paganellus", "author": "Etrusko25", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gobius_paganellus.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_goby", "revision": 1383548855, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1383548855", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "2c241aa1a0cd212327e2bb3d99c573418a7b7bb333bd61d2663f94faaa576c31" }, { "id": "Q539661", "common_name": "Red gurnard", "scientific_name": "Chelidonichthys cuculus", "aliases": [ "Chelidonichthys cuculus", "East Atlantic red gurnard" ], "summary": "The red gurnard (Chelidonichthys cuculus), also known as the East Atlantic red gurnard or soldier, is a benthic species of ray-finned fish belonging to the family Triglidae, the gurnards and sea robins. This fish is found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, including the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea.", "features": "The red gurnard has a large angular head which does not have a deep occipital groove but has a steep snout, which is elongated forward with a flattened, two lobed rostrum covered in denticles. The first dorsal fin contains 9 or 10 spines, the first of which is serrated to the front and the second spine is not elongated. the second dorsal fin has 17 or 19 soft rays while the anal fin contains between 16 and 18 soft rays. The pectoral fins have 2 or 3 enlarged, separate rays. The scales in the lateral line resemble plates having been lengthened vertically. There are no scales on the breast and the front part of the belly. The colour is bright red on the upper body, pale on the lower body with pink pelvic fins. The anal fin is white at its base while the pectoral and dorsal fins are yellowish. This fish has a maximum published total length of 70 cm (28 in), although a fork length of 27.6 cm (10.9 in) in males and 20.4 cm (8.0 in) in females is more typical.", "habitat": "The red gurnard is found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean from southern Scotland, although it has been recorded infrequently from Norway, south to Mauritania, including the Madeira, the Azores and the Canary Islands. It is found throughout the Mediterranean Sea and in the Black Sea. This is a demersal species which has been recorded from depths between 15 and 400 m (49 and 1,312 ft), although the usual range is 30 and 250 m (98 and 820 ft). It is typically recorded on habitats dominated by sand or gravel, although it has also been found in rocky and muddy habitats.", "distribution": "The red gurnard is found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean from southern Scotland, although it has been recorded infrequently from Norway, south to Mauritania, including the Madeira, the Azores and the Canary Islands. It is found throughout the Mediterranean Sea and in the Black Sea. This is a demersal species which has been recorded from depths between 15 and 400 m (49 and 1,312 ft), although the usual range is 30 and 250 m (98 and 820 ft). It is typically recorded on habitats dominated by sand or gravel, although it has also been found in rocky and muddy habitats.", "diet": "", "family": "Triglidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q539661.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Chelidonichthys cuculus - Crazy Kew Fish", "author": "Barney Livingston", "license": "CC BY-SA 2.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chelidonichthys_cuculus_-_Crazy_Kew_Fish.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_gurnard", "revision": 1355052943, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1355052943", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "d0b93ca8f1792b60defcf60ac8897e10808c966d8ea1e0eddc05af4b6a2c9157" }, { "id": "Q849341", "common_name": "Sloane's viperfish", "scientific_name": "Chauliodus sloani", "aliases": [ "Chauliodus sloani" ], "summary": "Sloane's viperfish (Chauliodus sloani), is a predatory mesopelagic dragonfish found in waters across the world. The species was first described by German scientists Marcus Elieser Bloch and Johann Gottlob Schneider in their 1801 book Systema ichthyologiae: iconibus CX illustratum, volume 1. Female C. sloani reach maturity between 133 and 191 mm, while males likely reach maturity at slightly smaller body lengths. It has two rows of photophores along its ventral side. It is believed that C. sloani can adjust the intensity of bioluminescence of the ventral photophores to camouflage itself from predators that might see its shadow from below.", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "C. sloani is found in tropical and temperate waters. It is widespread in the Atlantic Ocean and the western Mediterranean Sea, as well as the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Temperature restricts Sloane's Viperfish vertical distribution. In the Atlantic, its latitudinal range is from 35°N - 55°N, with highest abundance around 45°N. In the Arabian Sea, its range is primarily south of 10°N. In the central Mediterranean Sea, C. sloani is eaten as a primary part of the diet of the Atlantic bluefin tuna. Analysis of several cetaceans' stomach contents found remnants of C. sloani, including the pygmy