Family55.—OPHIDIIDÆ. (16 Genera, 43 Species.)
"Marine fishes, with more or less elongate bodies, the dorsal and anal fins united, and the ventral fins rudimentary or absent."
Distribution.—Almost universal; from Greenland to New Zealand, but most abundant in the Tropics.
OphidiumandAmmodytesoccur in British seas;Lucifugainhabits subterranean fresh waters in Cuba.
Family56.—MACROURIDÆ. (3 Genera, 21 Species.)
"Marine fishes, with the body terminating in a long, compressed tapering tail, and covered with spiny, keeled or striated scales."
Distribution.—North Atlantic from Greenland to Madeira and the Canary Islands, Mediterranean, Japanese and Australian seas.
None of these fishes have occurred in the British seas.
Family57.—ATELEOPODIDÆ. (1 Genus, 1 Species.)
"Marine fishes, with the naked body terminating in a long compressed, tapering tail."
Distribution.—Japan.
Family58.—PLEURONECTIDÆ. (34 Genera, 185 Species.)
"Marine carnivorous fishes, with strongly compressed flat bodies, one side of which is colourless, and eyes unsymmetrically placed, both on the coloured side. They inhabit the sandy bottoms of shallow seas, and often ascend rivers."
Distribution.—Universal, on Arctic, Temperate, and Tropical coasts.
Seven genera occur in British seas, viz.:Hippoglossus,Hippoglossoides,Rhombus,Phrynorhombus,Arnoglossus,Pleuronectes(Turbot), andSolea(Sole). There are 13 genera in the Atlantic and 23 in the Pacific, 4 being common to both; and 2 found only in the Mediterranean. A Pacific genus,Synaptura, has one species in the Mediterranean.
Order IV.—PHYSOSTOMI.
Family59.—SILURIDÆ. (114 Genera, 547 Species.)
"Fresh-water or marine, scaleless fishes, often with bony shields, and the head always furnished with barbels."
Distribution.—The fresh waters of all the temperate and tropical regions, those which enter the salt water keeping near the coast.
This extensive family is divided by Dr. Günther into eight sub-families and seventeen groups, the distribution of which is as follows:—
Sub-family 1 (Siluridæ Homalopteræ) is confined to the Old World. It consists of three groups: Clarina (2 genera,ClariasandHeterobranchus) ranges over the whole area of the Ethiopian and Oriental regions, to which it appears to be strictly confined; Plotosina (3 genera,Plotosus,Copidoglanis, andCnidoglanis) ranges from the eastern coasts of Africa to Japan, Polynesia, and Australia, in seas and rivers; Chacina (1 genus,Chaca) ranges from India to Borneo.
Sub-family 2 (Siluridæ Heteropteræ) is also confined to the Old World; it consists of one group,—Silurina, containing 19 genera, viz.:—Saccobranchus(4 sp.), India to Cochin China and Ceylon;Silurus(5 sp.), Palæarctic region from Central Europe to Japan, China, and Afghanistan, and a species in Cochin China;Silurichthys(3 sp.), Cashmere, Java, and Borneo;Wallago(2 sp.), Hindostan, Sumatra, and Borneo;Belodontichthys(1 sp.), Sumatra and Borneo;Eutropiichthys(1 sp.), Bengal;Cryptopterus(15 sp.), Java, Sumatra, and Borneo, with a species in the Ganges, in Siam, and (?) in Amboyna;Callichrous(10 sp.), Afghanistan to Borneo and Java;Schilbe(5 sp.), Tropical Africa;Eutropius(6 sp.), Tropical Africa and Central India;Hemisilurus(2 sp.), Java and Sumatra;Siluranodon(1 sp.), Nile;Ailia(2 sp.), Bengal;Schilbichthys(1 sp.), Bengal;Laïs(1 sp.), Java, Sumatra, Borneo;Pseudeutropius(6 sp.), India and Sumatra;Pangasius(7 sp.), Ganges, Sumatra, Java, Borneo;Helicophagus(2 sp.), Sumatra;Silondia(1 sp.), Ganges.
Sub-family 3 (Siluridæ Anomalopteræ) is confined to Equatorial America; it consists of the group Hypopthalmina, containing 2 genera:Helogenes(1 sp.),Hypopthalmus(4 sp.), from the country north of the Amazon, Surinam, and the Rio Negro.
