Bluelip parrotfish (Cryptotomus roseus) is found from South Carolina south to the Bahamas, Florida, and the Caribbean and then south to the northern coast of mainland South America and further south. This is also found from Yucatan south to Panama in the Caribbean. This tiny parrotfish rarely reaches 4 inches in length. This long narrow fish does not remind one of a typical parrot fish. This fish burrows in the sand for safety.

Parrotfish (Family Scaridae) are found almost worldwide in warm and tropical marine environments. There are up to 100 different species of mostly colorful fish in this family. Many species have rather large scales. The jaws are strong and can crush corals. The teeth are combined into a crushing surface, and thus the name of parrotfish. Many species have multiple color forms. Some of these forms are related to sex, and other color forms are related to size.

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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