|
1a |
| One eye on each side of the head. |
|
4 |
| b |
| Both eyes on the same side of the head. |
|
2 |
| |
|
2a |
|
3 |
| b |
Pectoral fins absent.  |
| Soleidae |
|
|
| |
|
3a |
| Eyes on the right side of the fish's head. |
| Samaridae |
|
|
| b |
| Eyes on the left side of the fish's head. |
| Bothidae |
|
|
| |
|
4a |
| Either the gill openings are in front of the pectoral bases or the pectoral fins are absent. |
|
5 |
| b |
| Gill openings behind the level of the pectoral bases. Two short, blunt, stout dorsal spines on the head. |
| Antennariidae |
|
|
| |
|
5a |
| Pelvic fins present, though sometimes rudimentary or highly modified. |
|
6 |
| b |
| Pelvic fins totally absent. |
|
19 |
| |
|
6a |
| The 2 pelvic fins separate from one another. |
|
7 |
| b |
| The innermost rays of the 2 pelvic fins attached to one another for their full length by membrane. |
| Gobiidae (in part) |
|
|
| |
|
7a |
| Pelvic fins with 5 or fewer soft rays. |
|
8 |
| b |
| Pelvic fins with more than 5 soft rays. |
|
9 |
| |
|
8a |
| Dorsal fin composed of 2 or more completely separate parts. |
|
29 |
| b |
| A single dorsal fin, which may be more or less subdivided, but if so the sections are connected by at least a basal membrane. |
|
41 |
| |
|
9a |
| Anal fin with 4 spines. Dorsal fin with 10 or more spines, the base of the spinous portion longer than the base of the soft portion. |
| Holocentridae |
|
|
| b |
| No stiff, sharp spines at the front of the anal fin. |
|
10 |
| |
|
10a |
| Adipose fin present. Mouth extending well beyond the posterior border of the eye. |
| Synodontidae |
|
|
| b |
|
11 |
| |
|
11a |
| Snout elongate, tubular, with a small mouth at the tip. |
|
12 |
| b |
| Snout not in the form of an elongate tube with a small mouth at its tip. |
|
13 |
| |
|
12a |
| Soft dorsal preceded by a series of small, free spines; chin with a barbel; caudal without a median filament. Body compressed. |
| Aulostomidae |
|
|
| b |
| No free spines along back; no barbel on chin; caudal with a median filament. Body depressed. |
| Fistulariidae |
|
|
| |
|
13a |
| Lateral line running very low along sides, commencing below the base of the pectoral fin. |
|
14 |
| b |
| Lateral line, if present, running along the middle of the sides or above. |
|
15 |
| |
|
14a |
| Both upper and lower jaw elongate, forming long pointed beak. |
| Belonidae |
|
|
| b |
| Only the lower jaw elongate and pointed. Upper jaw short and triangular. |
| Hemiramphidae |
|
|
| |
|
15a |
| Lateral line well developed. |
|
16 |
| b |
|
18 |
| |
|
16a |
| Mouth small, not extending behind the eye. |
|
17 |
| b |
| Mouth large, extending behind the eye. |
| Elopidae |
|
|
| |
|
17a |
| Mouth inferior to the overhanging snout. |
| Albulidae |
|
|
| b |
| Mouth terminal. |
| Chanidae |
|
|
| |
|
18a |
| Mouth inferior to the overhanging snout. |
| Engraulidae |
|
|
| b |
| Mouth terminal. |
| Clupeidae |
|
|
| |
|
19a |
| No separate caudal fin at the end of a constricted caudal peduncle. |
|
20 |
| b |
| A separate caudal fin at the end of a constricted caudal peduncle as is usual in fishes. |
|
23 |
| |
|
20a |
| Body enclosed in bony plates. |
| Syngnathidae (in part) |
|
|
| b |
| Body not enclosed in bony plates. |
|
21 |
| |
|
21a |
| Dorsal and anal fins continuous around tip of tail. |
|
22 |
| b |
| Body terminating posteriorly in sharp, hard, finless point. Numerous branchiostegal rays overlap ventrally. |
