Spotted drum (Equetus punctatus) is found in coral reefs from Bermuda, the Bahamas, and Florida south to the mainland of South America and then further south along the coast of eastern mainland South America. This smaller drum can reach about 10 inches in length. This drum has an unusual high pointed black and white first dorsal fin. The body of the fish is marked with black and white bars. The second dorsal fin, anal fin, and tail are black marked with white spots.

Croakers or drums (Sciaenidae family) are found worldwide in marine tropical shallow waters. A few species are found in brackish waters and even fresh waters. The dorsal fin is single, but usually is very deeply notched. These fish are normally silver colored. Some species are game fish and some are considered an excellent food. There are over 100 species spread among about 50 different genera.

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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