(Stord - Hordaland / 22 meters / 8.17.2004)

Phylum: Chordata

Superclass: Gnathostomata

Class: Actinopterygii

 

Norwegian: beinfisk

Both ray-finned and lobed-finned fish (Sarcopterygii) are regarded as bony fish. Ray-finned fish constitute the largest class of vertebrates, including more than 29000 species. In contrast to the cartilaginous fish, bony fish have a rigid skeleton. The fins of ray-finned fish are supported by rays, as the name indicates.

The swim bladder is also a unique feature of most ray-finned fish, enabling them to maintain buoyancy as they move up or down in the water. A gill cover is used to pump water through the gills, enabling the bony fish to breathe without swimming.