SPECIES INFO
Marginated sculpin (Cottus marginatus) is found in the northwestern United States. It can be found in the Columbia River system in Washington and other river systems south to the Umatilla River in Oregon. This fish is normally less than 5 inches in length. Generally sculpins are difficult to identify to the species level.The sculpins (Family Cottidae) are primarily a marine group of about 300 fishes. However, there are also fresh water species in this family.
Scorpion fish (Order Scorpaeniformes) is a Marine order containing many bizarre kinds of fish. Many of the species have gigantic fins of great beauty which are tipped with poison stings.
Bony fish, Class Teleostomi, are a class of chordates that include the majority of fish-like animals found on earth. They are characterized by a bony jaw and a bony skeleton. They are found in both fresh and marine waters.
Backboned Animals (Phylum Chordata) are the most advanced group of animals on earth. These animals are characterized by having a spinal cord or backbone. Most members have a clearly defined brain that controls the organism through a spinal cord. Fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals are in this phylum.
Currently, some taxonomists believe that the fish should be divided into two groups (sharks and regular fishes) and that there are some other primitive groups in the phylum such as hagfish or lampreys.
Animal Kingdom contains numerous organisms that feed on other animals or plants. Included in the animal kingdom are the lower marine invertebrates such as sponges and corals, the jointed legged animals such as insects and spiders, and the backboned animals such as fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.