With approximately 25,000 recognized species, fishes make up
the most diverse vertebrate group, comprising about half of all known
vertebrate species. New fishes continue to be discovered and named at the rate
of 200 to 300 species per year. With this vast number of different fishes comes
a diversity of sizes and shapes, from huge whale sharks that reach 12 m (40 ft)
in length to the smallest vertebrate, a tiny goby, measuring only 1 cm (0.4 in)
long. (Encarta encyclopedia)
With approximately 25,000 recognized species, fishes make up
the most diverse vertebrate group, comprising about half of all known
vertebrate species. New fishes continue to be discovered and named at the rate
of 200 to 300 species per year. With this vast number of different fishes comes
a diversity of sizes and shapes, from huge whale sharks that reach 12 m (40 ft)
in length to the smallest vertebrate, a tiny goby, measuring only 1 cm (0.4 in)
long. (Encarta encyclopedia)