POMACEXTBID.E. 



Fam. 1. POMACENTRIDiE. 



Scifenoidoi, pt., Cm: Bigne Anim. 



Labroidei ctenoidei, 3IiiU. Bcrl. Ahhandl. 1844, p. 201. 



Ctenolabridffi, Owen, Led. Comp. Anat. Fishes, p. 48. 

 Body compressed, more or less short, covered with ctenoid scales. 

 Dentition feeble, palate smooth. The lateral line does not extend to 

 the caudal fin or it is interrupted. One dorsal fin, with the spinous 

 portion as well developed as the soft, or more. Two, sometimes 

 three, anal spines ; the soft anal similar to the soft dorsal. Ventral 

 fins thoracic, with one spine and five soft rays. Branchiostegals 

 five, six, or seven ; gills thi'ee and a half ; pseudobranchise and air- 

 bladder present. Pyloric appendages in small number; intestinal 

 tract of moderate length. Vertebrae 12/14. 



This family has great similarity to the Chcetodontidce proper, with 

 regard to their mode of life and to theti- geographical distribution. 

 The species are most numerous in the tropical parts of the Indian 

 Ocean and Pacific, and are represented by several forms in the tropical 

 portions of the Atlantic, — a few extending northwards to the Medi- 

 terranean and Japan, soiithwards to the coasts of South Australia, and 

 eastwards to the Pacific coasts of America. They feed chiefly on small 

 marine animals ; and those with compressed teeth appear to feed on 

 the small zoophytes or even on marine plants covering the coral-banks 

 round which the Pomacentridce and Chcetodontidce abound. 



Synojysis of the Genera. 



All the opercles and the prceorbital are denticulated. 



Teeth conical, in a single series 1. AstPurPRiON, p. 2. 



Prseorbital terminating in a very long and strong spine. 2. Premnas, p. 10. 



Only the praoperenlum and, sometimes, the praorbital 



are serrated. Teeth in a band. L. lat. less than 30. 3. Dascyllus, p. 11. 



Pra;operculum serrated ; infraorbital bones liidden. L. 



lat. more than 30 4. Lepidozygus, p. 15. 



Only the prasopercidum and, generally, the praeorbital 

 are serrated. Teeth compressed, in a single series. 

 L. lat. less than 30 5. Pomacentrus, p. 16. 



None of the opercles serrated. Teeth compressed, in a 



single series. L. lat. 30 or less 6. Glyphidodon, p. 34. 



None of the opercles serrated. Teeth compressed, in a 



single scries. L. lat. more than 30 7. Parma, p. 57. 



None of the opercles serrated. Teeth conical 8. Heliastes, p. 60. 



1. AMPHIPRION. 



Coracinus, sp., Gronov. Zoophyl. p. 66. 

 Amphiprion, sp., Bl. Schn. p. 47. 

 Ampliiprion, Cui\ Sf Val. v. p. 384. 



All the opercles and the praiorbital are denticulated, the teeth of 