Sub-family 4 (Siluridæ Proteropteræ) ranges over all the tropical and most of the temperate parts of the globe, except Europe and Australia. It consists of four groups: Bagrina (16 genera), ranging over most of the Old World and North America; Pimelodina (15 genera), confined to Tropical America, except one genus which is African; Ariina (10 genera), all Tropical regions; and Bagarina (3 genera), Oriental region. The distribution of the genera is as follows:—
Bagrus(2 sp.), Nile;Chrysichthys(5 sp.), Tropical Africa;Clarotes(1 sp.), Upper Nile;Macrones(19 sp.), India, Ceylon to Borneo, and one species in Asia Minor;Pseudobagrus(4 sp.), Japan, China, and Cochin China;Liocassis(5 sp.), Japan, China, Java, Sumatra, and Borneo;Bagroides(3 sp.), Sumatra and Borneo;Bagrichthys(1 sp.), Sumatra and Borneo;Rita(5 sp.), Continental India and Manilla;Acrochordonichthys(6 sp.), Java and Sumatra;Akysis(3 sp.), Java and Sumatra;Olyra(1 sp.), Khasya;Branchiosteus(1 sp.), Khasya;Amiurus(13 sp.), Nearctic region to Guatemala and China;Hopladelus(1 sp.), North America;Noturus(4 sp.), North America;Sorubim(1 sp.), Amazon;Platystoma(11 sp.), Tropical South America;Hemisorubim(1 sp.) Rio Negro, Brazil;Platistomatichthys(1 sp.), Rio Branco, Brazil;Phractocephalus(1 sp.), Amazon;Piramutana(2 sp.), Equatorial America;Platynematichthys(1 sp.), northern and southern tributaries of Amazon;Piratinga(3 sp.), Amazon Valley;Sciades(2 sp.), Amazon;Pimelodus(42 sp.), Mexico to La Plata, single aberrant species from West Africa, Java and the Sandwich Islands;Pirinampus(1 sp.), Brazil;Conorhynchus(1 sp.), Brazil;Notoglanis(1 sp.), Madeira, Amazon Valley;Callophysus(3 sp.), Tropical South America;Auchenaspis(1 sp.), Tropical Africa;Arius(68 sp.), all Tropical regions;Galeichthys(1 sp.), Cape of Good Hope;Genidens(1 sp.), Brazil;Hemipimelodus(3 sp.), India, Sumatra, and Borneo;Ketingus(1 sp.), Sunda Islands;Ælurichthys(4 sp.), Eastern United States to Guiana;Paradiplomystax(1 sp.), Brazil;Diplomystax(1 sp.), Chili;Osteogeniosus(3 sp.), India to Java;Batrachocephalus(1 sp.), Java and Sumatra;Bagarius(1 sp.), India to Java;Euclyptosternum(1 sp.), India;Glyptosternum(8 sp.), Himalayas, Central India, Java, and Sumatra;Hara(3 sp.), Continental India;Amblyceps(3 sp.), Continental India.
Sub-family 5 (Siluridæ Stenobranchiæ) is confined to South America and Africa, with one genus and species in the Ganges. It consists of three groups: Doradina (12 genera), South America and Africa; Rhinoglanina (3 genera), Central Africa and the Ganges; Malapterurina (1 genus), Tropical Africa. The distribution of the genera is as follows:—
Ageniosus(4 sp.), Surinam to La Plata;Tetranematichthys(1 sp.), Central Brazil, Rio Guaporé;Euanemus(1 sp.), Surinam and Brazil;Auchenipterus(9 sp.), Equatorial America;Centromochlus(2 sp.), Equatorial America;Trachelyopterus(2 sp.), Equatorial America;Cetopsis(3 sp.), Brazil;Asterophysus(1 sp.), Rio Negro, North Brazil;Doras(13 sp.), Tropical South America east of Andes;Oxydoras(7 sp.), Amazon Valley and Guiana;Rhinodoras(3 sp.), Tropical South America east of Andes;Synodontis(12 sp.), Tropical Africa;Rhinoglanis(1 sp.), Upper Nile;Mochocus(1 sp.), Nile;Callomystax(1 sp.), Nile;Malapterurus(3 sp.), Tropical Africa.
Sub-family 6 (Siluridæ Proteropodes) inhabits Tropical America and Northern India as far as Tenasserim. It consists of two groups: the Hypostomatina (17 genera), with the same distribution as the sub-family, and the Aspredinina (3 genera),confined to Equatorial America. The distribution of the genera is as follows:—
Arges(2 sp.), Andes of Peru and Ecuador;Stygogenes(2 sp.), Andes;Brontes(1 sp.), Andes;Astroblepus(1 sp.), Popayan;Callichthys(11 sp.), Tropical South America east of Andes, and Trinidad;Plecostomus(15 sp.), Tropical South America east of Andes, and Trinidad;Liposarcus(3 sp.), Surinam and Brazil;Chætostomus(25 sp.), Tropical America, Trinidad, and Porto Rico;Pterygoplichthys(4 sp.), Brazil;Rhinelepis(1 sp.), Brazil;Acanthicus(2 sp.), Equatorial America;Loricaria(17 sp.), Tropical South America east of Andes;Acestra(4 sp.), Brazil and Guiana;Sisor(1 sp.), Northern Bengal;Erethistes(1 sp.), Assam;Pseudecheneis(1 sp.), Khasya Hills;Exostoma(2 sp.), Assam and Tenasserim;Bunocephalus(2 sp.), Guiana;Bunocephalichthys(1 sp.), Rio Branco, North Brazil;Aspredo(6 sp.), Guiana.
