Dictionary of Ichthyology

Brian W. Coad and Don E. McAllister^†

Revised: 04 June 2009

C

C = 1) abbreviation for caudal fin.

C = 2) abbreviation for caudal fin rays.

C = 3) Carboniferous, a period within the Paleozoic Era ca. 365-290 million years ago.

C = 4) the Roman numeral 100.

C = 5) degrees centigrade, a measure of temperature. Note that 12°C is a temperature while 12C° is a number of degrees or a range, e.g. 20-31°C inclusive.

c. = 1) abbreviation for cum, meaning with.

c. = 2) abbreviation for circa, meaning approximately, about.

c & s = cleared and stained (a specimen with some tissues rendered transparent by various chemical treatments while others are stained to enhance their visibility. In fish osteological studies, the flesh is cleared with enzymes or potassium hydroxide and the bones stained red with alizarin red S and the cartilage blue with alcian blue).

C1 = principal caudal fin ray.

C2 = procurrent caudal fin rays.

C/E = catch per unit effort.

ca. = abbreviation for circa, meaning approximately, about.

caal = a mill-dam or weir; the outlet of water from a dam (English dialect).

caapie = cappie.

caavie = kavi (a sinker on a fishing line (Scottish dialect). Also spelled kaavie).

cabbie = a small cod caught near the shore, not big enough for salting down and selling, but of a nice size for eating fresh (Scottish dialect). Also spelled kabbi or kabby.

cabe = to steal fish from the nets or the carts which carry them to the curing cellars (Cornish dialect).

cabelew = cod or pike hung and salted for a few days but not thoroughly dried (Scottish dialect). Also spelled cabylou, kabbilow and kabbelow.

cabesta = the space between the hook and lead in a fishing line (Cornish dialect).

cable = 1) a formerly used, horizontal, nautical measurement. Traditionally 120 fathoms, 720 feet, 219.4 m or 0.1185 nautical mile. The British Navy used the cable to equal exactly 0.1 nautical mile, 608 feet or 185.3 m.

cable = 2) to entangle or twist a net (Newfoundland).

caboolen stone = a stone suspended from a rope, and kept continually plunging, in order to scare pilchards when in the net, and prevent them from escaping (Cornish dialect).

cabylou = cabelow.

cachexia = weight loss, muscle wasting, loss of appetite, and general debility, usually due to a chronic disease, or malnutrition.

cade = an older name for a cask used to pack and measure fish. A cade of herring comprised 720 fish, a cade of sprats at Aldborough was a thousand. Also spelled caid.

cader = a small wooden frame on which a fisherman keeps his line (English dialect).

cadger = an itinerant dealer in fish (English dialect).

caducous = readily shed, deciduous, e.g. scales in Clupea which are easily detached.

caeca = plural of caecum.

caecum (plural caeca) = a blindly ending sac arising from the gut or other hollow organ, e.g. pyloric caeca, q.v.

caecum cloacae = a gland of unknown function communicating with the cloaca of Dipnoi.

caenogenetic = of recent origin.

Café de Paris butter = a mixture of herbs and spices, Worcestershire sauce, and the ichthyological ingredient, anchovies, whipped into a butter. The butter is shaped into a roll and a piece is sliced off and allowed to melt on hot meat.

caff = refuse or unsaleable fish (Cornish dialect).

caffler = to deal in caff or unsaleable fish (Cornish dialect).

cage = a box-shaped enclosure of wire or netting used for controlled aquaculture in open water.

cage culture = rearing of fish in cages, on the bottom or floating. Cages may be made of wire or netting.

cage reel = 1) a fishing reel that is light, made of wire and has donut-shaped spool.

cage-reel = 2) a fishing reel with spools (called skeleton spools) and side plates with pieces cut out to ventilate the line.

cage swimfeeder = in angling, an open-ended plastic or metal mesh container filled with bait. Its structure allows more rapid release of bait through the mesh and it offers less resistance to water currents so that less weights are needed to hold it on the bottom.

CAGEAN = catch-at-age-analysis; the estimated number of fish caught, tabulated by fish age and year of capture, and by other factors such as gear or nation. Catch-at-age may be estimated on the basis of catch-at-size, using age-length keys or cohort slicing.

cahill = coghel.

cain fish = cane fish.

caid = cade.

caisie = cassie.

caiss = cassie.

caisy = cassie.

Caisson's disease = gas bubble disease. Supersaturated gases (>125%) in water entering the the body fluids of fish causing bubbles, an embolism. Also called bends or decompression sickness.

caivel = dividing fish from a actch by lots (British dialect).

cake = fish cake (1) fish flesh mixed with potatoes, seasoning and sometimes eggs, butter and onions and formed into cakes or patties and fried in fat).

cake = fish cake (2) fish before drying in the manufacturing process for fish meal).

calcareous spherule = otoconium (ear dust; a minute transparent calcite crystal with well developed faces secreted within the labyrinth and mixed with mineral particles or otarenae).

calcified cartilage = cartilage containing calcium salts and thus strengthened and hardened. Found in vertebrae and teeth.

calcitran = a substance produced by the ultimobranchial gland (q.v.) which helps regulate the calcium level.

calcium cyanamide = CaCN₃, used in aquaculture as a pond disinfectant, especially for Myxosoma cerebralis, the cause of whirling disease. Also called lime nitrogen.

calcium generator = a device maintaining the calcium level in an aquarium having corals. Carbon dioxide and a calcium-rich medium are injected into the aquarium, the carbon dioxide reducing the pH and dissolving the calcium medium for uptake by the corals. Calcium level is about 420 p.p.m.

calcium reactor = calcium generator.

calf = a large piece broken off an iceberg, glacier or floe. See calve.

caliculate = cup-shaped.

calculi = plural of calculus.

calculus = a solid concretion made up of minerals and salts; found in ducts, cysts, hollow organs, etc in fishes, notably urinary ducts.

Californian incubator = a horizontal tray for hatching eggs, especially salmonids.

Californian tray = Californian incubator.

caliology = the study of nests, burrows, tubes, etc. constructed by animals.

calipers = an instrument used to measure thickness or length of an object, such as structures on a fish, comprising a sliding, graduated scale (vernier) and points or jaws. May record distance or width by means of a vernier, a dial or electronically.

call-back = the weir or dam put across a river or stream to turn water to the mill (English dialect).

call-head = the top of a weir or dam crossing a stream (English dialect).

callar = caller.

caller = fresh, in proper season, newly caught or gathered, not flabby or stale, said of fish and vegetables (English dialect). Also spelled callour, callar, calour, caloure, calloure, callowr, and callor.

callicarpone = a plant piscicide from leaves of Callicarpa candicans (Verbenaceae), used in the Caroline and Philippine islands. Other piscicidal plant chemicals include huratoxin, ichthyothereol, inophyllolide, juglone, justicidin, maingayic acid, rotenone, and vibsanine, all q.v.

callor = caller.

callour = caller.

calloure = caller.

callous pad = pharyngeal pad (the covering of the pharyngeal process against which the pharyngeal teeth grind food).

callowr = caller.

callus = any, hard thickened epidermal area, usually the result of irritation or friction.

calour = caller.

caloure = caller.

calve = to break off a portion or calf, as of an iceberg, glacier or floe.

calver salmon = a fish dressed as soon as it is caught (Lancashire dialect).

calvert salmon = a salmon recently caught and still warm (English dialect). Also spelled colvert salmon.

calyculate = covered by cup-shaped structures.

cambered otter board = an otter board, q.v., of trawl curved in fore and aft directions.

Cambrian = the earliest period of the Palaeozoic Era, ca. 570-504 million years ago. Abbreviated as Є.

camera = a chamber or cavity, e.g. those containing the otoliths in the ear.

camera aerea Weberiana = a cranial diverticulum of the gas ladder which separates from the main portion. It can disappear or remain small.

cameral = a spawned haddock (Scottish dialect). Also spelled camerel, cawmril, kameril and kemerel.

camerel = cameral.

cammo lead = a camouflaged lead weight used by anglers and meant to disguise its presence from fish

camp = fish camp (a camp used as a base for angling by a group of people; may be very simple or have accommodation and other facilities).

camptotrich = camptotrichium.

camptotrichia = plural of camptotrichium.

camptotrichium (plural camptotrichia) = rays which support the fin membranes in Dipnoi and Crossopterygii. Actinotrichia are not found distal to the camptotrichia in the fin membrane. This suggests that they are homologous to the ceratotrichia of Elasmobranchii but for the fact that they are segmented, branched and more or less ossified like lepidotrichia. They are covered with scales. It is not clear whether they are segmented and branched actinotrichia or lepidotrichia which have lost their terminal actinotrichia.

canal = 1) an artificial watercourse, usually with clearly defined banks and depths, controlled water levels, and often locks to allow movement of vessels between different levels. Canals may allow movements of fishes between previously unconnected drainages.

canal = 2) in anatomy, an open or closed channel; a tube or tubule.

canal bone = one of series of bones of dermal origin that enclose the neuromasts and seismosensory canals. May be formed from one or more ossification centres. Also called sensory canal bone or sense organ bone.

canal catapult = in European angling, a small catapult used in restricted areas like canals to deliver ground bait to an area as an attractant to fish.

canal neuromast = sense organs found in lateral line canals in the dermis. See also superficial or free neuromasts, large pit organs and small pit organs.

canal stand = in European angling, a small metal platform for bait and gear that stands by itself on the hard canal banks.

caniculate = with grooves or channels.

canaliculi = plural of canaliculus.

canaliculus (plural canaliculi) = 1) a small branch of a canal or duct; a groove or tubular channel.

canaliculus (plural canaliculi) = 2) a small tubule interconnecting lacunae to neighbouring capillaries.

canalis hæmalis (plural canales hæmales) = haemal canal (the tube formed by all the haemal arches, through which run the caudal vein and dorsal aorta).

canales hæmales = plural of canalis hæmalis.

canalis neuralis (canales neurales) = neural canal (the spinal cord canal through the neural arches).

canales neurales = plural of canalis neuralis.

canalis Sclemmii = a circular vessel located in the angle between the annular ligament (which binds the iris and cornea) and the cornea.

canales semicirculares = plural of canalis semicircularis.

canalis semicircularis (plural canales semicirculares) = semicircular ear canal (fluid-filled canals embedded in the cranium and concerned with balance and hearing. Gnathostomata have 3 canals, lampreys have 2 (lacking a horizontal canal), and hagfishes have only one canal, perhaps appearing secondarily by the joining of two canals). Fossil Cyclostomata my have had 7 or more semicircular canals.

cancellous = having cavities, spongy, porous, or reticulate, usually of bone.

candidate species = a fish species being considered for protection, e.g. under the Endangered Species Act in the U.S.A.

candle = the rubbery sheath enclosing the fertilised eggs of Squalus acanthias. It dissolves after several months and the pups are free to develop in the uterus.

candling = placing fish or fish fillets on a transparent table illuminated from below so that parasites and defects can be detected by the light shining through the flesh.

candy bait = in angling, slang for squid used as bait.

cane fish = rent for fishing, paid in kind (Northumberland dialect). Also spelled cain, kain and kane fish.

cane pole = a long bamboo pole used in stillwater fishing, with the line attached to the tip but without a reel or line guides.

Canestrini's organ = a bony process or plate at the base of the first (unbranched) and second (first branched) ray of the pectoral fin of male Cobitis.

Canestrini's scale = Canestrini's organ.

canine = a large, pointed, conical or blade-like tooth. Usually distinctly larger than surrounding teeth and few in number. Some are hinged to permit entry but hinder escape of prey. Often found in carnivores, e.g. in some Blenniidae, Serranidae, Labridae.

caniniform = shaped like canine teeth. Caniniform teeth are used to grasp, pierce and restrain prey and may be hinged and depressible to allow prey to be swallowed, locked erect to capture prey.

canister filter = an efficient form of aquarium filter comprising a canister internal or external to the aquarium. A pump forces water through the canister with its contained biological (bio-substrate), chemical (carbon) and physical (floss) filters. Canisters need to be cleaned regularly. External canisters are not normally used for small aquaria.

canned fish = fish packed in metal containers with hermetic sealing and heating to destroy bacteria. Pickled fish with a pH below 4.5 require less heat than fish products with a higher pH. Some fish types do not can well, e.g. those with white flesh, as major changes in colour, texture and flavour occur in processing. Fatty fish species such as herring, mackerel, salmon and tuna make good canned products.

canned fish ball = haddock or a related type of fish flesh made into balls with potato-flour and cereals, and put in a fish bouillon. Often stored in a one-pound can where they may be heated before serving, or removed and fried or baked. Found in Scandinavia.

Cannery Row = where sardines were canned in Monterey, California and the title of a 1945 book by John Steinbeck.

cannibal viviparity = uterine cannibalism (the condition in some sharks where the embryos feed on eggs and smaller siblings inside the mother).

cannibalism = eating members of one's own species, common in fishes.

cannonball = a very heavy, round weight (up to 12 lbs or 5.5 kg) used in deepwater fishing with downriggers.

canoe = a light, long and narrow boat with pointed ends, curved sides and paddles for propulsion. Often light enough to be carried around obstructions by one person.

canopy = overhanging vegetation, branches and leaves, providing shade and cover for fishes. Crown cover is greater than 1 metre above the water surface while overhanging cover is less than this (or less than 0.3 m). The latter in particular provides protection for fish from insolation and aerial predators.

cantal = quintal (q.v.).

canthaxanthin = an orange-red carotenoid pigment found particularly in salmonid flesh derived from the diet and sometimes added to the diet of cultured fish. It is not a permitted food additive in some countries. See also astaxanthin.

cantor = a small frame of wood on which a fisherman keeps his line (Cornish dialect).

canyon = 1) a deep gorge with steep sides and often a stream, characteristic of arid and semi-arid regions.

canyon = 2) a relatively narrow, deep depression with steep sides, the bottom of which generally has a continuous slope, developed characteristically on some continental slopes in the ocean.

cap = a cover over a container extending down on all sides, a jar lid. For liquid-preserved specimens like fish polypropylene caps are preferred as metal lids eventually rust and harder plastic lids crack.

cap liner = a flat disc fitting inside a cap ensuring a tighter seal. Cardboard liners usually shrink away from the lid when used with liquid-preserved specimens like fish and foam polyethylene liners are preferred.

cap net = any net used to retain or hold fish, even on a commercial scale (Newfoundland). See also keepnet net, kelp net or kipp net.

capacity = fishing capacity is the quantity of fish that can be taken over a period of time (year, season) by a fishing unit, e.g. an individual, community, vessel or fleet, assuming that there is no limitation on the yield from the stock usually expressed as gross tonnage, hold capacity, or horsepower. Reflects potential rather than nominal fishing effort. It may be the maximum amount of fish that can be produced by a fishing fleet if fully utilized, given the biomass and age structure of the fish stock and the present state of the technology.

cape = a prominent land mass jutting out into the sea.

cape boat = a large fishing boat, rigged fore and aft, used to fish the inshore banks of Newfoundland, particularly Cape St. Mary's grounds, on the south coast.

Cape Cod = a Massachusetts cape named in 1602 by Bartholomew Gosnold for the multitudes of fish which vexed his ship.

Cape Cod turkey = a salted cod in Massachusetts.

Cape Island vessel = a speedy fishing vessel, 32-45 feet long (and up to 57 feet), carrying a crew of two, of carvel construction with an inboard engine amidships and a shelter forward. Used for herring and groundfish gillnetting, inshore longlining, shallow water stern trawling, herring pumping and trolling. Also called snapper and Cape Islander.

Cape Islander = Cape Island vessel.

capelin = caplin.

capelin school = capelin scull.

capelin scull = the annual migration of Mallotus villosus to spawn on beaches in June and July. The commercially important offshore cod, Gadus morhua, followed the scull and indicated the start of the inshore fishery in eastern Canada.

capillary bed = the network of capillaries in a particular area or organ of the body.

capita = plural of caput.

capital stuffing = investment of more money by commercial fishermen in fishing capacity to offset regulations that make fishing effort less effective. Usually involves technical gear such as deck handling machinery, multiple echo-sounders, sonar, etc.

caplin = capelin, Mallotus villosus (Osmeridae) (Newfoundland). This fish appears on beaches to spawn in June and July, followed by the commercially important cod (Gadus morhua) which feeds on them. Capelin are netted for bait, for manuring fields, or dried, salted, smoked or frozen for eating.

caplin bait = capelin netted for use as bait, especially in trawl-fishing for cod in Newfoundland.

caplin baiting = 1) a quantity of capelin taken aboard a vessel in port at one time for use in in the Newfoundland Bank fishery for cod.

caplin baiting = 2) a fishing voyage to the Newfoundland Banks, the length being fixed by the supply of capelin bait aboard ship.

caplin bunting = a grade of net, with very fine mesh, for catching capelin (Newfoundland).

caplin cart = a two-wheeled, horse-drawn cart formerly used to carry capelin from the shore to the fields for fertiliser in Newfoundland.

caplin fishery = the organised fishery for this species on a large scale for processing (Newfoundland).

caplin glut = an abundance of capelin.

caplin mesh = the small mesh of cast-nets used to catch capelin (Newfoundland).

caplin pit = a hole in the ground into which capelin are thrown to be used as fertilizer (Newfoundland).

caplin run = capelin scull.

caplin schule = capelin scull.

caplin scull = capelin scull.

caplin scull fishery = the cod fishery during and after the spawning season of the capelin (Newfoundland).

caplin scull salmon = smaller salmon migrating to fresh water during June and July (Newfoundland).

caplin scull weather = wet, foggy weather which often coincides with the spawning season of capelin in June and July (Newfoundland).

caplin season = the months June and July, when capelin appear inshore in Newfoundland.

caplin seine = a seine with small meshes used to catch capelin (Newfoundland).

caplin sick = cod glutted with capelin.

caplin skiff = a large undecked boat employed to catch caplin (Newfoundland).

caplin spawn = the eggs of capelin on rocks or seaweed.

caplin time = caplin season.

caplin trap = type of fixed fishing-gear used in inshore waters to take capelin.

caplin trip = a voyage using capelin as bait in the Bank fishery of Newfoundland.

caplin voyage = the taking of cod in traps during the period June to July when the fish follow capelin inshore in Newfoundland.

caplin weather = foggy, wet, and sometimes cold weather which usually coincides with the appearance inshore of capelin to spawn in early summer in Newfoundland.

capline = caplin.

capling = caplin.

capon = 1) a castrated cock, fattened for the table.

capon = 2) a red herring or other kinds of fish (slang). See Crail's capon, Glasgow capon, Severn capon, and Yarmouth capon.

capon = 3) called "a fish out of the coop" by monks who wished to evade the Friday fast by eating chickens instead of fish.

cappie = a heavy stone used as a sinker to a fishing line (Shetland Isles dialect). See also caapie, cappie-stone and bolta stone.

cappie-stone = cappie.

capsula auditiva (plural capsulæ auditivæ) = auditory capsule (cartilaginous skeleton about the inner ear in Elasmobranchii, a chondral skeleton in bony fishes comprised of the prootic, opisthotic (or its replacement), intercalar, epiotic (or exoccipital), sphenotic, pterosphenoid and basipshenoid as walls and floor with the parietals and frontals as the roof).

capsulæ auditivæ = plural of capsula auditiva.

capsular ethmoid = a paired perichondral bone on the inner concave walls of the nasal capsule.

captive brood stock = fish raised and spawned in captivity.

captive broodstock program = collection of individuals (or gametes) from a natural population and the rearing of these individuals to maturity in captivity.

captive propagation = reproduction of fish in a laboratory or hatchery for commercial or conservation reasons.

capturability = the ease or difficulty of catching a given species or stock under defined conditions. Also called catchability.

capture = diversion of water flow in the upper reaches of a stream by the headward growth of another stream.

capture fishery = the sum or range of all activities to harvest a given fish resource. It may refer to the location, the fish species sought, the gear used, the social characteristics, e.g. artisanal, industrial, the purpose, e.g. commercial, subsistence, or recreational, as well as the season.

caput (plural capita) = head (everything on a fish anterior to the posterior border of the opercular bone and/or its membrane; behind this is the trunk as there is no neck in fish).

caput manubrii = head of the manubrium or cranially-directed arm of the incus, the third Weberian ossicle.

caquès = herring usually stacked in barrels with salt, after removal of viscera by means of a cut below the gills (France).

car = carr.

car pot = car trap.

car trap = a wooden box or other container to hold live fish (Newfoundland). See also live box.

carangiform = type of undulatory locomotion in which the body inscribes less than half a wavelength at any one time. See also anguilliform, labriform, ostraciform, thunniform.

carapace = a bony shield covering the back generally, but also used for the plates encasing the whole body in boxfishes (Ostraciidae).

carbon fibre = a strong and rigid fibre used in manufacturing fishing rods.

Carboniferous = a period within the Paleozoic Era ca. 365-290 million years ago. Abbreviated as C.

carcass = a fish dressed (prepared) as food.

carcass survey = a method used to estimate numbers of spawning salmon from the carcasses of recently-spawned fish. A representative number of carcasses are tagged, returned to the river, and the number of tagged and untagged carcasses observed during subsequent surveys.

card = a flat piece of wood, thin and oblong, about four or more inches long and of varying width, used as a guide to the size of mesh required when making a net (Newfoundland).

card shark = cardshark.

cardiac = referring to the heart. In the stomach, that portion or region next to the oesophagus (as opposed to the pyloric region). A better term would be corpus or body.

cardiform teeth = short, fine to coarse and numerous pointed teeth arranged in distinct rows, like the wire bristles on wool cards, e.g. in Ictaluridae, Percidae and Serranidae.

cardinal vein = a bilaterally paired longitudinal vein. The anterior cardinal vein returns blood from the head and the posterior cardinal vein from the trunk, joining together as the common cardinal vein (which is also called the duct of Cuvier or incorrectly the vitelline vein). The common cardinal vein leads across the yolk cell to the heart's sinus venosus.

cardioid = heart-shaped.

cardioid scale = a scale with a notch on the posterior edge, e.g. scales between the ventral fins of Esox.

cardshark = an expert card player, usually a professional gambler, and often used for a cheater. Based on the predatory reputation of the shark. Modified from cardsharp. See also loan shark and poolshark.

carina = keel.

carinate = with keel or ridge along the mid-line.

carlin book = karlen book (the book in which a fish catch was registered (Scottish dialect)).

Carlisle hook = a hook shape characterised by a long shank, a round bend and a straight, offset point.

carne carne = carne à carne, a preparation of salted anchovies from which the excess surface salt in the first preparation has been removed. The anchovies are laid out flat in regular layers, sprinkled with salt and then pressed (France).

carnivore = animal or flesh-eater.

carnivorous = animal or flesh eating; zoophagous.

carofur = nifurprazine (a chemical (1-(5-Nitro-2-Furyl)-2-(6-Amino-3-pyridazl) ethylene hydrochloride) used to combat bacterial infections in fishes, particularly with Aeromonas salmonicida).

Carolina rig = a deepwater, weed avoiding angling rig usually comprising an soft plastic worm or crayfish, an18-30 inch leader, a barrel swivel and a hook embedded in the bait. Usually fished just off the bottom.

carotenoid = a carbon compound found in the eggs, gonads, liver, flesh and chromatophores of fishes, to which it imparts yellow, orange and red colours. Taraxanthin, canthaxantin, lutein, zeaxanthin, astaxanthin and carotene carotenoids are found in fishes, although their origin is in the diet as the fish do not produce them.

carotid artery = an artery originating at the junction of the first two aortic arches and supplying the anterior brain.

carouselling = two fish circling one another rapidly, head to tail.

carp = 1) the Carp Family (Cyprinidae), the most speciose freshwater fish family with over 2420 species.

carp = 2) Cyprinus carpio, the common carp, widely used in aquaculture and the eponymous member of the Carp Family, Cyprinidae.

carp = 3) to find fault, complain unreasonably. See also carping.

carp = 4) the shape of the city of Tsuenchen-fu, China, built to resemble this fish when viewed from the air. Ancient Chinese cities were often built in this fashion, to resemble mythological creatures, animals and symbolic designs. See also fish net.

CARP = 5) acronym for Copyright Arbitration Royalty Panel, Washington, D.C., which seems fairly self-explanatory and unfishy. Various other unfishy acronyms turn out as carp, have carp, the fish, as an icon or symbol, and are not listed here; includes computer programmes, medical associations, cardiac acronyms, phenomenonology, email service, travel agencies, etc.

carp = 6) term used for the anchovies found on pizzas. See also guppies.

Carp = 7) a town near Ottawa, Ontario where common carp are not native; probably based on members of the family Catostomidae, some of which were called "carpe" in French. Could be carpe à cochon, now meunier noir or white sucker, Catostomus commersonii.

carp = 8) talk, speak, prattle; not necessarily about fish.

carp = 9) a heraldic device, e.g. of Verzej, Slovenia.

