11 Difference Between Chondrichthyes And Osteichthyes [Tabular Form]

Chondrichthyes and Osteichthyes are the classes that belong to superclass Pisces. In this article, you will learn the difference between Chondrichthyes and Osteichthyes.

Chondrichthyes

1. Chondrichthyes consist of cartilaginous fish.

2. Cartilaginous endoskeleton is present in the animal. They are called as cartilaginous fish.

3. These fishes are present in only marine water.

4. The exoskeleton is formed of minute placoid scales.

Stingray- an example of Chondrichthyes

5. The position of the mouth is ventral.

6. These fishes have two dorsal fins.

7.  These animals have male copulatory organs is called claspers.

8. The tail fin is formed of two unequal lobes (asymmetrical). 

9. There are seven pairs of gill slits and gill slits are not covered by an operculum.

10. The fertilization in Chondrichthyes is internal.

11. They are viviparous.

Osteichthyes

1. Osteichthyes consist of bony fish.

2. The endoskeleton of animal is mainly made up of bones hence they are also called bony fishes.

3. These animals live in freshwater as well as marine water.

4. The skeleton is made up of cycloid and ctenoid scales.

5. The position of the mouth is terminal.

6. They have a single dorsal fin.

Clownfish- an example of Osteichthyes.

7. They do not have male copulatory organs.

8. The tail fin is symmetrical that is formed by two equal lobes.

9. There are 4 pairs of gill slits which is covered by an operculum. 

10. The fertilization is external in Osteichthyes. 

11. They are oviparous.

Difference between Chondrichthyes and Osteichthyes [Tabular Form]

Chondrichthyes	Osteichthyes
Consist of cartilaginous fish	Consist of bony fish
Cartilaginous endoskeleton is present	Bony endoskeleton is present
Present in only marine water	Present in fresh as well as marine water
The exoskeleton is formed of minute placoid scales	The skeleton is made up of cycloid and ctenoid scales
The position of the mouth is ventral	The position of the mouth is terminal
Fishes have two dorsal fins	Fishes have a single dorsal fin
Have male copulatory organs are called claspers	They do not have male copulatory organs
The tail fin is formed of two unequal lobes	The tail fin is formed of two equal lobes
Seven pairs of gill slits and gill slits are not covered by an operculum	Four pairs of gill slits and gill slits are covered by an operculum
Fertilization in Chondrichthyes is internal	Fertilization in Osteichthyes is external.
They are viviparous	They are oviparous