Sub-family 7 (Siluridæ Opisthopteræ) consists of two groups: Nematogenyina (2 genera), and Trichomycterina (3 genera), and is confined to South America. The distribution of the genera is as follows:—
Heptapterus(2 sp.), South America;Nematogenys(1 sp.), Chili;Trichomycterus(7 sp.), South America to 15,000 feet elevation;Eremophilus(1 sp.), Andes of Bogota;Pariodon(1 sp.), Amazon.
Sub-family 8 (Siluridæ Branchicolæ) is confined to Tropical South America. It consists of one group, Stegophilina, and 2 genera:Stegophilus(1 sp.), Brazil; andVandellia(2 sp.), Amazon Valley.
Family60. CHARACINIDÆ. (47 Genera, 230 Species.)
"Fresh-water fishes, with scaly bodies and without barbels."
Distribution.—The Neotropical and Ethiopian regions.
This extensive family is divided by Dr. Günther into 10 groups, viz.: Erythrinina (5 genera), South America; Curumatina(6 genera), South America; Citharinina (1 genus), Tropical Africa; Anostomatina (3 genera), South America; Tetragonopterina (16 genera), South America and Tropical Africa; Hydrocyonina (9 genera), Tropical America and Tropical Africa; Distichodontina (1 genus), Tropical Africa; Icthyborina (1 genus), Africa; Crenuchina (1 genus), Equatorial America; Serrasalmonina (4 genera), South America.
The following is the distribution of the genera:—
Macrodon(4 sp.), Tropical America;Erythrinus(5 sp.), Brazil and Guiana;Lebiasina(1 sp.), West Equatorial America;Pyrrhulina(1 sp.), Guiana;Corynopoma(4 sp.), Trinidad only;Curimatus(15 sp.), Tropical South America and Trinidad;Prochilodus(12 sp.), South America to the La Plata;Cæntropus(2 sp.), East Equatorial America;Hemiodus(8 sp.), Equatorial America east of Andes;Saccodon(1 sp.), Ecuador;Parodon(1 sp.), Brazil;Citharinus(2 sp.), Tropical Africa;Anostomus(8 sp.), Tropical America;Rhytiodus(2 sp.), Equatorial America;Leporinus(14 sp.), South America East of Andes;Piabucina(2 sp.), Guiana;Alestes(4 sp.), Tropical Africa;Brachyalestes(5 sp.), Tropical Africa;Tetragonopterus(32 sp.), Tropical America;Scissor(1 sp.), South America;Pseudochalceus(1 sp.), West Ecuador;Chirodon(2 sp.), Chili;Chalceus(1 sp.), Guiana;Brycon(10 sp.), South America east of Andes;Chalcinopsis(4 sp.), Central America and Ecuador;Bryconops(2 sp.), Tropical America;Creagrutus(1 sp.), Western Ecuador;Chalcinus(4 sp.), Tropical South America;Gastropelecus(8 sp.), Tropical South America;Piabuca(2 sp.), Equatorial America;Agoniates(1 sp.), Guiana;Anacyrtus(7 sp.), Central and South America;Hystricodon(1 sp.), Equatorial America;Salminus(3 sp.), South America;Hydrocyon(3 sp.), Tropical Africa;Sarcodaces(1 sp.), West Africa;Oligosarcus(1 sp.), Brazil;Xiphoramphus(7 sp.), South America east of Andes;Xiphostoma(5 sp.), Equatorial America east of Andes;Cynodon(3 sp.), Tropical America East of Andes;Distichodus(7 sp.), Tropical Africa;Icthyborus(3 sp.), Nile;Crenuchus(1 sp.), Guiana;Mylesinus(1 sp.), Equatorial America;Serrasalmo(13 sp.), Tropical South America east of Andes;Myletes(18 sp.),Tropical South America east of Andes;Catoprion(1. sp.), Brazil and Guiana.
Family61.—HAPLOCHITONIDÆ. (2 Genera, 3 Species.)
"Fresh-water fishes, with naked or scaly bodies and without barbels."
Distribution.—Temperate South America and South Australia.
The genera are,Haplochiton(2 sp.), Tierra del Fuego and the Falkland Islands;Prototroctes(2 sp.), Southern Australia and New Zealand.
Family62.—STERNOPTYCHIDÆ. (6 Genera, 12 Species.)
"Marine fishes, with very thin deciduous scales or none, and with a row of phosphorescent spots or organs on the under surface of the body."
Distribution.—Mediterranean and Atlantic.
These are deep-sea fishes found in the Mediterranean sea, and in the deep Atlantic from the coasts of Norway to the Azores and the Tropics.