| Ophichthidae |
|
|
| |
|
22a |
| Pectoral fin well developed. Lower jaw on either side with a reverted lip that has a free edge below. No fang like teeth in mouth. |
| Congridae |
|
|
| b |
| Pectoral fin absent. Lower jaw on either side without a reverted lip with a free edge below. |
| Muraenidae |
|
|
| |
|
23a |
| Body contained in a series of bony rings. Snout tubular with a small mouth at tip; size small, to about 20 cm. |
| Syngnathidae (in part) |
|
|
| b |
| Body not contained in a series of bony rings. |
|
24 |
| |
|
24a |
| Gill covers broadly united to the isthmus, restricting the gill openings to short slits. |
|
25 |
| b |
| Gill covers completely free from the isthmus. Small, slender-bodied. Long dorsal fin with 40-69 soft rays. |
| Ammodytidae |
|
|
| |
|
25a |
| A single dorsal fin composed entirely of soft rays. |
|
27 |
| b |
| Two, well separated dorsal fins, the first composed of one or more strong, rough spines. |
|
26 |
| |
|
26a |
| Sides somewhat prickly or furry to the touch, the individual scales not visible; anterior dorsal spine inserted over eye. |
| Monacanthidae |
|
|
| b |
| Sides covered by hard, plate-like scales; anterior dorsal spine inserted slightly behind eye. |
| Balistidae |
|
|
| |
|
27a |
| Head and body enclosed in a bony box; abdomen not inflatable. |
| Ostraciidae |
|
|
| b |
| Body not enclosed in a bony box; abdomen inflatable. |
|
28 |
| |
|
28a |
| Body covered with prominent sharp spines. Teeth fused to beak-like dental plates without a median suture. |
| Diodontidae |
|
|
| b |
| Body not covered with prominent sharp spines. Teeth fused to beak-like dental plates with a median suture. |
| Tetraodontidae |
|
|
| |
|
29a |
| First dorsal consisting of a single long ray originating on the top of head. Pectorals expanded, winglike. |
| Dactylopteridae |
|
|
| b |
| First dorsal not composed of a single long ray originating on the top of the head. |
|
30 |
| |
|
30a |
| Pectoral fin with a separate section below made up of 6 free rays. |
| Polynemidae |
|
|
| b |
| Pectoral fin without a separate section below made up of free rays. |
|
31 |
| |
|
31a |
| Three dorsal fins, the first 2 joined at the base. Pelvics with fewer than 5 rays. Size small, less than 5 cm. |
| Tripterygiidae |
|
|
| b |
|
32 |
| |
|
32a |
| Separate first dorsal fin composed of 2 rays on the top of the head. Lateral line with a sharp downward jog under the soft dorsal. |
| Labridae (in part) |
|
|
| b |
| Separate first dorsal fin composed of more than 2 rays. |
|
33 |
| |
|
33a |
|
34 |
| b |
| Body completely naked. Enlarged preopercular spine. |
| Callionymidae |
|
|
| |
|
34a |
| A pair of large barbels under chin. |
| Mullidae |
|
|
| b |
| No pair of barbels on chin. |
|
35 |
| |
|
35a |
| Distance between the dorsal fins less than the length of the first dorsal fin base. |
|
38 |
| b |
| Distance between the dorsal fins greater than the length of the first dorsal base. Pelvic fins inserted behind level of the pectoral bases. |
|
36 |
| |
|
36a |
| Lateral line present; teeth large; scales small. |
| Sphyraenidae |
|
|
| b |
| Lateral line absent; teeth small; scales moderate or large. |
|
37 |
| |
|
37a |
| Anal fin with about 17 soft rays; sides with a silvery lateral stripe in life. |
| Atherinidae |
|
|
| b |
| Anal fin with 10 or fewer soft rays; sides without silvery lateral stripe. |
| Mugilidae |
|
|
| |
|
38a |
