A. Two nostrils on each side.
1. Ventrals with 1 spine and 6 to 13 soft rays. .......... 1. Berycidae.
2. Ventrals with not more than 5 soft rays.
a. Lower pharyngeal bones not completely united, showing at least a median suture.
α. Gill-membranes nearly always free from isthmus.
* Ventrals little if at all behind the pectorals.
† Third vertebra without transverse processes or with sessile ribs.
§ A more or less developed subocular shelf, or inner lamina of the suborbitals supporting the eye-ball, sometimes reduced to a mere process of the second suborbital.
‖ Ribs inserted on the transverse processes, when these are developed.
Body covered with very large bony scales; ventrals with a very strong spine and 2 or 3 very short soft rays .......... 2. Monocentridae.