KEY CONCEPT Bony fish include ray-finned and lobe-finned fish.
Ray-finned fish have a fan of bones in their fins. Ray-finned fish have fins supported by a fan-shaped array of bones. embedded in a thin layer of skin and connective tissue light, collapsible, and easy to move
Ray-finned fish have a variety of body plans. long torpedo-shaped bodies (barracuda)
Ray-finned fish have a variety of body plans. flattened bodies (plaice)
Ray-finned fish have a variety of body plans. elaborate camouflage (sea dragon)
A swim bladder helps a fish float higher or lower in the water.
Some ray-finned fish have both lungs and gills. can breathe air and survive out of water for several hours at a time example: bichir found in West Africa
Lobe-finned fish have paired rounded fins supported by a single bone. Lobe-fins are paired pectoral and pelvic fins that are round in shape. not as maneuverable as ray-fins able to support weight lobe fin
Only seven species of lobe-finned fish exist today. coelacanths lungfish