Grzimek-S-Fish-FM-PC_i-iii.qxd 3/13/2005 10:03 AM Page i grzimek’s Student Animal Life Resource (cid:127)(cid:127)(cid:127)(cid:127) Grzimek-S-Fish-FM-PC_i-iii.qxd 3/13/2005 10:03 AM Page iii grzimek’s Student Animal Life Resource (cid:127)(cid:127)(cid:127)(cid:127) Fishes Catherine Judge Allen, MA, ELS Madeline S. Harris, project editor Neil Schlager and Jayne Weisblatt, editors Grzimek-S-Fish-FM-PC_iv-xxx.qxd 3/13/2005 10:04 AM Page iv Grzimek’s Student Animal Life Resource: Fishes Catherine Judge Allen, MA, ELS Project Editor Rights and Acquisitions Composition Madeline S. Harris Sheila Spencer, Mari Masalin-Cooper Evi Seoud, Mary Beth Trimper Editorial Imaging and Multimedia Manufacturing Melissa Hill, Heather Price Randy Bassett, Michael Logusz, Dan Wendy Blurton, Dorothy Maki Newell, Chris O’Bryan, Robyn Young Indexing Services Synapse, the Knowledge Link Product Design Corporation Tracey Rowens, Jennifer Wahi © 2005 Thomson Gale, a part of recording, taping, Web distribution, While every effort has been made to the Thomson Corporation. or information storage retrieval ensure the reliability of the informa- systems—without the written permis- tion presented in this publication, Thomson and Star Logo are sion of the publisher. Thomson Gale does not guarantee trademarks and Gale and UXL are the accuracy of the data contained registered trademarks used herein For permission to use material from herein. Thomson Gale accepts no under license. this product, submit your request via payment for listing; and inclusion in Web at http://www.gale-edit.com/per- For more information, contact the publication of any organization, missions, or you may download our Thomson Gale agency, institution, publication, serv- Permissions Request form and submit 27500 Drake Rd. ice, or individual does not imply your request by fax or mail to: Farmington Hills, MI 48331-3535 endorsement of the editors or pub- Or you can visit our Internet site at Permissions lisher. Errors brought to the atten- http://www.gale.com Thomson Gale tion of the publisher and verified to ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 27500 Drake Rd. the satisfaction of the publisher will No part of this work covered by the Farmington Hills, MI 48331-3535 be corrected in future editions. Permissions Hotline: copyright hereon may be reproduced 248-699-8006 or 800-877-4253, or used in any form or by any ext. 8006 means—graphic, electronic, or Fax: 248-699-8074 or 800-762-4058 mechanical, including photocopying, LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA Allen, Catherine Judge. Grzimek’s student animal life resource. Fishes / Catherine Judge Allen ; edited by Neil Schlager and Jayne Weisblatt. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-7876-9242-5 (hardcover : alk. paper) 1. Fishes—Juvenile literature. I. Schlager, Neil, 1966- II. Weisblatt, Jayne. III. Grzimek, Bernhard. IV. Title. QL617.2.A55 2005 597—dc22 2005000037 ISBN 0-7876-9402-9 (21-vol set), ISBN 0-7876-9242-5 This title is also available as an e-book Contact your Thomson Gale sales representative for ordering information. Printed in Canada 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Grzimek-S-Fish-FM-PC_iv-xxx.qxd 3/13/2005 10:05 AM Page v Contents FISHES Readers Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ix Pronunciation Guide for Scientific Names . . . . . . . . . . . .xi Words to Know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .xvii Getting to Know Fishes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .xxi Hagfishes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Lampreys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Chimaeras, sharks, skates, and rays . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Coelacanths and lungfishes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Bichirs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Sturgeons and paddlefishes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Gars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 Bowfins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 Bony tongues and relatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 Ladyfishes and tarpons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 Bonefishes and relatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 Eels and morays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 Contents v Grzimek-S-Fish-FM-PC_iv-xxx.qxd 3/13/2005 10:05 AM Page vi Swallowers and gulpers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68 Herrings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73 Milkfish and relatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79 Minnows, carps, and relatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84 Characins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92 Catfishes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101 South American knifefishes and electric eels . . . . .109 Pikes and mudminnows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116 Smelts, galaxiids, and relatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121 Salmons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .127 Dragonfishes and relatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .136 Lizardfishes and relatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .142 Lanternfishes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148 Opahs and relatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .153 Beardfishes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .158 Troutperches and relatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .162 Cusk-eels and relatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .167 Grenadiers, hakes, cods, and relatives . . . . . . . . . .173 Toadfishes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .181 Anglerfishes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .187 Mullets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .194 Rainbowfishes and silversides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .198 Needlefishes and relatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .202 vi Grzimek’s Student Animal Life Resource Grzimek-S-Fish-FM-PC_iv-xxx.qxd 3/13/2005 10:05 AM Page vii Killifishes and live-bearers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .210 Whalefishes and relatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .219 Roughies, flashlightfishes, and squirrelfishes . . . . . .223 