The following genera complete the list of South American Chromides: Chætobranchus, Mesops, Satanoperca, Geophagus, Symphysodon, and Pterophyllum.
THIRD ORDER—ANACANTHINI.
Vertical and ventral fins without spinous rays. The ventral fins, if present, are jugular or thoracic. Air-bladder, if present, without pneumatic duct.
These characters are common to all the members of this order, with the exception of a freshwater-fish from Tasmania and South Australia (Gadopsis), which has the anterior portion of the dorsal and anal fins formed of spines.
First Division—Anacanthini Gadoidei.
Head and body symmetrically formed.
First Family—Lycodidæ.
Vertical fins confluent. Ventral fin, if present, small, attached to the humeral arch, jugular. Gill-opening narrow, the gill-membrane being attached to the isthmus.
Marine littoral fishes of small size, resembling Blennies, chiefly represented in high latitudes, but a few living within the tropical zone.
Lycodes.—Body elongate, covered with minute scales imbedded in the skin, or naked; lateral line more or less indistinct. Eye of moderate size. Ventral small, short, rudimentary, jugular, composed of several rays. Upper jaw overlapping the lower. Conical teeth in the jaws, on the vomer, and on the palatine bones. Barbel none. Five or six branchiostegals; gill-opening narrow, the gill-membranes being attached to the isthmus. Pseudobranchiæ present. Air-bladder none. Pyloric appendages two, or rudimentary, or entirely absent. No prominent anal papilla.