Haemulidae
(Pomadasyidae of authors)
by A. Ben-Tuvia and R. McKay
Small- to medium-sized percoid fishes with moderately compressed body. Nostrils on each side close together. Chin with 2 or 6 pores followed or not by a median groove. Posterior margin of sub-orbital not exposed. Upper part of maxilla covered by preorbital when mouth is closed. Teeth pointed but without enlarged canines; no teeth on palatines. Gillrakers on lower arm of first arch 10-12. Dorsal fin with 11-14 spines and 11-19 rays; anal fin with 3 strong spines and 6-13 rays. Small- or medium-sized ctenoid scales on body and most of head except for snout.
Inhabit shallow tropical and subtropical seas, mostly close to bottom, including coral reefs. Some species form schools. Produce pronounced sounds by grinding pharyngeal teeth. Feed mostly on bottom invertebrates and small fish. Exploited commercially by various gears including trawls.
Genera 18; in Clofnam area 4.