Family63.—SCOPELIDÆ. (11 Genera, 47 Species.)
"Marine fishes, somewhat resembling the fresh-water Siluridæ."
Distribution.—Almost universal, but most abundant in warm and tropical seas.
These are deep-sea fishes, abounding in the Mediterranean and the great oceans, a few extending north to near Greenland and south to Tasmania.
Family64.—STOMIATIDÆ. (4 Genera, 8 Species.)
"Small marine fishes, naked or with very fine scales."
Distribution.—The Mediterranean and Atlantic.
These are deep-sea fishes, ranging from Greenland to beyond the Equator.
Family65.—SALMONIDÆ (15 Genera, 157 Species.)
"Fresh-water fishes, many species periodically descending to the sea and a few altogether marine:—Salmon and Trout."
Distribution.—The Palæarctic and Nearctic Regions, and one genus and species in New Zealand. A considerable number of species are confined to single lakes or rivers, others have a wide distribution.
The genera are distributed as follows:—
Salmo(83 sp.), rivers and lakes of the Palæarctic and Nearctic Regions, as far south as Algeria, Asia Minor, the Hindoo-Koosh and Kamschatka, and to about 38° North Latitude in North America, many of the species migratory;Onchorhynchus(8 sp.), American and Asiatic rivers entering the Pacific, as far south as San Francisco and the Amur;Brachymystax(1 sp.), Siberian rivers, from Lake Baikal and the Atlai Mountains northwards;Luciotrutta(2 sp.), Caspian Sea and Volga;Plecoglossus(1 sp.), Japan and Formosa;Osmerus(3 sp.), rivers of temperate Europe and North America entering the Atlantic, and one species in California;Thaleichthys(1 sp.), Columbia River, Vancouver's Island;Hypomesus(1 sp.), coasts of California, Vancouver's Island, and North-eastern Asia;Mallotus(1 sp.), coasts of Arctic America from Greenland to Kamschatka;Retropinna(1 sp.), fresh waters of New Zealand;Coregonus(41 sp.), fresh waters of northern parts of temperate Europe, Asia and North America, many of the species migratory:Thymallus(6 sp.), fresh waters of temperate parts ofEurope, Asia, and North America;Argentina(4 sp.), Mediterranean and deep seas of Western Europe;Microstoma(2 sp.), Mediterranean, and seas of Greenland;Salarix(2 sp.), China and Japan, in seas and rivers.Salmo,Osmerus,Coregonus, andThymallus, are British genera.
Family66.—PERCOPSIDÆ. (1 Genus, 1 Species.)
"A fresh-water fish covered with toothed scales."
Distribution.—Lake Superior, North America.
Family67.—GALAXIDÆ. (1 Genus, 12 Species.)
"Fresh-water fishes, with neither scales nor barbels."
Distribution.—The temperate zone of the Southern Hemisphere.
The only genus,Galaxias, is found in New Zealand, Tasmania, and Tierra del Fuego, ranging north as far as Queensland and Chili; and one of the species is absolutely identical in the two regions.
Family68.—MORMYRIDÆ. (3 Genera, 25 Species.)
"Fresh-water fishes, with scales on the body and tail but not on the head, and no barbels."
Distribution.—The Ethiopian Region.
Most abundant in the Nile, a few from the Gambia, the Congo, and Rovuma. The genera are:—
Mormyrus(1 sp.), Nile, Gambia, West Africa, Mozambique, Rovuma;Hyperopsius(2 sp.), Nile and West Africa;Mormyrops(4 sp.), Nile, West Africa and Mozambique.
Family69.—GYMNARCHIDÆ. (1 Genus, 1 Species.)
"Fresh-water fishes, resembling the Mormyridæ, but with tapering finless tail, and neither anal nor ventral fins."
Distribution.—Ethiopian region.
The only genus,Gymnarchus, inhabits the Nile and the rivers of West Africa.
Family70.—ESOCIDÆ. (1 Genus, 7 Species.)
"Fresh-water fishes, with scaly bodies, no barbels, and dorsal fins situated towards the tail."
Distribution.—The Nearctic and Palæarctic regions.
One species, the Pike (Esox lucius) ranges from Lapland to Turkey, and in America from the Arctic regions to the Albany river; the remainder are American species extending South as far as New Orleans.
Family71.—UMBRIDÆ. (1 Genus, 2 Species.)
"Small fresh-water scaly fishes, without barbels or adipose fin."
Distribution.—Central Europe and Temperate North America.
Family72.—SCOMBRESOCIDÆ. (5 Genera, 136 Species.)
"Marine or fresh-water fishes, with scaly bodies and a series of keeled scales along each side of the belly."
Distribution.—Temperate and tropical regions.
All the genera have a wide distribution. A species ofBeloneand one ofScombresoxare found on the British coast. The Flying-fishes (Exocetus, 44 sp.), belong to this family. They abound in all tropical seas and extend as far as the Mediterranean and Australia. None of the genera are exclusively fresh-water,but a few species ofBelone, andHemiramphusare found in rivers in various parts of the world.