CARP = 10) Canadian Association of Retired Persons.

carp mumblings = small depressions left by the feeding action of carp, about 0.5-0.7 cm across.

carp papillomatosis = carp pox.

carp pole = a long and strong fishing rod with put-in joints and elastics, q.v., used for carp (Cyprinus carpio) fishing in Europe.

carp pox = one of the oldest known fish diseases found in cultured carp, other cyprinids, pike-perch and aquarium fishes. It is caused by Herpesvirus cyprini. Also known as carp papillomatosis, epithelioma papulosum, fish pox, cyprinid herpesvirus I (CHV). Skin lesions appear as the water temperature drops in winter as small milky-white spots that merge and cover large skin areas.

carp rod = specialised rods used in fishing for Cyprinus carpio in Europe. Usually about 11-12 feet (3.4-3.7 m) long with test curves of 1.5-3.5 lb (0.68-1.59 kg) and stronger than most rods used in fresh waters in Europe (where most fish are smaller than carp).

carp sack = a specialised, dark, padded sack used under water for holding carp caught by angling. The sack covers the head and eyes and keeps the fish calm so it is not injured.

carp sling = a specialised sling used for weighing trophy carp and designed not to injure the fish or remove its protective mucus.

carp-like = having a body shape similar to that of the carp, Cyprinus carpio, i.e. deep-bodied and rounded.

carpaholic = an addict of carp (Cyprinus carpio) fishing.

carper = people ready to catch herrings that break from the net on its rawing on shore (Irish dialect).

carping = 1) nagging or complaining, petty or unjustified criticism, quibbling over insignificant details; nothing to do with carp (Cyprinus carpio).

carping = 2) adjective used by anglers in reference to anything to do with fishing for carp (Cyprinus carpio).

carps = plural of carp in its various meanings above.

carr = a pool, fen or bog. Also spelled car.

carrion = animals used by fish as food when dead and often partially decomposed.

carrying capacity = 1) the biomass of a population or the number and type of species that a given environment can sustain over the long term. May refer to level of use, at a given level of management, which a natural or man-made resource can sustain itself over long period of time.

carrying capacity = 2) the sustainable recreational use of a water body.

carrying capacity = 3) virgin biomass, q.v.

carrying capacity = 4) the holding capacity of a fishing vessel.

cartail bully = cartel bully.

carteel bully = cartel bully.

cartel bully = a large boat or barge used as an extra vessel in carrying fish (Newfoundland). Also spelled cartail and carteel bully.

cartesian well = artesian well (a deep-drilled well where the water is forced to the surface by hydrostatic pressure. Some fishes have been found in such wells).

cartilagines coracoideæ = plural of cartilago coracoidea.

cartilago coracoidea (plural cartilagines coracoideæ) = coracoid cartilage.

cartilage = the flexible, semi-rigid connective tissue consisting of rounded cells (chondrocytes) in a matrix with collagen fibres and low in calcium and phosphate salts. Serves to support the body. It is not as strong as bone but is lighter and more flexible. It is incompressible and returns to its original form. Cyclostomata and Chondrichthyes have an entirely cartilaginous skeleton while other fishes have both cartilaginous and bony elements in the skeleton. Forms include hyaline, elastic, fibrocartilage and calcified cartilage, all q.v., cited here in order from least to most dense. Also called gristle, especially when ingested by humans.

cartilage bone = bone formed by the ossification (osteogenesis) of a cartilaginous precursor. Cartilage bones can be classed as parachondral, epichondral or endochondral depending on whether ossification starts in connective tissue surrounding the cartilage, in the perichondrium or inside the cartilage respectively. Ossification may follow two of these paths but the end results cannot be distinguished whichever route(s) are used. Perichondral and parachondral cartilage bones go through two stages, metaplasia where connective tissue becomes cartilage and neoplasia where cartilage becomes bone. Chondrolysis or destruction of cartilage precedes neoplasia. Endochondral bones are formed by this process exclusively.

cartilagines hypobranchiales = plural of cartilago hypobranchialis.

cartilagines meckeli = plural of cartilago meckeli.

cartilagines pharyngobranchiales = plural of cartilago pharyngobranchialis.

cartilagines scapulares = plural of cartilago scapularis.

cartilago hypobranchialis (plural cartilagines hypobranchiales) = hypobranchial (one of a series of deep, paired ventral cartilages on the lower part of the gill arch. The os hypobranchiale in bony fishes, q.v.

cartilago meckeli (plural cartilagines meckeli) = Meckel's cartilage (the functional lower jaw of Elasmobranchii and Holocephali, the embryonic lower jaw of other gnathostomous vertebrates which ossifies at least in part as the mentomeckelian, mediomeckelian, coronomeckelian, articular and retroarticular. It remains in some adult fishes as a pointed rod embedded in the dentary and angular. Also called mandibular cartilage, ceratomandibular cartilage or primary mandible. See also Bridge's ossicles).

cartilago pharyngobranchialis (plural cartilagines pharyngobranchiales) = pharyngobranchial (the deep, endochondral bone at the top of the gill arch. May bear the upper pharyngeal and a dentigerous plate. May occur on arches 1, 2, 3, 4. Also called super-pharyngeals or superior pharyngeals. Suprapharyngobranchials are never associated with teeth while infrapharyngobranchials may be associated with dermal plates bearing teeth).

cartilago scapularis (plural cartilagines scapulares) = scapular cartilage (a rod-shaped cartilage forming the lateral part of the coracoscapular bar in Elasmobranchii, articulating ventrally with the coracoid cartilage and dorsally with the suprascapular. The pectoral fin attaches laterally to its glenoid cavity).

caruncle = a fleshy superficial outgrowth or knob. The modified dorsal fin rays in Ceratiidae are called caruncles.

carver = a person who slices open the belly of a cod before passing it to the splitter (q.v.) (Newfoundland).

cascade = 1) a short, steep drop in a stream bed often marked by boulders and white water; a small waterfall or one section of a broken waterfall. Usually less than a metre high.

cascade = 2) a tiered structure used in aerating and degassing water for aquaculture.

case = a problem in zoological nomenclature referred to the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature for a decision. The problem is published in the Bulletin of Zoological Nomenclature as are comments by others, and is voted on by members of the Commission and their decision is published as an Opinion.

case fatality rate = the number of deaths from a disease in every hundred cases. See also mortality rate.

case hardening = leather-like hardening of fish skin when fish are dried too quickly, rendering the fish unsuitable for sale.

casey = cassie.

cashmarie = a person who carried and sold fish, usually at inland markets (Scottish dialect, from the French chassemarée).

casie = cassie.

cask = a wooden, cylindrical vessel used for shipping fish such as dried and salted cod from Newfoundland. Such a cask contained 4 cwt (hundredweight, 1 cwt being 50.802 kg (long), 45.359 kg (short)).

cask fish = the fish shipped in a cask, e.g. cod from Newfoundland.

casque-like = shaped like a helmet.

cassen = of meat or fish, spoilt or worthless.

cassie = a straw or rush woven basket for carrying fish. Also casey, casie, caisy, caisie, caysie, cazzie, caiss, kazie, kazzie, kazy, kaisie, keizie and keize.

cast = 1) the result of casting.

cast = 2) the terminal strand of a handline to which hooks are attached by short droppers.

cast = 3) a collective noun (a noun that denotes a collection of persons or things regarded as a unit) for fishes.

cast = 4) to throw a net, e.g. a castnet.

cast = 5) a handful of herrings, usually three fish, used in counting the catch.

cast = 6) of fish, to spawn.

cast = 7) to discharge a catch or a season's catch at a fishing station.

cast-net = castnet.

caster = 1) the chrysalis or pupa form of the maggot used as bait in angling in Europe.

caster = 2) one who practices casting.

casting = 1) the act of delivering a lure or bait into the water using a fishing rod and line.

casting = 2) to throw a sounding lead or other object into the water.

casting arc = the path that a fly rod follows when in use; usually related to a clock face to indicate the position.

casting net = castnet.

casting sinker = bell sinker (a weight or sinker shaped like a bell).

casting the mell = allotting poke net (q.v.) fishing rights near the town of Annan on the Solway shore, Scotland. Local fishermen piled up sand heaps on the shore, and then turned away while a neutral observer kicked over one of the piles. The builder of this pile had the first choice of a fishing section. After him, alternate pile builders had a choice of remaining sections. Formerly, the neutral observer through a heavy hammer (or mell) into the circle of sand piles with the pile nearest where the hammer landed getting the first choice.

casting weight = the optimum weight that a fishing rod casts, determined by trying various lead weights until the rod feels sluggish. Usually marked above the butt in ounces or grams.

castnet = a method of catching fish in shallow waters by throwing a circular net over them; the net opens in the air to a diameter of about 2 metres and sinks rapidly because of weights attached to its margin. The rim of the net has a draw rope that enables it to be closed. A Newfoundland fisherman could catch 100 lbs (45.5 kg) of capelin in one throw. Also called throw net or trow net.

castnet ball = a lead sinker around the margin of the net.

castnet mould = a hollow form in which lead balls are cast for use as weights in the net (Newfoundland).

cat's paw = a knot used in angling to attach a swivel. A loop is passed through the eye of the swivel and the swivel rotated vertically through the loop three times. Various websites have animated steps showing how to tie this knot.

cata- (prefix) = down, against.

catadromous = running down; those fishes which spend most of their lives in freshwater and which migrate to the sea to reproduce, e.g. Anguilla (Myers, 1949; McDowall, 1968).

catalog = see catalogue.

catalogue = 1) a list of materials in a collection in the form of a book or electronic, detailing fish species, collection locality, number of specimens, date of collection, identifier, etc.

catalogue = 2) the process of making a catalogue.

catalogue = 3) a compilation of taxonomic literature within a list of species.

catalogue number = usually all specimens caught at one place and one time are given the same catalogue number. Some museum catalogue numbers use the same number as the accession number. The numbers take various forms, e.g. a series of numbers or a year followed by a number, and each number is preceded by the acronym of the museum in systematic papers.

catapult = used by European anglers to project ground bait or loose feed into the water with accuracy in order to attract fish to an area where the baited hook is fished.

cataract = waterfall, a very steep fall in a watercourse.

catastrophic drift = the massive displacement of organism caused by flooding or pollution.

catazygalia = zygalia (four small cranial bones in Osteolepiformes, perhaps formed from elements of the second to the fourth vertebra, a segment of the primordial cranium. The anazygalia are located dorsal to the chorda dorsalis, the catazygalia ventral to the chorda dorsalis).

catch = 1) the act of landing a fish dead or alive or of bringing fish on board a vessel. Live catches may be released or retained.

catch = 2) the number or weight of fish caught by a fishery, by fishing gear or by angling. May be the total amount caught, only the amount landed, or not kept but released. Usually expressed in terms of wet weight.

catch = 3) a collective noun (a noun that denotes a collection of persons or things regarded as a unit) for fishes.

catch = 4) ketch (a boat used for fishing and coast work).

catch ceiling = a specific limit placed on the harvest of any given fish species or stock; a quota.

catch composition = the fish species, age, size, numbers, etc. in a catch.

catch control = a measures applied to catches used by managers to regulate fishing.

catch curve = plot of the natural logarithms of the number of fish in various age groups (Nt) against their corresponding age (t). Often used to estimate total mortality from the descending limb of the curve; shows the decrease in numbers of fish caught as the fish become older and less numerous or available.

catch limit = the number of fish allowed to be caught and kept in one day by an angler, cf. possession limit.

catch out = to deplete the stock of fish in a body of water or in a population. See also fish out.

catch per unit effort = an older term for the catch in numbers or weight taken for a given amount of fishing effort over time using specific gear, expressed as a ratio. Often considered an index of fish biomass or abundance - a decline in CPUE usually indicates a decline in the stock. May be used as a measure of economic efficiency of fishing. Also called fishing success, availability, catch per effort. Abbreviated as C/E, CPUE. The more recent form is catch/effort (C/f or Y/f) where C is catch in numbers, Y is catch in weight, taken by a defined unit of fishing effort, f.

catch, photograph, release = a management tool for preserving angling stocks. Abbreviated as CPR.

catch quota = the maximum catch permitted for a group of fishers, vessel, a fleet or a country from a stock. The quota is set to manage the fishery.

catch rate = the time spent to catch fish expressed as catch in numbers or kilogrammes per unit of effort. Also called harvest rate.

catch share = individual transferable quota (a fixed share of the catch assigned to each fisherman or vessel owner as a tradable right, one that can be sold or leased to others. This may make an operation more efficient as some fishers buy the quotas of others and fleets can be reduced or rationalised with less government interference. As above, results are mixed as wealthier fishers benefit and the owner-operator system is disadvantaged. Abbreviated as ITQ).

catch stream = the catch statistics for a kind or stock of fish over a period of time.

catch-all = anything which contains unmatched or unrelated items; used for a genus with species thought to be unrelated but whose relationships remain to be determined.

catch-and-release = angling where the fish are released to preserve stocks. Also called non-retention, closed to retention and daily limit zero.

catch-at-age = the estimated number of fish caught, tabulated by fish age and year of capture, and by other factors such as gear or nation. Catch-at-age may be estimated on the basis of catch-at-size, using age-length keys or cohort slicing.

catch-at-length = catch-at-size.

catch-at-size = the estimated number of fish caught, tabulated by size class and by other factors such as gear or nation. For any given species, catch-at-size should include all fish killed by the act of fishing, not just those fish that are landed.

catch-at-weight = the estimated weight of fish caught, tabulated by weight class and by other factors such as gear or nation. For any given species, catch-at-weight should include all fish killed by the act of fishing, not just those fish that are landed.

catch-up growth = a form of compensatory growth where underfed or malnourished fish are returned to adequate feeding conditions.

catchability = the extent to which a stock is susceptible to fishing, the part of a stock that is caught over a defined unit of time or fishing effort; quantitatively, the proportion of the stock removed by a defined unit of fishing effort. In pelagic fishes, an inverse function of stock biomass. When it is 0.01 or less it can be used as an instantaneous rate in measuring population change (Ricker, 1975). In fisheries models, the factor (q) relating abundance to stock size (x = q.N) and fishing mortality to fishing effort (F = qf.). Also called catchability coefficient, force of fishing mortality. Abbreviated as q or q.

catchability coefficient = force of fishing mortality (the extent to which a stock is susceptible to fishing; quantitatively, the proportion of the stock removed by a defined unit of fishing effort. In pelagic fishes, an inverse function of stock biomass. When it is 0.01 or less it can be used as an instantaneous rate in measuring population change. Also called catchability).

catchability-led stock collapse = the tendency for small schools of fish to aggregate into larger schools, resulting in a continued high fishing pressure although the total stock has declined. Also called hyperaggregation.

catcher vessel = a fishing vessel that delivers its catch to a mother ship, to shore plants or to catcher-processors.

catch-out pond = a pond stocked with fish for fee-paying anglers to catch.

catch-the-salmon = a game in which two boys take the ends of a piece of rope and chase a third boy until they wrap the rope around him, then pulling him to and fro (British dialect).

catcher-processor = a fishing vessel that both catches fish and processes them, enabling a higher grade of product to be produced at on shore facilities, e.g. a trawler, 100-375 feet long.

catching efficiency = a measure used to compare the catching ability of fishing gear.

catchment = 1) the collecting of water, especially rainfall.

catchment = 2) a reservoir or other basin for catching water.

catchment = 3) the water caught in a reservoir or basin.

catchment = 4) watershed (strictly an elevated boundary area separating tributaries draining to different river systems; often used in American usage to mean a drainage basin, i.e. the area which supplies water by surface and subsurface flow from precipitation to a given exit point. Catchment area is more exact).

catchment area = the area drained by a river or body of water or the area draining into a body of water.

catchment basin = the entire area from which drainage is received by a river or a lake; most generally used in reference to surface runoff.

category = a group or level within a hierarchical classification, e.g. family, species.

catfish = a member of the Order Siluriformes with over 2870 species worldwide in fresh waters with some families primarily marine. Named for their barbels or "whiskers" likened to those of cats.

catfish ball = a mass of juvenile catfish, such as Ameiurus nebulosus, that schools, presumably as protection from predators.

catfish death = suicide by drowning (slang).

catfish virus disease = channel catfish disease.

caudad = towards the tail, posteriorly, caudally.

caudal = 1) referring to or concerning the tail.

caudal = 2) towards the tail, although caudad is preferred.

caudal artery = the extension of the dorsal aorta in the tail.

caudal bony plate = any ossified plate helping to support the tail fin. A name given to the first larger pair of uroneurals, situated on the curve of the upturned posterior end of the vertebral column. Preferably called first uroneural.

caudal filament = a thin, flexible, filamentous extension of the caudal fin tip of Chimaeridae.

caudal fin = the tail fin, aiding movement. Also called the uropterygium. The fin at the posterior end of the vertebral column (but in Centriscidae the hind end of the body rotates so that the caudal fin is ventral, and in some Trachipteridae the upper lobe of the caudal may be dorsal (the separate lower lobe may disappear). In other families, such as the Zoarcidae and Anguillidae, dorsal, caudal and anal fins are united and are externally indistinguishable. Abbreviated as C.

caudal fin ray count = usually only the principal or main rays are counted, the tiny rudimentary, often procurrent rays are not included. In fishes with branched rays, the principal count is the number of branched rays plus two. These rays are usually markedly larger than the neighbouring ones and originate from the hypural plate. In some fishes there is a gradation in size and all rays are counted (e.g. in Ictaluridae). The count may be expressed in a formula such as iiiI7-8Iiii. The small Roman numerals here represent rudimentary rays, large Roman numerals the unbranched principal rays, and the Arabic numerals the branched principal rays.

caudal flexure = the fold formed at the end of the caudal peduncle when the caudal fin is flexed to determine the position of the posterior edge of the hypural plates. This posterior edge is often difficult to determine as a point for measurement for standard length in fleshy or large fishes; some dissection may be required.

caudal gland = the glandular masses on the caudal peduncle and fin of mature males in the characoid subfamily Glandulocaudinae. The multicellular gland is associated with an enlarged modified scale which overlies the gland on each side. The gland may produce a chemical to attract females.

caudal neurosecretory gland = an area of the spinal cord dorsal to the most posterior vertebrae, e.g. in Ictalurus punctatus. This concentration of neurosecretory or Dahlgren cells is of unknown function but is probably involved in osmoregulation or ion balance and possibly in reproduction.

caudal pad = a tongue-shaped posteriorly-directed appendage behind the seminal receptacle in female Holocephali.

caudal peduncle = the wrist-like portion of the posterior part of the body between the end of the anal fin and the base of the caudal fin. Its length is measured between the insertion of the anal fin and the caudal flexure (the fold shown by the hind edge of the hypural plates when the caudal fin is flexed). Depth is measured vertically at the narrowest point. Called tail wrist in angling.

caudal peduncle scale count = includes all the longitudinal scale rows around the circumference of the peduncle at its narrowest point.

caudal photophore = old name for the Prc photophores.

caudal pit = the notch in the dorsal or ventral profile of the caudal peduncle just before the caudal fin in certain sharks.

caudal scale = a modified terminal scale of the pored lateral line series found towards the medial base of the caudal fin in some Characidae, e.g. Landonia latidens). In some species it supports the caudal pouch.

caudal skeleton = the urophore, formed from various bones of cartilaginous or dermal origins.

caudal vein = a vein in the tail that returns blood from the trunk and tail to the heart. It leads directly into the axial vein in the posterior trunk.

caudal vertebra = one of the posterior vertebrae lacking ribs, found behind the abdominal vertebrae and extending to the tail, each with a ventral haemal arch, canal and spine. The first caudal vertebrae is near the internal, dorsal tip of the first anal proximal pterygiophore. Note that there are some transitional vertebrae with a rib or reduced remnant of a rib and a haemal arch or an incomplete haemal arch.

caudally = in the direction of the tail; caudad.

cauler = caller.

cauliflower disease = a mildly-infectious viral disease (Lymphocystis) of eels and higher aquarium fishes (not cyprinids and catfishes) causing enlarged cells forming lesions on the jaws, and also on fins and skin. The papillomatous lesions can coalesce to form a cauliflower shape. May be pinkish or red when having a vascular supply or grey-brown to black when melanocytes are present. There is no known treatment and the lesions eventually disappear. Also called lymphocystis disease.

causeway = a raised road over wet ground or shallow water.

cave fish = fishes living in subterranean waters including artesian wells. Not necessarily a true cave.

caveached fish = fish cut into pieces, fried in oil, laid in a large earthenware container and pickled in vinegar, salt, spices, onions, etc. (West Indies).

cavernarius = cavernicolous.

cavernicole = an inhabitant of caves.

cavernicolous = living in caves.

cavernous = containing cavities, e.g. the superrficial bones of the head in some species of Sciaenidae. The cavities may be empty or filled with mucus.

cavernous tissue = spongy white tissue embedded in the skin near the anus in most, and near the anal fin in some, Cetomimidae.

cavernosus = cavernous.

caviar = 1) the prepared and salted roe of sturgeons (Acipenser, Huso), or broadly construed, the similarly treated roe of other fishes such as Salmonidae and Cyclopteridae. Only salted sturgeon eggs can be labeled caviar in the U.S.A. The eggs are separated from surrounding tissues, sometimes washed in white wine or vinegar, and pickled with salt or borax, or packed fresh or unsalted and highly perishable. خاگ‌آور or khāgāvar is Farsi (Persian) for roe-generator.

Caviar = 2) a small nineteenth century city in New Jersey on Delaware Bay, processing sturgeon and caviar for New York. See also Ikranoye.

caviar substitute = fish roe prepared like true caviar from lumpsuckers (Cyvlopteridae), cods, carps, mullets, capelin, salmonids; sometimes dyed and usually with a salt content over 6%.

caviare = caviar.

caviare to the general = a Shakespeare quote meaning not to everyone's taste or appealing only to a highly cultivated taste (Hamlet, Act 2 Scene 2 - general being the general public).

cavil = 1) to extract a hook from a fish mouth by means of a notched stick (Scottish dialect). Also spelled kavle and variants.

cavil = 2) kavle (the rearmost space in a boat where the fishing line is hauled in over the gunwhale and where fish are remove from the hooks. Also spelled kavl, kavel, kavvel, kavvle)).

cavity brooder = a fish that lays its eggs in a cavity, cave or other concealment; the eggs are aggressively guarded by the parents, e.g. in the Cichlidae Apistogramma, Julidochromis, Neolamprologus, and Pelvicachromis.

cawl = caal.

cawler = caller.

cawmril = cameral.

cay = key (a small, low island near the mainland composed mostly of sand and/or coral. Also spelled kay).

caysie = cassie.

cazzie = cassie.

Ce = photophore at the upper end of the gill cover where it meets the lateral line in Myctophidae.

CE = common era, a non-religious way of expressing years in the calendar based on the years of the Christian era. Note there is no year 0 so the year before 1 CE (or 1 A.D.) is 1BCE (or 1 B.C.).

CE = equilibrium catch ( the catch (in numbers) taken from a fish stock when it is in equilibrium with fishing of a given intensity, and (apart from the effects of environmental variation) its abundance does not change from one year to the next (Ricker, 1975). Also called sustainable yield, equilibrium yield).

C_E = CE.

cebiche = ceviche.

Cecil's fast = William Cecil passed legislation in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I requiring fish, not meat, to be eaten on certain days of the week; hence fish dinners are called this.

cecum = a pocket or blind pouch; caecum.

cedar water = blackwater in the eastern U.S.A. in the Pine Barrens and nearby eastern coastal plain (very soft water, rich in humic acids and poor in nutrients with minimal transparency. pH is around 3.5-4.8 and colour is stained by tannins). Also found in tropical areas where it supports a distinct fish fauna.

cedis incertae = incertae cedis (of uncertain seat, meaning of uncertain taxonomic position or affinities).

Celsius = a measure of temperature on a metric scale used world-wide and by scientists. Abbreviated as C. In North America and in older literature Fahrenheit is used. The conversion is ºF = (ºC x 9/5) + 32 and ºC = (ºF - 32) x 5/9. Usually presented as ºC or ºF but strictly 3ºC is an actual temperature while 3Cº is a range of three degrees.

cement gland or organ = adhesive organ (transient larval organs near the mouth used to attach the larvae to the substrate, e.g.in Protopterus, Lepidosiren, Acipenser, Esox, Macropodus).

cenote = a flooded depression caused by a collapse in a limestone area (Yucatán, Mexico).

Cenozoic = a geological era, the age of mammals, ca. 65-0 million years ago, comprising the Quaternary and Tertiary.

census = an inventory; in fisheries assessment surveys, a census is used to provide the comprehensive basis for analysis and classification of the fisheries systems and, consequently, the basis for statistically representative sampling programmes.

centauri knot = a knot used by anglers to attach hooks through the eye to the line. It is made with a minimum of friction and so does not distort the line, being useful then across a wide range of line diameters. Various websites have animated steps showing how to tie this knot.

centi- (prefix) = hundredth (1/100); one hundred (100).

