Haemulidae

noun

Distribution: Atlantic, Indian and Pacific. Chiefly marine, some brackish, rarely freshwater. Dorsal fin continuous, 9-14 spines, 11-26 soft rays. Anal fin 3 spines, 6-18 soft rays. Small mouth with thick lips. Usually cardiform jaw teeth, with vomer generally toothless. Usually with enlarged chin pores. Branchiostegal rays 7. Vertebrae 26 or 27 (10 or 11 + 16). Adults are typically inactive during day when they shelter near or under ledges; they disperse to feed on benthic invertebrates at night. Pelagic spawners. Juveniles are popular in home aquaria, but adults require a large tank. Maximum length about 60 cm. Important food fishes.

The family Haemulidae belongs to the Class Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) and the Order Perciformes. It contains 17 genera and 150 species. It may be found in Marine, Brackish, and Freshwater environments and is primarily Marine. Some members of this family are used in the aquarium trade. Reproductively, most members of this family are nonguarders. The main mode of swimming of adult fish in this family is carangiform. Compared with other fish, the activity level of this family tends to be normal. Members of this family have been dated back to the Eocene epoch of the Tertiary period. Etymology of this family name: Greek, haimaleos = bloody