Pearly razorfish (Xyrichtys novacula) is found widely in the Atlantic Ocean and also in the Mediterranean. Near North America this is found from Bermuda and the Carolinas south to the Gulf of Mexico and south to Brazil. In the eastern Atlantic this is found in the Mediterranean and also along the coast of western Africa. This 15 inch fish has a pale yellowish color that is marked by a pink dorsal fin, and pink edges on the tail and anal fin.

The wrasse family (Labridae) is a worldwide family found in temperate, warm, and tropical waters. There are about 400 species distributed among about 60 different genera. Most species have thick lips and protruding teeth. Frequently, the juvenile color forms are unlike the adult forms. Furthermore, many species undergo sex changes. As the females get larger, they can turn into brightly colored males. Kuiter notes the tentative subfamilies of Hypsigeniinae, Cheilininae, and Julidinae.

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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