Centigrade = see Celsius.

centner = 1) 50 kg in the English version of the German zentner.

centner = 2) 100 kg in Russia.

centra = plural of centrum.

central canal = the fluid-filled narrow cavity in the spinal chord.

central nervous system = the brain and spinal chord. Abbreviated as CNS.

centre-console boat = a fishing boat with the control station at the boat's centre allowing all the deck around the edge of the boat to be used for fishing.

centrepin reel = an angling reel with the line wound directly on to a revolving drum. casting distance is limited but this is offset by good tackle control when trotting or fighting fish.

centrum (plural centra) = the central body of each vertebra.

centrum tendineum = the large aponeurosis (flattened tendon) at the bend of the bilocular muscular stomach, e.g. in Mormyridae.

cephalic = pertaining to the head.

cephalic clasper = a mace-like spiny-headed rod found on the mid-dorsal surface of heads of male Holocephali. Thought to aid in holding the female during copulation.

cephalic fin = the thick flap-like fleshy appendage projecting from the pectoral fins lateral to the mouth of Mobulidae.

cephalic flipper = the thick flap-like fleshy appendage projecting from the pectoral fins lateral to the mouth of Mobulidae.

cephalic index = the length of the head as a ratio of total or standard length.

cephalic lateral line (or cephalic sensory canals) = the head canals opening to the surface in pores and containing neuromasts (sometimes the canals are lost and the neuromasts are exposed). Similar to the trunk lateral line in structure and function but having different innervation. The following canals may be present: supratemporal (abbreviated ST) running across the top of the head connecting the lateral branch of each side; the opercular (OP), an isolated canal on the anterior operculum; supraorbital (SO) above the eye and extending anteriorly to the nostrils; infraorbital (IO) below the eye and above the upper lip; preoperculo-mandibular (PM) along the preopercle and lower jaw. The pores on the lower jaw are sometimes referred to separately as mandibular pores. Individual pores are sometimes referred to separately by the name of the structure to which they are adjacent:- nasal, postmaxillary, interorbital, etc. The coronal pore is the median dorsal pore (COR) between the eyes formed by junction of branches from each supraorbital canal.

cephalic pit = pore-like structures on the gill covers of snakeheads (Channidae).

cephalic ray = one of the dorsal fin rays on the head behind the illicium.

cephalic spine = on of the spines, probably denticle derivatives, occurring singly or in pairs just behind the orbit on the cheek area in some fossil sharks. May have occurred only in males and may have served to hold the female during copulation, e.g. in the Jurassic genera Hybodus, Asteracanthus and Acrodus.

cephalic spongy sensory area = the area above and behind the eye penetrated by numerous branches and pores of the cephalic lateral line system. Known in Brevoortia (Clupeidae).

cephalic tenaculum = cephalic clasper (a supplemental clasper in Holocephali, on the forehead).

cephalic vesicle = the blister-like inflation over the head of larvae of some species of Gadidae.

cephalofoil = the lateral extensions of the head in hammerhead sharks.

ceramic fish = swanky, in reference to a gift or some new purchase (slang). Derived from the TV show Wheel of Fortune where, in the earlier transmissions, contestants had to purchase prizes from their winnings and left over amounts, after more valuable items were bought, purchased ceramic fish and similar cheap items.

ceratal = referring to the ventralmost elements of the gill arch, i.e. ceratbranchials, ceratohyal and Meckel's cartilage. Compare epal.

ceratobranchial = a long, deep, endochondral bone in the middle portion of the gill arches between the epibranchials and the hypobranchials. There are usually 5 pairs of ceratobranchials, absent in some Anguillidae, Polypterus and Calamoichthys. The fifth pair of ceratobranchials are modified in Cypriniformes and Siluriformes into a strong, tooth-bearing bone called the inferior pharyngobranchial bone. Sometimes spelled keratobranchial.

ceratohyal = the endochondral bone articulating dorsally with the interhyal, anteriorly supporting some branchiostegal rays and ventrally joining one or two hypohyals. The ceratohyal and the epihyal are two ossification centres of the same bone and should therefore be named ventral ceratohyal and dorsal ceratohyal respectively. Since the ventral ceratohyal is probably homologous with a hypobranchial, the correct names should be anterohyal and posterohyal, while the two hypohyals should be called dorsohyal and ventrohyal. In cartilaginous fishes it is a paired element on the ventral part of the hyoid arch.

ceratomandibular cartilage = Meckel's cartilage (the functional lower jaw of Elasmobranchii and Holocephali, the embryonic lower jaw of other gnathostomous vertebrates which ossifies at least in part as the mentomeckelian, mediomeckelian, coronomeckelian, articular and retroarticular. It remains in some adult fishes as a pointed rod embedded in the dentary and angular. Also called mandibular cartilage or primary mandible. See also Bridge's ossicles).

ceratotrich = ceratotrichium.

ceratotrichia = plural of ceratotrichium.

ceratotrichium (plural ceratotrichia) = a long, horny or keratinous, non-cellular, cylindrical, flexible and non-segmented ray which supports the fins of Elasmobranchii and arthrodires. They may replace fin radials or be a third element in fin support in a series basals, radials, ceratotrichia. Used to make shark fin soup. Bony, unsegmented, unbranched rays superficially resembling ceratotrichia of Elasmobranchii are found in the fin membranes of Acanthodii.

cerci = plural of cercus.

cercus = tail filament, e.g. in Scaphirhynchus and Pseudoscaphirhynchus (Acipenseridae) where the tail ends in a thin core of cartilage sheathed by small scales. More commonly used for the paired appendages at the rear of arthropods.

cerebellum = a thick-walled dorsal swelling of the dorsal metencephalon (anterior hindbrain and perhaps including the posterior midbrain) concerned with locomotory activity. This unpaired structure is found just posterior to the optic lobes, has rounded lateral enlargements which project partially into the fourth ventricle and its posterior end projects dorsally above the fourth ventricle.

ceremonial harvest = a harvest of fish by natives for ceremonies and to support traditional lifestyles. Also called subsistence harvest.

ceroid = yellow-brown pigments of fish, found particularly in the liver and spleen, as end products of peroxidation of unsaturated fatty acids.

cervical = 1) pertaining to the neck (most fish have no neck).

cervical = 2) extrascapula (a small bone bordering the posterior margin of the skull roof in primitive Teleostomi. It apparently originates from enlarged scales. One of a series of from 2-8 bones known variously as nuchals, postparietals, scale bones, supratemporals or tabulars).

cervical notch = a depression where the head and body meet.

cervical photophore = a light organ in Myctophidae located at the upper corner of the gill cover where it meets the lateral line. Abbreviated Ce.

cervical sinus = cervical notch.

cervical vertebra = one of the anterior vertebrae in sharks.

ceviche = raw white fish marinated in lemon or lime juice and served with sweet limes, avocados, onion rings, garlic, cilantro, chilies, boiled corn and tomatoes. Originally from Peru, variously modified. Also called fish cocktail.

cf. = confer, meaning compare (with). Used with scientific names to indicate a similarity to the named species without certain identification; a provisional identification due to a damaged specimen or other problems.

cfr. = confer.

cfs-day = the volume of water represented by a flow of 1 cubic foot per second for 24 hours (equals 86,400 cubic feet, 1.983471 acre-feet or 646,317 gallons).

cfsm (cubic feet per second per square mile) = the average number of cubic feet of water per second flowing from each square mile of area drained by a stream, assuming that the runoff is distributed uniformly in time and area.

chafer = chafing gear.

chafing gear = any materials attached to wear points on nets. See also top-side chafer.

chafing hair = elongate plastic chafing gear.

chain bracket = a chain used on an otter board in pace of a bracket. Also called angle iron chain, back board chain, board chain, chain triangle, towing chain.

chain mat = a device used in front of a trawl to disturb fish and cause them to be caught by the following trawl net. An interlinked network of lateral and longitudinal tickler chains, q.v. Also called a chain matrix.

chain matrix = chain mat.

chain off = moving the warps (q.v.) from their normal position above the stern down into the stern ramp of a trawler for shooting away and then back up again as the net is hauled back. Used on boats without hydraulic ice davits.

chain triangle = chain bracket.

chain-of-lakes = a series of lakes connected by streams.

chalky fish = an abnormal chalky-white appearance and a watery texture associated with a rapid drop in pH after capture, e.g. in halibut.

change, mandatory = a change in spelling of a name required by the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature.

change of rank = when a name is moved from one level of a classification system to another, e.g. from subspecies to species.

channel = 1) an area that contains continuously or periodically flowing water that is confined by banks and a stream bed. May be natural or artificial.

channel = 2) a narrow stretch of water between adjacent land masses.

channel = 3) a large strait, e.g. English Channel.

channel = 4) a lead in ice.

channel catfish disease = a disease of fry and fingerlings of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) and other Ictaluridae caused by a herpesvirus affecting internal organs. Occurs when water temperatures rise to 25-30ºC. Mortality is very high and survivors are carriers for life. Lowering water temperatures below 19ºC reduces mortality. Fish show loss of equilibrium, spiral swimming and tend to hang vertically in the water. Haemorrhages of the skin and gills occur along with abdominal swelling.

channel dam = lowhead dam (a dam extending across a river of low height, usually 15 feet (about 5 metres) or less. It impounds the water behind it, has minimal effects on the downstream regime and allows water to fall over its whole width. Quite dangerous as boaters and swimmers may not see it until too late and can be caught in the backwash beneath the dam. Also called run-of-the-river dam).

channel plate = a u-shaped, steel bracing bar on the back of an otter board, q.v. Also called back bar and back channel.

channelisation = the process of changing, deepening and straightening the natural path of a waterway.

char = members of the genus Salvelinus of the family Salmonidae with about 20 northern hemisphere species. Important food and game fishes of marine and fresh waters. The name is from the Gaelic ceara meaning red or blood-coloured or possibly from the Old English for turner, a fish that swims to and fro. See also charr and charrr. The variant number of "r"'s on the end of the name is attributed to a rivalry between the late nineteenth century scientists Albert Günther, who used charr, and Francis Day, who used char.

char dish = a Delftware pottery made to hold char (Salvelinus alpinus) preserved in spices. The char came from Lake Windermere in northwest England and the pots were made in Liverpool during the eighteenth century. They measured 2.5-4.0 cm deep by 15-25 cm wide and were often decorated with painted fish.

character = a variable structure or feature of a species or taxon that enables it to be distinguished from another species or taxon. Used in description and identification of species.

character displacement = forced evolution of dissimilar characters in related species where their ranges overlap. Species differ more where they occur together than when their distribution does not overlap. Usually this is detected as morphological features related to resource exploitation.

character polarity = the inferred direction of change of a characters state in a phylogenetic tree. The direction is determined by reference to the character state in an outgroup.

character release = two closely related species become more alike in regions where their ranges do not overlap than in regions where they do. Opposite of character displacement.

character state = the condition of character, e.g. scales present or scales absent, where scales is the character and present and absent are states.

characteristic = often used as synonym of character, strictly it is the distinctive state or expression of that character.

characteristic species = indicator species ((1) a fish species whose status provides information on the overall condition of the ecosystem and of other species in that ecosystem; fish that are sensitive to environmental conditions and which can therefore be used to assess environmental quality).

chardonnay = a mutated strain of zebrafish involving white blood cells, named for the wine. Other mutants are shiarz and chardonnay. These zebrafish (Danio rerio) are used in studies of haemoglobin formation as their inner body parts are easily seen in these small and transparent fishes and their genome has been sequenced.

Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg = the Algonqin name of a lake in Webster, Massachusetts, incorrectly said to mean "you fish your side of the water, I fish my side of the water, nobody fishes the middle". Really means "Englishmen at Manchaug at the Fishing Place at the Boundary". Longest place name in the United States.

charismatic megafauna = a large charismatic species, e.g. presumably a great white shark in fishes.

charismatic species = any species that has popular appeal and is used to focus attention on conservation campaigns.

Charlie the Tuna = a cartoon tuna, used as the mascot for the product StarKist tuna from the early 1960s. Charlie had a beret and glasses, believed he had good taste and so was just right for the StarKist company. He was always rejected because the company was looking for tuna that tastes good. The rejection came in the form of a note attached to a hook saying "Sorry, Charlie", which became an American catchphrase (pun unintentional).

charr = char.

charrr = alleged Scottish pronunciation of char.

chart datum = a referenced surface from which soundings or tide heights are calculated, e.g. a tidal datum is the lowest a tide will ever reach (very rarely lower tides are found).

charter boat = a boat available for hire by anglers over a short time period. Usually crewed and with gear and bait supplied.

chase spawner = fish in which the male chases the female during spawning, e.g. Carassius auratus.

chaud = a dish in which a cod's liver is an ingredient (Shetland Isles dialect).

chauter = chowter.

cheapskate = a miser, a stingy person, unwilling to spend money (nothing to do with skates (Rajiidae); of uncertain origin).

cheater = said of small fish that steal bait meant for larger fish. Sometimes spelled cheeter.

cheater hook = an extra hook added to a single-hook lure. Also called trailing hook.

cheater line = an extra length of line attached to the main line in angling for carrying another lure or hook.

chebacco boat = a fishing vessel employed in the Newfoundland fisheries. The word may be a corruption of Chedabucto, a bay in Nova Scotia, from which vessels are fitted out for fishing or the same as the chebec. Also called pinksterns.

chebec = xebec (a small, three-masted vessel used by Mediterranean pirates and still used in commerce to a limited extent. From the Arabic shabbak. Also spelled zebec).

check = a mark or discontinuity on a scale or other hard structure used for aging, caused by cessation of growth and absorption of deposited material due to spawning (hence a spawning check), injury, disease, parasites, or unseasonal lack of food. Also called split.

check dam = a small dam constructed in a small water course to decrease the streamflow velocity, minimize channel erosion, promote deposition of sediment and to divert water from a channel.

checklist = a list of species arranged in simple format for convenience of use, sometimes annotated with life history notes or other information.

cheek = the area between the eye and the preopercle.

cheek height = the least distance from the orbit to the lower edge of the horizontal arm of the preopercle.

cheek scale count = the number of scales crossing a straight line from the eye to the corner of the preopercle.

cheeks = muscles from the cheek area of a fish sold as a delicacy, e.g. cod cheeks, pickerel (Sander vitreus) cheeks.

cheese = a wooden disk placed on a pile of stiff and dry salt cod in a barrel before the fish-screw, q.v., was applied to pack it tightly. Named for its resemblance to a cheese wheel.

cheeter =cheater.

cheironym = an unpublished scientific name; manuscript name.

cheirotype = a type specimen of a species designated by a manuscript name.

chelation = a method of binding or locking up metal ions, used in water treatment in aquaria.

chemical etching = use of acids, bases of other chemicals in making fishing hooks that gives a very sharp point.

chemical filtration = a cleaning process for aquarium water where filters use chemical processes, e.g. protein skimmers and any filter containing chemical media such as activated carbon, molecular adsorption pads, zeolite, peat or resins.

chemocline = a sharp gradient in chemical concentration, e.g. the transition zone between layers in a meromictic lake, q.v.

chemoreception = the ability to sense chemicals in the environment, e.g. sharks and blood.

chemoreceptor = the receptors for chemoreception, e.g. taste buds on barbels, skin and in the mouth.

chemosensory = relating to taste and small operating on chemicals, dissolved in water in the case of fish.

chemotropic = turning towards a chemical stimulus.

chemotype = chemically characterised portions of of morphologically indistinguishable populations.

cherry bomb = a form of small explosive formerly used by purse seiners in California to frighten and concentrate a fish school.

chest = 1) the anterior ventral surface of a fish, just behind the head; may including the lower jaws and the chin.

chest = 2) a wicker box trap used to catch salmon (Scottish dialect).

chest waders = waterproof boots extending to the chest used by anglers and scientists when fishing. Made of latex, neoprene, Gortex, etc.

chevron = 1) a V-shaped scale found along the edge of the abdomen of clupeids, often providing the belly with a sharp, serrated edge.

chevron = 2) the earliest developmental form of myomeres in larvae where the angle is formed by the epaxial and hypaxial muscle masses.

chhandi jal = a drift gill net used for catching Hilsa ilisha (Clupeidae) in India.

chianti = a mutated strain of zebrafish lacking haemoglobin, named for the wine. Other mutants are shiraz and chardonnay. These zebrafish (Danio rerio) are used in studies of haemoglobin formation as their inner body parts are easily seen in these small and transparent fishes and their genome has been sequenced.

chiasma = the crossing of the fibres of the optic nerve.

chicken haddie = a commercial term for canned haddock, cod, cusk or hake or any combination thereof, that has not been ground. No chickens involved.

chicken of the sea = 1) originally albacore, yellowfin tuna and skipjack tuna canned in oil.

chicken of the sea = 2) a commercial brand name for fish and other marine products and used as a term for any marine food that is light and tasty.

chicken of the sea = 3) angler slang for a seagull.

chiddles = chitlings.

chidlins = chitlings.

chikuwa = a variety of Japanese fish paste cake; kneaded flesh wrapped around a stick and then baked.

chilile = inshore lake bottom.

chill storage = storage of fish at or just above 0°C as a means of preventing spoilage.

chilled fish = fish stored near freezing but not frozen.

chilled water stowage = storing commercial fish in chilled fresh or salt water using ice or mechanical refrigeration. Limited to about 3-4 days as some fish take up water and salt, their eyes become cloudy and gills are bleached as blood is lost.

chiller = 1) a device for cooling water in aquaria.

chiller = 2) choller.

chimaera = 1) an organism having tissues of two or more genetic types. Results from mutation or abnormal chromosome segregation.

chimaera = 2) members of the Order Chimaeriformes which has about 33 species in marine waters world-wide. Anatomical characters are a mix of those found in bony fishes and cartilaginous fishes, leading to the name (the mythical Greek monster had a lion's head, a goat's body and a serpent's tail).

chimaera poisoning = poisoning resulting from eating the flesh or viscera of ratfishes. The oviducts of Hydrolagus are toxic to mice. The flesh of chimaeras is reputed to have a stupefying effect.

chimneyfish = someone who smokes and drinks a lot, often simultaneously (slang).

chin = the tip of the lower jaw or the area between the rami of the lower jaw.

chin appendix = Schnauzenorgan (a German word for the chin protuberance of elephant nose fishes (Mormyridae), where there is the highest density of electrical receptors).

chin crest = an outgrowth of the dentary bone of the lower jaw. The crests from each side of the lower jaws converge anteriorly. Also called mental or submental crests.

chine = 1) backbone.

chine = 2) cut through the backbone.

chine = 3) a cut of fish (and meat) including at least part of the backbone.

chined = a fifteenth century word for dressing salmon (preparing this fish for consumption), no longer in use.

Chinese fishing net = a shore-operated lift net, 20 metres or more across and 10 metres or more tall, found in Cochin (Kochi), south India. The net is a cantilever with the net suspended over the sea and large stones suspended from ropes as counterweights at the other end. Requires up to six fishermen to operate. Named for their supposed Chinese origin.

Chinese herbology = use of herbs in traditional Chinese medicine. Seahorses, for example, are ground up with various herbs and used to treat impotence. Import and export of seahorses has been controlled under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species since 15 May 2004.

Chinese major carps = commercially important fishes of the family Cyprinidae, used in aquaculture, namely Ctenopharyngodon idella, Cyprinus carpio, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, Hypophthalmichthys nobilis, and Mylopharyngodon piceus. See also Indian major carps and Indian minor carps; there does not appear to be any Chinese minor carps.

chinook salmon disease = infectious haematopoietic necrosis (an acute Rhabdovirus-group viral disease of salmonids transmitted from fish to fish and by eggs in western North America, e.g. in chinook and sockeye salmon and rainbow trout. The disease destroys the haemotopoietic tissues in the kidney and spleen. Fish become lethargic or hyperactive, dark in colour, develop popeyes, anaemia (pale gills) and a swollen belly, and produce faecal casts. Haemorrhages on the skin, viscera and fins occur. Particularly affects fish less than 5 cm long in water below 10°C with high mortality. Potentially dangerous to humans. Abbreviated as IHN).

chip = 1) fish chip (a delicatessen, potato chip-like product made of equal parts of fish and potato).

chip = 2) potato chip fired in fat or oil and often served with fried fish (fish and chips).

chip = 3) said of salmon, to cut the surface of the water without leaping (Northumberland dialect).

chipper = chippy.

chippie = chippy.

chippy = 1) a fish and chip shop in Britain. Also spelled chippie.

chippy = 2) a carpenter.

chirashi-zushi = "scattered sushi", a bowl or box of sushi rice with a variety of sashimi (usually nine, a Japanese lucky number).

chironym = cheironym.

chirotype = cheirotype.

chirping = gulping of air which is then emitted through the gills in fine bubbles causing a chirping sound, e.g. in Glandulocauda inequalis (Characidae).

chistlings - chitlings.

chitlings = small parts of cod intestines cooked as a delicacy (Newfoundland). Also spelled chiddles, chidlins and chistlings.

chloramine = an ammonia-chlorine chemical sometimes used as a bactericide in municipal water supplies. It it poisonous to fish, but can be removed with special compounds available in aquarium stores, e.g. a double dose of sodium thiosulphate. Unlike chlorine, it will not evaporate from water by itself. Fish with chloramine poisoning dart around rapidly and may leap out of the water, show pigment changes and exhibit hypoxia, and may die.

chloride secreting cell = a cell in the gills, especially along the bases of the secondary gill lamellae and the pseudobranchs when present, or in the opercular epithelium, which excrete chloride, potassium and sodium ions in marine fishes. These cells maintain the osmotic balance from the loss of water via the gills and the necessity of drinking sea water. Also called ionocyte.

chlorine poisoning = similar to effects of chloramine and like it may be chronic with no specific signs or acute as detailed above. The fish should be removed from the contaminated aquarium.

chlorinity = the total amount in grams of chlorine, bromine, and iodine contained in one kilogramme of seawater, assuming the bromine and iodine to be replaced by chlorine. Salinity in parts per thousand (‰) = 1.80655 x Cl (‰). Abbreviated as Cl.

choana (plural choanae) = an internal canal connecting the nasal and the buccal cavities; internal nares, e.g. in derived Sarcopterygii. The analogous structures in Dipnoi are not true choanae.

choanae = plural of choana.

chocolate fish = a chocolate-covered marshmallow fish, often given as a treat or offered as a reward (New Zealand slang).

choice = 1) the designation of a high quality cure or cull of salted cod-fish.

choice = 2) prolific in fish, in reference to a fishing ground.

choke = 1) a triangular piece at the wing end of a purse seine, used to get the float and load lines while heaving the net by a power block.

choke = 2) a method of baiting herring for slow trolling.

choke = 3) killing fish in a gill net, the squeaking noise made when a herring is removed from a gill net, the act of killing them by removing them from the water, or a combination of the above. See herring choker.

choline = hydroxyethyl trimethyl ammonium hydroxide, a structural component in adipose and nerve tissue which may cause poor growth in fish when deficient.

choller = the gills of a fish (British dialect).

cholly = choller.

chondral = of or pertaining to cartilage.

chondro- (prefix) = of or pertaining to cartilage.

chondroblast = a precursor cell of a chondrocyte; these cells migrate to centres of cartilage formation during development.

chondrocranium (chondrocrania) = the cartilaginous skeleton enclosing the brain, olfactory region, eye and inner ear. Part of skull first formed in the embryo. Forms the whole skull in Cyclostomata, Elasmobranchii and Holocephali. Covered by dermal bones in Teleostomi and replaced by the osteocranium with only remnants between bones allowing for growth. Sometimes called the neurocranium or endocranium.

chondrocyte = a cell that makes the supporting matrix (collagen) of cartilage; usually found in lacunae embedded in the supportive matrix. Derived from chondroblasts.

chondroneurocranium = the cartilaginous braincase of Chondrichthyes.

chop = slapping the surface of the water with the tail when swimming in schools or enclosed in a net. said of cod in Newfoundland.

chop-stick = a cross-stick of iron wire, whalebone, or other materials attached to a sea-fishing line to keep the snood and hook clear of the sinker (British dialect).

chopped herring = pickled herrings finely chopped with apples, bread, onions and eggs, and vinegar, oil and sugar (Ashkenazi cuisine).

choppy sea = short and rough waves falling with a short and quick motion, easily breaking at the crest.

choran = a lake formed near river channels (India).

chorda dorsalis (chordæ dorsales) = notochord (the skeletal rod consisting of a sheath firmly packed with cells which lie above the gut and below the nerve cord. The notochord is persistent when it remains as a continuous skeletal support (e.g. Amphioxi, Holocephali, Acipenseridae, Petromyzontiformes, etc.) and is constricted when displaced by vertebral centra, occupying anterior and posterior cavities).

chorda mesoderm = the notochord rudiment.

chordacentrum = the vertebral centrum formed by the conversion of the chordal sheath into a series of ring-like cartilaginous segments around the notochord and subsequently biconcave discs. The bases of the neural and haemal arches abut the chordacentrum. Found only in Elasmobranchii.

chordal = referring to the notochord.

chorion = an embryonic membrane, elaborated by the follicle cells, which encloses the egg. The eggs of truly viviparous fishes are non-chorionated. Usually hardens on contact with the water; after fertilization the egg secretes fluid and shrinks inward leaving a perivitelline space. May lie external to the zona radiata. Called egg shell in fish.

chorionic thread = one a series of threads on the chorion of some eggs, the number and length varying with the species.

choroid = a black pigmented vascular layer of the eye between the retina and the sclera, preventing reflection of light in the eye.

choroid fissure = an indentation at the ventral margin of the eye marking the invaginated borders of the optic cup in larval fish. Usually associated with narrow eyes and often pigmented.

choroid gland = a gland on the dorsal half of the fish eyeball.

choroid tissue = a primordial vascular tissue mass lying below the eye, often unpigmented. In studies of larval fishes its length is measured along its longitudinal axis from the interface with the pigmented portion of the eye to the tip of the choroid mass.

choroidal guanine tapetum = the tapetum lucidum, q.v., in Elasmobranchii.

chorology = study of the processes governing natural geographical distribution.

chorusing = sound production in fishes associated with reproduction. Various websites have recordings of the sounds made.

chott = a depression surrounding a salt marsh or lake, or the bed of a dried salt marsh (in North Africa). Also spelled shott.

chouder = an older spelling of chowder.

chowder = 1) fish chowder (a thick soup mix of cooked fish and/or shellfish and potatoes in a broth made from pork, flour, seasonings and fish stock).

chowder = 2) a fish monger (archaic).

chowter = a female fish-monger (English dialect).

Christmas fish = dried and salted cod eaten on St. Stephen's Day, 26 December in Newfoundland.

