Apogonidae
by E. Tortonese
More or less elongate fishes, mostly rather small-sized. Eye large, preopercular edge smooth or serrated, preceeded by a parallel ridge; at least 1 opercular spine. Mouth large, oblique, lower jaw often prominent; teeth usually villiform on jaws, vomer and often palatines; sometimes canines. Two dorsal fins well separated, the first with 6-9 spines, the second with 1 spine and 8-14 rays; anal fin with 2 spines and 8-18 rays; pelvic fins thoracic; caudal fin variable in shape. Scales usually large, cycloid or ctenoid.
In all tropical and many temperate seas, often littoral, more abundant in warm seas, chiefly on coral reefs; some species in deeper waters, others in brackish, even entirely fresh water. Very often gregarious, but not in large shoals; activity often nocturnal; frequent associations with different invertebrates. Carnivorous. Oviparous, eggs often incubated in the mouth. No economic importance.
Genera about 20; in Clofnam area 3.
Recent revision: Fraser (1972).