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PHYLUM CHORDATA

 OSTEICHTHYES

 CHONDRICTHYES

BONEY FISH / OSTEICHTHYES

       There is no doubt about it.  When you drop down the water column, chances are the abundance and diversity of fish you encounter can change the way you feel about a particular dive location.  Fish come in a variety of shapes and sizes a long with special adaptations to surviving within their niche.

Often times these adaptations are over looked by divers, however the shape and presence of a fish at a dive location can tell you a lot about the place you are diving. 

        The purpose of this section is to introduce you to some of these adaptations as well as provide some insight into the physiology of fish.  Below are links to some of the more common boney fish which inhabit out waters.  These fish have been placed within their respective families to highlight the relationships between the fishes of our coast.                                                                                                                  

1. SEA BASS (SERRANIDAE)  These fish are amongst the slowest growing fish in coastal waters and range dramatically in size.

2. ROCK FISH / SCORPIONFISH (SCORPEANIDAE)

3. SCULPIN (COTTIDAE)  These fish blend in exceptionally well with their environment and are a cause for much anxiety for many a diver experiencing surge in rocky areas!

4. GREENLING (HEXAGRAMMIDAE)  Another group of fish which avoid predation by blending in seamlessly with their background, look closely we promise they are in the pictures!

5. GOBY (GOBIIDAE)  Small fish that range between 1 to 3 inches and typically dwell in the rocks and crevices in water 20 to 60 feet deep.

6. CLINID (CLINIDAE)  These fish are masters of disguise.  Not only do they blend in with their environment but they take it one step further.  As these fish blend in with the background they tend to sway with any surge or swell that moves the substrate they are attempting to blend into!

7. FLATFISH (PLEURONECTIDAE)  An amazing group of fish which range dramatically in size, a fact not lost on naturalists and hunters a like.  These fish undergo a transformation from juveniles to adults in which their eyes migrates from ventral locations on the head to one side of their body!

8. WRASSES (LABRIDAE)  The wrasse