Hoplognathus, with 4 species, from the Pacific Ocean.
Fam. 15. Sillaginidae.—As in Serranidae, but soft dorsal and anal much elongate, as in Pseudochromididae, from which the Sillaginidae differ in the separate spinous dorsal. Palate toothed. Connecting the Serranidae and the Sciaenidae.
Small Marine Fishes from the Indian and Pacific Oceans, ascending rivers. A single genus, Sillago, with about 10 species.
Fam. 16. Sciaenidae.—Also closely related to the Serranidae. Dorsal fin with a short spinous and a long soft portion; anal much shorter than the latter. Palate usually toothless.
A large family of about 150 species, mostly marine. Principal genera: Arripis, Sciaena, Corvina, Otolithus, Ancylodon, Nebris, Larimus, Pogonias, Haplonotus, Umbrina, Eques.
Many of these fishes reach a large size, and the flesh of nearly all is esteemed. The Meagre (Sciaena aquila) is sometimes taken on our coast. The Drum (Pogonias chromis) so called from the sounds which it produces, in common with many other Sciaenids, is remarkable for having the lower pharyngeal bones united, as is also the case in the North American freshwater genus Haplonotus. The air-bladder is usually large and complicated, provided with more or less numerous appendages.
Fam. 17. Gerridae.—Agree in the character of the vertebral column with the Serranidae, but differ in the absence of a subocular shelf; the very protractile mouth usually descends when protruded and the praemaxillary emits an upward lateral process; palate toothless; lower pharyngeal bones usually large and more or less completely coalesced.
About 60 species of carnivorous, mostly small, fishes, from the tropical seas, referable to 3 genera: Gerres, Equula, Gazza.
Fam. 18. Lactariidae.—Intermediate between Serranidae and Trichodontidae. No subocular shelf; palate toothed; branchiostegal rays 7; scales small, cycloid, deciduous; spinous dorsal short; anal longer than the soft dorsal; scapula with two foramina.
Lactarius delicatulus, from the coasts of Southern Asia.