Description

Fish that spend most or all of their life in fresh water, such as rivers and lakes, with a salinity of less than 0.05% are considered freshwater fish. The most noticeable way that these ecosystems diverge from marine settings is in the salt levels. The fish require a variety of physiological modifications in order to survive in fresh water. Freshwater habitats contain 41.24% of all fish species currently recognised. An aquatic or marine animal with vertebrae is referred to as a fish. Except for sharks and rays, which have cartilage, all fish have vertebrae. Despite being stronger than bone, cartilage is more flexible than bone. When they reach adulthood, they typically have gills and fin-like limbs. The shape, size, and appearance of fish vary greatly. The habitat that it lives in will determine everything. At various points throughout the food chain, fish that are a component of the ecosystem contribute to the energy flow. This book provides an introduction to fish ecology by discussing the interactions between fish and the watery habitats they live in. The major ecological issues of habitat utilisation, species interactions, migration, feeding, population dynamics, and reproduction in relation to the primary fish habitats are covered sequentially, chapter by chapter.