Atlantic spadefish (Chaetodipterus faber) is found primarily near Florida and the Caribbean. However, they have been taken as far north as New England. Although most examples weigh less than 3 pounds and are less than 14 inches in length, records exist for examples near 3 feet and weighing about 20 pounds. Young examples are sharply marked with black vertical bars, but these bars may fade with age.

Spade fish (Family Ephippide) are mainly tropical species, but they can be found as far north as New England in the western Atlantic. These are flat bodied species, almost as high as they are long. There are two dorsal fins. The first is spiny, and the second dorsal fin is soft rayed. The second dorsal fin and the anal fin have leading rays that are quite long.

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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