Pomacanthidae: Angelfishes Fish Families I.D. Guide Pomacanthidae: Angelfishes Continuous dorsal fin Small mouth Size: small to medium Shape: deep, compressed Fins: continuous dorsal fin; tail rounded to emarginate Mouth: small with brush-like teeth Color: often brightly colored Distinguishing features: prominent spine at corner of preopercle Other: juveniles often have different markings from adults Deep body Preopercular spine

Chaetodontidae: Butterflyfishes Continuous dorsal fin Small mouth Size: small Shape: deep, compressed Fins: continuous dorsal fin; tail rounded to emarginate Mouth: small , brush-like teeth Color: often brightly colored Other: many occur as long-lasting pairs Rounded tail Deep body

Acanthuridae: Surgeonfishes Small mouth Continuous dorsal and anal fins Size: varied Shape: oval, compressed Fins: continuous dorsal and anal fins; tail rounded to lunate Mouth: small Color: drab or brightly colored Distinguishing Features: one or more pairs of sharp blades at base of tail Other: diurnal; complete lateral line Blade at base of tail Oval body

Labridae: Wrasses Size: varied; mostly small in tropics Single dorsal fin Size: varied; mostly small in tropics Shape: elongate Fins: single unnotched dorsal fin Mouth: often terminal mouth with thickened lips and protruding canine teeth Color: drab initial phase (IP) males and females, colorful terminal phase (TP) males Other: all diurnal; large and diverse group Terminal mouth Elongate shape

Wrasse: Hogfish Size: small to medium Shape: elongate or deep-bodied Fins: continuous dorsal fin; tail fin rounded to lunate Mouth: large, terminal Color: may change color with growth, but sexes generally similar; reds, yellows and whites predominate Other: three species in aquarium; L. maximus has distinctive, sloping head and deep body

Haemulidae: Grunts Size: medium to large Continuous dorsal fin; forked tail Thick lips Size: medium to large Shape: some fusiform; others deeper-bodied Fins: continuous dorsal fin, forked tail Mouth: small to medium with thick lips Color: often colorful—yellow, blue, and black; some silvery gray Distinguishing Features: make grinding sounds with swimbladder and teeth Other: inactive in groups by day

Mullidae: Goatfishes Size: medium Shape: elongate Two dorsal fins Size: medium Shape: elongate Fins: two dorsal fins widely separated; forked tail Mouth: large Color: often brightly colored Distinguishing Features: pair of barbels on chin used to probe the bottom Other: large scales barbels

Pomacentridae: Damselfishes Small, terminal mouth Size: small to medium Shape: moderately deep, compressed Fins: continuous dorsal fin; forked tail Mouth: small, terminal Color: often brightly colored Other: interrupted lateral line; can be territorial and pugnacious Forked tail

Lutjanidae: Snappers Size: medium to large Fish Families I.D. Guide Lutjanidae: Snappers Continuous dorsal fin Large mouth, thick lips Size: medium to large Shape: most fusiform; some with deeper bodies Fins: continuous dorsal fin; forked to emarginate tail Mouth: medium to large, thick lips Color: variable Other: predators of crustaceans and fishes Forked tail Elongate body

Carangidae: Jacks Size: medium to large Shape: usually compressed, ranging from fusiform to deep-bodied Fins: two dorsal fins, may have detached finlets, forked tail Mouth: varied Color: silvery Other: narrow caudal peduncle; fast-swimming predators Deep, compressed body Forked tail Narrow caudal peduncle