Christmas tree = a purse seine with fishes stuck in the mesh.

chrom(o)- (prefix) = colour.

chromaffin tissue = an endocrine tissue located in or near the kidneys which secretes adrenaline and which controls the blood pressure and regulates the chromatophores.

chromatophore = a dermal pigment cell; sometimes seen in the epidermis. Aggregation or dispersion of the pigment by expansion or contraction of a circular muscle surrounding an individual chromatophore effects color changes. Chromatophores are of two types, biochromes and schematochromes, q.v. See also melanophore, erythrophore, xanthophore and iridocytes.

chromer = angling term for a bright fresh fish (in British Columbia).

chryopsin = a golden colored retinal pigment found in deepsea teleosts. Its absorption curve is similar to the spectral emission curve of bioluminescence, indicating that eyes containing it are probably used for observing photophores, e.g. in Myctophum punctatum.

chub = 1) a name applied to various unrelated fishes which have short, thick and rounded bodies and large heads.

chub = 2) a foolish fellow, easily imposed on, from the fish easily caught (obsolete slang).

chubber = a hollow, plastic float fished with large bulk shot.

chubby = round and plump; overweight. Supposedly derived from the thick-bodied and round-cheeked cyprinid fish Leuciscus cephalus, the chub of Europe.

chug = a jerk or pull on a fishing line given by a fish.

chugger = a top-water plug having a cup-shaped mouth, splashing or chugging when retrieved. Smaller than a popper, q.v.

chum = cut up fish or meat mixed with blood and garbage and used to attract fishes, such as sharks, to a fishing area. In a sense the British ground bait, q.v., is a form of chum used to attract non-predatory coarse fishes.

chum bag = a mesh bag filled with chum and hung overboard from a boat or, as a small bag, trolled deep.

chumline = throwing live bait in ones and twos behind a boat to attract fish.

chumming = the act of spreading chum in the water.

chumslick = cut up fish pieces in a bag kept in the water alongside a boat to form a slick attractive to fish, particularly sharks, or the narrow band of water extending behind a boat from chumming.

chundery headed = having a large head, e.g. a lean cod (Orkney dialect).

chunk = 1) a commercial definition of a mixture of pieces of fish flesh which mostly has dimensions of not less than 1.2 cm in each direction and in which the original muscle structure is retained.

chunk = 2) a cross-section of a large dressed fish containing the backbone. Ready for cooking.

church key = a name for the small key-like device supplied with canned fish such as sardines used to roll open the can. Mainly used for the differently-shaped beer openers and hence church key is sarcasm.

chute = rapidly flowing water over steep, narrowly enclosed bedrock. The surface water is smooth and without the turbulence occasioned by rocks and boulders.

chutoro = medium fatty tuna, from the upper belly, as served in a sushi restaurant.

ciénaga = a marshland (Spanish).

cigar fish = faeces in a swimming pool or the ocean.

cigar minnow = a scad family member sold as frozen bait in Florida, firm textured. Used for catching offshore fish.

ciguatera poisoning = a poisoning resulting from eating ciguatoxic fishes (or sometimes algae or invertebrates), with tens of thousands of cases each year. Symptoms 3-5 hours after ingestion usually include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, watery diarrhoea, and numbness and tingling in the mouth region which spreads to the extremities. Painful ejaculations and burning sensations during intercourse are also reported and can last for a month. Acute symptoms disappear in 8-10 hours, most in 24 hours in moderate cases. In severe cases weakness, visual disturbances, skin disorders, temperature perception reversals, coma and even death (up to 20% mortality) may occur. Death appears to result from asphyxia. The toxin appears to be an "irreversible" anticholinesterase. An attack does not impart immunity. Diagnosis should be confirmed by history of ingestion and by the observation of the effect of atropine (will cause marked atropinization unless anticholinesterase intoxication is present) and by the estimation of acetylcholinesterase level in red blood cells. Treatment consists of artificial respiration with oxygen added as needed, atropinization (after recovery from cyanosis), dosing with protopam chloride and indicated symptomatic measures. The stomach should be emptied by gastric lavage, emetics or saline purges as soon as possible.

ciguateratoxin = ciguatoxin.

ciguatoxic fishes = those fishes causing ciguatera poisoning. These are usually insular marine fishes in the tropics, subtropics or warm temperature zones, best known in the tropical Pacific and Indian Oceans and West Indies. But geographical occurrence is spotty, and fish may be poisonous in only part of an island. Numerous species have been found to be ciguatoxic but in other places or in other years they are safe. Ciguatoxic fishes are usually bottom dwellers or feed on bottom dwelling fishes. Toxicity may be due to consumption of an algae (benthic dinoflagellate) by the fish or by one of its prey. The principal dinoflagellate is Gambierdiscus toxicus. Examples of ciguatoxic fishes include Muraenidae, Holocentridae, Acanthuridae, Lutjanidae, Scaridae, Serranidae, Sphyraenidae.

ciguatoxication = poisoning from ciguatoxic fishes.

ciguatoxin = the poison causing ciguatera poisoning. Exact chemical and pharmacological properties are unknown. May be a complex biotoxin with several fractions or several chemically unrelated compounds. May be a phospholipid. The formula C28 H52 NO5 C1 has been proposed.

cilia = plural of cilium.

ciliate = ciliated.

ciliate scale = a scale having comb-like, smooth teeth along its free edge, e.g. in characoids.

ciliated = fringed with projections.

ciliated scale = a ctenoid scale having very elongate, soft, flexible ctenii (spines) on its posterior margin, e.g. Capros aper.

ciliiform = hair-like.

cilium (plural cilia) = a fin thread of cytoplasm projecting from the surface of a cell. Moves fluid surrounding it by beating or is sensory as in the lateral line system, q.v.

cinch knot = clinch knot.

cingulum pectorale (plural cingula pectoralia) = pectoral girdle (the bony support of the pectoral fin behind the gills and usually attached to the posterior part of the skull; the "shoulder" girdle. Composed of the following basic elements (some of which may be lost): coracoid, scapula, pterygials, postcleithrum, cleithrum (main bone), supracleithrum and posttemporal. The "primary" pectoral girdle includes actinosts, scapula, coracoid, and sometimes mesocoracoid cartilage or endochondral bones and supports the fins directly. The "secondary" (and more primitive) pectoral girdle encloses the dermal post-temporal, supracleithrum, cleithrum, and two postcleithra, which are membrane bones and is only indirectly related to the fins. Also called scapular girdle).

cingula pectoralia = plural of cingulum pectorale.

cioppino =a fish stew in Italian cuisine, usually made from the catch of the day including shellfish as well as fish with fresh tomatoes in a wine sauce. Served over spaghetti and toasted buttered bread.

circa = about. Abbreviated ca.

circadian = pertaining to a daily and rhythmic biological cycle.

circalittoral = the lower sublittoral zone in the sea dominated by photophilic algae; the depth zone between 100 and 200 metres.

circannual = approximately one year.

circle gill net = a gill net in shallow water drawn around a school of fish so that the fish may be scared into gilling themselves

circle hook = a wide circular hook with the point curved in such a way that most fish are hooked in the mouth. Useful for catching and releasing fish as it is seldom swallowed. Compared to j-shaped hooks, this hook holds bait better, has greater holding power, and more hookups. The harder the fish pulls the more strongly the hook is embedded.

circular pond = a circular, concrete raceway with a central drain, water being introduced in such a way as to ensure an even circular current. Common in aquaculture.

circular tank = a round tank with an outflow in the centre; common in aquaculture.

circuli = plural of circulus.

circulus (plural circuli) = the concentric ring or polygon found on scales; also called ridge.

circum- (prefix) = around, about, surrounding.

circumaustral = around the southern hemisphere in the higher latitudes.

circumboreal = around the northern hemisphere in the higher latitudes.

circumference scale count = count of all the longitudinal scale rows around the body starting with the scale immediately in front of the dorsal fin.

circumglobal = around the world, as in distribution of certain fishes.

circumnarial fold = a skin fold around the nostrils in Chondrichthyes. Also called perinasal groove or cirumnarial groove.

circumnarial groove = circumnarial fold.

circumneutral = said of water with a pH of 5.5 to 7.4.

circumoral teeth = the innermost row of teeth lateral to the mouth of lampreys (Petromyzontiformes).

circumorbital = one of a series of superficial dermal bones encircling the eye including the suborbitals and supraorbitals. A complete circuit of bones is found only in such primitive fishes such as Lepisosteus and some Osteoglossidae.

circumorbital sulcus = the groove in the epidermis surrounding the orbit that facilitates rotation of the eye in its socket. Present in many fishes but absent in Lepidogalaxias salamandroides (Lepidogalaxidae) which has an immobile eye.

circumpeduncular scale count = number of scales around the narrowest portion of the caudal peduncle.

circumpolar = having a more or less continuous distribution around either pole.

circumscription = the defined limits of a taxon, or the sum of individuals within those limits, as defined by an author.

circumtropical = organisms which occur around the tropics of the world (in sea or on land).

cirrhi = plural of cirrhus.

cirrhus (plural cirrhi) = cirrus.

cirri = plural of cirrus.

cirrose = with cirri.

cirrus (plural cirri) = fringe-like fleshy appendages, usually slender and elongate.

cit. = abbreviation for citatus, meaning to cite, cited.

citatus = to cite, cited.

CITES = the Convention on International Trade in Endangered and Threatened Species. Regulates trade in live and dead animals and plants in an effort to conserve those species in danger of extinction.

clacker = a metal device added to buzzbaits, q.v., to make additional noise.

clade = a group defined by at least one shared derived character or synapomorphy inherited from a common ancestor; all descendants of any given species; a monophyletic higher taxon, a branch on a cladogram.

cladism = cladistics.

cladistics = a method used by systematists to determine evolutionary relationships. The distribution of shared derived characters (synapomorphies) is used to test relationships and taxa can thus only be defined by genealogy or descent. Relationships of taxa are presented as cladograms, q.v. The number of characters used is important as the best cladogram will be one supported by the most characters. Characters should be independent of one another so that they are not redundant (expressing the same character state in a different fashion, e.g. large eye and small snout may not be independent as a large eye in a head of uniform size may be larger at the expense of snout length). Each cladogram is a hypothesis subject to testing and rejection. Also called cladism or phylogenetic systematics.

clado- (prefix) = branch, offshoot.

cladodont = a form of early shark tooth, characteristically with a large central cusp, a broad base and smaller lateral cusps, found in sharks such as Cladodus from the Upper Devonian. See also diplodont, hybodont and symmorid.

cladogenesis = the development of a new clade; the splitting of a single lineage into two distinct lineages; speciation.

cladogram = a dendrogram or tree-like diagram expressing the evolutionary relationships among a group of organisms in terms of recency of common ancestry or descent. All taxa are terminal in position, the identity of nodes (ancestors) are not specified and connecting lines represent shared derived characters (synapomorphies). Any two branch tips sharing the same immediate node are most closely related. A cladogram only specifies the relative degrees of phylogenetic relationship (sistergroup relationships) of the analysed taxa, as well as their monophyly.

clamp = a type of fish spear with several prongs that hold a fish without excessive injury. The prongs may be pointed and barbed too but the purpose of the clamp is to secure the fish with little damage.

clamped fins = a posture adopted by a fish where it holds its fins tightly against its body. Usually a sign of distress or sickness.

Clarenville boat = a small wooden motor-boat built at Clarenville, Newfoundland by the government during World War II and later converted to refrigerator ships.

clarity = the degree of visibility in a body of water. Determined by water colour and turbidity.

Clark = a measure of hardness. English degrees of hardness are rarely used in the UK. One degree Clark is equal to 14.3 mg/l CaCO₃.

Clarissa = an individual Cyprinus carpio weighing about 44 lbs caught in Redmire Pool, Herefordshire, England by Richard Walker in September, 1952. This was a record for the species in Britain, a country not noted for large freshwater fishes. Clarissa became legendary among anglers and lived out the rest of her life at the London Zoo.

clasper = the rod-like extension of the medial portion of the pelvic fin in male Elasmobranchii and Holocephali. Claspers are used as intromittent organs (not in clasping), the grooves on their facing surfaces together forming a tube for the transmission of sperm when the claspers are held together. The anterior proximal opening is called the apopyle, the posterior distal opening the rhipidion. Claspers are also known as myxopterygia. A unilateral pectoral clasper is known in certain poeciliids. See also cephalic clasper.

clasper gaff = the hook-like structure on the inside of the clasper. Derived from denticles, e.g. in Squalus.

clasper hook = the reversed denticle on claspers which point toward the base. Found in certain Scyliorhinidae.

clasper spine = one or more needle-like spines which project from the distal end of claspers and are proportionally much larger than clasper hooks. Derived from denticles, e.g. in Squalus and the Jurassic Paleospinax.

clasper spur = the conical or claw-like structure formed by fusion of tesserae on the claspers of certain sharks, e.g. Heterodontus, Ginglymostoma, Alopias, Cetorhinus.

clasping = a common reproductive act in fishes where the males uses his fins to clasp or wrap around the female. The action stimulates egg deposition, brings genital openings close together or facilitates intromission.

clasping organ = clasper.

class = the taxonomic group above order and below phylum. The class-group includes subclass, class and superclass and is not covered by the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, e.g. Class Actinopterygii.

class frequency = 1) number of individuals occurring in a given class, possessing common attributes.

class frequency = 2) frequency of occurrence of a given class, e.g. age group.

classical = pertaining to a name that is derived from Latin or ancient Greek.

classification = like organisms grouped within a hierarchical system, the process of arranging these organisms.

clat = a bunch of worms, having worsted drawn through them (English dialect).

clathrate = resembling an open latticework.

clatter = a fisher for eels.

clatting = fishing for eels with a cluster or clot of worms, each of which has had a strong worsted drawn through the length of its body (English dialect). See also quod, clotting and reballing.

claustrum = the first of the four Weberian ossicles, q.v. It receives vibrations from the scaphium and transmits them to the perilymph of the sinus impar.

clavate = club-shaped.

clavicle = paired dermal bone ventral to the cleithrum in Acipenseridae and Amiidae. Lost or fused with the cleithrum in Teleostei. Clavicle was sometimes misapplied for cleithrum.

clavicula (plural claviculæ) = clavicle.

claviculæ = plural of clavicula.

clavicular spine = a spine in the shoulder region.

claviform = club shaped.

clavus = the rudder-like lobe at the hind end of the body in Molidae.

clay = a sedimentary material with grains smaller than 0.2 mm (or 0.004, sources vary) in diameter.

cleach-net = a hand-net or dip-net used in shallow, muddy waters to catch small fish (English dialect).

cleacher = a fisherman using a cleach-net (English dialect).

cleaching-net = a large bag net drawn across rivers in time of flood (English dialect).

cleaching-water = shallow or rain swollen and murky water in which a cleach-net or cleaching-net may be used (English dialect).

clean = water with abundant plankton for the fish but lacking the organisms which cause slub (q.v.) to clog nets (Newfoundland). A good area for fishing even though they water is murky. See also dirty.

clean fish = mended fish (post-spawning fish that have or are recovering).

clean the fish = to skin or lead on a victim as in a carnival game. See also feed the fish.

cleaner = a fish which picks dead tissue and parasites off other fishes. Cleaner fish may establish a cleaning station and have a particular behaviour (dance, invitation posture) and colouration which clues other fishes into their function and prevents them from being eaten.

cleaning = the act of cleaning a fish for food. See fish cleaning in Symbols.

cleaning station = a site visited by fishes, often on a reef where cleaning shrimp or fish remove parasites from their bodies.

cleanplate herring = herring filleted by a machine which removes fins, bones and part of the belly wall.

clear fish soup = fish broth, bouillon.

clear water method = raising larval fish where food is cultured separately and added to the larval tank at intervals.

cleared and stained = a specimen with some tissues rendered transparent by various chemical treatments while others are stained to enhance their visibility. In fish osteological studies, the flesh is cleared with enzymes or potassium hydroxide and the bones stained red with alizarin red S and the cartilage blue with alcian blue. Abbreviated as c & s on labels and in museum catalogues.

clearwater = water with low suspended solids and a high transparency, cf. blackwater.

cleat hitch = a knot for tying up a boat to a wedge-shaped cleat made by passing a line around the arms of the cleat in a figure 8, then partially forming another turn, closing it to make a loop and pulling it taut. Various websites have animated steps showing how to tie this knot.

cleavage stages = initial stages in embryonic development where divisions of blastomeres are clearly marked. Usually the first through sixth cleavages (2-64 cells).

cleek = 1) a barbed hook used to land salmon; a salmon gaff (Ayrshire dialect). Also spelled click, cleik, kleek, kliek and cleeque.

cleek = 2) to hook, catch up or fasten on a hook or to fish out with a hook. Also spelled click, cleik, kleek, kliek and cleeque.

cleek = 3) a salmon net set in a river in a curve form (Scottish dialect).

cleeque = cleek.

cleft = a slit-like opening, e.g. the interruption in the thickened lower lip in Catostomidae.

cleidoic = said of an ovum containing enough nutritive material for the production of a complete embryo.

cleik = cleek.

cleithra = plural of cleithrum.

cleithral = adjective from cleithrum.

cleithral head spine = a spine on the head of Scorpaenidae members. They are, from anterior to posterior over the top of the head on each side, the nasal, preocular, supraocular, postocular, tympanic, coronal (medial to the tympanic and postocular spines), parietal, and nuchal. Opercular spines are at the postero-dorsal corner of the operculum, preopercular spines line the posterior margin of the preoperculum, and the cleithral and postcleithral spines are just above the opercular spines on the side of the head.

cleithral stripe = a stripe, usually dark and evident, running from the upper gill opening down to the pectoral fin base.

cleithral symphysis = the junction of the ventral and anterior ends of the cleithra, often visible as a cartilaginous ridge in larvae.

cleithrum (plural cleithra) = the principal bow-shaped bone of the pectoral girdle, dermal in origin, forming the rear margin of the gill cavity. It articulates dorsally with the supracleithrum and ventrally with the scapula and coracoid, and meets its opposite pair medially under the heart. Used in age estimation, where it is more reliable than scales in some species, e.g. Esox masquinongy.

clems = fish and potatoes fried together (Cornish dialect). Also called pick-up.

clevis = a swivel attached to a spinner blade which allows it to rotate on retrieval.

clew = corner of a fish net.

click = 1) a cork shaped like a fish used to catch seagulls. It was covered with mackerel skin, baited with meat, and armed with two hooks.

click = 2) cleek.

click drag = a drag or resistance on a reel which makes a clicking sound. It slows and tires a hooked fish.

click hook = a large barbed hook for catching salmon, comprised of hooks bound together shaft to shaft, used in poaching. Poachers throw them beneath the fish, and with a sharp click strike them into the belly.

click net = a net used for holding over the water to catch salmon as they jump.

clicker cork = a styrofoam cork, thin and about 3 inches long, mounted on an 8 inch wire. A yanking retrieval produces a clicking sound similar to the one that shrimp make an this attracts fish to bite. Used on shrimptail jigs above a grass bottom.

clidost = urohyal (a flat, median, deep, endochondral bone below the ceratohyal; a tendon bone arising in the septum between the longitudinal muscles of the isthmus. Absent in such primitive fishes as Lepisosteus. Also called clidost, episternal, interclavicle and parahyoid).

clinch knot = half blood knot (a knot used by anglers to attach swivels, hooks and lures to the main line. Various websites have animated steps showing how to tie this knot).

clinched half blood knot = a knot used by anglers to attach swivels, hooks and lures to the fishing line; seemingly a tautology. Various websites have animated steps showing how to tie this knot.

clinching net = a bag net used for fishing. The net is attached to a semicircular hoop, having a transverse piece, to the centre of which a pole is fixed. The net is put gently into the stream, and drawn towards the bank when the river is in flood, and the fish drawn to the sides (English dialect).

cline = a geographical gradient in a character, e.g. increase northwards in number of vertebrae in fish.

clinker = a form of seaworthy boat construction built with planks overlapping the one below. Also called lapstrake.

clinolimnion = that part of the hypolimnion of a lake where the rate of heating falls exponentially with depth.

clip = 1) clamp.

clip = 2) a gaff or strong iron hook with a wooden handle, used for landing fish (British dialect). Also spelled clep, clipe, klip and klepp.

clipe = clip.

clip-on weight = a flattened lead weight with prongs and of various sizes which can be clipped on to swimfeeders (q.v.) for added weight.

clipfish = salted whole dried fish, often cod (Gadus morhua). Famous in Norway where it is dried in the sun (from the Norwegian klippfisk, klepp being a rock by the water and fisk being fish).

clipped herring = brined herring with the heads and most of guts removed. Also called cut herring.

clipped roe fish = alewives (Alosa pseudoharengus) with the heads and guts removed but with the roe left inside.

clipper = high-quality swordfish or dolphin (fish) caught and frozen at sea.

clippet = a large hook fastened to the end of a stick, used in landing fish in sea fishing (English dialect).

cloaca = the vestibule into which empty the urogenital and digestive canals and which opens ventrally to the exterior, usually just in front of the anal fin, e.g. in Elasmobranchii, Acipenseridae.

cloacal appendage = tissue next to the cloaca, enlarge and often pointed.

cloacal aperture = the opening of the cloaca.

clone = a group of descendants of the same genetic constitution from a single parent; see gynogenesis.

cloop = a distinctive sucking sound made by fish such as carp (Cyprinus carpio) at the surface when feeding.

close = gutted but not fully split open fish.

close fish = a whole smoked haddock with its backbone retained, usually gutted and headed (Scotland). Initially cold smoked for several hours, then hot smoked. Also known as Arbroath smokie, Auchmithie cure, pinwiddie.

closed area = an area closed to fishing by season or temporarily to protect spawning fish or juveniles.

closed basin = a basin without visible surface outflow.

closed containment system = an aquaculture facility on land or in the sea in which water is re-used, has a processing system for wastes, and escapes of farmed fish are impossible.

closed mating system = a breeding programme in which no outside fish are allowed. This ensures the progeny are from a known parental combination.

closed sea = 1) a part of the ocean hemmed in by narrow straits or headlands.

closed sea = 2) a part of the ocean within the territorial jurisdiction of a state. Opposite of open sea.

closed season = a fishing ban by season but also by time, area, or species, usually to protect spawners or young, cf. open season.

closed system = closed containment system.

closed to retention = for conservation purposes, fish caught by anglers must be returned alive to the water. Also called catch and release, non-retention and daily limit 0.

closed waters = waters where it is illegal to fish.

closed-cycle system = an aquaculture unit where the water is treated and re-used rather than being replaced with fresh water.

closed-face reel = an angling reel with a fixed spool enclosed by a housing and the bail arm replaced by a small pick-up pin. The line emerges from a central hole. Used in spinning and light float fishing.

closure = 1) the banning of fishing during a particular time (temporal closure) or place (spatial closure) or both.

closure = 2) completion and start-up of a dam.

clotting = clatting.

cloudbait = a fine groundbait which forms a cloud in the water to attract fish to the hook and its bait. Necessarily used in still or slow moving waters.

clough = a steep-sided valley or tributary to another valley (Lancashire).

clouser minnow = a streamer (q.v.) pattern that imitates baitfish, named for the designer Bob Clouser.

clout = a measure of nets, about 4 yards long (British and Scottish dialect).

clove hitch = a knot used to attach a boat, for example, to a post quickly. It is made by dropping two half-hitches (see double half-hitch) over and around the post. Various websites have animated steps showing how to tie this knot.

clown = a colour used in hard jerk baits comprising a chrome body with a chartreuse back and red head or face.

club = 1) a device used to stun or kill a fish when captured on hook and line or in a trap. Can be a simple piece of wood or intricately shaped and carved as with the Haida fish clubs of western Canada.

club = 2) an association of individuals devoted to angling. See also anglers association.

club = 3) an association of individuals devoted to keeping fish in aquaria.

club cell = a specialised, club-shaped cell in the epidermis which produces, e.g., pheromones in members of the Cypriniformes.

clubbing = swelling of the tips of the gill filaments.

clubcell = club cell.

clupeoid fish poisoning = clupeotoxism.

clupeotoxic fishes = those fishes causing clupeoid fish poisoning; certain clupeiform members of the families Clupeidae, Engraulidae and Elopidae in the tropical Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and tropical Pacific Ocean. Tropical clupeiform fishes according to some reports are most likely to be toxic during the warm summer months. Toxicity may be due to the fishes consumption of a dinoflagellate.

clupeotoxin = the poison in clupeotoxic fishes. It is a neurotoxin, palytoxin, found in marine algae and presumably ingested by the fish.

clupeotoxism = a form of fish poisoning caused by eating clupeotoxic fishes. A sharp metallic taste on ingestion may be followed by nausea, dryness of the mouth, vomiting, malaise, abdominal pain and diarrhoea, nervous disturbance such as dilated pupils, muscular convulsions, coma and death. Symptoms ensue very rapidly - death may occur in less than 15 minutes and the fatality rate is high (about 45%). Treatment is symptomatic.

cluster = 1) a temporary grouping of a few schools or elementary population of fishes.

cluster = 2) a collective noun (a noun that denotes a collection of persons or things regarded as a unit) for porcupinefish.

cluster analysis = a method of grouping taxa on the basis of similarity or distance.

cluster eggs = portions of roe with membranes and eggs adhering.

clustering = milling about exhibited by territorial fishes. May include displays and chases.

clutch = the number of eggs laid at any one time. May refer to groups of eggs laid in a nest.

clutch overlap = superfetation (the simultaneous development of several broods within the ovary where they are nourished; enabled by the entrance and storage of sperm in the ovary, e.g. in Poeciliidae. Also spelled superfoetation).

clutch size = clutch.

clutch tender = an ecological group of reproductive guilds (q.v.) where the fish look after the eggs once laid.

clysotremic = pertaining to tide pools.

C-mormyromast = electroreceptor (an organ which detects the presence of an electric current).

cm³ = cubic centimetre (0.0338 fl oz, 0.00211 pt, 1.0 mL).