sperm whale and Gervais's beaked whale. Both were found beached on the Canary Islands.", "diet": "C. sloani is a major consumer of myctophids (lanternfishes), other bony fishes, and crustaceans. An average C. sloani individual probably consumes at least one lanternfish every twelve days and there is no evidence to suggest that they increase their intake of food the bigger they are. Consequently, the stomachs of smaller individuals have been found containing proportionally larger prey than the prey found in the stomachs of larger individuals. However, they are not picky in their diet — they also eat other fishes, eggs, and algae. This is another thing that distinguishes them from the C. danae, which feeds mainly on crustaceans, however there has been evidence that shows smaller variations had crustaceans included in the stomach during stomach content analysis. C. sloani typically feed on large prey, and in some cases was documented to consume prey up to 50% of its own bodyweight, and the size of their prey allows them to feed rarely and opportunistically while maximizing energetic efficiency. This is consistent with the observation that only individuals under 120 mm in length were found with crustaceans in their stomach contents. The fish is considered a specialist predator given the small list of prey that were observed in the stomach content analysis. Some examples of nektonic prey include Cyclothone, Bregmaceros, Diaphus, Lampanyctus, and Myctophum. In a study to determine the effect of seasonal changes on feeding behavior, no significant difference was determined for C. sloani, and all of the prey items observed were fishes.", "family": "", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q849341.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Messina Straits Chauliodus sloani", "author": "Edd48", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Messina_Straits_Chauliodus_sloani.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sloane%27s_viperfish", "revision": 1378267843, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1378267843", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "72e1a643abbbc3b7ece9f209907b6e6b5468a068933f76c92e7c7764ebe6ffbf" }, { "id": "Q498094", "common_name": "Sliteye shark", "scientific_name": "Loxodon macrorhinus", "aliases": [ "sliteye shark", "Loxodon macrorhinus" ], "summary": "The sliteye shark (Loxodon macrorhinus) is a species of requiem shark, in the family Carcharhinidae, and the only member of its genus. It is found in the tropical waters of the Indo-West Pacific between latitudes 34° N and 30° S, from depths of 7 to 100 metres (23 to 328 ft). It can reach a length of about 95 centimetres (37 in).", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Carcharhinidae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q498094.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Systematische Beschreibung der Plagiostomen (Plate 25) BHL6353160", "author": "Unknown illustrator", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Systematische_Beschreibung_der_Plagiostomen_(Plate_25)_BHL6353160.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sliteye_shark", "revision": 1366344970, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1366344970", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "c440e15c6e6d7fdaffca30bc3123b58ce783b801490753abb7ac0e1e6e5e4492" }, { "id": "Q29090", "common_name": "Tasselled wobbegong", "scientific_name": "Eucrossorhinus dasypogon", "aliases": [ "tasselled wobbegong", "Eucrossorhinus dasypogon" ], "summary": "The tasselled wobbegong (Eucrossorhinus dasypogon) is a species of carpet shark in the family Orectolobidae and the only extant member of the genus Eucrossorhinus. It inhabits shallow coral reefs off northern Australia, New Guinea, and adjacent islands. Reaching 1.8 m (5.9 ft) in length, this species has a broad and flattened body and head. Its most distinctive trait is a fringe of branching dermal flaps around its head, which extends onto its chin. The fringe, along with its complex color pattern of small blotches and reticulations, enable it to camouflage itself against the reef environment. During the day, the solitary tasselled wobbegong can generally be found lying inside caves or under ledges with its tail curled. Individual sharks tend to remain within a local area and have favored resting spots. While resting, it opportunistically ambushes nearby fish and invertebrates, and also lures in prey by waving its tail to mimic the appearance of a small fish. At night, it emerges and actively forages for food. This species is aplacental viviparous, though little is known of its life history. The tasselled wobbegong has been reported to bite and kill humans unprovoked, although such has only been reported once in 1940. