POMACENTRID^. 



Fam. 1. POMACENTRIDiE. 



Scicenoidei, pt., Cuv, Rlgne Anim. 



Labroidei ctenoidei, MiiU. Berl. Abhandl. 1844, p. 201. 



Ctenolabridse, Otven, 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 three 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 CJiafodontidce proper, with 

 regard to their mode of Kfe and to theu- 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, southwards 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 smaU zoophytes or even on marine plants covering the coral-banks 

 round which the Pomacentridce and Chcetodontidoi abound. 



Synopsis of the Genera. 



All the opercles and the pra3orbital are denticulated. 



Teeth conical, in a single series .* 1 . AMPiirPRiON, p. 2. 



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



Only the prjeoperculiun and, sometimes, the pra;orbital 



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



Prceopercidum serrated ; infraorbital bones hidden. L. 



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



Only the praioperculum and, generally, tlie 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 G. Glypuidodon, p.34. 



None of the opercles serrated. Teeth compressed, in a 



single series. 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. 00. 

 Ampliiprion, sp., Bl. Sclm. p. 47. 

 Ampliiprion, Cuv. Sf Vol. v. p. 384. 



All the opercles and the prajorbital arc denticulated, the teeth of 



