Striped mullet (Mugil cephalus) is found worldwide in warmer waters. This species can enter fresh water. This mullet is normally less than 18-20 inches, but can reach 3 feet in length. The spots on each scale tend to form horizontal stripes. In the western Atlantic this is found from Canada south to Brazil. However, this species is usually not found in the Caribbean.

The grey mullet family (Mugilidae) is found worldwide in warm and warm-temperate areas. There are about 100 species. Most species are found in coastal areas where they inhabit salt, brackish, and freshwater. Some species can reach almost 3 feet in length. The body is somewehat rounded in cross section. There are two widely separated dorsal fins.

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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