Glossary

Adipose Fin—Small fin located on peduncle, behind dorsal fin. Found on tetras, corydoras, plecostomus, salmonids, few other species.

Adsorption—Adhesion of gas, liquids or substance to surface.

Aerobic—Able to live and grow only when oxygen is present.

Anabantid—Fish species that can take some air from the surface and are bubblenest builders. Eggs of female fish are deposited in air bubbles on water’s surface. Gouramis and bettas are examples of anabantids.

Anal Fin—Last fin on the bottom of the body before the tail.

Antimicrobials—Term used to denote agent that kills or inhibits growth of microorganisms.

Barbel—A whisker-like sensory organ near the mouth found in some fish (notably catfishes, loaches and cyprinids); used by bottom feeders to help locate food.

Caudal Fin—Tail fin of fish.

Chloramine—Chemical compound made up of chlorine and ammonia that is used to sterilize drinking water and is toxic to fish; must be removed from tap water before using in freshwater aquariums.

Chlorine—Chemical used to sterilize drinking water that is toxic to fish; eventually escapes from water as gas after 24 hours in an open container. Must be removed from tap water with a water conditioner before using in any freshwater aquarium.

Detritus—Accumulation of disintegrated waste material.

Dorsal Fin—Large fin located on upper portion (back) of fish.

Electrolytes—Chemicals and salts added to water to help match water conditions to chemical physiology of fish.

Fry—Recently hatched, juvenile fish.

Gonopodium—Anal fin in male livebearers that has been modified to allow internal fertilization.

Ichthyophthirius—Common fish parasite that appears as white spots on the body; called “Ich” (or “Ick”) for short.

Labyrinth—Refers to fish with an auxiliary breathing organ in addition to gills; gouramis and betta are examples.

Lamellae—Appendages in fish gills that absorb oxygen and excrete carbon dioxide.

Lateral Line—Sensory organ, sensitive to change in pressure and pulsations; also midline on the side of the fish body.

Microorganisms—Any microscopic bacteria, protozoan, virus, etc.

Necrosis—Death or decay of tissue.

Operculum—Bony covering that protects the gills of fish.

Peduncle—Area on fish located behind dorsal fin and extending to caudal fin rays.

Protozoan—Single-celled microscopic animals that can be parasitic.

School—Group of fish that swim in a synchronized manner, with similar speeds and direction.

Shoal—Group of fish that remain together for social reasons, including feeding, breeding or resting and can consist of anywhere from a few fish to hundreds.

Tubercles—Growth that appears on gill plates (operculum) of adult male fish in breeding season.