Family73.—CYPRINODONTIDÆ. (20 Genera, 106 Species.)
"Fresh-water fishes, covered with scales, the sexes frequently differing, mostly viviparous."
Distribution.—Southern Europe, Asia, Africa and North America, but most abundant in Tropical America.
The distribution of the genera is as follows:—
Cyprinodon(11 sp.), Italy, North Africa and Western Asia to Persia, also North America from Texas to New York;Fitzroya(1 sp.), Montevideo;Characodon(1 sp.), Central America;Tellia(1 sp.), Alpine pools of the Atlas:Limnurgus(1 sp.), Mexican plateau;Lucania(1 sp.), Texas;Haplochilus(18 sp.), India, Java, Japan, Tropical Africa, Madagascar, and the Seychelle Islands, Carolina to Brazil, Jamaica;Fundulus(17 sp.), North and Central America and Ecuador, Spain and East Africa;Rivulus(3 sp.), Tropical America, Cuba and Trinidad;Orestias(6 sp.), Lake Titacaca, Andes;Jenynsia(1 sp.), Rio Plata;Pseudoxiphophorus(2 sp.), Central America;Belonesox(1 sp.), Central America;Gambusia(8 sp.), Antilles, Central America and Texas;Anableps(3 sp.), Central and Equatorial America;Pœcilia(16 sp.), Antilles, Central and South America;Mollienesia(4 sp.), Louisiana to Mexico;Platypœcilus(1 sp.), Mexico;Girardinus(10 sp.), Antilles and South Carolina to Uruguay;Lepistes(1 sp.), Barbadoes.
Family74.—HETEROPYGII. (2 Genera, 2 Species.)
"Fresh-water fishes, with posterior dorsal fin, and very small scales."
Distribution.—Fresh waters of the United States.
Amblyopsis(1 sp.) is a blind fish found in the caverns of Kentucky; whileChologastes(1 sp.), which only differs from it in having perfect eyes, is found in ditches in South Carolina.
Family75.—CYPRINIDÆ. (109 Genera, 790 Species.)
"Fresh-water fishes, generally scaly, with no adipose fin, and pharyngeal teeth only, the mouth being toothless."
Distribution.—Fresh waters of the Old World and North America, but absent from Australia and South America.
This enormous family is divided by Dr. Günther into fourteen groups, the distribution of which is as follows:—
Catostomina (4 genera), North America and North-east Asia; Cyprinina (39 genera), same range as the family; Rohteichthyina (1 genus), Malay Archipelago; Leptobarbina (1 genus), Malay Archipelago; Rasborina (5 genera), East Africa to China and Borneo; Semiplotina (2 genera), Western Asia; Xenocypridina (3 genera), Eastern Asia; Leuciscina (10 genera), Palæarctic and Nearctic regions; Rhodeina (3 genera), Palæarctic region; Danionina (9 genera), India to China and Japan; Hypophthalmichthyina (1 genus), China; Abramidina (16 genera), same range as the family; Homalopterina (2 genera), India to Java; Cobitidina (10 genera), Palæarctic and Oriental regions.
The following is the distribution of the genera:—
Catostomus(16 sp.), Nearctic region and Eastern Siberia;Moxostoma(2 sp.), Eastern United States;Sclerognathus(5 sp.), Temperate North America to Guatemala, also Northern China;Carpiodes(1 sp.), United States;Cyprinus(2 sp.), Temperate parts of Palæarctic region (1 sp. British);Carassius(3 sp.), Temperate Palæarctic region (1 sp. British);Catla(1 sp.), Continental India;Cirrhina(5 sp.), Continental India to China;Dangila(6 sp.), Java, Sumatra, Borneo;Osteochilus(14 sp.), Siam to Java and Sumatra;Labeo(27 sp.), Tropical Africa and Oriental region;Tylognathus(10 sp.), Syria, India to Java;Abrostomus(2 sp.), South Africa;Discognathus(4 sp.), Syria to India and Java, mostly in mountain streams;Crossochilus(9 sp.), India to Sumatra and Java;Gymnostomus(7 sp.), Continental India;Epalzeorhynchus(1 sp.), Sumatra and Borneo;Capoeta(13 sp.), Western Asia;Barbus(163 sp.), Temperate or Tropicalparts of Europe, Asia, and Africa (1 sp. British);Thynnichthys(2 sp.), Pegu, Borneo, and