Distribution.—All tropical seas, but most abundant in the Malay region, and extending to Japan and New Zealand.
Family 31.—HOPLEGNATHIDÆ. (1 Genus, 3 Species.)
"Marine fishes, with compressed elevated bodies, covered with very small toothed scales."
Distribution.—Seas of Australia, China, and Japan.
Family 32.—MALACANTHIDÆ. (1 Genus, 3 Species.)
"Marine fishes, with elongate bodies covered with very small scales, and with very long dorsal and anal fins."
Distribution.—Atlantic coasts of Tropical America, Mauritius, and New Guinea.
Family 33.—NANDIDÆ. (6 Genera, 14 Species.)
"Marine or fresh-water carnivorous fishes, with oblong, compressed, scaly bodies."
Distribution.—From the Red Sea to the coasts of China and Australia; and the fresh waters of the Neotropical and Oriental regions. Badis, Nandus, and Catopra inhabit the rivers of India and the Malay Islands; Acharnes the rivers of British Guiana.