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listed this species as Near Threatened in 2003, as outside of Australia it is threatened by fisheries and habitat degradation. As of 2015, its IUCN status is Least Concern.", "features": "The tasselled wobbegong is a very broad, moderately flattened shark. The head is wider than long, with a distinctive fringe of branching dermal lobes running almost continuously from the snout tip to the origins of the pectoral fins, including a \"beard\" on the chin. The nostrils bear long, branching barbels, and have grooves surrounding them and connecting them to the mouth. There are tubercles above the eyes but not elsewhere, and behind the eyes are larger spiracles. The large mouth is positioned ahead of the eyes, almost at the end of the head. There are furrows on the lower jaw extending from the mouth corners and along the jaw median. There are 23–26 upper and 19 lower tooth rows; each tooth has a single slender, pointed cusp. The three upper and two lower rows of symphysial (central) teeth are especially long and fang-like. The five pairs of gill slits are short. The pectoral and pelvic fins are large and rounded. The dorsal fins are short-based and fairly tall; the first is slightly larger than the second and originates over the latter quarter of the pelvic fin bases. Behind the pelvic fins, the body rapidly tapers to the short caudal peduncle. The anal fin originates behind the midpoint of the second dorsal fin and is no more than half its size. The caudal fin is short, with no lower lobe and an upper lobe bearing a strong ventral notch near the tip. This species has a mosaic-like dorsal color pattern consisting of numerous small, dark blotches and lines on a gray- or yellow-brown background; there may also be darker bands.", "habitat": "The range of the tasselled wobbegong encompasses the continental shelf of northern Australia from Ningaloo Reef in the west to Bundaberg in the east, as well as New Guinea, Waigeo, and the Aru Islands. Additional records from Malaysia are unconfirmed. This common bottom-dweller inhabits coral reefs, perhaps exclusively, in both inshore and offshore waters from the intertidal zone to around 50 m (160 ft) deep. It is most often encountered in reef channels and faces, or atop coral heads. Considered the most specialized member of its family, the tasselled wobbegong's ornate coloration and complex dermal fringe grants it excellent camouflage, while it is probably a slower swimmer than related species. It is solitary and spends most of the day lying motionless inside caves or under ledges with its tail curled up. Individual sharks have a small home range, containing several preferred resting spots that are used repeatedly. This species becomes more active at night, swimming onto the reef to hunt. The tasselled wobbegong feeds on bony and cartilaginous fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods. Its capacious mouth allows sizeable prey to be swallowed, with one documented case of a 1.3 m (4.3 ft) long individual consuming a 1.0 m (3.3 ft) long brownbanded bamboo shark (Chiloscyllium punctatum). During daytime, this species is an opportunistic ambush predator. It preys upon schooling nocturnal fishes such as squirrelfishes, soldierfishes, and sweepers that often shelter in the same cave.", "distribution": "The range of the tasselled wobbegong encompasses the continental shelf of northern Australia from Ningaloo Reef in the west to Bundaberg in the east, as well as New Guinea, Waigeo, and the Aru Islands. Additional records from Malaysia are unconfirmed. This common bottom-dweller inhabits coral reefs, perhaps exclusively, in both inshore and offshore waters from the intertidal zone to around 50 m (160 ft) deep. It is most often encountered in reef channels and faces, or atop coral heads.", "diet": "", "family": "Orectolobidae", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q29090.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Tasselled wobbegong (Eucrossorhinus dasypogon) - 49929002423", "author": "Rickard Zerpe", "license": "CC BY 2.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tasselled_wobbegong_(Eucrossorhinus_dasypogon)_-_49929002423.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tasselled_wobbegong", "revision": 1356858421, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1356858421", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "2ab8c02a670db6d502f1133a6e8186c571240b48d1495f2835586aedfac3fd31" }, { "id": "Q29150", "common_name": "Pacific angelshark", "scientific_name": "Squatina californica", "aliases": [ "Pacific angel shark", "Squatina californica" ], "summary": "The Pacific angelshark (Squatina californica) is a species of angelshark, family Squatinidae, found in the eastern Pacific Ocean from Alaska to the Gulf of California, and from Ecuador to Chile, although those in the Gulf of California and southeastern Pacific may in fact be separate species. The Pacific angelshark inhabits shallow, coastal waters on sandy flats, usually near rocky reefs, kelp forests, or other underwater features. This species resembles other angel sharks in appearance, with a flattened body and greatly enlarged pectoral and pelvic fins. Characteristic features of this shark include a pair of cone-shaped barbels on its snout, angular pectoral fins, and a brown or gray dorsal coloration with many small dark markings. It attains a maximum length of 1.5 m (4.9 ft). An ambush predator, the Pacific angelshark conceals itself on the sea floor and waits for approaching