SPARIDAE 
BgpFbampressed, oblong JgTate, usually somewhat elevated. Maxillary 
..j^ferS' iSw 
|pbw preorbital most its^&ngth. Ko supplemental maxillary. Mouth 
!*j r ifiF 
nearly horizontal, soir*^iat protractile. Teeth villiform, conic, in- 
or absent from vomer or 
Nostrils paired. Gill m 
ranes free from isthmus. Gills 4, slit behind 
fourth. Pseudobranchia|fp>resent. Air bladder present. Pyloric few. Scales 
mostly large, ’weakly ^fbnulate or hardly ctenoid. Ventral with axillary flap. 
Lateral line sing legfDor sal single, sometime^pslsply notched. Anal seines 3. 
Ventral s^^phacic, with s pi^ie and 5 rays. 
ore^fSfhes, carnivorous, |pme living in bays 
. V-Vi’ 
grin tropical or subtropical regions. Most all 
Caudal forked or 
inate 
abun 
reproduce by peliglLc e 
Mary species are value 
ood fishes .while others 
are sought for their angling qualities 
Analysis of genera <- 
a^-. Canines in one or both jaws, no incis 
molars on vomerine 
teeth; fins often with filaments, s 
times produced 
! be-. Symphorinae. Front soft dorsal 
produced rays; coloration brilliant 
i 4 v '; 
Dorsals, caudal and ventrals someth 
f^ymphortis 
s with filaments 
c.i Pentapodinae. Outer of anterior slightly enlarged 
rn i 1 - Denticinae. Canines few, anterior, not 
flaring outward. 
