Yes, some fish have a skeleton. The reference material clearly indicates that fish possess skeletons, although the composition varies.
Fish Skeletons: Cartilage vs. Bone
The type of skeleton a fish has depends on the species:
- Cartilaginous Fishes: Some fish, like sharks and rays, have skeletons made of cartilage.
- Bony Fishes: Other fish, which make up the majority of fish species, have skeletons made of bone.
The reference states: "The skeleton of the fish is made of either cartilage (cartilaginous fishes) or bone (bony fishes)." This highlights the two main types of skeletal structures found in fish.
Types of Skeletons
To further clarify the presence of skeletons in fish, it's helpful to understand the two main types of skeletons in the animal kingdom:
- Exoskeleton: A hard, outer shell that protects the organism.
- Endoskeleton: An internal support structure.
Fish have an endoskeleton. This internal skeleton provides support and structure for the fish's body. As mentioned above, this endoskeleton is made of either cartilage or bone.