prey, primarily bony fishes and squid. Prey are targeted visually and, with a quick upward thrust of the head, snatched in protrusible jaws. Individual sharks actively choose ideal ambush sites, where they stay for several days before moving on to a new one. This species is more active at night than during the day, when it stays buried in sediment and seldom moves. Reproduction is ovoviviparous, with the embryos hatching inside the mother's uterus and being sustained by a yolk sac until birth. Females give birth to an average of six young every spring.", "features": "With its flattened body and wing-like pectoral fins, the Pacific angelshark superficially resembles a ray. Unlike in rays, its five pairs of gill slits are located on the sides of the head rather than underneath, and the expanded anterior lobes of its pectoral fins are separate rather than fused to the head. The eyes are located on top of the head, with the spiracles behind. There are folds of skin without triangular lobes on the sides of head. The mouth is very wide and placed terminally (at the front of the snout); a pair of cone-shaped barbels with spoon-like tips are located above. There are 9 tooth rows on either side of the upper jaw and 10 tooth rows on either side of the lower jaw, with toothless gaps at the middle of both jaws. Each tooth has a broad base and a single narrow, smooth-edged cusp. Pacific angelsharks are founded in Clover Point, Vancouver Island to southern Baja California and Gulf of California and Peru. Although, there are unverifiable records from southeastern Alaska and Chile. Common from Tomales Bay, northern California southward. Pacific angelsharks grow to be 175 cm (68.9 in) long, and at birth about 25 cm (9.8 in). Depth: surf zone to 205 m (672 ft). The pectoral and pelvic fins are broad and angular with pointed tips. The two dorsal fins are located far back on the body, and there is no anal fin. The lower lobe of the caudal fin is larger than the upper. A row of small thorns runs down the middle of the back and tail; thorns are also present on the snout and over the eyes. As the shark ages, the thorns decrease in size and may disappear.", "habitat": "Pacific angelsharks are found in cold to warm-temperate waters from the southeastern corner of Alaska to the Gulf of California, including the entire Baja peninsula, and are most common off central and southern California. It may also occur from Ecuador to the southern tip of Chile (see taxonomic uncertainty above). This bottom-dwelling shark prefers habitats with soft, flat bottoms close to shore, such as estuaries and bays, and are often found near rocky reefs, submarine canyons, and kelp forests. On occasion, they have been seen swimming 15–91 m (49–299 ft) above the sea floor. Off California, the Pacific angelshark is most common at a depth of 3–45 m (9.8–147.6 ft), but has been reported from as deep as 205 m (673 ft). A number of genetically discrete subpopulations have been identified across the northern range of the Pacific angelshark. Several subpopulations exist along the coast from Point Conception northward to Alaska. In the Southern California Bight, there are at least three separate subpopulations off the mainland and northern and southern Channel Islands. The subpopulation along the Pacific coast of Baja California are distinct from those in the Gulf of California. These subpopulations have diverged from one another over time because Pacific angelsharks do not undertake long migratory movements outside of their preferred home areas, and deep waters serve as effective geographical barriers to population mixing. Heterozygosity, a measure of genetic diversity, is higher in the Pacific angelshark than in other shark species that have been examined.", "distribution": "Pacific angelsharks are found in cold to warm-temperate waters from the southeastern corner of Alaska to the Gulf of California, including the entire Baja peninsula, and are most common off central and southern California. It may also occur from Ecuador to the southern tip of Chile (see taxonomic uncertainty above). This bottom-dwelling shark prefers habitats with soft, flat bottoms close to shore, such as estuaries and bays, and are often found near rocky reefs, submarine canyons, and kelp forests. On occasion, they have been seen swimming 15–91 m (49–299 ft) above the sea floor. Off California, the Pacific angelshark is most common at a depth of 3–45 m (9.8–147.6 ft), but has been reported from as deep as 205 m (673 ft). A number of genetically discrete subpopulations have been identified across the northern range of the Pacific angelshark. Several subpopulations exist along the coast from Point Conception northward to Alaska. In the Southern California Bight, there are at least three separate subpopulations off the mainland and northern and southern Channel Islands. The subpopulation along the Pacific coast of Baja California are distinct from those in the Gulf of California. These subpopulations have diverged from one another over time because Pacific angelsharks do not undertake long migratory movements outside of their preferred home areas, and deep waters serve as