Grey Drummer (Kyphosus bigibbus) is found from the Red Sea and eastern Africa to the western Pacific. This fish can reach about 30 inches in length. This is a schooling fish that feeds on algae.

The Drummer or sea chub genus (Kyphosus) is found in all major oceans of the world. There are about 8 species which feed on algae and associated invertebrates. Kuiter notes these medium sized fish are considered poor tasting, and can perhaps cause nightmares after consumption. Following is a partial list of the members of this genus:

Kyphosus analogous - Eastern Pacific - Blue-Bronze Sea Chub
Kyphosus bigibbus - Indian and West Pacific - Grey Drummer
Kyphosus cinerascens - Indian and West Pacific - Snubnose Drummer
Kyphosus gibsoni - Near Australia - Northern Silver Drummer
Kyphosus incisor - Widespread in Atlantic - Yellow Chub
Kyphosus sectatrix - Widespread in Atlantic - Bermuda Chub
Kyphosus sydneyanus - Near Australia - Southern Silver Drummer
Kyphosus vaigiensis - Indian and West Pacific - Brassy Drummer
We can not locate the current name for Kyphosus elegans.

The Sea chub family (Kyphosidae) contains three groups of fish. Rudderfishes or drummers (Kyphosinae), nibblers or black fishes (Girellinae), and halfmoons (Scorpidinae) are found in this grouping.

Rudderfish, drummers, or sea chubs (Kyphosidae) travel in schools and are found worldwide. Several species are known to follow slow moving boats. The Pacific Ocean genus Kyphosus belongs here with its 8 species of which 6 are found near Australia.

Kuiter in his book on SE Australian fishes separates the Girellidae into a separate family. In Kuiter's Girellidae there is a single genus, Girella, with about 10 species found in the Pacific Ocean and the eastern Indian Ocean near Australia.

The halfmoons are found in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.

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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