Head variable 
Order 00310IDHA 
The Oobioid Fishes 
Body variously oblong to elongate and extended 
usuaLly nroniinent and obtuse* Byes moderate or small, sometimes concealed 
X 
continuous with skin of head. 
Dentition variable, often small or moderate 
teeth present, sometimes enlarged canines* Preroaxillaries protractixe* 
Coercle unarmed. Preopercle usually unarmed, sometimes with short spine. 
Suborbital without bony stay. Gill membranes mostly united with isthmus, 
with gill openings largely lateral* Gills 4, slit behind fourth 
Psendobranchiae present or absent. No pyloric appendages. Vertebrae <-5 
to 
t 4. Body covered with ctenoid or cycloid scales, sometimes scaleless. 
No lateral line. Dorsals separate or united: spinous fin, when present, 
of 2 to 8 flexible spines. Anal like soft dorsal, with small weak spine 
or none. Caudal convex. Ventrals thoracic or subjugular, each with weak 
spine and 4 or 5 short # rays. 
n . ' .‘V 
' • • ' 
♦ 4 ' - * ♦ *; '• - 
A large "oun .of; small carnivorous shore fishes, many esturarine 
and the majority, marine".'• • Gobies, live in all seas of the globe e xcept 
o 
those of the frigid zones, and' are represented in many fresh waters. The 
