B. Praecaudal vertebrae with well-developed parapophyses; maxillaries excluded from the oral border.
1. Dorsal and anal fins without spines; scales cycloid, or with erect spines; no adipose fin.
Mouth not protractile; ventral fins far forward, with 7 to 17 rays .......... 9. Chirothricidae.†
Mouth not protractile; ventral fins remote from the pectorals, with 9 rays .......... 10. Kneriidae.
Mouth protractile; ventral fins, if present, with 5 to 7 rays .......... 11. Cyprinodontidae.
Mouth scarcely protractile; ventral fins rudimentary or absent; vent close to the gills .......... 12. Amblyopsidae.
Mouth slightly protractile; ventral fins with 5 or 6 rays .......... 13. Stephanoberycidae.
2. Dorsal and anal fins with true spines; scales ctenoid; an adipose dorsal; ventral fins with 9 rays .......... 14. Percopsidae.
† Fossil only.
Fam. 1. Galaxiidae.—Margin of the upper jaw formed by the praemaxillaries and the maxillaries, the latter behind the former, and toothless. Parietals in contact with each other, and separating the frontals from the supraoccipital; opercular bones all well developed. Basis cranii simple. Ribs inserted on strong, autogenous parapophyses; epipleurals and epineurals. Post-temporal simple, attached to the epiotic; post-clavicle present. Body naked. Vertical fins far back; no adipose dorsal fin. Pectoral fins inserted very low down. Ventrals, if present, with seven rays. Air-bladder present. Ova falling into the cavity of the abdomen before exclusion.