Fish are aquatic vertebrates that typically have gills, fins, and a streamlined body, allowing them to thrive in water environments. They play vital roles in ecosystems as predators, prey, and contributors to nutrient cycling.
- Aquatic vertebrates with gills and fins.
- Diverse, with over 34,000 species.
- Key roles in aquatic food webs and ecosystems.
Fish primarily use gills to extract oxygen from water.
'Fish' includes both bony fish (Osteichthyes) and cartilaginous fish (Chondrichthyes).
Jawless fish, cartilaginous fish, and bony fish are the main groups.
Yes, fish contribute to nutrient cycling in aquatic systems.
Summary
- Fish are aquatic vertebrates with gills and fins.
- They include jawless, cartilaginous, and bony species.
- Fish are essential for aquatic food webs and nutrient cycling.