An introduction to the study of fishesGünther, Albert C. L. G. (Albert Carl Ludwig Gotthilf)
Science
An introduction to the study of fishes
Günther, Albert C. L. G. (Albert Carl Ludwig Gotthilf)
Fishes; Ichthyology
To complete the list of Percoid genera, we have to mention the
following:--_Siniperca_, _Etelis_, _Niphon_, _Aprion_, _Apsilus_,
_Pentaceros_, _Velifer_, _Datnioides_, _Percilia_, _Lanioperca_.
SECOND FAMILY--SQUAMIPINNES.
_Body compressed and elevated, covered with scales, either finely
ctenoid or smooth. Lateral line continuous, not continued over the
caudal fin. Mouth in front of the snout, generally small, with lateral
cleft. Eye lateral, of moderate size. Six or seven branchiostegals.
Teeth villiform or setiform, in bands, without canines or incisors.
Dorsal fin consisting of a spinous and soft portion of nearly equal
development; anal with three or four spines, similarly developed as
the soft dorsal, both being many-rayed. The vertical fins more or less
densely covered with small scales. The lower rays of the pectoral fin
branched, not enlarged; ventrals thoracic, with one spine and five soft
rays. Stomach coecal._
The typical forms of this family are readily recognised by the form
of their body, and by a peculiarity from which they derive their
name _Squamipinnes_; the soft, and frequently also the spinous part
of their dorsal and anal fins are so thickly covered with scales
that the boundary between fins and body is entirely obliterated. The
majority are inhabitants of the tropical seas, and abound chiefly
in the neighbourhood of coral-reefs. The beauty and singularity of
distribution of the colours of some of the genera, as _Chætodon_,
_Heniochus_, _Holacanthus_, is scarcely surpassed by any other group
of fishes. They remain within small dimensions, and comparatively few
are used as food. They are carnivorous, feeding on small invertebrates.
Only a few species enter brackish water.
Extinct representatives of this family are not scarce at Monte Bolca
and in other tertiary formations. All, at least those admitting of
definite determination, belong to existing genera, viz. _Holacanthus_,
_Pomacanthus_, _Ephippium_, _Scatophagus_. Very singular is the
occurrence of _Toxotes_ in the Monte Bolca strata.
The following genera have no teeth on the palate:--
CHÆTODON.--One dorsal fin, without any notch in its upper
margin, and with the soft and spinous portions similarly
developed; none of the spines elongate. Snout short or of
moderate length. Præoperculum without, or with a fine,
serration, and without spine at the angle. Scales generally
large or of moderate size.
[Illustration: Fig. 167.--Chætodon ephippium.]
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