| Soft dorsal and anal relatively long, each of 15 or more rays. Preopercle without spines. Posterior portion of lateral line often covered in scutes. Anal fin usually preceded by a pair of short, sharp, spines that are free from the soft portion of the fin. |
| Carangidae |
|
|
| b |
| Soft dorsal and anal relatively short, each of 12 or fewer soft rays. |
|
39 |
| |
|
39a |
| Maxillary exposed and prominent; lateral line usually present, at least forward. Anal fin with 2 spines and 8 soft rays. |
| Apogonidae |
|
|
| b |
| Maxillary concealed; lateral line absent. |
|
40 |
| |
|
40a |
| Lower jaw heavy and protruding; mouth almost vertical. Long anal fin with 9 or more soft rays. Soft dorsal with 9 -39 soft rays. |
| Ptereleotridae |
|
|
| b |
| Lower jaw not heavy, protruding; mouth not almost vertical. Anal fin with 1 spine and 8-9 soft rays. Dorsal with 7 to 11 soft rays. |
| Gobiidae (in part) |
|
|
| |
|
41a |
| Pelvic fins minute, the longest ray less than an eye diameter. Body covered with papillae giving it a furry appearance. |
| Caracanthidae |
|
|
| b |
| Pelvic fins normal to filamentous, but the longest ray always more than an eye diameter in length. Body without papillae. |
|
42 |
| |
|
42a |
| Body enclosed in bony plates; snout with a bony, knoblike projection. Size small, to about 12 cm. |
| Pegasidae |
|
|
| b |
| Body not enclosed in bony plates; snout without a bony, knoblike projection. |
|
43 |
| |
|
43a |
| Body completely scaleless. |
| Blenniidae |
|
|
| b |
| Body scaled, at least along the lateral line. |
|
44 |
| |
|
44a |
| Pelvic fins reduced to 1 or 2 filaments on each side. Dorsal and anal fins more or less confluent with the caudal fin. |
| Ophidiidae |
|
|
| b |
| Pelvic fins not reduced to 1 or 2 filaments on each side. |
|
45 |
| |
|
45a |
| Gill openings not reaching throat, restricted to the sides of the head. |
|
46 |
| b |
| Gill openings reaching throat. |
|
47 |
| |
|
46a |
| One or a pair of spines or knobs on the sides of the caudal peduncle; first few dorsal rays not greatly prolonged. |
| Acanthuridae |
|
|
| b |
| No spines or knobs on the sides of the caudal peduncle; first few dorsal spines greatly prolonged. |
| Zanclidae |
|
|
| |
|
47a |
| A spiny or at least roughened ridge running across cheek below eye and joining preopercle at nearly a right angle; backwardly projecting spines on top of head behind eyes. |
| Scorpaenidae |
|
|
| b |
| No spiny ridge running horizontally across cheek below eye; no backward projecting spines on top of head behind eyes. |
|
48 |
| |
|
48a |
| A sucking disk on top of head. |
| Echeneidae |
|
|
| b |
| No sucking disk on top of head. |
|
49 |
| |
|
49a |
| Head encased in exposed, rough, striated bone. A dense cluster of small barbels on chin. Body with broad black and white vertical bars. |
| Pentacerotidae |
|
|
| b |
| Head not encased in exposed, rough, striated bone. No barbels on chin. |
|
50 |
| |
|
50a |
| Anterior nostril with a small, fringed tentacle. Lower pectoral rays unbranched and somewhat swollen, their tips projecting well beyond the interradial membranes. |
|
51 |
| b |
| Anterior nostril without a small, fringed tentacle. Lower pectoral rays not thickened and unbranched. |
|
52 |
| |
|
51a |
| Soft dorsal long, of 29-33 rays; color pattern of alternating oblique black and white bands. |
| Latridae |
|
|
| b |
