Longnosed Butterflyfish (Forcipiger flavissimus) is a wide-ranging species that is found from the Indian Ocean eastward into Central America. This longnose species has elongated jaws to peck into crevices for small crustacea. This photograph was taken near Baja California.

Forceps butterfly fishes (Genus Forcipiger) are found in the warmer waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. These fish have long snouts that permit them to reach into crevices. Most species are less than six inches long.

Butterfly fish, family Chaetodontidae, include the genera Amphichaetodon, Chaetodon, Coradion, and Heniochus. These are a group of small marine fish that inhabit the reefs of the world. There are many species in the group, many of which are both beautiful and abundant. There are about 120 species distributed among ten genera. The sizes range from about 4 inches to 12 inches.

Butterfly fish, family Chaetodontidae, are a group of small marine fish that inhabit the reefs of the world. There are many species in the group, many of which are both beautiful and abundant. There are about 115 species distributed among ten genera. The marine angel fish family (Pomacanthidae) is combined herein with its additional perhaps 50 species. The Pomacanthidae includes the genera Pomacanthus and Holocanthus. We have then divided this family into the two typically recognized families.

Perch-like Fish, Order Perciformes, are the largest order of fish in both freshwater and shallow saltwater. Most of the conventional fish belong to this order. The bass, bluegills, perch and crappies of freshwater plus the groupers and sea bass of salt water belong to this order. The fish all have spiny rays in their fins and the tail fin has seventeen rays. There are approximately 150 families. Herein, we have placed the families in alphabetical sequence within this order. (In some instances the typical taxonomic sequence of families is not much help. Consider, for example, that the barracudas are usually placed between the mullets and the threadfins.)

Bony fish, Class Teleostomi, are a class of chordates that include the majority of fish-like animals found on earth. They are characterized by a bony jaw and a bony skeleton. They are found in both fresh and marine waters.

Backboned Animals (Phylum Chordata) are the most advanced group of animals on earth. These animals are characterized by having a spinal cord or backbone. Most members have a clearly defined brain that controls the organism through a spinal cord. Fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals are in this phylum.

Currently, some taxonomists believe that the fish should be divided into two groups (sharks and regular fishes) and that there are some other primitive groups in the phylum such as hagfish or lampreys.

Animal Kingdom contains numerous organisms that feed on other animals or plants. Included in the animal kingdom are the lower marine invertebrates such as sponges and corals, the jointed legged animals such as insects and spiders, and the backboned animals such as fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

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