Common name: Ray-finned Fishes
Actinopterygii, commonly known as ray-finned fishes, represent the largest class of vertebrates, encompassing over 30,000 species. This diverse group includes familiar species such as goldfish, tuna, and clownfish, and they can be found in a wide range of aquatic environments, from freshwater rivers and lakes to the vast expanses of the ocean. The defining characteristic of ray-finned fishes is their fins, which are supported by bony spines or "rays," as opposed to the fleshy, lobed fins seen in their counterparts, the lobe-finned fishes.
Ray-finned fishes exhibit a remarkable array of shapes, sizes, and colors, making them a popular choice for aquarium enthusiasts. From the vibrant hues of reef-dwelling species like the Mandarin fish to the sleek, streamlined bodies of open-water species like mackerels, these fishes offer endless fascination for hobbyists. Many species have adapted to specific ecological niches, leading to unique behaviors and feeding strategies. For example, some species are herbivorous, grazing on algae and plant matter, while others are carnivorous, preying on smaller fish and invertebrates.
In the aquarium setting, ray-finned fishes require careful attention to water quality, temperature, and diet to thrive. It's important for hobbyists to research the specific needs of each species, as they can vary significantly. Some species may require specialized care, such as those that are sensitive to changes in water parameters or those that have specific dietary requirements. Additionally, understanding the social behavior of these fishes, such as their compatibility with other species and their territorial nature, is crucial for maintaining a harmonious aquarium environment.
Scientifically, Actinopterygii are of great interest due to their successes and adaptability. They have been around for more than 400 million years and come in various adaptations that have allowed them to inhabit nearly every aquatic habitat on Earth. Their biological history provides valuable insights into vertebrate biology and the development of complex ecosystems.
- Common name: Cockatoo WaspfishScientific name: Ablabys taenianotus
- Common name: Hawaiian SergeantScientific name: Abudefduf abdominalis
- Common name: Bengal SergeantScientific name: Abudefduf bengalensis
- Common name: Galapagos Sergeant MajorScientific name: Abudefduf conformis
- Common name: African SergeantScientific name: Abudefduf hoefleri
- Common name: Canary DamselScientific name: Abudefduf luridus
- Common name: Natal SergeantScientific name: Abudefduf natalensis
- Common name: Sergeant MajorScientific name: Abudefduf saxatilis
- Common name: Scissortail SergeantScientific name: Abudefduf sexfasciatus
- Common name: Blackspot SergeantScientific name: Abudefduf sordidus
- Common name: False-eye SergeantScientific name: Abudefduf sparoides
- Common name: Night SergeantScientific name: Abudefduf taurus
- Common name: Indo-Pacific SergeantScientific name: Abudefduf vaigiensis
- Common name: Barnacle BlennyScientific name: Acanthemblemaria macrospilus
- Common name: Indian BandfishScientific name: Acanthocepola indica
- Common name: Spiny ChromisScientific name: Acanthochromis polyacanthus
- Common name: Island CowfishScientific name: Acanthostracion notacanthus
- Common name: Honeycomb CowfishScientific name: Acanthostracion polygonius
- Common name: Scrawled CowfishScientific name: Acanthostracion quadricornis
- Common name: Achilles TangScientific name: Acanthurus achilles
- Common name: Whitefin SurgeonfishScientific name: Acanthurus albipectoralis
- Common name: Ocean SurgeonfishScientific name: Acanthurus bahianus
- Common name: Black-spot SurgeonfishScientific name: Acanthurus bariene
- Common name: Ringtail SurgeonfishScientific name: Acanthurus blochii
- Common name: DoctorfishScientific name: Acanthurus chirurgus
- Common name: Blue TangScientific name: Acanthurus coeruleus
- Common name: Eyestripe SurgeonfishScientific name: Acanthurus dussumieri
- Common name: Fowler's SurgeonfishScientific name: Acanthurus fowleri
- Common name: Black SurgeonfishScientific name: Acanthurus gahhm
- Common name: Whitespotted SurgeonfishScientific name: Acanthurus guttatus
- Common name: Powder Brown TangScientific name: Acanthurus japonicus
- Common name: Pale-lipped SurgeonfishScientific name: Acanthurus leucocheilus
- Common name: Whitebar SurgeonfishScientific name: Acanthurus leucopareius
- Common name: Powder Blue TangScientific name: Acanthurus leucosternon
- Common name: Lined SurgeonfishScientific name: Acanthurus lineatus
- Common name: Spotted-face SurgeonfishScientific name: Acanthurus maculiceps
- Common name: Elongate SurgeonfishScientific name: Acanthurus mata
- Common name: Monrovia SurgeonfishScientific name: Acanthurus monroviae
- Common name: Whitecheek SurgeonfishScientific name: Acanthurus nigricans
- Common name: Epaulette SurgeonfishScientific name: Acanthurus nigricauda
- Common name: Brown SurgeonfishScientific name: Acanthurus nigrofuscus
- Common name: Bluelined SurgeonfishScientific name: Acanthurus nigroris
- Common name: Bluelined SurgeonfishScientific name: Acanthurus nubilus
- Common name: Orange Shoulder TangScientific name: Acanthurus olivaceus
- Common name: Black-barred SurgeonfishScientific name: Acanthurus polyzona
- Common name: Chocolate TangScientific name: Acanthurus pyroferus
