dorsal spines
Fish ridge spikes
Dorsal spines are the stiff, pointed projections along the back of certain animals, especially fish.
They form part of the dorsal fin and serve as defense against predators—a bass's dorsal spines can puncture a careless hand.
Some species have venomous dorsal spines: The lionfish's dorsal spines deliver a painful sting.
- stonefishVenomous bottom-dwelling marine predator
- fishGilled aquatic vertebrate
- pointExact location or meaning
- venomousProducing injected toxins
- sharpFine-edged, or astute
barb · armor · tip · sculpin · scales · vertebrae · defense mechanism · cartilage · envenomation · ridge · crest · ray · gills · prickly · sea urchin · needle · fanned · membrane