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Which aquatic habitats can bony fishes live in?

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A porcupine fish in the Andaman Sea — fish *Diodon hystrix* is a species of porcupine fish. These fishes are short and broad-bodied, with large eyes and spines covering their skin. Like puffer fishes, they inflate their bodies when threatened.

Bony fishes are highly adaptable and inhabit virtually all aquatic environments across the globe. Their habitats can be broadly categorized into freshwater and marine systems, though they occupy a vast range of specific niches within these environments.123

Freshwater Habitats

Bony fishes are found in a wide variety of freshwater settings, including:
* Running waters: Such as mountain torrents, temperate streams, and tropical rivers.3
* Still waters: Including various types of lakes, ranging from Arctic to tropical regions.3
* Specialized environments: They inhabit caves, thermal springs, and even thermal vents.12

Marine Habitats

Marine bony fishes occupy diverse zones throughout the world's oceans, including:
* Coastal areas: Such as rocky, sandy, and muddy shores, as well as bays and estuaries.3
* Pelagic zones: Ranging from surface waters to the mid-water (bathypelagic) regions.3
* Benthic zones: Including the deep ocean floors along continental shelves and slopes.34
* Extreme depths: Some species are adapted to life in the deep sea, with certain forms found at depths exceeding 4,000 fathoms.4

While most fishes are restricted to either freshwater or marine environments, some species, such as salmon, are migratory and move between these habitats.3