CNS = central nervous system.

co- (prefix) = together, sharing, with, jointly.

co-adventurer = a member of a fishing crew whose pay depends on the value of the catch rather than on a fixed wage (Newfoundland).

co-management = the sharing of authority, responsibility, and benefits between government and local communities, non-governmental organisations, research institutions, etc. in the management of fish stocks.

co-range line = a line linking all points on a map having the same tidal range.

co-tidal line = a line linking all points on a map having the same tidal stage or phase.

coachman = a fly-fisher's rod, in allusion to whipping the stream (slang).

Coad = 1) dweller at a wood (Celtic), or pre-7th Century "cod(e)" meaning bag (Old English), or a nickname for a fishmonger from "codde" meaning appropriately fish (Middle English), or a variant of Cody which is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic O Cuidighthigh meaning descendant of Cuidightheach, a byname for a helpful person (also appropriately).

COAD = 2) chronic obstructive airway disease.

coagulant = a chemical compound used in water clarifiers in aquaria. It causes fine particles to stick together such that they are more easily removed by the filter.

coalesced = fused, e.g. teeth of Scaridae are coalesced in varying degrees to form a "plate".

coarse fish = those kinds of fish not sought after by sports fishermen, or regarded as of lesser importance, perhaps caught for sport but not food. In Britain sport fish are basically Atlantic salmon and brown trout, all other fish being considered coarse fish including northern pike and perch considered as sport fish in North America. Coarse fish are often various members of the carp family (Cyprinidae) in Britain. Catch and release is the norm and keeping coarse fish is against the rules on many waters. Some fish, particularly carp, have been caught many times and are very suspicious of baits and much sought after. Most coarse fishing is static with a bait remaining for long periods in one place (except in rivers), boats are seldom used, groundbait or chum is used to attract fish to a swim or fishing spot, casts can be over a hundred yards away from the angler, rods are very long and rigs are highly specialised and refined. Lures are not in common use in Britain because most coarse fish are not predators and do not chase them. See also match fishing and pole for further details on British methods of fishing.

coarse sediment = sediment with a particle size greater than 2.0 mm. Includes gravel, cobbles and boulders.

coarse vegetation = a loosely used term for emergent plants, especially coarser ones such as reeds.

coast = the contact between the terrestrial and aquatic environment. Variously defined as equivalent to the shore or much wider than the shore. Extends inland to the first major change in terrestrial features.

coast fishery = 1) an inshore fishery.

coast fishery = 2) specifically, the inshore cod fishery of Newfoundland.

coast ice = sea-ice which forms and remains fast along the coast, attached to the shore or to grounded icebergs. Also called fastice.

coastal aquaculture = fish farming in sheltered bays in coastal areas or on low-lying land on the coastal plain.

coastal pelagic = an offshore fish that migrates along the coast but is not a true open ocean fish.

coastal zone = extends from the continental shelf break or 200 nautical miles offshore (the seaward extent of the exclusive economic zone) to the shoreline and up coastal rivers to the head of tidal influence.

coaster = a brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) that spends part of its life at sea or in the Great Lakes.

coastline = seaward margin of the land, which is usually equivalent to the high tide shoreline.

coating = fish products may be marketed with a coating, e.g. of batter and breadcrumbs.

coaxer = decoy (an imitation of a fish used to attract fish close enough to be speared. Used in ice fishing in North America).

cob = a heap of salt herrings (English dialect).

cobb = cob.

coble = a flat-bottomed, single-masted North Sea fishing boat. See also plosher (1).

cobble = 1) substrate particles that are smaller than boulders and larger than pebbles, and are generally 64-256 mm in diameter (other sources have 64-128 mm). Can be further classified as small and large cobble. Commonly used by salmonids in the construction of a redd, q.v.

cobble = 2) coble (2).

cobble = 3) to throw stones into a hole in the river bed in order to drive fish into shallower water (Cumberland dialect).

cobblestone = cobble.

cobesta = cabesta.

coble = 1) an open or deckless fishing-boat used principally on the north-east coast of England, with sharp bows, flat, sloping stern, and without a keel.

coble = 2) a short, flat-bottomed rowing-boat, used in salmon fishing (English dialect). See also net and coble.

coble-gate = the right of salmon-fishing with a coble; as much as can be fished by one coble (Northumberland dialect).

cobleman = a person who used a flat-bottomed boat for fishing.

coccidiosis = a disease caused by various species of the protozoan Eimeria, affecting skin, the intestine, liver and testes, causing nodules, ulcers and granulomas. Important in carp culture.

cochleariform = ear-shaped.

cock = 1) a male salmonid; also used for some other fish species. Hen is the female fish.

cock = 2) cock-boat.

cock-anterbury seed = a fish-poaching drug, Anamirta cocculus, the seeds of this plant being made into a paste which fish swallow and float to the surface intoxicated where they are easily scooped up. Does not work in running water (Somerset dialect). See also fish berry.

cock-boat = a small rowing boat (English dialect).

cock-fare = a period of fishing for herring using the cock-boat (Sussex dialect).

cock-heaks = the fishing nets of a cock (2).

cock-tail = a small row-boat carried by the larger luggers, with which they communicate with other vessels (Kentish dialect).

cocktail = 1) use of two types of bait on the same hook, e.g. corn and worm, caster and worm.

cocktail = 2) cock-tail.

cocoon = the hard covering of dried mucus formed by Dipneusti inside a burrow formed of dried mud. The cocoon extends into the mouth cavity where it connects the pharynx and lungs with an opening to the burrow so the fish can breathe.

cod = 1) Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua (Gadidae), a former mainstay of the fisheries and cultural life eastern Canada and in Europe with many terms associated with its fishery. Many of these terms are in dialects of English or are archaic.

cod = 2) a member of the cod family Gadidae, or related members of the Order Gadiformes (which has over 555 species world-wide), mostly in marine waters. Several species are of major economic importance.

cod = 3) to horse around (British slang).

cod = 4) to fool someone (British slang); i.e. to rise to a bait like a cod fish.

cod = 5) to harass someone by continual criticism or carping.

cod = 6) cash on delivery.

cod = 7) collect on delivery.

cod = 8) a husk, pod, bag or scrotum from the Old English codd.

cod = 9) false or imitative, e.g. cod-Italian cafe, an imitation Italian cafe (British slang).

cod = 10) computing on demand (pay per usage).

cod block = fresh filleted cod, packaged frozen.

cod blubber = cod livers rendered for their oil (Newfoundland).

cod box = an area of the North sea or Irish sea where cod fishing is not allowed during the spawning season.

cod brick = compressed pieces of salted, dried cod.

cod cheek = a delicacy, the muscles between the eye and the preopercle.

cod equivalent tonnage = a conversion factor applied to any species subject to TAC (q.v.) management and national quotas, equating each species’ market value to that of cod (= 1.0). Used as the basis upon which nations exchange quota in different species.

cod farmer = an aquaculturist raising cod to sellable size.

cod fish = to catch cod (Gadus morhua). See also cod fish.

cod fishery = the main commercial fishery for cod, Gadus morhua, particularly that of Newfoundland.

cod flake = a platform built on poles and spread with boughs for drying split and salted cod (Newfoundland).

cod glut = catch of cod in excess of the capacity to handle or process.

cod hauler = a fisherman engaged in the Newfoundland cod fishery.

cod house = a house built with the profits from the trade in cod in the nineteenth century, e.g. on Jersey whose merchants dominated this trade.

cod jigger = an unbaited hook set in lead sinker, jerked up and down sharply to take cod.

cod-jigging = the process of fishing for cod with a cod jigger.

cod head = the head of a cod, used as fertilizer; the fleshy parts being a delicacy in Newfoundland. See also cod's head.

cod line = an eighteen-thread line used for catching cod.

cod liver meal = residues of cod livers after the oil is extracted used in animal feeds.

cod liver oil = 1) oil extracted by boiling the livers. May be made from other gadoids such as haddock. Once used as a basis for paints, to tan leather, and as a dietary and medicinal supplement as it contained vitamins A and D (tastes awful from long personal experience (BWC) in the 1940s and 1950s when taken in liquid form, only marginally better when encapsulated).

Cod Liver oil = 2) a Newfoundland song based on the product above, which in that country was sun-cured and sold raw in bottles.

cod liver paste = a paste made from cod livers with spices and other flavourings.

cod net = twine net placed vertically in the water to enmesh cod by the head and gills; gill-net.

cod nobbin = a fleshy piece cut from the neck of the fish when the head is removed while preparing the body for salting.

cod oil = an inferior cod liver oil used in leather manufacturing.

cod preserves = the island of Newfoundland (slang).

cod run = movement of cod to inshore waters in Newfoundland.

cod seine = a large seine net, up to 600 feet (182.8 m) in length, used to capture cod (Gadus morhua).

cod seine boat = a large, undecked fishing boat used to set and haul a cod-seine in the coastal fishery of Newfoundland.

cod seine crew = six or more men engaged to fish with a cod-seine under the direction of a seine master (Newfoundland).

cod seine fishery = the pursuit of cod with seines.

cod seine skiff = cod-seine boat.

cod sound = swimbladder of Gadus morhua.

cod stage an elevated platform on shore on which cod are landed and processed before drying.

cod tongue = the tongue and hyoid apparatus of Gadus morhua. It has a glutinous, jelly-like consistency and delicate flavour when lightly fried, and may be salted.

cod trap = a pound net designed to capture cod. Consists of a net floor and walls in a box-like shape with a small opening on one wall called the doors. Leader nets running from the shore or a shoal directed the fish into the net.

cod trap berth = a place on the fishing ground where a cod trap is placed, the position assigned by lot.

cod trap crew = a group of 3-6 men working under a skipper on the share system to operate cod traps.

cod trap fishery =

cod trap linnet = twine knitted or made into meshes to form a trap.

cod trap season = the summer months when cod appear in schools in inshore waters of Newfoundland.

cod trap twine = hemp, cotton or nylon thread used in knitting or making a cod trap.

cod trap operator = 1) the captain of a cod trap crew.

cod trap operator = 2) operator of a boat which uses cod traps.

Cod Wars = a series of disputes between Iceland and Britain over the rights to fisheries off the coasts of the former country from 1958 to 1976. On three occasions, the Icelanders extended their territorial limits from 7 km to 19 km, from 19 km to 80 km, and then to 370 km (200 nautical miles). Nets were caught, rammings occurred and some shots fired. The limit was accepted when Iceland threatened to close the NATO base at Keflavik, an important defense against the Soviet Union in the Cold War (and Cod War may be a tabloid press play on words from Cold War).

cod whanger = a resident of Newfoundland involved in processing cod on shore.

cod worm = a parasitic annelid transferred to cod by seals.

cod's head = a stupid fellow (English slang).

cod-bag = a net in which cod were kept in the water until they could be loaded onto a vessel or towed ashore for processing (Newfoundland).

cod-end = 1) the end of a trawl net which retains the catch and the part of the net where most size-selection takes place. In shape either cylindrical or tapering. Cod end mesh sizes and structure are usually regulated. From the Anglo-Saxon codd, a small bag.

cod-end = 2) a netting bag comprising one or more panels of the same mesh size attached together along their sides in the axis of a trawl by a seam where a side rope may also be attached.

cod-end knot = an easily released but secure knot opening the cod-end and releasing the fish onto the deck.

cod-fish = cod (1), and the usual form for naming this species in cultural works and the Newfoundland fishery. See also cod fish.

cod-fish weather = the foggy and chilly weather associated with the appearance of cod in coastal waters of Newfoundland in June and July.

cod hauler = nickname for a fisherman engaged in the Newfoundland cod fishery.

cod's head = 1) the head of a cod (Gadus morhua) used as fertiliser or the fleshy part eaten as a delicacy (Newfoundland). See also codhead.

cod's head = 2) a type of woollen mitten (Newfoundland).

cod-seine = a large seine net, up to 600 feet (182.8 m) in length, used to capture cod (Gadus morhua).

cod-seine boat = a large, undecked fishing boat used to set and haul a cod-seine in the coastal fishery of Newfoundland.

cod-seine crew = six or more men engaged to fish with a cod-seine under the direction of a seine master (Newfoundland).

cod-seine fishery = the pursuit of cod with seines.

cod-seine skiff = cod-seine boat.

cod-trap = cod trap.

codding = fishing for cod.

Code = the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, a system of rules and recommendations regulating nomenclature. The most recent version of the Code is the Fourth Edition published in September 1999 and taking effect on January 1st 2000.

coded-wire tag = a small (0.25 mm diameter x 1 mm length) wire etched with a distinctive binary code and implanted in the snout of a fish (usually a salmonid) for mark-recapture studies. Abbreviated as CWT.

codend gag = hauling leg (a wire rope extension of the halving becket joined to the lazy deckie (both q.v.). Also called bag becket leg, gagline and lazy deckie leg).

codend lashing = codline.

codend lift = 1) the part of a trawl containing fish hauled on board in a single operation.

codend lift = 2) the act of emptying the codend; usually involves several stages when the catch is large.

codfish = cod-fish.

codfish aristocracy = any pretentious, newly-rich people. Based on the Boston nouveau riche of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries who made their money in the cod fisheries.

codfish ball = flaked salt cod and mashed potatoes.

codfish cake = flaked salt cod and mashed potatoes.

codfish vertebrae = a medical condition in humans characterised by an exaggeration of the concavity of the upper and lower end plates of the vertebrae, as demonstrated radiographically in various types of thinning of the bone mass.

codge = a tangle in fishing lines.

codhead = a person from Fleetwood, Lancashire, a traditional fishing port. See also cod's head.

codland = the island of Newfoundland (slang). See also bacallaos and cod-preserves.

codlin = a small cod. See also codling.

codline = a rope closing the rear of a cod-end (sometimes also strengthening chafers). The knot can easily be loosened by hand or mechanically to let the fish catch out.

codling = a small cod. See also codlin.

codology = nonsense, the science of fooling someone. See cod.

Codpeace Foundation = an organisation set up in Newfoundland in 1979 in mockery of anti-sealing groups like Greenpeace and to support the "noble cod".

cods = 1) two or more cod (Gadus morhua or related fish).

cods = 2) testicles.

codswallop = nonsense, rubbish. Origin obscure and probably not connected to the cod (Gadus morhua). May be derived from a bottle with a glass marble in the neck invented by Hiram Codd and sold with mineral water - the slang for fizzy ale was wallop, hence codswallop.

coefficient of condition = condition factor.

coefficient of decrease = the ratio of number of deaths per unit of time to population abundance during that time, if all deceased fish were to be immediately replaced so that population does not change. Also called instantaneous rate of total mortality.

coeliac artery = a branch of the coeliaco-mesenteric artery (from the dorsal aorta) that serves the stomach, particularly the right side, and has branches serving the swimbladder and anterior dorsal mesentery (pneumatic artery), the liver (hepatic artery), the spleen (splenic artery), the enlarged proximal loop of the intestine and the intestinal diverticula (anterior intestinal artery), the straight posterior terminal portion of the intestine (posterior intestinal artery), and the dorsal surface of the ovary (ovarian artery)(the spermatic artery runs from the coeliaco-mesenteric artery to the left testis and from the gastric artery to the right testis).

coeliaco-mesenteric artery = a branch of the dorsal aorta that itself branches immediately into the gastric and coeliac arteries, q.v.

coelom = the fluid-filled abdominal cavity or body cavity containing the guts, gonads, kidneys, etc.

coelomic funnel = a ring-shaped peritoneal fold in female Salmonidae, for example, that guides the mature ova into the genital cavity from whence they exit to the exterior.

coeval = of the same age; existing or originating in the same time period.

coffee grinder = slang for a spincaster reel, q.v.

coffin = 1) a large container, often of stainless steel, used for storing large fish specimens in a museum.

coffin = 2) a box in which bluefin tuna are delivered to the Tokyo fish market.

cofilament = an angling line made of a core, low-stretch polyester and an outer layer of tough and flexible nylon. Less stretch than nylon monofilament and more sensitive to bites.

coggle = a small fishing boat.

coghel = a fishing net, generally an eel net, long and bag-like, narrowing to a point, and fixed on a hoop (Irish dialect). Also spelled cahill.

cognate = related through common ancestry.

cohort = a group of individuals of the same age recruited into a population at the same time, e.g. the 1999 cohort refers to fish age 0 in 1999, age 1 in 2000, etc.

cohort analysis = virtual population analysis (an algorithm for computing historical fishing mortality rates and stock sizes by age or length, based on data on catches, natural mortality, and certain assumptions about mortality for the last year and last age group. Assumes that, in a given time period, all fishing takes place instantaneously in the middle of the time period. Essentially reconstructs the history of each cohort or year class over its life in a fishery, assuming that the observed catches are known without error).

cohort replacement rate = the rate at which each subsequent cohort or generation replaces the previous one.

cohort slicing = a method used to assign ages to fish, given length measurements, e.g. used to convert catch-at-size data into catch-at-age data before the application of age-structured assessment models. Cohort slicing assumes that there is a one-to-one correspondence between length and age, i.e. the approach ignores individual variability in growth.

coil = 1) a Danish seine rope with 2½ leads and a length of 120 fathoms. Up to 20 coils may be set, linked by G-shaped hooks.

coil = 2) line or rope arranged in a circular pattern, and the act of arranging thusly.

coiled = said of the gut when it is convoluted in a regular, circular fashion.

coish = cosh.

colbert = where the backbone and bones are removed leaving the fillets attached to the head, usually in sole or whiting.

cold chain = the series of steps from capture through transport to preparation for eating where a fish is refrigerated to maintain its commercial viability.

cold fish = a person who is very reserved or aloof in manner or who lacks normal cordiality, sympathy, or other feeling; emotionless; a sexually frigid person.

cold marinade = acetic acid and salt as marinade in which fish are immersed without heat.

cold monomictic = said of a lake with a summer overturn and with a temperature never above 4°C.

cold resistance = the ability to survive temperatures below 0°C.

cold rooz = close the net, a word of command given in pilchard fishing (Cornish dialect).

cold seep = an area of the deep sea floor where cold water, rich in sulphides and/or methane, emerges, supporting bacteria and thus a food chain including fishes without sunlight.

cold smoking = salt cure fish smoked at less than 33°C to prevent cooking of proteins.

cold storage = fish stored well below the freezing point.

cold storage flavour = an unpleasant flavour and odour found in lean fish during frozen storage. Likened to wet dogs, to turnipy, leathery and carboardy odours (presumably in their wet states). The chemical involved is hept-cis-4-enal formed by oxidation of phospholipids. Not all people can detect this odour, about 10-15% being insensitive.

cold store flavour = cold storage flavour.

cold water = 1) water bodies characterised by summer temperatures not exceeding 20°C.

cold water = 2) the species found in water bodies characterised by summer temperatures not exceeding 20°C.

cold-smoked = said of fish that have been lightly brined and smoked at a low temperature; such fish must be cooked before consumption, cf. hot smoked.

coldkill = a mortality among marine fishes caused by a sudden drop in temperature.

coldwater disease = a bacterial disease of juvenile and yolk-sac fry of salmonids caused by Cytophaga psychrophila (or Flexibacter psychrophilus). It occurs at temperatures below 10°C and is an external and systemic disease with lesions on the fins skin and muscles, often concentrated on the caudal peduncle. Survivors may lose the caudal fin. Severe outbreaks leave fish lethargic and spinal deformities develop, or some fish may show spiral swimming, dorsal swelling and dark pigmentation on one side of the body; mortality is common. Also called peduncle disease or low temperature disease.

coldwater fish = fish found in waters of 20°C or less, optimally 4-15°C.

coldwater period = the stable period of water temperature of very late fall and winter to early spring.

coldwater pond = a pond for aquaculture where waters are 20°C or less.

coldwater Vibrio = a disease of farmed Atlantic salmon among others caused by certain Vibrio species active at temperatures below 10°C and producing muscular and myocardial degeneration. Red or bloody streaks appear on the body and fins and can lead to fin and tail rot with, in severe cases the tail and/or fins falling off. Also called red pest and Hitra disease.

colère =a breaded fish skinned, eyes, gills and fins removed, and the tail bent around into the mouth, e.g. in whiting.

coll. = abbreviation for collector (a person or institution who finds and secures specimens. Abbreviation often occurs on labels and is scientific descriptions of species. See also leg.).

collapse = reduction of a stock abundance by fishing and/or other causes to levels at which the production is negligible compared to historical levels. Normally used when the reduction is sudden. May be wrongly used to describe overfishing.

collar = 1) a ring of feathers or hair arranged immediately behind the head of an artificial fly.

collar = 2) collar bone.

collar boat = a small rowboat (Newfoundland).

collar bone = the bone at the shoulder of a fish that forms the leading edge of a belly flap, q.v., in preparing fish as food. The collar is discarded when a fish is made into a steak or fillet but left on headless fish for sale because it helps retain the fish's shape. Also called lug bone, nape bone and shoulder bone.

collar day = the date on which sharemen and fisheries servants commence their voyage (1 May) (Newfoundland).

collar punt = collar boat.

collar time = spring, the period of preparation for the summer fishery in Newfoundland.

collateral type = any specimen, other than the primary type, used in a species description.

collecting pool = a place where fish concentrate during the drying up or draining of a pond, usually behind the monk, q.v.

collection = 1) a permanent repository of preserved fish specimens available for scientific study and display.

collection = 2) a group of specimens with a common association such as geography or taxonomy.

collection = 3) the act of collecting fish for study.

collection and bypass system = a system at a dam that collects and holds the fish approaching the dam for later transportation or moves them through or around the dam without going through the turbine units.

collection manager = a person responsible for the care, maintenance, documentation, organisation, development and access to a collection.

collective group = an assemblage of nominal species that cannot be placed with certainty in known genera; names proposed expressly for collective groups are treated as generic names.

collective group name = 1) a name established expressly for a collective group. As collective groups have no type species their names cannot compete with other genus-group names for priority, but they do compete with them for homonymy.

collective group name = 2) a name established for a nominal genus or subgenus and later used for a collective group.

collective noun = a noun that denotes a collection of persons or things regarded as a unit. For ichthyology these include:-

army = herrings

battery = barracuda

bed = eels

bind = eels

bind = salmon

brood = dogfish

cast = fish

catch = fish

cluster = porcupinefish

company = archer fish

cran = fish

draft = eels

draught = fish

draught = salmon

drift = fish

drought = fish

elongation = anglers

exaggeration = fishermen

family = sardines

fleet = bass

float = tunas

flote = fish

flotilla = swordfish

flutter = fish

fray = fish

fry = eels

glean = herrings

glide = flying fish

glint = goldfish (coined)

grind = blackfish

haul = fish

herd = seahorses

host = angelfish

hover = trout

knot = eels

lap = cod

leap = salmon

leash = trout

nest = fishes

pack = perch

party = rainbowfish

pod = billfish

pod = sailfish

pod = whiting

quantity = smelt

release = anglers (coined as a joke)

run = fish

run = salmon

scale = fish

scale = ichthyologists (coined as a joke)

scholl = fish

school = butterflyfish

school = salmon

school = sharks

shiver = sharks

shoal = barbels

shoal = fish

shoal = herrings

shoal = mackerel

shoal = minnows

shoal = perch

shoal = pilchards

shoal = roach

shoal = salmon

shoal = shad

shoal = sharks

shoal = sticklebacks

shoal = trout

spread = sticklebacks

steam = minnows

stream = minnows

swarm = dragonets

swarm = eels

swarm = minnows

take = fish

throw = fish

troop = dogfish

troop = tunas

troubling = goldfish

troup = trout

troup = tunas

warp = fish

wisp = eels

collective species = superspecies (a monophyletic group of allopatric species that are too distinct to be regarded as a single species; a cluster of incipient species (semispecies)).

collector = a person or institution who finds and secures specimens. Abbreviated as coll. Abbreviation often occurs on labels and is scientific descriptions of species. See also leg.

collector = a boat used to transport live cod from a cod trap to a cod farm (Newfoundland).

coller an eel = cooked eel pieces packed in a gelatin preparation. See also jellied eels.

collum = an interruption in the sulcus acusticus of an otolith which marks the location of the nucleus.

Colombo cure = Indian mackerel gutted and cured in wooden barrels with salt and tamarind.

colonisation = the establishment (reproduction) of a species in an area not currently occupied by that species. Colonisation often involves dispersal across an area of unsuitable habitat.

colony = a protective grouping of spawning fish to protect young from predators.

Colorado blade = in angling, the basic rounded blade pattern of a spinner or spoon. Produces the most vibration and is good at night or in murky water.

coloration = combination of colour with pattern.

colour = 1) water may be coloured, affecting light penetration, plant growth and fish habitat. May be measured in colour units related to a standard.

colour = 2) fish have a characteristic colour depending of the type of commercial cure, e.g. light-salted fish have a yellowish cast, may show a slightly greenish cast and are translucent near the surface while green, heavy-salted fish are white to near white in colour.

colour = 3) fish have a vriety of colours and colour patterns, varying with sex, season, developmental stage, trophic characters, lighting, behaviour, in water and out of water, etc.

colour enhancer = a chemical added to fish food; reputed to make the fish more colourful.

colour morph = a group of pigmented individuals, one of several such that may be fixed but also subject to individual change.

