Ray-finned Fish

See More Images
(16 total)

Gasterosteus
Gasterosteus
© 2003 Nevada State Museum, Carson City

Lepisosteus
Lepisosteus
© 2008 Royal Tyrrell Museum

Phareodus encaustus
Phareodus encaustus
© 2002 The Virtual Fossil Museum

What are Ray-finned Fish? Ray-finned fish (Actinopterygii) are the dominant aquatic vertebrates today. They illustrate great diversity in their morphology and habitats, living in shallow to deep and freshwater to marine habitats. Their name comes from the presence of “rays,” fine bony or horny spines that support the webbing of their fins. Trout, salmon, bass, and tuna are typical modern ray-finned fish.

First known fossil occurrence: Devonian.

Last known fossil occurrence: Quaternary. This group has living relatives.

Cool Ray-finned Fish links:

Search for images of Ray-finned Fish on Google

See Ray-finned Fish from the:

Quaternary
Tertiary
Cretaceous
Jurassic
Triassic
Permian
Carboniferous
Devonian
Silurian
Ordovician
Cambrian
Precambrian
help

site tour | about the site | site map | site credits | page credits | help | FAQs | contact
© | editorial policy | awards | teachers' guide | site generator | About RSS

paleontology news:   recent site additions: