Fish are in one group or Class of animals called Bony Fishes (Osteichthyes). They have several body traits in common:
1) They are cold-blooded vertebrates (they have a backbone).
2) They breathe through gills.
3) They are covered with tough, protective scales.
4) They have pairs of fins for swimming.
5) Most are flattened from side to side.
6) They have an organ called a swim bladder that helps keep them afloat.
There are 12 groups (Orders) of Bony Fish:
• Amiiformes – Bowfin Fish
• Anguilliformes – Eels
• Batrachoidiformes – Toadfish
• Clupeiformes – Sardines and Anchovies
• Elopiformes – Tarpons and Ladyfish
• Gasterosteiformes – Seahorses and Pipefish
• Lepisosteiformes – Gar
• Lophiiformes – Anglerfish (deep ocean fish)
• Perciformes – largest order that includes most ocean fish (both dorsal and anal fins)
• Scorpaeniformes – Lionfish and Scorpionfish
• Siluriformes – Catfish and Bullheads
• Tetraodontiformes – Pufferfish and Box fish