effective geographical barriers to population mixing. Heterozygosity, a measure of genetic diversity, is higher in the Pacific angelshark than in other shark species that have been examined.", "diet": "A sedentary ambush predator, the Pacific angelshark feeds mainly on bony fishes, including kelp bass, croakers, flatfishes, damselfishes, mackerels, and sardines. During the winter and early spring, spawning squid are abundant and become the primary source of food. In the southern Gulf of California, the most important prey species are, in descending order, the mackerel Decapterus macrosoma, the toadfish Porichthys analis, the lizardfish Synodus evermanni, the soldierfish Myripristis leiognathus, and the shrimp Sicyonia penicillata. At Catalina Island, this species feeds mainly on the blacksmith (Chromis punctipinnis) and the queenfish (Seriphus politus). Adults and juveniles have similar diets. Individual sharks choose sites giving them the best ambush success. They prefer junctions of sandy and rocky substrates near reefs (used by many fishes for shelter) usually orienting themselves either toward or parallel to nearby vertical structures. They tend to face upslope, which may facilitate burying via falling sediment, bring more fish swimming downstream from the reef, or ease targeting by silhouetting prey against the sunlight. Once settled at a successful site, an angelshark may remain there for ten days, re-burying itself on or near the same spot after every strike. As the local prey eventually learn to avoid the stationary predator, the shark periodically shifts at night to a new site several kilometers away. One study off Santa Catalina Island found that over 13–25 hours, nine sharks together used only 1.5 km2 (0.6 mi2).", "family": "Squatinidae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q29150.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Squatina californica", "author": "Tony Chess/NOAA SWFSC", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Squatina_californica.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_angelshark", "revision": 1369885212, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1369885212", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "8585c57b66bf5be37ea070e336f15d95d15bc8f913d96b5cf10361c91ded5228" }, { "id": "Q248482", "common_name": "Black Sea sprat", "scientific_name": "Clupeonella cultriventris", "aliases": [ "Clupeonella cultriventris", "Clupeonella delicatula" ], "summary": "The Black Sea sprat or Pontic sprat, Clupeonella cultriventris, is a small fish of the herring family, Clupeidae. It is found in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov and rivers of its basins: Danube, Dnister, Dnipro (Ukraine), Southern Bug, Don, Kuban. It has white-grey flesh and silver-grey scales. A typical size is 10 cm (3.9 in), maximum 15 cm (5.9 in). The life span is up to 5 years. The peak of its spawning is in April and it can be found in enormous shoals in sea-shores, filled all-round coastal shallows, moving quickly back into the sea at a depth of 6–30 metres (20–98 ft). Used for food; it has around 12% fat in flesh. It is one of the most abundant fishes in the Sea of Azov. It is important prey for other fishes, particularly the pikeperch. The Clupeonella cultiventris has become a naturalized and often dominant species in the pelagic zones of the Volga and Kama River reservoirs. It exhibits long-term (6–8 year) population cycles, particularly in the Upper Volga. The northernmost point of its self-sustaining population in the Volga-Kama region is the Sheksna Reservoir, with single mature individuals occasionally recorded even further north in Lake Beloye. The Caspian tyulka Clupeonella caspia has been long considered a subspecies of C. cultriventris, C. cultriventris caspia, and a common name \"Black and Caspian Sea sprat\" was then applied to the whole. In Odesa cuisine, the sprats are battered and fried to produce sprat cutlets.", "features": "", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Unknown", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q248482.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "3 specimens of Clupeonella cultriventris", "author": "Yuriy Kvach", "license": "CC BY-SA 3.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:3_specimens_of_Clupeonella_cultriventris.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Sea_sprat", "revision": 1371080721, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1371080721", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "e1ec735158bc213b0ceef1618359df1422f3075e9047ad7bd86e3be525f74818" }, { "id": "Q947679", "common_name": "Moon wrasse", "scientific_name": "Thalassoma lunare", "aliases": [ "Thalassoma lunare", "Crescent-tail wrasse" ], "summary": "The moon wrasse (Thalassoma lunare) also known as the crescent wrasse or lyretail wrasse, is a species of wrasse native to the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean. It is an inhabitant of coral reefs and surrounding areas at depths from 1 to 20 m (3.3 to 65.6 ft). Moon wrasses are carnivorous and tend to prey on fish eggs and small sea-floor dwelling invertebrates. This species can reach 45 cm (18 in) in total length. It is of minor importance to local commercial fisheries and can also be found in the aquarium trade.", "features": "The juvenile is blue on the lower half of its body, with a black spot in the middle of the dorsal fin and a black blotch on the caudal fin base. As it matures, the spot turns into a yellow crescent, hence the name. The body is green, with prominently marked scales. Coloration of the head ranges from blue to magenta, with a broken checkerboard pattern.", "habitat": "", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q947679.