Blue chromis (Chromis cyanea) is found in reefs in the Gulf of Mexico. This is also found from the Bahamas south through most of the Caribbean to the northern mainland of South America. This Chromis does not exceed 5 inches in length. It is a brilliant blue color.

The Chromis genus of tropical reef fish contains about 80 plus species. Many of these are brightly colored. These fish have a deeply forked tail and a single dorsal fin with the rear portion shaped differently than the front portion. Lieske has colored drawings for 72 different species.

Damselfishes and anemone fishes (Pomacentridae family) are marine species of warm and tropical oceans. This is a family of colorful reef fishes. Kuiter observes there are about 300 species with SE Australia having over 48 different species. Per Smith the count is about 321 species, and the Caribbean area has about 20 different species. Most damsel fish are small brightly colored fish.

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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