Order

Eupercaria/misc

  Class

Teleostei

  No. of Genera in Ref

39

  No. of Species in Ref

166

  Environment

Fresh : Yes | Brackish : Yes | Marine : Yes

  Aquarium

some

  First Fossil Record

lower   Tertiary   lower   Eocene

  Remark

Distribution: tropical and temperate Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans. Habitat: chiefly marine; very rare in fresh- and brackish water (Ref. 7463). Usually most common along the shore from shallow water (including estuaries), to deeper water as demersal inhabitants of the continental shelf and slope (Ref. 106993). Trophic: most are carnivorous, feeding on benthic invertebrates (Ref. 104925). Morphology: Dorsal fin usually having 10-13 spines; soft rays 10-15. Three spines in anal fin; soft rays 8-14. Maxilla hidden by a sheath when mouth is closed. Branchiostegal rays 6. Vertebrae 24 (10 + 14). To about 1.2 m maximum length. Carnivores of hard-shelled benthic invertebrates. Many species have been found to be hermaphroditic; some have male and female gonads simultaneously; others change sex as they get larger. Uses: Premier food and game fishes. Many species around southern Africa. A few species have been implicated in cases of ciguatera (Ref. 4537). 6 Subfamilies (defined by tooth morpholgy)

  Etymology

Greek, sparoides = a fish with golden head. 1668 ( Ref. 45335).

  Division

Marine

  Reproductive guild

nonguarders

  Typical activity level

normal

  Main Ref

Iwatsuki, Y. and P.C. Heemstra 2018

  Coordinator