1. Sciaenidae thru Pomacentridae 1 Family Sciaenidae Drums Common species: oRed Drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) oSpot (Leiostomus xanthurus) oWeakfish (Cynoscion regalis) oJackknife fish (Equetus lanceolatus)

2. Sciaenidae thru Pomacentridae 2 Sciaenidae Characteristics Sciaenids are another family of noisy, bottom orientated fishes oCommon in turbid estuaries, sounds, and bays oDeeply notched dorsal fin Black Drum

3. Sciaenidae thru Pomacentridae 3 Commercial Importance Commercially important species include:

4. Sciaenidae thru Pomacentridae 4 Red Drum NC State fish, commonly sold as redfish, puppy drum, channel bass, or spottail drum oOcellus – eye-like spots used as a false eye to avoid head attacks by predators

5. Sciaenidae thru Pomacentridae 5 Atlantic Croaker ( Micropogonias undulatus) One of the most commonly caught nearshore marine fishes Possess a convex caudal fin

6. Sciaenidae thru Pomacentridae 6 Weakfish (Cynoscion regalis) Found in coastal waters and usually possess 2 large canine teeth in the upper jaw oSpawning occurs nearshore in estuarine waters

7. Sciaenidae thru Pomacentridae 7 Otoliths Otoliths are the inner ear bones of fishes which are used for hearing, equilibrium and balance

8. Sciaenidae thru Pomacentridae 8 Otoliths in Age Determination As the fish grows dark and light bands are usually deposited (increments)

9. Sciaenidae thru Pomacentridae 9 Investigation of Life Histories

10. Sciaenidae thru Pomacentridae 10 Family Ephippidae (Spadefish) Spinous and soft dorsal are separate Adults associate in large aggregations in areas with vertical relief Characterized by a blunt face and small mouth oHighly compressed body

11. Sciaenidae thru Pomacentridae 11 Atlantic Spadefish (Chaetodipterus faber)

12. Sciaenidae thru Pomacentridae 12 Family Chaetodontidae & Pomacanthidae Both families are extremely common on coral reefs Acutely compressed bodies, large dorsal and anal fins Colorful, with striking patterns of stripes and spots Both families have remarkable feeding habits oSmall protractile mouths with tiny teeth oFeed at various depths on zooplankton, coral polyps, sponges, and polychaetes

13. Sciaenidae thru Pomacentridae 13 Family Chaetodontidae Butterflyfish Common species: oSpotfin Butterflyfish (Chaetodon ocellatus) oFoureye Butterflyfish (Chaetodon capistratus)

14. Sciaenidae thru Pomacentridae 14 Chaetodontidae Characteristics Spine on preopercle absent Long term pair bonds (4-5 yrs.) Abundance and diversity of the family may be an indicator of the general health of a coral reef Juvenile Adult

15. Sciaenidae thru Pomacentridae 15 Function of Coloration in Reef Fishes Why are reef fishes so flamboyantly colored? oDisruptive coloration oBecause they can oInformational coloration

16. Sciaenidae thru Pomacentridae 16 Family Pomacanthidae Angelfish Common species: oBlue Angelfish (Holacanthus bermudensis) oFrench Angelfish (Pomacanthus paru) oQueen Angelfish (Holocanthus ciliaris)

17. Sciaenidae thru Pomacentridae 17 Pomacanthidae Characteristics Distinguished from Chaetodontids by the presence of a posteriorly projecting spine on the preopercle oLacks a snout and reaches a much larger size Undergo major ontogenetic changes from the juvenile to the adult stage

18. Sciaenidae thru Pomacentridae 18 Pomacanthidae Queen Angelfish Blue Angelfish

19. Sciaenidae thru Pomacentridae 19 Chaetodontidae & Pomacanthidae

20. Sciaenidae thru Pomacentridae 20 Family Pomacentridae Damselfish Common species: oSergeant Major (Abudefduf saxatilis) oDusky Damsel (Pomacentrus fuscus) Usually territorial defending a small patch of reef where they feed and hide and reproduce

21. Sciaenidae thru Pomacentridae 21 Damselfish Territoriality

22. Sciaenidae thru Pomacentridae 22 Pomacentridae Characteristics Clownfish and other species of Pomacentrids associate closely with sea anemones