Taxonomy of Finfish (1+2)

Procedure

Based on the exercise 5. separate the group of Perciformes. The order perciformes is the most diverse one.

Percoidei character

· Shape extremely variable; either two dorsal fins, or single dorsal fin with the anterior elements being sharp spines;

· Pelvic fins with 1 spine and 5 soft rays, placed well forward on ventral surface of body;

· Maxillary bone not included in gape of mouth but dorsal to the tooth-bearing premaxilla.

· Dorsal fin deeply notched.

The key characters used to differentiate the fishes belong to the suborder Percoidei are

* Body shape

* Presence or absence of scutes in the lateral line

* Presence and absence of finlets

* Adipose eyelid postion

* Breast shape

* Filamentous growth or extension of fins

* Scales in head region, cheek region

* Absence of scale in parts of head region

* Bony nuchal crest

* Mouth protrusible/ inferior

* Teeth pattern

* Vomer and Palatine teeth shape

* Caudal fin nature

* Dorsal and Anal fin spines and rays count.

* Axillary scale at base of pelvic fins

* Nature of Preopercle margin

* Presence of barbels

* Presence or absence of fins

* Band on the eye

* Nature of snout

* Preopercular spine

Based on the above character identify the following families using standard identification book or manual.

CARANGIDAE

· Body extremely variable in shape,

· Lateral line scutes present

· Finlets present in some species

MENIDAE

· Body very deep, almost triangular

· Breast sharp-edged

· Spines in anal and dorsal fins very weak or hidden in adults

· Anal fin very long based, its origin near insertion of pelvic fins

LEIOGNATHIDAE

· Mouth extremely protrusible

· Top of head scaleless

· Bony nuchal crest

· Breast scaleless

· Dorsal fin with VII-IX spines and 16-17 soft rays

· Anal fin with III spines and 14 soft rays

LUTJANIDAE

· Scales on cheek and opercle but no scales between eye and mouth

· Preopercle usually serrated

· Most with canine teeth

· Vomer and palatines usually with teeth

· Dorsal fin with X-XII spines followed by 10-19 soft rays

· Anal fin with III spines followed by 7-11 soft rays

CAESIONIDAE

· Body fusiform, horizontal axis from tip of snout to middle of caudal fin cutting through middle of eye

· Mouth small, highly protrusible

· Caudal fin distinctly forked

· Dorsal and anal fins usually partially covered with scales

· Teeth small, conical, roof of mouth with or without teeth

· 1-2 finger-like postmaxillary processes

· A single, evenly sloping dorsal fin with X-XV spines followed by 8-22 soft rays

· Anal fin with III spines followed by 9-13 soft rays

HAEMULIDAE

· 2 or 6 chin pores and 0-1 median chin pit

· Scales present between eye and mouth and everywhere on head except tip of snout

· Preopercle serrate, slightly concave ventral view of head posterior margin

· Single dorsal fin with IX-XV spines followed by 12-26 soft rays

· Anal fin with III spines, the 2nd enlarged, followed by 7-9 soft rays

SPARIDAE

· No scales between eye and mouth

· Cheek scaled

· Preopercle margin smooth

· Axillary scale at base of pelvic fins

· Hind tip of premaxilla overlapping maxilla; maxilla in sheath when mouth closed

· Single dorsal fin with X-XIII spines followed by 9-17 soft rays

· Anal fin with III spines followed by 7-15 soft rays

LETHRINIDAE

· Cheek and preopercle scaleless in Lethrinus

· Preopercle margin smooth

· No scales between eye and mouth but cheek scaled in Monotaxinae

· Maxilla not articulating with tip of premaxilla; maxilla concealed when mouth closed

· Outer teeth canine-like or conical, molars often present, inner teeth villiform, roof of mouth toothless

· Single dorsal fin with X spines followed by 9 soft rays (10 in Monotaxinae)

· Anal fin with III spines followed by 8 soft rays (10 in Monotaxinae)

MULLIDAE

· 1 pair of long barbels at tip of chin

· 2 well-separated dorsal fins, the 1st with VII-VIII spines and the 2nd with 9 soft rays

· Anal fin with I spine followed by 6 soft rays

MONODACTYLIDAE

· Body usually oval and laterally compressed

· Single dorsal fin with V-VIII short spines followed by 26-31 soft rays, the anterior rays highly elongated

· Pelvic fins absent or vestigial

· Anal fin with III spines followed by 26-31 soft rays, the anterior rays elongated

DREPANIDAE

· Body usually oval and laterally compressed

· Mouth protractile, pointing downward when protruded

· Long falciform pectoral fins reaching nearly caudal peduncle

· Single dorsal fin with VIII-X spines followed by 19-22 soft rays

· anal fin with III spines followed by 16-19 soft rays

CHAETODONTIDAE

· Ornamental fishes.

· Eye band present

· Mouth very small and protrusible

· Preopercle smooth, without prominent spines

· Body ovate, laterally compressed

· anal-fin spines III-V

POMACANTHIDAE

· Ornamental fishes.

· 1 or more spines at angle of preopercle region.

· Body highly compressed laterally

· Single dorsal fin with IX-XV spines followed by 15-33 soft rays

· Anal fin with III spines followed by 14-25 soft rays

CENTROPOMIDAE

* dorsal profile behind eye curved in

* dorsal fin deeply notched.

* lateral line extending till caudal fin

* preopercle serrated, a stout flat spine at angle

* ex. Lates calcarifer Jaws reach back to rear of eyes (Fig. 1); lower edge of preopercle with 3 or 4 large flat spines

Based on the figures given identify some of the similar species available in your region.