Sumatra;Barbichthys(1 sp.), Java, Sumatra, and Borneo;Amblyrhynchichthys(1 sp.), Sumatra and Borneo;Albulichthys(1 sp.), Sumatra and Borneo;Oreinus(3 sp.), Himalayan region;Schizothorax(13 sp.), Himalayan region and west to Afghanistan and Persia;Ptychobarbus(1 sp.), Thibet;Gymnocypris(1 sp.), loc. unknown;Schizopygopsis(1 sp.), Thibet;Diptychus(1 sp.), Himalayas and Thibet;Aulopyge(1 sp.), Western Asia;Gobio(2 sp.), Temperate Europe (1 sp. British);Pseudogobio(4 sp.), China, Japan, and Formosa;Ceratichthys(9 sp.), Temperate North America;Bungia(1 sp.), Western Asia, Herat;Pimephales(2 sp.), Eastern United States;Hyborhynchus(3 sp.), Eastern United States;Ericymba(1 sp.), United States;Pseudorasbora(1 sp.), Japan, China;Cochlognathus(1 sp.), Texas;Exoglossum(2 sp.), United States;Rhinichthys(6 sp.), Eastern United States;Rohteichthys(1 sp.), Borneo and Sumatra;Leptobarbina(1 sp.), Sumatra and Borneo;Rasbora(12 sp.), East Coast of Africa, India, to Java and Borneo;Luciosma(3 sp.), Java, Sumatra, and Borneo;Nuria(2 sp.), India, Tenasserim, and Ceylon;Aphyocypris(1 sp.), North China;Amblypharyngodon(3 sp.), India to Tenasserim;Cyprinion(3 sp.), Syria and Persia;Semiplotus(1 sp.), Assam;Xenocypris(1 sp.), China;Paracanthobrama(1 sp.), China;Mystacoleucus(1 sp.), Sumatra;Leuciscus(84 sp.), Nearctic and Palæarctic regions (5 sp. are British);Ctenopharyngodon(1 sp.), China;Mylopharodon(1 sp.), California;Paraphoxinus(2 sp.), South-eastern Europe;Meda(1 sp.), River Gila;Tinca(1 sp.), Europe (Britain to Constantinople);Leucosomus(8 sp.), Nearctic region;Chondrostoma(7 sp.), Europe and Western Asia;Orthodon(1 sp.), California;Acrochilus(1 sp.), Columbia River;Achilognathus(6 sp.), China, Japan, and Formosa;Rhodeus(3 sp.), Central Europe and China;Pseudoperilampus(1 sp.), Japan;Danio(8 sp.), India and Ceylon;Pterosarion(2 sp.), Central India and Assam;Aspidoparia(3 sp.), Continental India;Barilius(15 sp.), East Africa and Continental India;Bola(1 sp.), Ganges to Bramahputra;Schacra(1 sp.), Bengal;Opsariichthys(5 sp.), Japan and Formosa;Squaliobarbus(1 sp.), China;Ochetobius(1 sp.), North China;Hypophthalmichthys(2 sp.), China;Abramis(16 sp.), North America, Central Europe, and Western Asia (1 sp. is British);Aspius(3 sp.), East Europe, Western Asia, China;Alburnus(15 sp.), Europe and Western Asia (1 British sp.);Rasborichthys(1 sp.), Borneo;Elopichthys(1 sp.), China;Pelotrophus(2 sp.), East Africa;Acanthobrama(3 sp.), Western Asia;Osteobrama(5 sp.), Continental India;Chanodichthys(6 sp.), China and Formosa;Smiliogaster(1 sp.), Bengal;Culter(2 sp.), China;Pelecus(1 sp.), Eastern Europe;Eustira(1 sp.), Ceylon;Chela(16 sp.), India to Siam, Java and Borneo;Pseudolabuca(1 sp.), China;Cachius(1 sp.), Continental India;Homaloptera(8 sp.), India to Cochin China, Java, and Sumatra;Psilorhynchus(2 sp.), North-eastern India;Misgurnus(5 sp.), Europe to India, China, and Japan;Nemachilus(37 sp.), Europe and Asia;Cobitis(3 sp.), Europe, India, Japan;Lepidocepalichthys(3 sp.), India, Ceylon, and Java;Acanthopsis(2 sp.), Tenasserim, Sumatra, Java, and Borneo;Botia(7 sp.), India to Japan and Sunda Isles;Oreonectes(1 sp.), China;Lepidocephalus(1 sp.), Java and Sumatra;Acanthopthalmus(2 sp.), Java and Sumatra;Apua(1 sp.), Tenasserim;Kneria(2 sp.), Tropical Africa.
Family76.—GONORHYNCHIDÆ. (1 Genus, 1 Species.)
"A marine fish with spiny scales, mouth with barbels, and with short dorsal fin opposite the ventrals."
Distribution.—Temperate parts of Southern Oceans, and Japan.
Family77.—HYODONTIDÆ. (1 Genus, 1 Species.)
"A fresh-water fish with cycloid scales and posterior dorsal fin."
Distribution.—Fresh waters of North America.
Family78.—OSTEOGLOSSIDÆ. (3 Genera, 5 Species.)
