1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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