Fishy Bones

There are two types of skeletons that a Fish can have, Bony Fish are fish that have a skeleton made of bone. There are about 20,000 species of bony fish which include Royal Angelfish and Butterfly Fish. Cartilaginous Fish have a skeleton made of cartilage, which is what our ears and noses are made out of. Sharks, Rays and Skates are the only cartilaginous Fish.
Polyps Butterflyfish
 Polyps Butterflyfish are small tropical fish that live in and around the coral reefs. Their skeletons are made out of bone and are therefore bony fish.
Black Tip Reef Shark
 The Black Tip Reef Shark is a type of Shark and all Sharks have skeletons made ou of cartilage. Cartilage is softer than bone.
Western Clown
The Western Clown is also a bony fish, although their bones are much smaller than ours, they are still strong.
Common Lionfish
The Common Lionfish is also a bony fish, all bony fish have a swim bladder (an air filled sac that helps them with buoyancy) that opens into the gullet. Bony fish do not have to swim to breathe.
Southern Stingray
The Southern Stingray is a cartilaginous fish and therefore have skeletons made out of cartilage.
Basking Shark
The Basking Shark is a type of Shark and has a skeleton made of cartilage. The Basking Shark is the second largest fish in the world and even though cartilage is softer than bone, it is still strong enough to support its huge weight.