Scientific Names for fish

[Ron 'The Hat' Clay (ACA-Life Member)]

Latin and Greek, both of which are used in scientific names, are neither mysterious nor all that difficult to learn.

The whole idea of using them is that the languages are international, which can't be said for English or some of the common names.

For example the name "chub" in the USA, means a fish totally unlike the chub that we know.

I actually like the scientific names very much indeed. They add not only a means of positive identification that is recognised by ichthyologists and a few anglers world wide, but a little bit of romance.

Even old JW Martin - The Trent Otter, whose education was largely self taught, used the scientific names for his fish.

And he certainly was no snob!

 

[Ron 'The Hat' Clay (ACA-Life Member)]

And the most impressive and descriptive of all the scientific names for fish is that of the Tigerfish:

Hydrocynus vittatus

Which means the striped waterdog.

How utterly apt!

 

[captain carrott]

no he was of a time when latin was still used as a form of snobbery, to make biologists appear more mysterious.

this also applies to medicine. FRCS actually means qualified butcher who can speak latin.

 

[BAZ (Angel of the North) aka Fester]

And I bet you didn't know that any plant name written in latin that ends with the letter i refers to the male genus. ii means female.

 

[Ron 'The Hat' Clay (ACA-Life Member)]

Quite right Baz.

And we are all Homo sapiens

 

[Ron 'The Hat' Clay (ACA-Life Member)]

Now watch old Ed come on in a minute protesting that he is not a blinkin Homo!!!

)

 

[Clive Evans 1]

"Cyprinus carpio clayii"

Oh dear Baz! Are you telling us that Ron is a female of the species.

 

[BAZ (Angel of the North) aka Fester]

I was only thinking of you the other day Clive. It's good to see you back.

 

[Clive Evans 1]

Been doing a bit of lurking mate.

 

[Cakey]

is that greek ?

 

[Fred Bonney]

Gastero aculatus ????
Bit like Barbus barbus barbus
Surely,Gasterosteus aculeatus aculeatus ?

 

[Cakey]

cant believe it ,I can just about say pike and perch etc

 

[yoggy]

Ron, you are a minefield of information.

Glad you enjoyed your stay over,you`re welcome anytime

I`ve been converted into an intellectual!!

The African Tribal talks were mind-blowing!

 

[Ron 'The Hat' Clay (ACA-Life Member)]

It was nice of you to have me Simon.

We'll do it again some day.

 

[BAZ (Angel of the North) aka Fester]

Did he call your wife the Great She Elephant?

 

[Ron 'The Hat' Clay (ACA-Life Member)]

Neither Yoggie nor his wife are blinkin Zulus Baz!

 

[Ian Cloke]

Ron, why are ther two latin names for Rainbow Trout?? I don't know about any other fish, but I suspect there are a few with at least two names(in latin). So wouldn't it get a bit confusing?????????

 

[Merv Harrison]

And I always say 'Chubb' to be 'safe' !!!.

 

[Michael Townsend 3]

Rutilus rutilus = golden red (I think)
Describes the roach's eye.

 

[Deanos]

This is fascinating, the next time I am out at night, fishing in the wind and rain,
catching NOWT!?I shall recount the Latin names of all the fish Ron.
(a test!...can you order pie and chips in Latin?).