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Thalassoma lunare", "author": "Leonard Low from Australia", "license": "CC BY 2.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0", "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Thalassoma_lunare.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display. Previous source edits, if any, are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon_wrasse", "revision": 1315015583, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1315015583", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "bc20b120264378ce49f23a6e874e1af7457dd05d863a61113edb4149901eda3d" }, { "id": "Q269781", "common_name": "Yellowfin tuna", "scientific_name": "Thunnus albacares", "aliases": [ "Ahi", "Yellowfin", "Thunnus albacares" ], "summary": "The yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) is a species of tuna found in pelagic waters of tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide. Yellowfin is often marketed as ahi, from the Hawaiian ʻahi, a name also used there for the closely related bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus). The species name, albacares (\"white meat\") can also lead to confusion: in English, the albacore (Thunnus alalunga) is a different species, while yellowfin is officially designated albacore in French and referred to as albacora by Portuguese fishermen.", "features": "The yellowfin tuna is among the larger tuna species, reaching weights over 180 kg (400 lb), but is significantly smaller than the Atlantic and Pacific bluefin tunas, which can reach over 450 kg (990 lb), and slightly smaller than the bigeye tuna and the southern bluefin tuna. The second dorsal fin and the anal fin, as well as the finlets between those fins and the tail, are bright yellow, giving this fish its common name. The second dorsal and anal fins can be very long in mature specimens, reaching almost as far back as the tail and giving the appearance of sickles or scimitars. The pectoral fins are also longer than the related bluefin tuna, but not as long as those of the albacore. The main body is a very dark metallic blue, changing to silver on the belly, which has about 20 vertical lines. Reported sizes in the literature have ranged as high as 2.4 m (7 ft 10 in) in length and 200 kg (440 lb) in weight. The all-tackle International Game Fish Association (IGFA) record for this species stands at 200.94 kg (443 lb) for a yellowfin caught in 2024 off Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The previous record of 193.68 kg (427 lb), caught in the same area in 2012, earned its captor a prize of $1 million once the catch was confirmed by the IGFA.", "habitat": "Yellowfin tuna are epipelagic fish that inhabit the mixed surface layer of the ocean above the thermocline. Sonic tracking has found that although yellowfin tuna, unlike the related bigeye tuna, mostly range in the top 100 m (330 ft) of the water column, another study reported that depth tends to vary with time of day: 90% of their recorded depth values were shallower than 88 m (289 ft) during the night, and shallower than 190 m (620 ft) during the day. Although yellowfin tuna penetrate the thermocline relatively infrequently, they are capable of diving to considerable depths. An individual tagged in the Indian Ocean with an archival tag spent 85% of its time in depths shallower than 75 m (246 ft), but was recorded as having made three dives to 578 m (1,896 ft), 982 m (3,222 ft) and 1,160 m (3,810 ft). The maximum dive depth measured in a second study was 1,592 m (5,223 ft).", "distribution": "", "diet": "", "family": "Scombridae", "water_type": "Saltwater", "photo_path": "guide-images/Q269781.jpg", "photo_credit": { "title": "Yellowfin tuna nurp", "author": "OAR/National Undersea Research Program (NURP)", "license": "Public domain", "license_url": null, "source": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Yellowfin_tuna_nurp.jpg", "changes": "Resized for display; no cropping. Source edits are documented on the source page." }, "text_credit": { "author": "Wikipedia contributors", "source": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellowfin_tuna", "revision": 1383091568, "revision_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1383091568", "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0", "license_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/", "changes": "Selected sections shortened; headings reorganised for the fish guide." }, "review_status": "reviewed", "photo_sha256": "417c98f4ad84ca99203cd05f5e8d4e19c589024a64d1eede3a0839d5f3099e03" } ] }