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Fish

What is a fish?

There are more than 24,000 species of fish living today. The three main groups are: the jawless fish, including lamprey and hagfish; the cartilaginous fish (with a skeleton made of cartilage rather than bone), including sharks and rays; and the largest grouping – the bony fish, including sturgeon, perch, and thousands of others.

Fish

These are a few of the characteristics that define most fish.


  • Water

    All fish live in water.

  • Gills

    Fish breathe oxygen in water through gills.

  • Cold-blooded

    Fish are not able to control their internal body temperature.

  • Slimy Scales

    Most fish have have mucus-covered scales for skin.

PLEASE NOTE NOT ALL ANIMALS ARE VIEWABLE AT ALL TIMES.

Fish at the Zoo