Dolphin fish (Coryphaena hippurus) is found worldwide in warmer oceans and seas. In the eastern Pacific this can be found from Washington south to Chile. In the western Atlantic the dolphin can be seen as far north as Canada, but the dolphin is more common further south. This can be found as far south as Brazil in the western Atlantic. Although this fish can grow to almost 7 feet in length in the Pacific, smaller examplesare are found in the Atlantic. Most dolphins are less than 3 feet. This fish can reach speeds of 40 miles an hour. This fish can be recognized by the brilliant colors in fresh caught fish and the large and unusual darker colored dorsal fin. This dorsal fin starts above the head and reaches to the tail. The part near the head is almost as tall as the body below. However, as the dorsal fin approaches the tail, it becomes much lower. The tail is deeply forked. This fish is called the Mahi Mahi in Hawaii. The dolphin is an important sport and game fish around the world.

The dolphin family (Coryphaenidae) contains two species. Both species are found in the open sea. One source says that dolphins can reach speeds of almost 50 miles an hour.

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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