Difference Between Cartilaginous Fish And Bony Fish

Difference Between Bony Fish and Cartilaginous Fish

Q: 1. What are the Similarities Between Bony Fish and Cartilaginous Fish?

Both are aquatic vertebrates.Both have gills for respiration.Both are ectothermic (cold-blooded).Both have fins for swimming.Both reproduce sexually.

Q: 2. Give examples of Bony Fish and Cartilaginous Fish

Bony Fish: Salmon, Tuna, Goldfish, Catfish, TroutCartilaginous Fish: Shark, Ray, Skate, Sawfish, Chimaera

Q: 3. Give 10 Examples of Cartilaginous Fish

Great White SharkHammerhead SharkManta RayStingrayWhale SharkBlue SharkTiger SharkSawfishEagle RayElectric Ray

Q: 6. What Are the Gills of Bony Fish and Cartilaginous Fish?

Bony Fish: Gills are covered by an operculum.Cartilaginous Fish: Gills are exposed and have gill slits.

Q: 8. Which of the Following Characteristics Is Common for Both Cartilaginous and Bony Fish?

Both are vertebrates.Both have gills for respiration.Both reproduce sexually.Both are ectothermic.

Introduction to Bony Fish & Cartilaginous Fish

Fishes are classified into bony fish (Osteichthyes) and cartilaginous fish (Chondrichthyes) based on their skeletal structure. Bony fish have a skeleton made of bone, while cartilaginous fish have a flexible cartilage skeleton. They differ in respiration, reproduction, body covering, and habitat. Understanding these differences helps in identifying their unique adaptations to aquatic life.

Table: Detailed Differences Between Bony Fish and Cartilaginous Fish

Feature	Bony Fish (Osteichthyes)	Cartilaginous Fish (Chondrichthyes)
Skeletal Structure	The skeleton is made of calcium-rich bones, making it hard and rigid.	The skeleton is composed of flexible cartilage, which is lighter and more elastic.
Body Covering	Covered with cycloid, ctenoid, or ganoid scales, which are smooth and overlapping, providing protection.	Covered with placoid scales (dermal denticles), which have a rough, sandpaper-like texture and reduce water resistance.
Mouth Position	The mouth is located at the front (terminal) of the head.	The mouth is located on the ventral (underside) part of the head.
Gill Covering	Have a bony operculum (gill cover) that protects the delicate gills.	Lack an operculum; instead, they have multiple exposed gill slits (usually 5-7) on the sides.
Buoyancy Control	Possess a swim bladder, an air-filled organ that helps regulate buoyancy without constant movement.	Do not have a swim bladder; instead, they depend on a large oil-filled liver to maintain buoyancy.
Mode of Fertilization	Most species undergo external fertilization, where eggs and sperm are released into the water for fertilization.	Mostly internal fertilization, where males use claspers to transfer sperm into females.
Reproduction Type	Mostly oviparous (lay eggs) with external development.	Can be oviparous (egg-laying), ovoviviparous (eggs hatch inside the mother), or viviparous (live birth).
Heart Structure	Have a two-chambered heart with a single circulatory system.	Also have a two-chambered heart, but with a slightly different blood circulation mechanism.
Respiration	Breathe through gills covered by operculum, allowing them to extract oxygen efficiently.	Need to keep swimming constantly to push water over their exposed gills, as they lack a protective covering.
Feeding Adaptations	Mostly omnivorous or herbivorous, but some species are carnivorous. They use their jaws to chew food.	Mostly carnivorous, equipped with sharp, replaceable teeth to tear prey apart.
Examples	Tuna, Salmon, Goldfish, Catfish, Seahorse, Eel.	Shark, Stingray, Manta Ray, Skate.

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FAQs on Difference Between Bony Fish and Cartilaginous Fish

1. What are the Similarities Between Bony Fish and Cartilaginous Fish?

Both are aquatic vertebrates.
Both have gills for respiration.
Both are ectothermic (cold-blooded).
Both have fins for swimming.
Both reproduce sexually.

2. Give examples of Bony Fish and Cartilaginous Fish

Bony Fish: Salmon, Tuna, Goldfish, Catfish, Trout
Cartilaginous Fish: Shark, Ray, Skate, Sawfish, Chimaera

3. Give 10 Examples of Cartilaginous Fish

Great White Shark
Hammerhead Shark
Manta Ray
Stingray
Whale Shark
Blue Shark
Tiger Shark
Sawfish
Eagle Ray
Electric Ray

4. Cycloid Scales Are Found in Which Fish?

Cycloid scales are found in bony fish, such as salmon and carp.

5. What Are the Similarities and Differences Between Bony Fish and Cartilaginous Fish?

Similarities: Both are aquatic, ectothermic, and have gills.
Differences: Bony fish have a bony skeleton and operculum, while cartilaginous fish have a cartilage skeleton and exposed gills.

6. What Are the Gills of Bony Fish and Cartilaginous Fish?

Bony Fish: Gills are covered by an operculum.
Cartilaginous Fish: Gills are exposed and have gill slits.

7. What Is the Difference Between Chondrichthyes and Osteichthyes Fish?

Chondrichthyes (Cartilaginous Fish): Have a cartilage skeleton, no operculum, and use internal fertilization.
Osteichthyes (Bony Fish): Have a bone skeleton, an operculum covering gills, and use external fertilization.

8. Which of the Following Characteristics Is Common for Both Cartilaginous and Bony Fish?

Both are vertebrates.
Both have gills for respiration.
Both reproduce sexually.
Both are ectothermic.

9. What are the differences in reproduction between the bony and the cartilaginous fishes?

Bony fish usually lay eggs (oviparous), while cartilaginous fish often give birth to live young (viviparous or ovoviviparous).
Cartilaginous fish use internal fertilization, whereas bony fish mostly rely on external fertilization.
Some cartilaginous fish protect their embryos inside egg cases or within the mother’s body, while bony fish do not.