"Fresh-water fishes, with large hard scales, and dorsal fin opposite and equal to the anal fin."
Distribution.—Tropical rivers.
The genera are:—Osteoglossum(3 sp.), Eastern South America, Sunda Islands, and Queensland;Arapaima(1 sp.), Eastern South America—the "Pirarucú" of the Amazon;Heterotis(1 sp.), Tropical Africa.
Family79.—CLUPEIDÆ. (18 Genera, 161 Species.)
"Marine scaly fishes, without barbels, and with the abdomen often compressed and serrated."
Distribution.—Seas of the whole globe, many species entering rivers. They are most abundant in the Indian seas, less so in America, scarce in Africa, while they are almost absent from Australia. The Herring, Sprat, Shad, and Pilchard, are British species ofClupea, a genus which contains 61 species and ranges all over the world.
Family80.—CHIROCENTRIDÆ. (1 Genus, 1 Species.)
"A marine fish, with thin deciduous scales, no barbels, and posterior dorsal fin."
Distribution.—The Eastern seas from Africa to China.
Family81.—ALEPOCEPHALIDÆ. (1 Genus, 1 Species.)
"A marine fish, covered with thin cycloid scales, no barbels, and posterior dorsal fin."
Distribution.—Deep waters of the Mediterranean.
Family82.—NOTOPTERIDÆ. (1 Genus, 5 Species.)
"Fresh-water fishes, without barbels, head and body scaly, long tapering tail, and short posterior dorsal fin."
Distribution.—Rivers of India, Siam, the Sunda Islands, and West Africa.
Family83.—HALOSAURIDÆ. (1 Genus, 1 Species.)
"Marine fishes, with cycloid scales, a short median dorsal fin, and no barbels."
Distribution.—Deep waters of the Atlantic, Madeira.
Family84.—GYMNOTIDÆ. (5 Genera, 20 Species.)
"Fresh-water fishes, with elongate bodies, pointed tail, and no dorsal fin."
Distribution.—Tropical America from Trinidad to the River Parana.
The genera are distributed as follows:—
Sternarchus(8 sp.), Guiana and Brazil;Rhamphichthys(6 sp.), Guiana and Brazil;Sternophygus(4 sp.), Tropical America;Carapus(1 sp.), Trinidad to Brazil;Gymnotus, (1 sp.—the Electric eel), Tropical South America.
Family85.—SYMBRANCHIDÆ. (4 Genera, 6 Species.)
"Marine and fresh-water fishes, having elongate bodies without fins, and very minute scales or none."
Distribution.—Fresh waters and coasts of Western Australia and Tasmania.
The genera are:—
Amphipnous(1 sp.), Bengal;Monopterus(1 sp.), Siam to Northern China and Sunda Islands;Symbranchus(3 sp.), TropicalAmerica, and India to Australia;Chilobranchus(1 sp.), Australia and Tasmania.
Family86.—MURÆNIDÆ. (26 Genera, 230 Species.)
"Marine or fresh-water fishes, with cylindrical or band-like bodies and no ventral fins."
Distribution.—The seas and fresh waters of temperate and tropical regions. This family is divided by Dr. Günther into two sub-families and nine sections. The genusAnguilla, comprising our common Eel and a number of species from all parts of the world, is the only one which is found in fresh water, though even here most of the species are marine.AnguillaandCongerare the only British genera.
Family87.—PEGASIDÆ. (1 Genus, 4 Species.)
"Small marine fishes, covered with bony plates, and short opposite dorsal and anal fins."
Distribution.—Indian Ocean and seas of China and Australia.
Order V.—LOPHOBRANCHII.
"Fish with a segmented bony covering, long snout, and small toothless mouth."
Family88.—SOLENOSTOMIDÆ. (1 Genus, 3 Species.)
"Marine Lophobranchii, with wide gill openings and two dorsal fins."
Distribution.—Indian Ocean, from Zanzibar to China and the Moluccas.
Family89.—SYNGNATHIDÆ. (15 Genera, 112 Species.)
"Marine Lophobranchii, with very small gill opening and one soft dorsal fin."
Distribution.—All the tropical and temperate seas. Some species ofSyngnathus,Doryichthys, andCœlonotusenter fresh water, and a few live in it exclusively.Siphonostoma,Syngnathus,Nerophis, andHippocampusare British genera. TheHippocampina(5 genera, 25 sp.), or Sea-horses, are peculiar to the Indian and Pacific Oceans, except three or four species ofHippocampusin the Atlantic and Mediterranean.
Order VI.—PLECTOGNATHI.
"Fishes covered with rough scales or shields, having a narrow mouth, and soft posterior dorsal fin."
Family90.—SCLERODERMI. (7 Genera, 95 Species.)
"Marine Plectognathi, with toothed jaws."
Distribution.—Temperate and Tropical seas, but much more abundant in the Tropics.
