Striped or scarlet kelpfish (Gibbonsia erythra) is a local species found from southern California to Baja California. Gibbonsia erythra can grow to about 6 inches in length.

Kelpfish (Gibbonsia species) are small fishes usually less than 9 inches in length. Several species do not exceed 6 inches. These are generally difficult to identify.

The clinid blennies, kelp fish, and fringeheads (Family Clinidae) are a group of blennies that are usually bottom dwellers with a few exceptions. Most members of this family are less than 3 inches in length. However, Lambrisomus xanti can reach about 7 inches in length. Thee blennies have scales and conical teeth. There were about 135 species in this family divided into about 30 genera as of 1984.

Scientists have divided the blennies into quite a few families. However, most representatives are found in the Clinidae, the Blenniidae, the Tripterygiidae and the Chaenopsidae blennies.

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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