Pomacanthidae:

Angelfishes

Continuous dorsal fin • 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 Small mouth Deep body Preopercular spine

Chaetodontidae:

Butterflyfishes

Continuous dorsal fin • 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 Small mouth Deep body

Acanthuridae:

Surgeonfishes

• 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 Continuous dorsal and anal fins Blade at base of tail Small mouth Oval body

Labridae:

Wrasses

• 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 Single dorsal fin 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; deep body

L. maximus

has distinctive, sloping head and

Haemulidae:

Grunts

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 Continuous dorsal fin; forked tail

Mullidae:

Goatfishes

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

• 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 Small, terminal mouth Forked tail

Lutjanidae:

Snappers

Continuous dorsal fin • 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 Large mouth, thick lips 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 Forked tail Deep, compressed body Narrow caudal peduncle