-colous (suffix) = to inhabit, inhabiting.

colt = a young seahorse (Hippocampus spp.).

column feeder = a fish that takes food in mid-water or near but not at the surface.

columna vertebralis = vertebral column (the vertebrae from the skull to the caudal fin, protecting the spinal cord and haemal artery and forming an attachment for muscles used in swimming).

columnar = column-shaped.

columnaris disease = a systemic and skin disease of young-of-the-year freshwater fishes caused by Flexibacter columnaris (or Flavobacterium columnare). Usually occurs in summer and is associated with stress, crowding, injury and poor water quality. Virulent forms may show no external symptoms, less virulent forms show grey-white lesions on the body, fins and gills. Lesions first appear on the caudal fin and progress towards the head. Heavy infections appear yellow or orange. Scaleless fish show lesions comprising a dark blue area overlain by a milky veil and with a red-tinged margin. See also saddleback, saddlepatch disease, mouth fungus and mouth rot, depending on locality on body.

colvert salmon = calvert salmon.

comb hook = hooks aligned on a bar and dragged along the bottom to snag bottom fishes.

comb. nov. = abbreviation for combinatio nova, meaning new combination.

comb. rev. = abbreviation for combinatio revivisco, meaning combination revived when a combination is reinstated , e.g. from an earlier synonymy.

combined live bearer = a reproductive guild (q.v.) with eggs having a large yolk volume and density (lecithotrophy) combined with feeding on sibling remains, histrotrophe and with simple placenta-like structures. Large specialised young are produced at parturition, e.g. Latimeria chalumnae.

combination = a scientific name comprising a genus group name followed by one or more names peculiar to the taxon.

combination vessel = a vessel capable of more than one type of fishing, e.g. longliner/dragger, midwater trawler/purse seiner, bottom trawler/purse seiner.

combination polyculture = aquaculture of fishes with vegetables, fruit trees, ducks, pigs, chickens, etc. in various combinations.

combinato novum = new combination. A new name results from a change in rank or position of an epithet from an earlier name, e.g. transfer to a new genus producing a new combination.

combined description = when a monotypic species description uses the same character states to describe both genus and species.

combined gill net/trammel net = gear set on the bottom made of a gill net, the lower part of which is replaced by a trammel net. Bottom fish are caught in the trammel net while semi-demersal or pelagic fish are caught in the gill net.

comfort zone = a fish species ideal environmental conditions, water temperature, oxygen, pH, etc.

comm. = abbreviation for communicavit, meaning (s)he communicated.

common of piscary = the right to fish in another man's waters (legal).

commensal parasite = a parasite which derives its substance from the food of its host.

commensalism = the close association members of different species which live together to the benefit of one without harm to the other, e.g. Amphiprion with a sea-anemone. See also symbiosis.

commercial abundance = commercial stock.

commercial catch = fishes caught by commercial fishing activities.

commercial extinction = fish stocks too rare to catch profitably.

commercial fish culture = aquaculture carried out for profit and/or socio-economic benefits.

commercial fishery = a fishery intended to harvest one or more species of fish for the purpose of selling them to fish buyers or directly to the public. Includes fisheries resources, fishermen, businesses related to harvesting, processing and sales.

commercial fishing boat = a boat used to earn a living by catching fish.

commercial harvest = commercial fishery.

commercial nape fillet = a fillet of fish with the belly flap removed, essentially boneless.

commercial size = minimum size that may be caught in a fishery.

commercial stock = that part of a commercial fish stock which could potentially be used by the fishery.

commercial yield = that part of the total fish stock which a commercial fishery could, or does, obtain.

comminuted = minced or fragmented fish flesh. It may be mechanically comminuted such that the type and form of the fish is no longer recognisable, or be fish fillets minced after removal of skin and bones, or disintegrated fish with some protein removed as in surimi (q.v.).

Commission = the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN). The duties and operation of the Commission are regulated by the Code (q.v.), and the powers and duties of the Commission are authorized by the International Zoological Congresses.

commissure = a site of union of corresponding parts, e.g. the jaw symphysis.

commodity = any fish which has value and is produced or gathered for consumption or sale.

common cardinal vein = the duct of Cuvier. The anterior cardinal vein returns blood from the head and the posterior cardinal vein from the trunk, joining together as the common cardinal vein (also called incorrectly the vitelline vein). The jugular vein from the lower jaw also empties into the common cardinal vein. The two common cardinal veins empty into the sinus venosus, q.v.

common of fishery = common of piscary.

common of piscary = the common law right of someone to fish in another person's waters.

common fishery = those fisheries not belonging to any state; the right to fish in all public waters, Compare free fishery and several fishery and, particularly, common of fishery.

common law right = in England, the right of access to the commons, including that of taking fish in tidal waters, dating from Magna Carta in 1215.

common name = the vernacular name of a species, varying from place to place, by language and over time. Scientific names, in contrast, are in Latin or latinised Greek world-wide and are subject to rules of usage that cannot apply to common names. Some common names of rare or deepsea species are artificial "book names" as these species are never seen by the general public. They are coined simply to provide a consistent format in books where common names are used or to provide a means of communication with people unfamiliar or uncomfortable with Latin names. Official common names are an attempt to standardise usage and some countries have recommended lists. The Latin or scientific name provides accurate identification and should be used at least once in any article to fix the identity of the species being discussed. Of course, popular articles will use names without reference to official lists and restricting the common name to one choice loses diversity, cultural significance, history, etc. See also name.

common pool resource = a natural resource (e.g. a fishery) that is difficult to divide up or control such that the take by one person affects that of another.

common property resource = a fishery resource owned by the public and regulated by the government. Not the same as open access since regulated.

communicavit = (s)he communicated.

community = 1) the different species of fish kept together in an aquarium. Certain species thrive while others cannot be kept together because of predatory behaviour, aggressiveness, different environmental requirements, etc.

community = 2) a group of organisms in a given place and at a given time, at different trophic levels, and implying known or assumed relationships between the organisms (in contrast to an assemblage, q.v.).

community development quota = allocation of a portion of a catch to small communities which then form partnerships with large fish companies to harvest, process and market their share of the catch, e.g. along the Bering Sea shore of North America.

community fishery = fishing activity exerted in public or communal waters generally designed to meet community needs. May involve different levels of community involvement and participation.

community stage = a waterfront facility erected to serve the common needs of fishermen for landing and handling of a catch (Newfoundland).

compactor = a storage system where shelving or other storage units are mounted on rollers and tracks and moved together to minimise space and apart for access. Often used to store specimens in museums.

companion cell = a Sertoli or follicle cell enveloping the cysts of spermatogenic cells in the testis.

company = a collective noun (a noun that denotes a collection of persons or things regarded as a unit) for archer fish.

company and fish stink after three days = guests should not outstay their welcome.

compatible = said of fish species that can live together without mutual harm, whether in aquaria, aquaculture or nature.

compensation = 1) management activities that replace all or part of fish stocks or their habitat lost through development or other activities.

compensation = 2) mechanism by which the effect of one factor on a population tends to be counteracted or compensated for by a consequential change in another factor, e.g. compensatory growth, reduction in egg production may be compensated for by an increased survival rate of eggs.

compensation = 3) the maintenance of an appropriate physiological rate in the face of temperature change.

compensation depth = the depth at which oxygen production by photosynthesis is balanced by respiratory uptake (usually correlated with the depth at which light is 1% of its incident intensity). This is the lower limit of the photic zone below which there is no net plankton growth.

compensatory growth = an increase in growth rate shown by fish when their populations fall below certain levels. This may be caused by less competition for food and living space.

compensatory survival = a decrease in the rate of natural mortality that some fish show when their populations fall below a certain level. This may be caused by less competition for food and living space.

competition = the detrimental interaction between two or more organisms of the same or different species which utilise a common resource (excludes predation).

competition index = a measure in the change in yield in aquaculture when raising several species together rather than a single one.

competitive exclusion = two species cannot coexist when they have identical needs of a limited resource, one is excluded, the species that is the poorer competitor.

competitive release = the expansion of a species' ecological niche, associated with the lack of competition with other species.

competitive total allowable catch = a total allowable catch (TAC), q.v., under which participants are not allocated a portion of the total catch limit but the catches from all participants are summed to ensure that the sum of all catches does not exceed that TAC.

complemental male = the small, usually degenerate (except for gonads) male which lives attached to the female, e.g. some Ceratioidei. Also and less preferably called parasitic male.

complementary distribution = two taxa occupying adjacent geographical areas with little or no overlap.

complementary fish = a freshwater fish, often diadromous and belonging to marine groups which become dominant in freshwater faunas only in paucity or absence of primary, secondary, and probably also vicarious freshwater faunas, e.g. Agonostomus, Joturus, Cestraeus, Sicydium, Sicyopterus, Stiphodon, certain New World Gobiesocidae.

complemented survey = an angling survey using two or more contact methods.

complete = whole, entire, having all its elements, e.g. a complete lateral line runs from the head to the base of the tail and generally all scales in the line are pored.

complete diet = in aquaculture, a diet that satisfies all the nutritional requirements of a fish.

complete fertiliser = in aquaculture, a fertiliser with a full or complete complement of the necessary elements (especially nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium).

completed trip interview = an interview in an angling survey conducted as the angler finishes fishing.

complex = a group of closely related species that have yet to be adequately described and distinguished.

complex life cycle = a life cycle that consists of more than one stage, e.g. ammocoete and adult.

complexing = items that add complexity to a stream channel, altering flow and providing shelter for fish , e.g. rocks, vegetation.

composed hook = a hook consisting of several pieces, usually natural material such as whalebone, mother-of-pearl, tortoiseshell, thorn, horn, wood, etc.

composite = the use of two or more materials in constructing a fishing rod, usually carbon fibre and fibreglass.

composite fish culture = aquaculture of two or more fish species that are compatible but have different feeding habits.

compound = a word or name formed from two or more words combined excluding prefixes and suffixes, e.g. novaezealandiae.

compound epithet = an epithet formed from two or more words.

compound feed = a fish feed composed of several ingredients.

compressed = flattened from side to side, e.g. Chaetodontidae, Embiotocidae. Opposite to depressed.

compressed pellet = a type of fish feed formed by forcing steam-conditioned ingredients through a die under pressure. Less durable than expanded and extruded pellets.

compressiform = flattened from side to side, compressed. Usually fish having a body depth at least one-third of standard length (length without tail fin). Opposite to depressiform.

concave = curved in, e.g. a fin in which the middle rays are shorter than the outer. Opposite to convex.

concealment = methods used by fish to hide from predators and prey, e.g. counter shading, vegetal colouration, camouflage.

conceit net = a fishing-net inclined upwards and fixed by poles, enclosing a portion of a tidal river or bay (Scottish dialect).

concentrate = in aquaculture, a feed that is low in fibre and high in total digestible nutrients.

concentration phase = a stage in the life cycle of a fish at which the individuals are particularly concentrated, e.g. spawning in streams, marine fish larvae is surface waters.

concept, hypothetical = a taxonomic concept that when published contained no animal then known to exist in nature, past or present, but only in the mind of the author whether a prediction or not.

conch = a large sea-shell used to signal the arrival of bait fish in inshore waters of Newfoundland.

concholin(e) = a protein concentrated in the opaque zone of otoliths causing the dark appearance of this zone.

condensed fish solubles = a thick syrup (40-50% solids) produced during fish meal manufacture. May be marketed as such or added back to the press cake before drying. Also called stick water.

conder = huer (formerly a sentry on a high cliff, pointing out pilchard schools (reputedly by waving a small bush) in Cornwall to seine netters. Also called balker, herring caller).

condition = the nutritional status of a fish or the amount of flesh on a carcass, varying with reproductive status and feeding. A measure of plumpness and general health.

condition coefficient = a figure calculated from length and weight which expresses the plumpness or fatness of a fish or the changes in the food reserves stored in muscle. The condition factor (K) is the ratio of the weight of the fish (without the gonads) to the cube of its length (K = W/L³, where w = weight in grams less the weight of the gonads and L = standard length in mm). A coefficient factor (C) can similarly be calculated using the English system with total length in inches and weight in pounds. Conversion from C to K may be made using the formula C = 36.1 r3k where r = the ratio of standard length to total length. Low K values indicate a fish in poor condition while fish at sexual maturity will typically have a high K. Also called condition factor, condition index and coefficient of condition.

condition factor = condition coefficient.

condition index = condition coefficient.

conditional = 1) of a proposed scientific name which is made with strong reservations about its status.

conditional = 2) of the inclusion of a taxon in another taxon at a higher rank, made with stated reservations.

conditional fishing mortality rate = the fraction of an initial stock which would be caught during the year (or season) if no other causes of mortality operated (Ricker, 1975). Also called annual or seasonal fishing mortality rate. Abbreviated as m or m.

conditional natural mortality rate = the fraction of an initial stock that would die from causes other than fishing during a year (or season), if there were no fishing mortality (Ricker, 1975). Also called annual natural mortality rate, seasonal natural mortality rate.

conditioning = 1) keeping young fish in a confined space so that the gut is emptied.

conditioning = 2) keeping fish in a confined space so that they become accustomed to it or to other environmental variables.

conditioning = 3) softening frozen fillet blocks slowly so that fish fingers or fillets can be made from them without damaging and losing parts of the block.

conductivity = the ability of water to pass an electric current as determined by the negatively-charged anions (chloride, nitrate, sulphate, phosphate, etc) and the positively-charged cations (sodium, magnesium, calcium, aluminium, iron, etc). Temperature also affects conductivity, rising with increased temperature. Measured in micromhos (mho) or siemens (S). Used as a general measure of water quality.

conduit spring = freshwater spring where the water has flowed through large subsurface openings.

condyle = the articulating, rounded surface of a bone, e.g. the occipital condyle is the surface of the skull articulating with the atlas vertebra.

condyli = plural of condylus.

condylus (plural condyli) = condyle.

condylus occipitales = occipital condyle (see above).

cone of vision = the area above, below, in front and behind a fish which it can see.

confamiliar = belonging to the same family.

confer = compare (with). Abbreviated as cf., cfr.

conferre = confer.

confluence = 1) the meeting or junction of two or more streams or the place where these streams meet.

confluence = 2) the stream or body of water formed by the junction of two or more streams; a combined flow.

confluent = 1) joining another smoothly, flowing into another, e.g. dorsal, anal and caudal fins in Zoarcidae.

confluent = 2) a stream which unites and flows with another.

conformer = an organism which has a physiological state identical to and varying with the environment, e.g. for most fishes, body temperature is the same as the water.

confused name = a name based on heterogenous elements from which it is not possible to select a lectotype (nomen confusum).

congeneric = belonging to the same genus. Congeneric applied to generic names usually implies that the names refer to the same taxon, i.e. synonymous genera.

congenital transmission = transmission of a pathogen at the time of gamete release.

congenor = a member of the same genus.

conger cuddling = a fund-raising game for the lifeboat in Lyme Regis, England where two teams try to knock each other off six-inch high wooden blocks using a dead conger eel suspended from a rope. The eel is usually about 5 feet long. A derivative of mangel dangling where a mangel-wurzel is used to knock people off the blocks.

conger douce = conger doust.

conger doust = the conger (Conger conger) dried and powdered for making fish soup (Cornish dialect).

conglomerate = gathered into a mass, e.g. fish eggs.

conical = cone-shaped.

conjoined = coming together to touch or overlap.

connective tissue = any animal tissue with much dead, secreted material between the cells, e.g. ligaments, fibrous tissue, blood, bone, cartilage, fat.

connectivity = the movement of organisms from place to place through dispersal or migration.

conner = to fish for the wrasse Tautogolabrus adpserus (Newfoundland).

conodont = the problematical small tooth-like fossil of the Cambrian, Silurian and Devonian periods which could well be a tooth of Cyclostomata.

cons. = abbreviation for conservandum, meaning to be conserved.

consecutive hermaphrodite = a protandrous or protogynous hermaphrodite, q.v., where either the male or the female sexual organs become functional first followed subsequently by the other one.

conservandum = to be conserved. Abbreviated as cons.

conservation = 1) in the museum context, maximising the usefulness and endurance, and minimising the deterioration, of specimens.

conservation = 2) the science of examining and treating museum specimens and the study and improvement of their museum environment in order to safeguard them.

conservation = 3) the planned management of natural resources.

conservation pool = a pool in a reservoir maintained at times of low water to conserve fish stocks.

conservation storage = storage of water for later release, e.g. for power generation, irrigation, municipal water supply.

conservator = a person trained in the preventative care, maintenance and restoration of museum specimens and in the research on methods to do this.

conserve = to set aside or modify any provision of the Code, q.v., so as, e.g. to preserve or permit the use of a name as a valid name by removing the obstacles to such use, to preserve the use of a name in a taxonomic sense that would otherwise be incorrect, or to deem a work to be published or available despite its not satisfying the normal criteria. In each case conservation is by a ruling of the Commission using its Plenary Power.

conserved name = a generic or family name that is retained by authorization of the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature by the use of its Plenary Power although strictly it contravenes the Code (nomen conservandum).

consexual = of the same sex.

conspecific = belonging to the same species, conspecific subspecies are subspecies belonging to the same species. Conspecific applied to species names usually implies that the names refer to the same taxon, i.e. synonymous species.

constructed hook = composed hook.

consummatory beahviour = a feeding behaviour where the food item is taken into the mouth, tasted and then accepted or rejected.

consumer surplus = the difference between the amount consumers would be willing to pay for fish and the amount they actually pay.

consumptive harvest = total number or weight of fish that are caught and retained in a fishery over a time period.

consumptive use = activities such as fishing, which remove parts of the resource.

consumptive wildlife use = consumptive harvest.

contact method = any method used to contact anglers for a survey, e.g. mail, email, telephone, door-to-door, roving, aerial, access, etc.).

contact organ = the dermal bony outgrowth or spicule projecting from a fin ray or scale margin and surrounded by the epidermis through which bony outgrowths may protrude. Present in those parts of the body and fins of the male which come in direct contact with the female during the spawning act. May be tactile in function. Found in 9 families of 3 orders: Cypriniformes, Atheriniformes, and Scorpaeniformes (Wiley and Collette, 1970).

container = a receptacle that holds a specimen(s) and its preserving fluid, e.g. a vial, bottle, jar, tank.

container list = a list of materials in a container, used to facilitate retrieval and especially useful for large tanks that are not as visually accessible as glass jars where both a label and the fish specimen can be seen.

contaminant = any substance present in a fish product and originating from outside sources. The contaminant affects the safety or quality of the product. Contaminants can be environmental or from processing and include chemicals and various foreign bodies.

contemporary evolution = directional selection as human activities change ecosystems. In fisheries, size limits on catches restrict fishing to the larger specimens. In Atlantic cod, for example, this has led to maturity at smaller sizes and, since smaller fish produce less eggs, this hinders recovery of the stock. Arguably, catches should be restricted to medium-sized fish, allowing young to grow to catchable size and for some to survive to be very large and reproductively effective.

contiguous fishery zone = the area seaward from the territorial limits.

continental margin = the zone, generally consisting of shelf, slope and rise, separating the continent from the abyssal plain or deep sea bottom.

continental rise = the area of gently sloping sea bottom between the base of the continental slope and the abyssal plain at 2000-5000 metres.

continental shelf = the area of gently sloping sea bottom from the shore out to a depth of about 200 metres. It may be only a few kilometres offshore where the sea floor descends rapidly to great depths or may be extensive and form an accessible habitat for many commercial fishes.

continental slope = the steeply sloping sea bottom from 200 to 2000 metres (or 100-300 m to 1400-3200 m) and 3-6°C. Average angle of slope is 4° with a maximum about 20° near the upper margin.

continuity = the principle that a continuity of usage of a name should take precedence over strict priority of publication in determining which of two or more competing scientific names should be adopted.

continuity, principle of = uniformitarianism (the present is the key to the past. The physical and biological factors which link today's variations must have been in operation in the past).

continuous = unbroken, uninterrupted; used to refer to a lateral line without a break or a dorsal fin with the spiny and soft portions joined.

continuous breeder = a fish that may breed at any time of the year.

continuous culture = aquaculture where the larger fish are removed continually, and young fish continually stocked, rather than the whole pond being drained and re-stocked (batch culture).

continuous fishing = removal of fish from a net such as a trawl by pumps, rather than hauling the net onboard, or the continual removal of fish from the neighbourhood of an attractant like light or an electrode.

continuous smoking = a process of smoking fish where they are loaded and unloaded without interruption.

contour pond = an aquaculture pond on sloping ground.

contra- (prefix) = opposite, against.

contralateral = opposite side. Opposite of ipsilateral.

contranatant = swimming or migrating against the current; movement of adults towards the spawning area. Opposite of denatant.

control dam = a dam with gates to control water flow from an upstream reservoir or lake.

control date = the date established for defining the pool of potential participants in a given management programme for a fishery, e.g. control dates can be a range of years in which a participant must be active in the fishery to qualify for a quota share.

control rule = a protocol for specifying harvest rates in relation to stock status and limit and target reference points. A harvest strategy expected to result in a long-term average catch approximating the maximum sustainable yield. Also called decision rules or harvest control laws.

controlled access = a chart showing the number of fish caught in certain categories, e.g. weights. A cumulative frequency distribution shows the number in a category, plus the number in previous categories. See also limited entry.

controlled drift = fishing while drifting with the current or wind but using oars or motors to effect greater control.

controller = a device which measures some parameter of an aquarium, and then switches on and off another device to affect the aquarium. Typical controllers include redox, and pH.

controls = various measures that managers impose to regulate fishing; may be effort controls or catch controls, depending on what they intend to regulate.

conus arteriosus = a chamber in the heart, q.v. It leads blood out of the heart to the ventral aorta.

conventional tag = any marker used to identify an individual fish, e.g. tags, dyes, disks, flags, etc.

convergence = 1) evolution of similar characters in unrelated taxonomic groups, in cladistics a synonym of parallelism, e.g. fin-like structures in fishes and whales.

convergence = 2) the meeting of ocean currents or water masses with different physical properties (temperature, salinity, density) with the result that colder, saltier or denser water sinks, or the line or area where convergence occurs.

convergence = 3) deep cell movement toward the dorsal side of the embryo during the gastrula and early segmentation periods.

convergence zone = the line where two oceanic water masses meet.

convergent evolution = convergence (1).

conversion efficiency = a measurement of fish growth as a %, equal to G/R x 100 where G is the specific growth rate and R is the ration in % weight of body weight per day.

conversion factor = a multiplier to convert landings into nominal catches. These factors vary with the species involved and with the whether the fish are fresh, frozen, gutted, etc. May also vary by country and over time.

conversion rate = an index in kilogrammes of the amount of food needed to produce one kilogramme of fish.

converter smack = a vessel used for both trawling and drifting.

convex = curved outward, e.g. a fin in which the middle rays are longer than the outer rays. Opposite to concave.

convoluted = twisted, coiled.

co-occurring stocks = different stocks of fish that swim near one another and may be caught together.

co-ordinate = of names or categories within a given group that are of equal nomenclatural status.

Cook and Traganza method = a means of estimating the original fresh weight of all fish from archaeological remains. All bone is weighed and multiplied by a factor to give total edible weight. The original factor was 20 based on the observed ratio of dead bone to fresh weight. This was increased to 40 since some bones could have been thrown away, carried off by animals or used for other purposes. See also White's method.

cooked marinade = a marinade where the fish are preserved by acid and salt content and also by heat or pasteurisation.

cookie = a disk of rubber strung on a wire or chain to protect the trawl net from abrasion and to stir up mud and scare fish into the net. May be stamped out from tyres.

cool water = 1) water bodies characterised by summer temperatures of 20-24°C.

cool water = 2) the species found in such waters.

cooler = cooling tub.

cooling tub = a wooden container or half-barrel used for washing fish (Newfoundland).

cooling water = water used for cooling canned fish; has a chlorine residual of 2 p.p.m.

coolwater fish = fish species living in relatively cool waters, optimally 10-21°C.

coop = 1) a circular and wickerwork trap used in, e.g. Ceylon, narrowing from a five foot circumference at the bottom to an arm's width. A light is used to attract and distract the fish over which the coop is plunged and extracted via the narrow end. See also fish-coop.

coop = 2) a hollow vessel made of twigs with which fish are caught on the Humber River, used to take eels.

coop = 3) a large trap net made of stakes or a fence.

cooperative = a jointly owned organisation furthering the catch, processing and sale of fish. Abbreviated as fish-coop (pronounced co-op).

Cope's Rule = size tends to increase during phylogeny.

Copenhagen jar = a wide-mouth glass container with a snap-on polyethylene lid. Also called Danish jar.

coprolites = fossilized faeces. Those of some sharks for example may be recognized because of the distinctive form produced by the spiral intestine.

copropel = a mixture of plant fragments, algal remains, spores, pollen, aquatic arthropod fragments, grains of sand, etc.

coprophagy = feeding on faecal material.

copula = 1) dermal bone(s) overlying the basihyals.

copula = 2) united basibranchials in sharks.

copular plate = the tooth plate on the basibranchials of Cetomimidae.

copulin = a substance secreted by male Poecilia reticulata which reportedly triggers growth of the ovipositor in females and synchronizes their oestrus cycles. Further studies by other investigators do not support these findings.

copyist's error = an incorrect spelling made in copying, not intended by the original author.

Coquitlam = a town in British Columbia whose name derives from "smell like fish" or "stinking of fish slime" in the Halkomelem language. Local Indians sold themselves into slavery during a famine and while preparing salmon for their masters became covered in fish slime.