- Common name: Sohal TangScientific name: Acanthurus sohal
- Common name: Doubleband SurgeonfishScientific name: Acanthurus tennentii
- Common name: Thompson's SurgeonfishScientific name: Acanthurus thompsoni
- Common name: Convict TangScientific name: Acanthurus triostegus
- Common name: Indian Ocean Mimic SurgeonfishScientific name: Acanthurus tristis
- Common name: Yellowfin SurgeonfishScientific name: Acanthurus xanthopterus
- Common name: Bristle-tail FilefishScientific name: Acreichthys tomentosus
- Common name: Speckled shrimpfishScientific name: Aeoliscus punctulatus
- Common name: RazorfishScientific name: Aeoliscus strigatus
- Common name: Red-flushed rock-codScientific name: Aethaloperca rogaa
- Common name: Robust cuskScientific name: Alionematichthys riukiuensis
- Common name: ChernaScientific name: Alphestes afer
- Common name: scrawled filefishScientific name: Aluterus scriptus
- Common name: Twospot hawkfishScientific name: Amblycirrhitus bimacula
- Common name: GrannyfishScientific name: Amblycirrhitus pinos
- Common name: Horse-shoe shrimp-gobyScientific name: Amblyeleotris arcupinna
- Common name: Pinkbar gobyScientific name: Amblyeleotris aurora
- Common name: Diagonal shrimp-gobyScientific name: Amblyeleotris diagonalis
- Common name: Shoulder-spot shrimp-gobyScientific name: Amblyeleotris downingi
- Common name: Red-barred shrimp-gobyScientific name: Amblyeleotris fasciata
- Common name: Giant shrimp-gobyScientific name: Amblyeleotris fontanesii
- Common name: Spotted prawn-gobyScientific name: Amblyeleotris guttata
- Common name: Barehead gobyScientific name: Amblyeleotris gymnocephala
- Common name: Harrison's Shrimp GobyScientific name: Amblyeleotris harrisorum
- Common name: Wide-barred shrimpgodyScientific name: Amblyeleotris latifasciata
- Common name: Neumann's Shrimp GobyScientific name: Amblyeleotris neumanni
- Common name: New Caledonia Shrimp GobyScientific name: Amblyeleotris novaecaledoniae
- Common name: Redspotted shrimpgobyScientific name: Amblyeleotris ogasawarensis
- Common name: Periophthalma prawn-gobyScientific name: Amblyeleotris periophthalma
- Common name: Randall's prawn-gobyScientific name: Amblyeleotris randalli
- Common name: Volcano shrimpgobyScientific name: Amblyeleotris rhyax
- Common name: Redmargin shrimpgobyScientific name: Amblyeleotris rubrimarginata
- Common name: Steinitz' gobyScientific name: Amblyeleotris steinitzi
- Common name: Magnus' gobyScientific name: Amblyeleotris sungami
- Common name: Triplespot shrimpgobyScientific name: Amblyeleotris triguttata
- Common name: Gorgeous prawn-gobyScientific name: Amblyeleotris wheeleri
- Common name: Flag-tail shrimp-gobyScientific name: Amblyeleotris yanoi
- Common name: Golden damselScientific name: Amblyglyphidodon aureus
- Common name: Green sergeantScientific name: Amblyglyphidodon batunai
- Common name: clouded damselfishScientific name: Amblyglyphidodon curacao
- Common name: Yellowfin damselScientific name: Amblyglyphidodon flavilatus
- Common name: White-belly damselScientific name: Amblyglyphidodon leucogaster
- Common name: Blackback ButterflyfishScientific name: Amblyglyphidodon melanopterus
- Common name: Orbicular damselScientific name: Amblyglyphidodon orbicularis
- Common name: Ternate damselScientific name: Amblyglyphidodon ternatensis
- Common name: Whitelined gobyScientific name: Amblygobius albimaculatus
- Common name: Bynoe gobyScientific name: Amblygobius bynoensis
- Common name: Pink-lined gobyScientific name: Amblygobius decussatus
- Common name: Nocturn gobyScientific name: Amblygobius nocturnus
- Common name: Banded gobyScientific name: Amblygobius phalaena
- Common name: Half-barred gobyScientific name: Amblygobius semicinctus
- Common name: Sphynx gobyScientific name: Amblygobius sphynx
- Common name: Black-banded demoiselleScientific name: Amblypomacentrus breviceps
- Common name: Lord Howe Island butterflyfishScientific name: Amphichaetodon howensis
- Common name: Narrow-barred butterflyfishScientific name: Amphichaetodon melbae
- Common name: Skunk ClownfishScientific name: Amphiprion akallopisos
- Common name: Barrier Reef AnemonefishScientific name: Amphiprion akindynos
- Common name: Allard's ClownfishScientific name: Amphiprion allardi
- Common name: Two-banded ClownfishScientific name: Amphiprion bicinctus
- Common name: Chagos ClownfishScientific name: Amphiprion chagosensis
- Common name: Mauritian ClownfishScientific name: Amphiprion chrysogaster
- Common name: Orange-fin AnemonefishScientific name: Amphiprion chrysopterus
- Common name: Clarkii ClownfishScientific name: Amphiprion clarkii
- Common name: Red Saddleback AnemonefishScientific name: Amphiprion ephippium
- Common name: Tomato ClownfishScientific name: Amphiprion frenatus
- Common name: Seychelles AnemonefishScientific name: Amphiprion fuscocaudatus
- Common name: Wideband AnemonefishScientific name: Amphiprion latezonatus
- Common name: Madagascar AnemonefishScientific name: Amphiprion latifasciatus
- Common name: Whitebonnet AnemonefishScientific name: Amphiprion leucokranos
- Common name: Whitesnout AnemonefishScientific name: Amphiprion mccullochi
- Common name: Cinnamon ClownfishScientific name: Amphiprion melanopus
- Common name: Blackfinned ClownfishScientific name: Amphiprion nigripes
- Common name: Ocellaris ClownfishScientific name: Amphiprion ocellaris
- Common name: Oman AnemonefishScientific name: Amphiprion omanensis