| Soft dorsal short, of 17 or fewer rays; color pattern not of alternating oblique black and white bands. Tips of dorsal spines have one or more projecting cirri. |
| Cirrhitidae |
|
|
| |
|
52a |
| Lateral line absent. Lower jaw heavy and protruding; mouth almost vertical. Elongate with continuous dorsal of 28-66 soft rays. |
| Microdesmidae |
|
|
| b |
| Lateral line present, at least forward. |
|
53 |
| |
|
53a |
| A single, sharp, more or less conical spine on the opercle. Anal without spines and with 18 or more soft rays. |
|
54 |
| b |
| No single, sharp, more or less conical spine on the opercule. |
|
55 |
| |
|
54a |
| Caudal fin with a pair of prominent longitudinal black bars; anal fin with 46-55 rays. |
| Malacanthidae |
|
|
| b |
| Caudal fin without prominent longitudinal bars; anal with 14-22 rays. Eyes oriented as much dorsally as laterally. |
| Pinguipedidae |
|
|
| |
|
55a |
| Branched caudal rays about 15; gill covers attached to the isthmus far forward or entirely free from it. Two or more sharp anal spines. |
|
57 |
| b |
| Branched caudal rays 11 or 12; gill covers broadly attached to the isthmus or to one another by a membrane across the isthmus. Scales cycloid; caudal often lunate, but never forked. |
|
56 |
| |
|
56a |
| Jaw teeth either fused into a beaklike structure or with 2 to several series of overlapping incisors in front. |
| Scaridae |
|
|
| b |
| Jaws with a single series of separate teeth in front, often canines. |
| Labridae (in part) |
|
|
| |
|
57a |
| Teeth fused into a beaklike structure. |
| Oplegnathidae |
|
|
| b |
| Teeth not fused into a beaklike structure. |
|
58 |
| |
|
58a |
| Anal fin with 2 spines. Lateral line ending under the soft dorsal fin; a single nostril on each side of the head. |
| Pomacentridae |
|
|
| b |
| Anal fin with 3 or more spines. |
|
59 |
| |
|
59a |
| Sides plain silvery, darker above. |
| Kuhliidae |
|
|
| b |
| Sides never plain silvery. |
|
60 |
| |
|
60a |
| Mouth small, not reaching the level of the anterior nostril; teeth more or less flexible, like the teeth of a comb. Body deep and strongly compressed. |
|
61 |
| b |
| Mouth moderate or large, the maxillary reaching to behind the level of the anterior nostril; teeth firm. |
|
63 |
| |
|
61a |
| Pelvic fins originating behind pectoral base. Dorsal with 11 spines and 16-18 soft rays. Body with 6 black, nearly horizontal stripes. |
| Microcanthidae |
|
|
| b |
| Pelvic fins originating below pectoral base. Dorsal not with 11 spines and 16-18 soft rays. |
|
62 |
| |
|
62a |
| Prominent spine at the corner of the preopercle. No enlarged scale at base of pelvics. |
| Pomacanthidae |
|
|
| b |
| No prominent spine at corner of preopercle. Enlarged scale at base of pelvics. |
| Chaetodontidae |
|
|
| |
|
63a |
| Anal soft rays 12 or more. Pelvic fins attached to abdomen by broad membrane. Large eyes; color primarily red, sometimes silvery. Scales small and rough. |
| Priacanthidae |
|
|
| b |
| Anal soft rays 11 or fewer. |
|
64 |
| |
|
64a |
| Posterior maxillary completely exposed when the mouth is closed. Three flat opercular spines. |
| Serranidae |
|
|
| b |
| Posterior maxillary slips under cheek when mouth is closed. Single spine on opercle, if present. |
|
65 |
| |
|
65a |
| Dorsal with 11 to 15 soft rays (rarely 10). No spine on opercle. |
| Lutjanidae |
|
|
| b |
| Dorsal with 9-10 soft rays. Single flat spine on opercle. |
| Lethrinidae |
|
|
| |
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