COR = abbreviation for coronal pore.

coracle fishing = the use of a pair of coracles to catch fish. The coracle is mainly a Welsh boat shaped like half a walnut shell, with a shallow draught, difficult to manoeuvre but light enough to be carried. Each fisherman uses a paddle with one hand and handles the net spread between the coracles with the other. When a fish is trapped in the net, each fisherman pulls up his end of the net and the two coracles are brought together and the fish is secured.

coracoid = the lower, paired endochondral bone on which the pterygials or actinosts of the pectoral fin rest. Dorsally it has a notch which, with a similar ventral notch on the scapular, frames the scapular foramen. It attaches anteriorly to the cleithrum.

coracoid bar = coracoid cartilage.

coracoid cartilage = a U-shaped bar comprising the ventral part of the pectoral girdle in Elasmobranchii, supporting the pectoral fins.

coral fish disease = gold dust disease (an infectious disease caused by dinoflagellates evidenced by a golden or brownish dusty appearance on the fish skin through mucus production. The fish may show irritability, flashing, respiration difficulties and clamping of the fins. A very contagious and often fatal disease in aquaria. Called velvet disease when Oodinium (or Piscinoodinium), coral fish disease when Amyloodinium, and also rust from the appearance).

coral rock = consolidated material, greater than 3 cm in diameter, made of fragments of dead coral and which may include cemented sand, coralline algae and sedimentary rocks, Used in the aquarium trade. See also live rock.

corallivore = a feeder on corals, e.g. parrotfishes (Scaridae) which are important agents of marine bioerosion and sand formation.

corallophile = coral loving, in the sense of species limited to coral reefs, e.g. Scarus coeruleus, Acanthurus coeruleus, Pomacanthus arcuatus.

corange line = a line passing through places of equal tidal range.

cordate = heart-shaped.

core = the area surrounding the primordia of a otolith and bounded by the first prominent D-zone. Salmonidae have multiple cores.

core area = 1) the area of habitat essential in the breeding, nesting and rearing of young, up to the point of dispersal of the young.

core area = 2) the central and most highly protected part of a protected area.

core fish = undried salted cod (Newfoundland).

corf-house = a house or shed erected for the purpose of curing salmon, and for keeping nets in, during the close season (Scotland).

corft = fish boiled with salt and water.

coriaceous = having a leathery texture.

corium = the dermis, the lower skin layer.

cork = float (a plastic, cork or wood device that enables a baited hook to be suspended in the water column and enables fish biting on the hook to be detected by movement of the float. Usually painted distinctively, e.g. fluorescent colours, particularly at the tip. Floats are attached to the fishing line through small holes at the bottom of the float or by means of silicone tubes slipped over the float with the line trapped between the tube and float. Split shot or some other weight is attached to the line below the float so that the line sinks and the float achieves a suitable level above the water and is sensitive to bites. Bites may be evidenced by the float zooming underwater, by wiggling movements, by a slight rise as a fish picks up bait off the bottom, and other subtle movements. Strikes can be made immediately the float moves or delayed to give the fish time to take in the bait - this varies with bait type, species of fish and sophistication of the individual fish. Immense number of types and materials used, some with carbon fibre stems and tips or heavy and stable lignum stems. Also called bobber in North America or waggler in Britain).

corkline = the top line of a net that has cork floats for support.

cornea = the thin and transparent anterior part of the sclera, q.v., of the eye allowing light to fall on the retina for vision.

cormorant fishing = the use of tame cormorants (Phalacrocorax spp.) to catch fish, originating in China and also seen in Japan, Korea and other parts of Asia, and, later, as a hobby in Europe. The cormorant wears a ring around the neck to prevent large fish being swallowed and disgorges the fish on its owner's boat. Small fish may be swallowed despite the ring. Up to 150 fish an hour can be caught by a cormorant. The cormorant may be attached by a rope to the fisherman in the boat or may be free-diving. James I and Charles I of England had a Master of the Cormorants but this was more of a sporting venture than for serious food gathering. See also bird fishery.

cornea = the transparent external layer of the eye in front of the lens.

corned alewife = washed and lightly-salted alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) without guts, packed in salt in barrels.

corner = the angle formed by any two walls of a cod trap (Newfoundland).

corneous = in reference to keratinised epithelium.

cornification = conversion into horny tissue; hardening.

cornified = corneous.

Cornish duck = a pilchard (Sardina pilchardus, Clupeidae).

Cornish sardine = a pilchard (Sardina pilchardus, Clupeidae). In Britain pilchards are regarded as somewhat inferior food although the juveniles, called sardines, q.v., are popular. The name Cornish sardine was invented as a marketing ploy in 2003 and increased the sale of pilchards ten times.

cornobbled = hit with a fish. Note some sources state it means an itch, anything causing one to fidget, or anxiety. Joseph Wright's English Dialect Dictionary (1898-1905) gives the definition as "to beat on the head" and other sources suggest that the original was "hit with a fist" which got mis-transcribed at some point.

cornua = plural of cornus.

cornus (plural cornua) = a horn-like projection, usually from the head area and used in osteology.

coronal commissure = the branch of the head canal sensory system extending across the top of the head between the eyes joining the two supraorbital canals.

coronal head spine = a spine on the head of Scorpaenidae members. They are, from anterior to posterior over the top of the head on each side, the nasal, preocular, supraocular, postocular, tympanic, coronal (medial to the tympanic and postocular spines), parietal, and nuchal. Opercular spines are at the postero-dorsal corner of the operculum, preopercular spines line the posterior margin of the preoperculum, and the cleithral and postcleithral spines are just above the opercular spines on the side of the head.

coronal pore = the dorsal median pore of the cephalic lateral line system (q.v.) at the point of juncture of the branches from each supraorbital canal. Abbreviated COR.

coroner of the seas = Receiver of Wreck (a British government official concerned with shipwrecks and their legitimate ownership. Also tasked with disposing of Royal fish, q.v.

coronoid = a paired dermal bone bearing teeth located on the upper edge of Meckel's cartilage. One pair is found in Acipenseridae and two pairs in Amia and Lepisosteus. Also called presplenial. splenial, prearticular and intradentary.

coronoid process = a dorsal hump on the dorsal wing of the dentary, or on the angular or on the posterior end of Meckel's cartilage.

coronomeckelian = a small bone on the postero-lateral part of Meckel's cartilage of the lower jaw. Often a point of insertion of the adductor mandibulae muscle. Also called sesamoid angular, supraangular, sesamoid articular, articular sesamoid, splenial, os meckeli or d bone.

corpus = 1) body; used in anatomical descriptions or to any solid part of an organ.

corpus = 2) that portion of the stomach next to the oesophagus (as opposed to the pylorus next to the intestine). A term preferred over "cardiac" region.

corpus cerebellum = cerebellum.

corpuscles of Stannius = the bud-like evagination(s) from the wall of the pronephric duct anterior to the opisthonephros (Holosteans) or in the posterior region of the opisthonephros (Teleosteans) in the kidney. Function unknown according to some, said to be that of parathyroid glands of other vertebrates, which are lacking in fishes. This organ secretes hypocalcin (teleocalcin) to regulate calcium metabolism.

corr. = abbreviation for correctus, meaning corrected (by).

corral = an enclosure formed of nets supported on poles; fish are trapped in the enclosure when the tide falls because of the narrow, v-shaped entrance.

corral fish culture = a pen made of a frame of bamboo, sticks, twigs or similar materials stuck in the bottom of a shallow lake with netting strung on these materials.

corre fish = core fish.

corrected name = see nomen correctum.

correctus = corrected (by). Abbreviated as corr.

corrie loch = tarn (a small mountain lake, often occupying a cirque or corrie).

corrigenda = plural of corrigendum.

corrigendum (plural corrigenda) = a note published by an author, editor, or publisher of a work, expressly to cite one or more errors or omissions in that work together with their correction.

corroboration = a term used in age determination studies where two people agree on the numbers of annuli or two different structures give the same results.

corrugated = having a surface of parallel and alternate ridges and grooves.

corselet = scaly armour or enlarged scales behind the pectoral fin in some Scombridae.

Corynebacterial disease = bacterial kidney disease (a bacterial infection with Renibacterium salmoninus or Corynebacterium sp. affecting salmonids, usually when temperatures are falling. The disease may be chronic or acute and has no treatment. Causes swelling of internal organs (oedematous, grey and corrugated kidneys with off-white lesions) and haemorrhages. Lesions may occur also in the liver and spleen and muscle contractions occur. External symptoms may be absent or include exophthalmy, skin darkening, abdominal swelling, and skin ruptures and vesicles. Also called Dee's disease and kidney disease).

cosh = a river estuary cut off from the sea at low tide (Newfoundland). Also spelled coish.

cosmic fish = a symbol of the whole of the physical universe.

cosmine = a form of dentine covered by a layer of enamel and with clusters of dentinal tubules which open to the surface pores and lead into flask-shaped cavities. The cavities are are connected by canals (the "pore-canal system"). Enamel may or may not penetrate and cover all or a part of the inner surface of the pore cavity. The pore-canal system has been suggested to house an electrosensory organ but there is no clear evidence of this (Bemis and Northcutt, 1992).

cosmoid scale = scale with four layers, an outer, thin, porous layer of vitrodentine (sometimes denticulate or lacking denticles, adenticulate), a middle layer of dentine with pulp cavities or canals (cosmine), a spongy deeper layer of loose spongy bone containing osteoblasts, and lastly a laminar layer of isopedine with osteocytes and Sharpney's fibres. Grows by adding to inner layer only, e.g. Crossopterygii, Placodermi; not found in extant fishes.

cosmopolitan = occurring in all the oceans or all the continents (excepting usually Antarctica, or the Arctic and Antarctic Oceans).

coassack = a form of salmon trap used in Scotland on rivers. The entrance comprises two light doors or leaves which the swimming motion of the fish pushes open, and these leaves close behind the fish.

costal = pertaining to a rib.

costiasis = an infection of the skin, fins and gills of aquarium and hatchery fish by the flagellate protozoan Costia necatrix (or Ichthyobodo; and also Chilodonella, Trichodina). Found in young fish just as they start feeding externally, in colder waters. Stress may be a factor. Fish may show lethargy, appetite loss, flashing, respiratory distress in the form of gill flaring and gasping, fin erosion, and produce abundant mucus, giving a cloudy appearance, hence the other names blue slime disease or skin slime disease. The skin and scales may peel away in strips in acute cases.

costiform = rib-shaped.

costule = a short, vertical ridge on the inner and/or outer tooth crown base in Chondrichthyes.

cotidal line = a line on a chart or map passing through places having the same tidal hour.

cottoid bubblemorph = a large space under the skin in larvae of the Liparidae; it may help to maintain buoyancy.

cotton seed cake = a cake or compressed pellet of the seeds of Bombyx malabaricum, the Indian cotton tree used as fish feed.

cotton wool disease = a fungal disease caused by Saprolegnia sp. and Achyla sp. Appears as fluffy, whitish growths often at the site of an injury or diseased part of a fish. The fungi may turn grey to reddish-brown over time owing to dirt or algal accumulation. Can prove fatal if untreated as it will spread to healthy tissue. Occurs, for example, on salmonid gills and mouth, and on fins it is called fin rot. May also attack fish eggs, especially those that are infertile or damaged, but it may spread to healthy eggs (parental care fishes usually pick out infected eggs and broadcasts spawners usually have the eggs widely dispersed). Stress, chilling, old age and poor aquarium husbandry all contribute to this disease. Mouth fungus and columnaris disease (q.v.) have a similar appearance and may be called cotton wool disease but are bacterial diseases.

cotyle = an articulation in the form of a rounded pit. Also called cotylus.

cotyloid = cup-shaped.

cotylus = cotyle.

cotype = obsolete term for either syntype (q.v.) or paratype (q.v.), not recognised by the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature.

coulee = a streambed or stream, often dry in summer, or a deep ravine with a stream also often dry (U.S.A.).

count = the number of items in a fixed weight or volume when marketing fish. The product is sorted and packaged by count ranges. Size ranges have such names as small, large and jumbo which need not be the same in all markets even though size grades will be harmonised.

count-it-down = countdown method.

countdown method = estimating the depth at which to start retrieving and fishing a lure by counting as the lure sinks. Special lures are designed to be used with this method. Also called count-it-down.

counter-current heat exchange = exchange of heat between blood vessels going to surface structures with vessels going deeper into the body. This exchange preserves core body temperatures and reduces surface heat loss so that the fish can function more effectively in cool waters or penetrate cooler waters not otherwise favourable.

counter-illumination = having bioluminescent organs that are concentrated on the ventral surface so as to increase the effect of countershading, q.v.

countershading = condition of fish in the water column that are dark-colored on top but light-colored on the bottom. The effect is to obscure the image of the fish to predators by blending with the dark sea floor when viewed from above, the light sky when viewed from below, and with the general diffused pattern of light when viewed from the side.

country fishery = all the fisheries of a country. May be used for a fishery by native groups.

country food = fishes forming a significant part of the diet of native people, caught locally by traditional or modern methods but not commercially packaged and sold.

country mile = an informal measurement of distance, usually longer than the statute mile (1760 yards or 1609 metres) or straight distance of one mile, as it can involve winding roads or rough terrain. More a measure of traveling time than distance, being the time needed to cover a certain portion of a route between two places. Still used in some countries to the confusion of the metrical scientist. See also farsakh.

country of origin = the country where a species is native.

coup = a basket used to catch salmon (Scottish dialect). Also spelled coupe, cowp, and cowpe.

coupe = coup.

couplet = a pair of contrasting descriptive statements; used in identification keys to give a choice leading to a species identification or to the next couplet.

courge = a basket hung on the side of a se-fishing boat, used to keep bait and fish alive (English dialect).

course = the path over which something moves as in water in a river (watercourse).

course-bag = in the Newfoundland Bank fishery, a container from which lots are drawn assigning areas for dories to fish.

court = fish court (the holding chamber in a trap net or the last chamber in any net).

court bouillon = court-bouillon.

court-bouillon = a stock of salt water, black pepper, spices, herbs, vegetables, vinegar and white wine used in cooking fish. Court means short in the sense of not rich, and generally the bouillon (thin broth) is not served as part of the finished dish.

cove = a small, sheltered indentation in the shore of lake or sea.

covel = a half-barrel or tub with handles or rope affixed to the sides or with holes for inserting a staff for two men to carry in Newfoundland.

cover = 1) any materials placed in a water body to create fish habitat, spawning and nursery areas.

cover = 2) natural items such as weeds, logs, overhanging banks, boulders, roots, etc. providing shelter for fishes.

cover bait = plugs and other lures designed for use in heavy cover.

cover net = castnet.

cover pot = a wide-mouth basket with a smaller hole in the opposite end, plunged into the water over a fish spotted by a wading fisher, the fish being caught and extracted by hand through the smaller hole. Often used in turbid water or areas of rich plant growth. See also fish dance (2). Also called plunge basket. See also lantern net.

covering bone = dermal bone (any of the the superficial bones in Teleostomi derived from the dermis and overlying the deeper elements of the skull. Primitive fishes have more dermal bones than higher ones, e.g. the armour of Ostracodermi. Dermal bones are a form of membrane bones, i.e. they arose directly from connective tissue membranes without the cartilaginous precursors which precede endochondral bones. They may be divided into laterosensory canal bones that develop in relation to the sensory canals, bones derived from mesenchymous tissue and anamestic bones (q.v.). Also called achondral, membrane and investing bones).

cow = an egg-laden sturgeon.

cowble = coble (2).

cowell = cowl (2).

cowl = 1) fish bladder (Cornish dialect).

cowl = 2) a fish basket carried on the back (English dialect).

cowl-net = a large hand-net used in salmon poaching (Yorkshire dialect).

cown = a basket for catching fish.

cowp = coup.

cowpe = coup.

CPR = abbreviation for catch, photograph, release.

CPUE = catch per unit effort.

CPY = current potential yield.

CR = critically endangered.

cracken = crackin.

crackin = the refuse of fish liver after oil has been extracted (Scottish dialect). Also spelled cracken and cracking.

cracking = crackin.

cradle = a device to hold a fish while the hook is extracted, the fish measured and weighed, or photographed. It consists of two long poles with a soft mesh between them. The fish is cradled in the device while still in the water so that stress and injury is lessened.

craft = 1) a group of boats (there is no plural, "crafts").

craft = 2) fishing gear (Newfoundland).

craft liftnet = a framed liftnet which is placed on the bottom of a water body, baited, and then hauled to the surface rapidly at intervals to secure a fish catch.

craiging = a tradition where the first fish brought into a boat had its neck broken, some blood squeezed out and then rubbed over the hands (Scotland).

Crail's capon = a dried haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus, Gadidae). See also capon.

craive = cruive.

cran = 1) an old unit of measure for fish such as herrings by volume (ca. 37.5 Imperial gallons or 170.5 litres) equivalent to about 750 fish or over 1000 fish (sources differ). 5.5 crans is 1 metric tonne. May now be used informally to indicate a volume of fish weighing one hundredweight (112 pounds or 50.8 kg).

cran = 2) a collective noun (a noun that denotes a collection of persons or things regarded as a unit) for fishes.

crania = plural of cranium.

cranial = 1) pertaining to the skull.

cranial = 2) to the direction of the skull.

cranial endothermy = maintenance of elevated temperatures of the eyes and brain in fishes that move from warm to cold water on migrations. This condition is thought to stabilise vision, e.g. in lamnid sharks, billfishes, mackerel and tunas.

cranial nerves =

Nerve	Motor (M) or Sensory (S)	Origin	Function
0 Terminal (Preoptic)	S	Telencephalon; ventral border of olfactory bulb	Smell? and sensory endings of snout
I Olfactory	S	Telencephalon; anterior end of olfactory bulb	Smell
II Optic	S	Diencephalon; optic lobes	Sight
III Oculomotor	M	Mesencephalon; posterior ventral end of medulla between optic lobes and cerebellum	All eye muscles but lateral rectus and superior oblique
IV Trochlear	M	Mesencephalon; dorso-lateral anterior surface of medulla	Movement superior oblique muscle
V Trigeminal	MS	Mesencephalon; anterior lateral border of medulla oblongata	a) sensory to snout, conjunctiva, cornea, iris, ciliary body (ophthalmicus); b) sensory to upper jaw and snout (maxillaris); c) sensory to lower lip and teeth, motor to mastication muscle (mandibularis)
VI Abducens	M	Metencephalon; anterior ventral end of medulla oblongata	Lateral rectus eye muscle and retractor bulbi muscles in part
VII Facial	MS	Metencephalon; lateral border of medulla oblongata just posterior to trigeminal and with acoustic	Motor to muscles of hyoid arch (hyomandibular); sensory to geniculate ganglion, sensory to taste bud system; sensory to lateral line organs of snout
VIII Acoustic	S	Myelencephalon; with facial from lateral border of medulla oblongata	Sensory to equilibrium, hearing, acceleration
IX Glossopharyngeal	MS	Myelencephalon; posterior lateral border of medulla with vagus	Motor to third visceral arch; sensory to pharyngeal area and posterior tongue region; sensory to lateral line components of posterior head region
X Vagus (Pneumogastric)	MS	Myelencephalon; posterior lateral border of medulla with glossopharyngeal	Sensory to pharynx, oesophagus, thoracic and abdominal viscera. Pharyngeal musculature, visceral musculature. Trunk lateral line. Visceral arches behind third. Respiratory movement.

craniobuccal pouch = Rathke's pouch (an embryonic invagination of the stomodeal ectoderm (roof of the embryonic mouth) which migrates dorsally to come into contact with diencephalon. It differentiates into the anterior pituitary gland or adenohypohysis. It becomes a blind naso-hypophyseal canal in some Agnatha or develops secondary opening to the outside with or without a connection to the mouth).

cranium (plural crania) = the skull.

crank = the technique in angling used to retrieve a plug, either a deep-diving one or a shallow one, continuously reeling in the lure to give it its proper action.

crankbait = an imitation fish or plug designed to dive when retrieved (or cranked) slowly, usually having a lip at the front, larger lips giving deeper dives.

crap = crop.

crape = creep.

crappen = crappin head.

crappie-doo = a ball of oat meal mixed with chopped onions and seasonings and boiled in fish stock (Scottish dialect).

crappin head = crappit head.

crappit head = heads of haddocks or cod stuffed with a compound of oatmeal, suet, onions and pepper. See also crappen and crappin head and variant spellings using k instead of c.

crate = wooden container in which cod are processed in the Newfoundland Bank fishery.

crateriform = having the form of a shallow bowl.

cravatte = a fillet tied in a knot.

crave = cruive.

craw-pockies = the eggs of sharks and skates (Orkney Islands dialect).

crawler = a surface lure that is designed to have the appearance of crawling across the water surface when retrieved.

crease = 1) the area where fast and slow water meet, often with fish in the slower water next to the crease conserving energy and picking up food as it passes in the faster flow.

crease = 2) a depression containing the backbone which is left in a cod when it is split (q.v.) (Newfoundland).

creasing = an increase in the number of meshes to alter the shape of a net.

crèche = a congregation of unrelated young, often under the care of some parental fish.

credit water = fish credit water (water set aside in reservoirs for release downstream to maintain fish stocks).

creek = 1) a small fast-flowing stream. A creek is smaller than a river and larger than a brook, but actual dimensions are relative according to locality and usage varies. Often pronounced "crik" in North America.

creek = 2) or a small bay or inlet of the sea.

creel = 1) a basket-like structure used for carrying angling gear and caught fishes, usually and traditionally made of wicker.

creel = 2) the number and kinds of fishes caught in a day.

creel = 3) a wicker trap for catching fishes (and crayfishes).

creel census survey = creel survey.

creel survey = the estimation of anglers' catches, usually by a sampling program involving interviews and inspection of individual catches on a particular stream, lake or other area; a survey of the recreational fishery that quantifies the fish landings at public piers and docks. Components include type of fishing, time of fishing, time spent, species caught, size, catch per unit effort, waters fished, baits and gear, etc.

creeler = a fish worthy of putting in a creel.

creep = dragging the sea bed for lost nets with a grapnel or creeper.

creeper = a grapnel, a device with one or more hooks for grasping or holding. Used for searching out lost lines or drawing up night lines for eels.

creeve = cruive.

credit system = the arrangement in which a fisherman is supplied by a merchant with supplies and gear against the season's catch (Newfoundland). Also called truck system.

credit time = the period of preparation for the summer fishery (Newfoundland).

crenal = adjective for crenon. Also spelled krenon.

crenal zone = an area of headwater springs.

crenate = margined by small, rounded scallops.

crenated = 1) margined by small, rounded scallops.

crenated = 2) shrunken.

crenicolous = living in springs or streams fed by springs.

crenobiont = organisms found in springs and spring brooks.

crenocoa = the biotope and biocenosis of a crenal zone.

crenon (adjective crenal) = strictly the organisms in an area of headwater springs but also used in the sense of crenal zone.

crenophile = an organism preferring spring environments but may also occupy similar habitats.

crenulate = minutely crenate or scalloped.

crenulate scale = a scale intermediate in form between a ciliate and a ctenoid scale, e.g. in characoids.

crep = to strike an anchor on the bow head of a skiff on moonless nights, thus startling fish which could be seen by phosphorescent trails (Scottish dialect).

crepuscular = relating to dawn or dusk, often used in the sense of when a species is active.

crescentic = shaped like the moon in the first or last quarter.

crest = a ridge; a median bony or fleshy ridge on the upper surface of the head.