Family91.—GYMNODONTES. (10 Genera, 82 Species.)
"Marine or fresh-water Plectognathi, with jaws modified into a beak."
Distribution.—Temperate and tropical regions.
Some species ofTetrodonare found in the rivers of Tropical America, Africa, and Asia. Species ofTetrodonandOrthagoriscushave been found on the British coasts.
Sub-classII.—DIPNOI.
Family 92.—Sirenoidei.(3 Genera, 3 Species.)
"Eel-shaped fresh-water fishes, covered with cycloid scales; the vertical fins forming a continuous border to the compressed tapering tail."
Distribution.—Rivers of Tropical Africa, South America, and Australia.
The genera are:—Protopterus(1 sp.), Tropical Africa;Lepidosiren(1 sp.), Amazon Valley;Ceratodus(1 sp.), Queensland.
Sub-classIII.—GANOIDEI.
Order I.—HOLOSTEI.
"Body covered with scales."
Family93.—AMIIDÆ. (1 Genus, 1 Species.)
"A fresh-water fish, with cycloid scales and a long soft dorsal fin."
Distribution.—United States.
Family94.—POLYPTERIDÆ. (2 Genera, 2 Species.)
"Fresh-water fishes, with ganoid scales and dorsal spines."
Distribution.—Central and Western Africa.
The genera are:—
Polypterus(1 sp.), the Nile and rivers of West Africa;Calamoichthys(1 sp.), Old Calabar.
Family95.—LEPIDOSTEIDÆ. (1 Genus, 3 Species.)
"Fresh-water fishes, with ganoid scales, and dorsal and anal fins composed of articulated rays."
Distribution.—The genus Lepidosteus, the Garfishes or Bony Pikes, inhabits North America to Mexico and Cuba.
Order II.—CHONDROSTEI.
"Sub-cartilaginous scaleless fishes with heterocercal tail, the skin with osseous bucklers or naked."
Family96.—ACCIPENSERIDÆ. (2 Genera, 20 Species.)
"Marine or fresh-water fishes with osseous bucklers and inferior mouth."
Distribution.—Temperate and Arctic regions of the northern hemisphere.Accipenser(19 sp.), comprising the Sturgeons, has the distribution of the family; most of the species are marine, but some are confined to the Caspian and Black Seas and the great American lakes with the rivers flowing into them, while the Danube, Mississippi, and Columbia River have peculiar species. The other genus,Scaphirhynchus(1 sp.), is confined to the Mississippi and its tributaries.
Family97.—POLYDONTIDÆ. (1 Genus, 2 Species.)
"Fresh-water fishes, with wide lateral mouth and naked skin."
Distribution.—The Mississippi and Yang-tse-kiang rivers.
Sub classIV.—CHONDROPTERYGII. (Sharks and Rays.)
Order I.—HOLOCEPHALA. (Chimæras.)
Family98.—CHIMÆRIDÆ. (2 Genera, 4 Species.)
"Shark-like marine fishes, snout of the male with a prehensile organ."
Distribution.—Northern and Southern temperate seas.Chimærais British.
Order II.—PLAGIOSTOMATA.
Sub-order.—Selachoidea. (Sharks.)
Family99.—CARCHARIIDÆ. (11 Genera, 59 Species.)
"Sharks with two dorsals and a nictitating membrane."
Distribution.—Seas of the Arctic, temperate, and tropical regions. Species ofGaleusandMustelushave occurred on our coasts.
Family100.—LAMNIDÆ. (5 Genera, 7 Species.)
"Sharks with two dorsals and no nictitating membrane."
Distribution.—Temperate and tropical seas. Species ofLamna,Alopecias, andSelachehave occurred in British seas.
Family101.—RHINODONTIDÆ. (1 Genus, 1 Species.)
"Sharks with two dorsal fins, the second small, and no nictitating membrane."
Distribution.—South and East Africa.
Family102.—NOTIDANIDÆ. (1 Genus, 4 Species.)
"Sharks with one dorsal fin and no nictitating membrane."
Distribution.—Temperate and tropical seas, from the North Atlantic to the Cape of Good Hope and California. One species has occurred on our southern coasts.
Family103.—SCYLLIIDÆ. (7 Genera, 25 Species.)
"Sharks with one dorsal fin and no nictitating membrane."
Distribution.—All temperate and tropical seas. Species ofScylliumandPristiurusare British.
Family104.—CESTRACIONTIDÆ. (1 Genus, 4 Species.)
"Sharks with two dorsal fins and no nictitating membrane."
Distribution.—Pacific Ocean from Japan to New Zealand, Moluccan Sea.
Family105.—SPINACIDÆ. (10 Genera, 21 Species.)
"Sharks with two dorsal fins and no nictitating membrane, no anal fin."
Distribution.—Arctic, temperate, and tropical seas. Species ofAcanthias,Læmargus, andEchinorhinushave occurred on our coasts.