Dories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .229 Sticklebacks, seahorses, and relatives . . . . . . . . . .233 Swamp and spiny eels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .242 Gurnards, flatheads, scorpionfishes, and relatives . .247 Perches, basses, and relatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .256 Perches, darters, and relatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .259 Cichlids, surfperches, and relatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .272 Eelpouts and relatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .281 Southern cod-icefishes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .288 Weeverfishes and relatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .292 Blennies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .299 Ragfish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .305 Clingfishes and singleslits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .308 Dragonets and relatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .313 Gobies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .317 Surgeonfishes and relatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .326 Barracudas, tunas, marlins, and relatives . . . . . . . . . . . . .334 Butterfishes and relatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .343 Labyrinth fishes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .347 Snakeheads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .353 Flatfishes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .357 Pufferfishes, triggerfishes, and relatives . . . . . . . . .366 Species List by Biome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .xxxi Species List by Geographic Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .xxxiii Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .xlix Contents vii Grzimek-S-Fish-FM-PC_iv-xxx.qxd 3/13/2005 10:05 AM Page ix Reader’s Guide Grzimek’s Student Animal Life Resource: Fishes offers readers comprehensive and easy-to-use information on Earth’s fishes. Entries are arranged by taxonomy, the science through which living things are classified into related groups. Each entry in- cludes sections on physical characteristics; geographic range; habitat; diet; behavior and reproduction; fishes and people; and conservation status. All entries are followed by one or more species accounts with the same information as well as a range map and photo or illustration for each species. Entries conclude with a list of books, periodicals, and Web sites that may be used for further research. ADDITIONAL FEATURES Grzimek’s Student Animal Life Resource: Fishesincludes a pro- nunciation guide for scientific names, a glossary, an overview of fishes, a list of species in the volume by biome, a list of species by geographic range, and an index. The volume has 225 full-color maps, photos, and illustrations to enliven the text, and sidebars provide additional facts and related information. NOTE Grzimek’s Student Animal Life Resource: Fishes has standard- ized information in the Conservation Status section. The IUCN Red List provides the world’s most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of plants and animals. Using a set of criteria to evaluate extinction risk, the IUCN recognizes the following categories: Extinct, Extinct in the Wild, Critically En- Reader’s Guide ix Grzimek-S-Fish-FM-PC_iv-xxx.qxd 3/13/2005 10:05 AM Page x dangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, Conservation Dependent, Near Threatened, Least Concern, and Data Deficient. These terms are defined where they are used in the text, but for a com- plete explanation of each category, visit the IUCN web page at http://www.iucn.org/themes/ssc/redlists/RLcats2001booklet.html. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Gale would like to thank several individuals for their assis- tance with this volume. Catherine Judge Allen wrote the entire text. At Schlager Group Inc., Neil Schlager and Jayne Weisblatt coordinated the writing and editing of the set, while Marcia Merryman Means and Leah Tieger also provided valuable as- sistance. Special thanks are also due for the invaluable comments and suggestions provided by the Grzimek’s Student Animal Life Re- source: Fishes advisors: (cid:127) Mary Alice Anderson, Media Specialist, Winona Middle School, Winona, Minnesota (cid:127) Thane Johnson, Librarian, Oklahoma City Zoo, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (cid:127) Debra Kachel, Media Specialist, Ephrata Senior High School, Ephrata, Pennsylvania (cid:127) Nina Levine, Media Specialist, Blue Mountain Middle School, Courtlandt Manor, New York (cid:127) Ruth Mormon, Media Specialist, The Meadows School, Las Vegas, Nevada COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS We welcome your comments on Grzimek’s Student Animal Life Resource: Fishes and suggestions for future editions of this work. Please write: Editors, Grzimek’s Student Animal Life Re- source: Fishes, U(cid:127)X(cid:127)L, 27500 Drake Rd., Farmington Hills, Michigan 48331-3535; call toll free: 1-800-877-4253; fax: 248- 699-8097; or send e-mail via www.gale.com. x Grzimek’s Student Animal Life Resource Grzimek-S-Fish-FM-PC_iv-xxx.qxd 3/13/2005 10:05 AM Page xi Pronunciation Guide for Scientific Names Acanthuroidei uh-KAN-thuh-ROY-dee-EYE Acanthurus lineatus uh-KAN-thuh-ruhs LIH-nee-ah-tuhs Acipenseriformes AS-uh-pen-SER-uh-FOR-meez Albula vulpes ALB-yuh-luh VUL-peez Albuliformes ALB-yuh-luh-FOR-meez Alepisaurus ferox ay-LEP-uh-SOR-uhs FAIR-awks Amia calva uh-MEE-uh KAL-vuh Amiiformes uh-MY-uh-FOR-meez Ammodytes americanus AM-uh-DY-deez uh-MAIR-uh-KAN-uhs Anabantoidei AN-uh-BAN-toy-dee-EYE Anabas testudineus AN-uh-buhs TEST-yoo-DIH-nee-uhs Anableps anableps AN-uh-BLEPS AN-uh-BLEPS Anchoa mitchilli AN-koh-uh MITCH-uh-ly Anguilla rostrata ang-GWIL-uh RAH-struh-duh Anguilliformes ang-GWIL-uh-FOR-meez Annarrichthys ocellatus AN-ner-RIK-theez os-uh-LAH-tuhs Anomalops katoptron uh-NOM-uh-LOPS kuh-TOP-truhn Aphredoderus sayanus AF-ruh-DOD-uh-ruhs say-AN-uhs Arothon hispidus AR-uh-thon HIH-spuh-duhs Astroscopus guttatus AS-troh-SKAH-puhs guh-TAH-tuhs Atheriniformes ATH-uh-RIN-uh-FOR-meez Atigonia rubescens AD-uh-GAH-nee-uh ROO-buh-sinz Aulopiformes all-OP-uh-FOR-meez Austrolebias nigripinnis AH-stroh-LEE-bee-uhs nih-GRIP-ih-nis Balistoides conspicillum BAH-luh-STOY-deez kon-SPIS-uh-lum Bathypterois qaudrifilis buh-THIP-tuh-roy kwah-DRIF-uh-lis Pronunciation Guide for Scientific Names xi