Cretaceous = a geological period of the Mesozoic Era ca. 140-65 million years ago. Abbreviated as K.

crevicular = inhabiting crevices.

crib = 1) a fish shelter placed in lakes lacking sufficient cover for bait fish and smaller sport species. May be built of logs in a cabin shape and then filled with brush. Can be towed into position and sunk or built on ice in northern lakes and left to sink in spring.

crib = 2) a solid structure of logs, rocks and other materials used to support a stream bank, bridge, road, etc.

crick = creek.

cricket can = a container used to keep crickets alive when used as bait in fishing.

crimp = 1) crimp sleeve.

crimp = 2) a cruel manner of cutting up fish alive, used by London fishmongers in the past to render the flesh firm. Once a favourite dish among epicures.

crimp sleeve = a small cylinder of metal used in angling for making connections in wire or very heavy monofilament line; the sleeve is crimped with pliers.

crimping = transverse slashes across the flesh of fish being sold to prevent toughening when rigor mortis sets in.

crisp = fish crisp (a delicatessen product made from fish mince mixed with starch and sugar, expanding when cooked in oil and not like a potato chip).

crista (plural cristae) = crest.

crista ampullaris = a ridge at the bottom of the ampullae, the widening in the base of the semicircular canalss of the inner ear. This ridge bears sensory epithelia.

crista inferior caudae = the crest or ridge extending along the ventrolateral surface of the tail region (behind the anus) in Syngnathidae.

crista inferior trunci = the crest or ridge extending along the ventrolateral surface of the trunk in Syngnathidae.

crista media trunci = the crest or ridge extending along the midlateral surface of the trunk in Syngnathidae.

crista neglecta = macula neglecta or crista quarta, q.v.

crista occipitalis (plural cristæ occipitales) = occipital crest (a vertical blade on the occipital bone formed from ossification of the connective septum separating occipital myomeres).

crista quarta = macula neglecta (a sensory structure located in Teleostomi in the utriculus of the inner ear near the opening of the ampulla of the posterior vertical semicircular canal, in selachians within a duct (posterior canal duct) through which the posterior vertical semicircular canal connects with the sacculus, while in the batoids it lies in the wall of the sacculus adjacent to the opening of the duct. It may have a neuromast associated with its sensory tissue. This structure has been demonstrated to be a sensitive vibration receptor in Raja. Also called crista neglecta or papilla neglecta.

crista superior caudae = the crest or ridge extending along the dorsolateral surface of the tail region (body behind the anus) in Syngnathidae.

crista superior trunci = the crest or ridge extending along the dorsolateral surface of the trunk of Syngnathidae.

cristae = plural of crista.

cristate = having comb-like ridges or crests.

cristiform = crest-shaped.

critch = crutch.

critical age = the average age of the fish in a year-class at which the instantaneous rate of natural mortality equals the instantaneous rate of growth in weight for the year-class as a whole. At this age, the biomass of the age class is maximum.

critical depensation level = level below which a stock or population cannot sustain itself even in the absence of harvest.

critical flow = 1) minimum flow needed to prevent fish deaths.

critical flow = 2) very high flows impeding fish migrations.

critical habitat = a habitat crucial to the life cycle of a fish, e.g. spawning area, nursery area.

critical period = supposedly the time in larval life when yolk is exhausted and there may be high mortality through starvation.

critical size = the average size of the fish in a year-class at the time when the instantaneous rate of natural mortality equals the instantaneous rate of growth in weight for the year-class as a whole (Ricker, 1975). Also called optimum size.

critical standing crop = when natural food is fully utilised for maintenance and maximum growth of fish.

critical stock = a stock of fish experiencing production levels that are so low that permanent damage to the stock is likely or has already occurred.

critical thermal maximum = in fish exposed to a constant rate of heating, the temperature at which there is a loss of equilibrium or onset of muscle spasm. Abbreviated as ctmax.

critical thermal minimum = in fish exposed to a constant rate of cooling, the temperature at which there is a loss of equilibrium or onset of muscle spasm. Abbreviated as ctmin.

critical velocity = a flow through which fish will not swim.

critically balanced = a fishing rig where the bait is counterbalanced by a small weight near the hook so the bait only just floats above it.

critically endangered = in the IUCN Criteria for threatened species, a taxon is Critically Endangered when it is facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future. Abbreviated CR.

critter cam = a camera attached to an organism, e.g. a shark, recording picture, sound, temperature, depth, etc., allowing the daily life of fish to be studied in real time.

criv = cruive.

crive = cruive.

cro = croy.

croakwood = horn-like devices which make a hollow, croaking sound when thrust into the water. Used to attract the European wels, Silurus glanis, through a similarity to frogs croaking or to the sounds made by female wels.

crock = a large glass or ceramic container, usually cylindrical, and used for preservation of fish specimens in a museum. The glaze of ceramic crocks is penetrated by preservatives over time and the seal is often poor. Replaced with stainless steel containers and lids.

crockuns = remains of fish livers after the oil has been extracted (Scottish dialect).

croffis = cruive.

croos = a dumpling filled with fish liver (Shetland Isles).

croove = cruive.

crop = 1) to supply a fisherman from a merchant with personal equipment, supplies or fishing gear against the profits of a voyage (Newfoundland).

crop = 2) crop note.

crop = 3) yield (1) catch in weight. Catch and yield are often used interchangeably. Amount of production per unit area over a given time. A measure of production. The sustainable yield is the quantity of fish which can be taken from a stock (usually on an annual basis) without severely depleting or eliminating that stock). crop note = a merchant's chit authorising personal equipment, supplies or fishing gear to as fisherman against profits from the voyage (Newfoundland).

cropping moggie = the liver of a cod mixed with flour and spice, and boiled in the fish's stomach (Shetland Isles dialect). See also liver moggie, liver muggie and livered moggie.

cropshen = herring refuse, headless and broken fish, gills, eyes, intestines, etc. Once made into compost (Norfolk dialect).

croquette = a patty of at least 35% fish and/or crab, mixed with breadcrumbs or another binding material.

cross cut fillet = a flatfish fillet where the flesh from each side is removed as a single piece.

cross pile = to make a rectangular pile of dried cod with each layer at right angles to the one below (Newfoundland).

cross-over point = junction of two threads in knotless netting.

cross-row of scales = the diagonal scale row (the almost vertical rows of scales slanting backwards and downwards across the sides of the body. Divided into scales above the lateral line starting at the front of the dorsal fin (from, but not including, the scale in the middorsal row, to but not including, the lateral line scales) and below the lateral line similarly ending at the front of the anal fin. The number of transverse rows themselves along the body may also be counted).

cross-sectoral issue = an issue where the actions of one sector affect one or more other sectors. Habitat degradation is an important cross-sectoral issue for fisheries.

crossbar = a vertical pigmentation, usually referring to one on the base of the tail.

crossbreeding = reproduction between two distinct conspecific gene pools, e.g. between evolutionarily significant units (ESUs). Note that hybridization refers to reproduction between distinct species or higher taxa.

crossfish = not a fish but another name for starfish (Echinodermata).

crosshanded = a single fisherman on board a vessel who fishes with jigs or handlines.

crosshanded dory = a dory so rigged that one man could handle it and fish (Newfoundland).

crossing over = cutting over.

crotch trolling = use of stick to throw a bait out without a fishing rod. A reel is used to retrieve the line. Used by poachers as there is no rod to attract attention (Norfolk).

crove = cruive.

crowd = a fishing crew as an organised group (Newfoundland).

crowding externality = the effect of one fisherman's catch of a species on another fisherman's catch of the same species, cf. stock externality.

crowis = cruive.

crown = 1) the top of the head, or of other anatomical structures like teeth.

crown = 2) an enamel tooth part.

crown = 3) a shoal area on a fishing ground (Newfoundland).

crown group = all the taxa descended from a major cladogenesis event, recognized by possessing the clade's synapomorphy.

crownfull = a certain quantity of herrings (Shetland Isles dialect).

croy = a semi-circular enclosure or pen, made on the beach, for catching fish on the falling tide (Scottish dialect).

crucial habitat = habitat that is basic to maintaining viable populations of fish during certain seasons of the year or specific reproduction periods.

crucifix fish = Ariopsis felis (hardhead sea catfish, Ariidae) head skeleton sold as having attributes of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The arrangement of bones on the ventral surface of the head resemble a crucified person, a section looks like the shield of a Roman soldier, another section looks like a Roman sword and, when shaken, a sound like dice being cast is heard, reminiscent of Roman soldiers gambling for Christ's garments. The sound is presumably loose otoliths.

cruciform = 1) having the form of a cross.

cruciform = 2) x-shaped (incorrectly).

crude density = the number of individuals in an area.

crudo = raw fish or sashimi, Italian-style.

crue = a wickerwork fish trap.

cruiser = a migratory fisherman catching cod from a schooner on the Labrador coast.

cruising = in angling, used for fish looking for food.

cruising speed = extended swimming by fish without stress or fatigue.

cruive = a fish trap made by enclosing a space in a river, traditionally with wicker or wood (English dialect). Also spelled criv, craive, crave, crove, croove, crowis, coffis, cruve and crive.

crumble = food particles compounded artificially as fish food, of a certain size for ingestion and made not to disintegrate in water.

crumenal organ = bilaterally flattened pair of somewhat angular pouches or purses involving the last two gill arches and the anterior oesophagus whose posterior origin is supported by the fifth ceratobranchial and the posterodorsal tip of the fifth epibranchial (bones of the gill arch) which are united by special accessory cartilage in the Argentinoidei (Argentinoidea and Alepocephaloidea). Food particles are trapped dorsally in the pouches by large interlocking toothed gill rakers.

cruncheons = scrunchins (pieces of fish liver after the oil has been removed (Newfoundland). Also spelled scrunche(o)ns, scrunchings or scrunchions).

cruppy-dow = a cake made of oatmeal and fish (Northumberland dialect).

crura = plural of crus.

crus (plural crura) = the functionally distinct anterior lobe of the pelvic fin in Rajiidae. It has three flexible joints and is used to push skates off the bottom, enabling them to glide a short distance.

crus commune = that part of the inner ear where the vertical canals meet.

cruisie = an iron basket filled with knabs, resinous fir roots, burned to give light for poaching fish (Scottish dialect).

crutch = a forked structure fastened to side of boat to hold the head of a net or cod trap above water (Newfoundland).

crutching = a form of fish locomotion which is hesitant, using the pectoral fins in a manner similar to that used by humans on crutches, e.g. in mudskippers and frogfishes. Also called amphipedal progression.

cruve = cruive.

cry stinking fish = belittle one's own goods; to foul one's one nest.

cryal = adjective from cryon. Also spelled kryal.

cryocoa = the biotope and biocensois of a cryal zone.

cryal zone = the area of a glacial stream or river, or a sea ice community .

cryo- (prefix) = pertaining to cold, cold.

cryogenic freezing = blast freezing, q.v., accelerated by using liquid nitrogen or carbon dioxide sprays at -150°F or less. Used for individually quick frozen products (q.v.).

cryon (adjective cryal) = the organisms of a glacial stream or sea ice community.

cryopelagic = at or near the water surface under ice.

cryophilic = association with temporary or permanent ice.

cryoprotectant = chemicals such as sucrose and sorbitol that can be added to fish muscle before freezing to prevent adverse chemical reactions. Usually added to surimi (q.v.) before it is made into blocks and frozen.

crypsis = hidden, concealed, camouflaged. Often used in terms of colour or fringes and flaps used by fishes to conceal themselves from predators.

cryptic = adjective for hidden, concealed, camouflaged. Often used in terms of colour or fringes and flaps used by fishes to conceal themselves from predators.

cryptic biomass = the fraction of the stock that is unavailable to a fishery.

cryptic introduction = an undocumented introduction of a species to a drainage to which it is not native.

cryptic species = those valid species that are morphologically indistinguishable but reproductively isolated. Also called sibling species.

cryptocaryon = a ciliated protozoan parasitic infection of marine fishes in aquaria caused by Cryptocaryon irritans. White spots develop on the body and fins and fish will scratch themselves against rocks. Gills may become infected and respiration affected. Also called white spot disease.

cryptodepression = a lake basin with its deepest parts below sea level.

cryptogenic = of obscure or unknown origin, e.g. a species may be an exotic or a native but little is known of its natural distribution and no conclusion can be made.

cryptophilic = loving concealment.

crystal flash = a trade name for synthetic material available in string shapes and used in streamer (q.v.) patterns to add flash and colour.

crystal waggler = a transparent plastic waggler, q.v., supposedly less visible to fish.

crystallised otolith = an otolith displaying inadequate calcification making age determinations difficult if not impossible due to missing annuli.

ctenactinia = plural of ctenactinium.

ctenactinium (plural ctenactinia) = the curved rod-like clasper on the posterior side of the priapium in Phallostethidae.

ctenidia = plural of ctenidium.

ctenidium (plural ctenidia) = microscopic tooth-like structure or a row of spines, e.g. in Poeciliidae.

ctenii = plural of ctenius.

ctenius (plural ctenii) = small spines or denticles on scales, usually most evident on the posterior margin but sometimes covering the whole scale. The scales are termed ctenoid scales on this basis. Each ctenius consists of a base and a spine. Also used for bony combs along the pelvic fin rays of some fishes. Also called spinules.

ctenoid scale = a scale having small spines (ctenii) on the posterior exposed portion and which hence feel rough when stroked towards the head. Typical of many Teleostei.

ctenus = incorrect spelling of ctenius.

cubbag = a small bag of leather used for carrying bait or fish (Caithness dialect).

cube = bite (a small piece of fish breaded or coated with batter, weighing less than 1 oz. Of various shapes such as round, square, or irregular. May be cut from regular blocks or blocks of minced fish. Generally sold by count, 25-35 per lb. Also called nuggets, petites, and tidbits).

cubic centimetre = 0.0338 fl oz, 0.00211 pt, 1.0 mL. Abbreviated as cm³.

cubic foot = 957.5 fl oz, 59.84 pt, 28.317 mL, 0.0283 m³. Abbreviated as ft³.

cubic feet per second = 28.317 L/s, 7.841 gal/sec. Abbreviated as ft³/s.

cubic metre per second (m³/s) = rate of discharge, typically used in measuring streamflow. One cubic metre per second is equal to the discharge in a stream of a cross section one metre wide and one metre deep, flowing with an average velocity of one metre per second.

cuckoldry = in nest building fishes, a male that is not the parental nest-guarder fertilises some eggs. Sneaker males dart out from hiding while satellite males mimic females to gain access to the nest site.

cuckoo-fish = upside-down catfishes (Synodus multipunctatus and S. petricola, Mochokidae) in Lake Tanganyika that lay their eggs at the same time as mouth-brooding Cichlidae. The cichlids pick up these catfish eggs along with their own but the catfish eggs hatch more quickly, being smaller, and the young feed on the cichlid's eggs.

cue = a stimulus, e.g. temperature is often a spawning cue.

cuesta = a ridge with a steep slope on one side and a gentle slope on the other.

cul du canard feather = fine, downy feathers from the rear end of duck used in fly-tying. There are few of these on each duck and they have a natural flotation because they are impregnated with preen oil.

cull = 1) the removal or killing of selected fish in a breeding stock or a group of fry, to improve overall quality.

cull = 2) removal of poor quality fish products by inspectors.

cull = 3) removal of damaged or duplicate specimens from a museum collection or lot.

cull = 4) releasing smaller fish caught in a contest as larger ones are taken when there is a limit in number of fish eligible for prize winning.

cull = 5) the lowest commercial grade of cod in the Newfoundland fishery.

cullage = the inferior fish from a cull.

culler = a person who sorted dried and salted cod into grades by cure, quality and size (Newfoundland).

culling board = a wooden table, or even simply a plank, used for sorting and grading dried, salted cod in Newfoundland.

culprit worm = an artificial plastic worm with a ribbon tail, originally manufactured by a company of that name.

cultigen = a species or subspecies cultivated by humans and not occurring naturally.

cultivation of ponds = agricultural usage of dried-out ponds so as to improve their productivity when used again.

cultrate = with a knife edge.

cultriform = knife-shaped.

cultural eutrophication = enrichment of the nutrient load of water bodies by human activities. Contributes to deterioration of the life-supporting features of the water body.

cultural keystone species = a fish that has major significance in the lives and traditions of a group of people, e.g.eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus, Osmeridae) in the Pacific northwest to the Nuxalk. See also grease trail.

culture = the artificial breeding and raising of fish.

culture-based capture fishery = capture fisheries which are maintained by stocking with material raised within aquaculture installations.

culture-based fishery = supplementing or sustaining stocks beyond the natural level. May include introduction of a new species, stocking, habitat improvement, removal of undesirable species. Often used in the sense of stocking hatchery-reared juveniles into the natural environment for recapture when grown.

cultured stock = a stock that depends upon spawning, incubation, hatching, or rearing in a hatchery or other artificial production facility.

culturist = a person engaged in aquaculture.

cum = with. Abbreviated as c.

cumulative catch limit = cumulative limit.

cumulative limit = the total allowable amount of a species of stock that can be taken over a set time. Usually measured in weight that a vessel can take and keep, possess or land. The vessel or fisher can take or land as much fish as they like as long as they do not exceed the cumulative limit during the designated time period.

cumulative catch limit stacking = cumulative limit stacking.

cumulative limit stacking = the association of cumulative limits with permits rather than vessels. A vessel with multiple limited entry permits can harvest multiple cumulative limits. Also called permit stacking.

cuneate = wedge-shaped.

cuneiform = wedge-shaped.

cuneiform area = the thickened wedge-shaped area on the dorsum of the caudal appendage ventral to the proximal portion of the Batoidean sting (spine). The glandular epithelium of the cuneiform area is believed to produce venom.

cuneiform bone = rocker bone (a prominent, median, bean-shaped bone in Ophidiidae and Carapidae which is drummed against the anterior end of the gas bladder for sound production).

cup = a kind of fishing-net or trap (English dialect).

cuprinol = a copper naphthenate solution used as a preservative on nets.

cupula = a gelatinous rod or flap enclosing the sensory hairs of the neuromast cells in the acoustico-lateralis system (trunk and head lateral line and inner ear). Sometimes called cupula terminalis.

curation = the identification and organisation of museum specimens according to a set system and in accordance with the scientific literature, thus adding to scientific knowledge.

curator = a person responsible for a collection of organisms, for carrying out research on them, for increasing and improving that museum collection and for exhibiting the materials to the public.

curd = 1) a creamy material covering the surface of canned salmon and tuna produced from previously frozen fish. It is coagulated, denatured protein formed during poor cold storage prior to heat processing and is considered unsightly, reducing marketability.

curd = 2) thick slime on the exterior of spoiled fish.

cure = preserving fish by salting, smoking, fermenting, drying or pickling, or any combination of these.

curing = 1) preserving fish as food by smoking, salting, drying, fermenting, acid curing and various combinations of these. Often removes moisture from the fish to retard bacterial growth but is now used to give a pleasant flavour and refrigeration is used to prevent or retard decay.

curing = 2) processing of cod-liver oil (Newfoundland).

curio = any rare, unusual or curious article. In the fish world, various items have been curios in the past and some, to the detriment of conservation, today, e.g. dried seahorses and pipefishes, shark jaws, puffer fishes and porcupinefishes in and expanded state, sawfish saws, Jenny Hanivers (q.v.), fur-bearing trout and furfish (q.v.), crucifix fish, etc. Sharks, seahorses and porcupinefishes are the three marine fish groups most traded in the U.S.A. which imports about one million fish annually as curios worth more than $1.7 million.

current = 1) a part of a body of a water moving in a definite direction.

current = 2) in general circulation or use; in progress.

current annual yield = the one-year catch that can be taken from a stock which maximises the average catch at an acceptable risk level.

current meter = an instrument for measuring water velocity. A wheel with cups is rotated by the current and gives the velocity.

current potential yield = the catch that can be taken given the current resource abundance and prevailing ecosystem considerations. Abbreviated as CPY.

current system = areas strongly influenced by currents, e.g. tidal currents, geostrophic flows, longshore currents, all q.v. Important in transporting fish eggs and larvae, in productivity, in habitat formation, and in flushing pollutants.

currie = a small stool used by fishermen (Scottish dialect).

curve cast = a fly casting technique that avoids an obstacle or minimises the influence of water current or wind on the fly or line.

cusec = abbreviation for cubic foot per second. Used outside North America where the equivalent is cfs.

cusp = projection or point as on a tooth or spine.

cuspate = with cusps.

cuspid = with cusps.

cuspidate = with cusps.

cusplet = a small or secondary cusp; also a denticle.

custom cut = regularly shaped triangle cut from a block of frozen fish. Usually breaded and battered.

custom processor = a business which does not own the fisheries resources it is processing.

customary right = a customary right is a right of individuals or groups founded upon customary, long continued practices and usage, such as a fishing right.

cut = 1) a narrow body of water cutting through land.

cut = 2) a canal.

cut = 3) a portion of netting in a cod trap raised by ropes so as to force the fish back toward the end of the net for easy removal (Newfoundland).

cut = 4) a cross-section of a fish.

cut bait = any bait cut into small pieces or chunks, but usually fish.

cut herring = headless and mostly gutless pickled and spiced herring. Also called clipped herring.

cut lunch herring = marinated split herring with the skin and bones; cut into small pieces and packed in vinegar or wine sauces.

cut pole = fir branch or thin trunk, needles removed, used as a fishing rod (Newfoundland).

cut spiced herring = filleted and skinned herring cured in salt, sugar and spices and packed in brine with vinegar, sugar and spices. May refer to herring prepared this way but cut into small pieces.

cut surface = the exposure of a fleshy surface in a fish product by forming steaks, by heading, by heading and gutting, by filleting or splitting.

cut-off = 1) a new natural or artificial channel circumventing a river bend.

cut-off = 2) a lake formed by the closure or cutting off of a bend in a river.

cut-off the linnet = cut (3).

cut-off the twine = cut (3).

cut-tail = a cod identified by a notch or cut in its tail made by an apprentice fisherman or supernumerary such fish being hids only share of the voyage's profits (Newfoundland).

cut-throat(er) = member of a fish-cleaning crew in Newfoundland who cuts the throat of the cod-fish and slits the belly open from gills to vent in preparation for heading, splitting and salting. A two-edged knife used in this process.

cutaneous = pertaining to the skin.

cutaneous artery = an artery running horizontally near the lateral line and serving the superficial muscle layers. It is formed from the joined superficial branches of the intercostal arteries.

cutis = dermis, the lower skin layer.

cutlet = flesh cut from both sides of a fish joined at the back. Herring cutlets may be packed in wine, sour cream or tomato cocktail sauces. Also called block fillet, q.v.

cuttbow = a hybrid between cutthroat and rainbow trout, having the red cut throat and rainbow flank stripe.

cutter = 1) a single-masted fore and aft rigged sailing vessel.

cutter = 2) a steam-powered fish carrier which brought the catch to market.

cutter = 3) a fish filleter, a person who prepares fish for eating by removing fins, internal organs and bones and cuts large fish into fillets and steaks.

cutthroat = a person who cuts the throat and splits the belly when a fish is processed.

cutting board = a piece of wood used for cutting up fish or bait and protecting expensive boat gunnels.

cutting edge = 1) the leading edge of a fin.

cutting edge = 2) the ridge on the mesodistal edge of the crown in shark teeth.

cutting over = a disruption of the circulus pattern on scales resulting from erosion of the edge. Circuli formed after the erosion appear to intersect or cross over others that had been formed earlier. If the scale edge erosion is an annual event, the cutting over marks may be used to detect annuli. Also called crossing over.

cutting rate = the sequential cutting of meshes to reduce net width at a given rate.

cuttlefish = not fish but a cephalopod mollusc with 10 arms and a calcified internal shell.

Cuvierian duct = the common cardinal vein. The anterior cardinal vein returns blood from the head and the posterior cardinal vein from the trunk, joining together as the common cardinal vein (also called incorrectly the vitelline vein). The jugular vein from the lower jaw also empties into the common cardinal vein. The two common cardinal veins empty into the sinus venosus, q.v.

Cuvierian sinus = large vessels at the back of the gills which collect venous blood from the body and return it to the heart.

CWT = abbreviation for coded-wire tag (a small (0.25 mm diameter x 1 mm length) wire etched with a distinctive binary code and implanted in the snout of a fish (usually a salmonid) for mark-recapture studies).

cwt = hundredweight (50.802 kg (long), 45.359 kg (short)). Abbreviated as cwt, long and cwt, short respectively.

cyan = dark blue.

cyanide fishing = use of sodium cyanide (or another cyanide compound) to stun and capture coral reef fishes for the aquarium and live food trade.

cyano- (prefix) = dark blue.

cyanomorph = a colour morph with a dominant blue colour.

cyarlin = 1) a line or net that has not caught any fish (from the witch whose spell binds the nets or lines, the spell being broken only when the first fish has been caught) (Scottish dialect). Also spelled kyarlin.

cyarlin = 2) the first fish caught on a line or in a net (Scottish dialect). Also spelled kyarlin.

cyarlin = 3) fines imposed on fishermen whose nets or lines catch the fewest fish, the various fines being pooled to provide a feast for the whole crew (Scottish dialect). Also spelled kyarlin.

cyclamen = Cyclamen, a genus of plants of the Primulaceae, the Primrose family, used as a fish poison in a paste or thrust among rocks, enabling fish to be scooped up.

cyclo-ctenoid scale = a scale intermediate in form between cycloid and ctenoid scales; teeth are present but are small, smooth and few in number, e.g. in characoids.

cycloid = having a smooth-edged margin.

cycloid scale = a smooth-edged round or oval scale composed of acellular dermal bone lacking small spines on the posterior exposed edge. Typical of many Teleostei. Some cycloid scales may have a serrated margin and are then termed spinoid scales.

cyclomorial = fish scales of a form in which large, stout units are added anteriorly and light thin, elongated units are added posteriorly. The bases of the large lepidomorial units grow concentrically around the previously added bases and are partially fused.

cyclospondylous = a type of vertebra consisting of calcified rings around the notochord in Elasmobranchii and Holocephali. The calcification extends only to the chordacentrum or notochordal sheath, the arches are cartilaginous.

cyclospondyly = the condition of a cyclospondylous vertebra.

cyclostome poisoning = poisoning from eating Myxinidae or Petromyzontidae generally characterized by nausea, vomiting, dysenteric diarrhoea, tenesmus, abdominal pain, and weakness, with recovery within several days. Most poisonings are reported as due to failure to de-slime the fish. Poison is reported removed or inactivated by covering the fresh fish with salt and leaving it in concentrated brine for several hours prior to cooking.

cylinder pump = a type of air pump for aquaria which can produce great volumes of air. Noisier than the more common diaphragm pumps.

cylindriform = cylindrical in shape.

cypress swamp = a wetland with cypress trees as the dominant species, usually with areas of permanent water cover (in the southeastern U.S.A.).

cypriere = a cypress swamp in Louisiana.

cyprinid herpesvirus I (CHV or CyHV-1) = carp pox (one of the oldest known fish diseases found in cultured carp, other cyprinids, pike-perch and aquarium fishes. It is caused by Herpesvirus cyprini. Also known as carp papillomatosis, epithelioma papulosum, and fish pox. Skin lesions appear as the water temperature drops in winter as small milky-white spots that merge and cover large skin areas).

cyprinid herpesvirus II (CyHV-2) = a haematopoietic necrosis herpesvirus which affects goldfish and is closely related to carp pox or CyHV-1 and koi herpes virus or CyHV-3. A member of the family Herpesviridae as above.

cyprinid herpesvirus III (CyHV-3) = also known as koi herpes virus (KHV). This is a deadly virus affecting carp including koi. A member of the family Herpesviridae as above. There is no cure for the disease and it is difficult to detect.

cyprinin = the toxic substance obtained from the milt of the carp, Cyprinus carpio.

cystic vein = one of several veins draining capillaries of the gall bladder to the hepatic portal vein.

cystoarian condition = where peritoneal folds grow around the gonad and form oviducts which conduct the eggs to the exterior. The duct may also function to conduct the sperm to the egg in groups with internal fertilization, e.g. Clupeiodei. Compare gymnoarian.

cytotype = a portion of a type prepared to show identical cytological features, e.g. chromosomes, as those originally described for the taxon.

© Brian W. Coad (www.briancoad.com)

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