Gills - Respiratory organs that extract oxygen from water, allowing fish to breathe underwater.
Fins - Appendages used for propulsion, steering, and stability. Types include dorsal, pectoral, pelvic, anal, and caudal fins.
Scales - Protective plates covering a fish's body, made of bone or enamel-like material.
Coral Reef - Underwater ecosystem built by coral polyps, home to 25% of all marine species.
Estuary - Where freshwater rivers meet the ocean, creating brackish water habitats.
Bioluminescence - The production of light by living organisms through chemical reactions.
Pelagic - Living in open ocean waters, away from the coast or seafloor.
Benthic - Living on or near the ocean floor.
Lateral Line - Sensory organ that detects water movement and vibrations.
Swim Bladder - Gas-filled organ that helps fish control buoyancy.
Spawning - The process of fish releasing eggs and sperm for reproduction.
Anadromous - Fish that migrate from saltwater to freshwater to spawn (like salmon).
Cartilaginous - Having a skeleton made of cartilage instead of bone (sharks and rays).
Schooling - Group behavior where fish swim together in coordinated patterns for protection.
Camouflage - Coloration or patterns that help fish blend with their environment.
Apex Predator - Top predator in the food chain with no natural predators.