Tennessee Fish Families

Petromyzontidae

Order Petromyzontiformes;

Lampreys;

-Lack paired fins and jaws

-Body elongate and snakelike

-Anadromous and freshwater

-8 genera and 45 species

-7 species in TN

Polyodontidae

Order Acipenseriformes;

Paddlefishes;

-Asymmetrical caudal fin base (heterocercal)

-Paddle-shaped snout

-Freshwater; rarely brackish

-2 genera and 2 species

-Single species in TN

Acipenseridae

Order Acipenseriformes;

Sturgeons;

-Asymmetrical caudal fin base (heterocercal)

-Five rows of bony plates called scutes

-Mouth ventral

-Anadromous and freshwater

-4 genera and 25 species

-3 species in TN

Lepisosteidae

Order Lepisosteiformes;

Gars;

-Caudal fin abbreviate heterocercal

-Diamond-shaped (ganoid) scales completely cover body

-Jaws long and beaklike

-Dorsal fin located posteriorly

-Freshwater; occasionally brackish; very rarely in marine waters

-2 genera and 7 species

-4 TN species

Amiidae

Order Amiiformes;

Bowfin;

-Caudal fin abbreviate heterocercal

-Dorsal fin long

-Gular plate present

-Freshwater

-Single genus and single species

-Single species in TN

Anguillidae

Order Anguilliformes;

Freshwater Eels;

-Body elongate and snakelike

-Pelvic fins absent

-Dorsal, caudal, and anal fins fused

-Usually catadromous (born in ocean, migrate to Freshwater)

-2 genera and 22 species

-Single TN species

Hiodontidae

Order Hiodontiformes;

Mooneyes;

-Long anal fin (17 or more rays)

-Ventral margin of abdomen with sharp, smooth edge

-Freshwater

-1 genus, 2 species

-2 TN species

Clupeidae

Order Clupeiformes;

Herrings and Shads;

-Anal fin long (17 or more rays)

-Ventral margin of abdomen with sharp, saw-toothed edge

-Primarily marine; some freshwater and anadromous

-About 64 genera, 218 species

-5 TN species

Cyprinidae (Leuciscidae)

Order Cypriniformes;

Minnows, Carps, and Loaches;

-Dorsal fin rays 9 or fewer

-Mouth usually not fleshy or modified for sucking

-Freshwater; very rarely occurring in brackish water

-About 367 genera, 3006 species

-83 TN species

Catostomidae

Order Cypriniformes;

Suckers;

-Dorsal fin rays 10 or more

-Mouth typically fleshy, ventral, and modified for sucking

-Dorsal and anal fins lacking serrated spines

-Freshwater

-13 genera, 78 species

-21 TN species

Ictaluridae

Order Siluriformes;

North American Catfishes;

-Adipose fin present

-Barbels conspicuous around mouth; body naked (w/o scales)

-Freshwater

-7 genera, 51 species

-24 TN species

Salmonidae

Order Salmoniformes;

Salmons, Trouts, and Chars;

-Adipose fin present

-Lacks barbels, body with small scales

-Freshwater and anadromous

-10 genera, 223 species

-3 TN species

Esocidae

Order Esociformes;

Pikes;

-Body very elongate; duck-like snout

-Freshwater

-3 genera, 9 species

-4 TN species

Aphredoderidae

Order Percopsiformes;

Pirate Perch;

-Dorsal fin with 3 anterior spines; anus under throat (in adults)

-Freshwater

-Single genus and species

-Single TN species

Amblyopsidae

Order Percopsiformes;

Cavefishes;

-Pelvic fins absent

-Anus under throat (in adults)

-Dorsal, caudal, and anal fins separate

-Freshwater

-6 genera and 8 species

-2 TN species

Atherinopsidae

Order Atheriniformes;

New World Silversides;

-Spinous dorsal fin inconspicuous and remote from soft dorsal fi

-Dart-like shape

-Marine and freshwater

-13 genera, 110 species

-2 TN species

Fundulidae

Order Cyprinodontiformes;

Topminnows;

-Origin of anal fin anterior to or even with origin of dorsal fin

-Black suborbital mark absent, anal fin unmodified

-They smile at you

-Freshwater, brackish water, and coastal marine

-4 genera, 44 species

-7 TN species

Poeciliidae

Order Cyprinodontiformes;

Livebearers;

-Origin of anal fin anterior to or even with origin of dorsal fin

-Black suborbital mark present (sometimes)

-Anal fin modified (in males)

-Freshwater and brackish water

-42 genera, 353 species

-1-2 TN species

Centrarchidae

Order Perciformes;

Sunfishes;

-Dorsal fin divided in soft and spinous portions; sometimes divided by a 'distinct' notch

-Body forms "bass-like" or deeper

-Posterior edge of operculum lacking a sharp spine

-Freshwater

-9 genera, 45 species

-21 TN species

Percidae

Order Perciformes;

Perches (Darters);

-Body form "perch-like)

-Two dorsal fins, separate or narrowly joined

-Often small-bodied and brightly colored (males)

-Freshwater

-9 genera, 236 species

-93 TN species (90 darters)

Cottidae

Order Scorpaeniformes;

Sculpins;

-Body naked

-Big, frog-like face and mouth

-Strongly tapered (from above)

-Marine and freshwater

-70 genera, 282 species

-3 TN species

Moronidae

Order Moroniformes;

Temperate Basses;

-Body form "bass-like" or deeper

-Posterior edge of operculum terminating in a sharp spine

-Dorsal fins separate or connected slightly

-Brackish; freshwater; marine coastal areas

-2 genera, 4 species

-3 TN species

Sciaenidae

Order Acanthuriformes;

Drums and Croakers;

-Dorsal fins divided by a distinct notch

-Long soft dorsal fin (>/= 24 rays)

-Not the smartest looking fish

-Highly arched at dorsal fin origin

-Marine, brackish, and freshwater

-67 genera, 283 species

-Single TN species