Ichthyology: TN Orders & Family

Dr. Wheeler, Identification

Lampreys

• Order: Petromyzontiformes

• Family: Petromyzontidae

• lack paired fins and jaws

Paddlefishes

• Order: Acipenseriformes

• Family: Polyodontidae

• paddle-shaped snout

Sturgeons

• Order: Acipenseriformes

• Family: Acipenseridae

• five rows of bony plates called scutes

Gars

• Order: Lepisosteiformes

• Family: Lepisosteidae

• jaws long and beaklike

Bowfin

• Order: Amiiformes

• Family: Amiidae

• gular plate present

Freshwater Eels

• Order: Anguilliformes

• Family: Anguillidae

• body elongate and snakelike

• pelvic fins absent

Mooneyes

• Order: Hiodontiformes

• Family: Hiodontidae

• long anal fin (17 or more rays)

• ventral margin of abdomen with sharp, smooth edge

Herrings & Shads

• Order: Clupeiformes

• Family: Clupeidae

• anal fin long (17 or more rays)

• ventral margin of abdomen with sharp, saw-toothed edge

Minnows, Carps, & Loaches

• Order: Cypriniformes

• Family: Cyprinidae

• dorsal fin rays 9 or fewer

• mouth usually not fleshy or modified for sucking

Suckers

• Order: Cypriniformes

• Family: Catostomidae

• dorsal fin rays 10 or more

• mouth typically fleshy, ventral, and modified for sucking

North American Catfishes

• Order: Siluriformes

• Family: Ictaluridae

• adipose fin present

• barbels conspicuous around mouth; body naked (without scales)

Salmons, Trouts, & Chars

• Order: Salmoniformes

• Family: Salmonidae

• adipose fin present

• lacks barbels; body with small scales

Pikes

• Order: Esociformes

• Family: Esocidae

• body very elongate; duck-like snout

Pirate Perch

• Order: Percopsiformes

• Family: Aphredoderidae

• dorsal fin with three anterior spines; anus under throat (in adults)

Cavefishes

• Order: Percopsiformes

• Family: Amblyopsidae

• pelvic fins absent

• anus under throat (in adults)

New World Silversides

• Order: Atheriniformes

• Family: Atherinopsidae

• dart-like shape

Topminnows

• Order: Cyprinodontiformes

• Family: Fundulidae

• black suborbital mark absent; anal fin unmodified

• they smile at you

Livebearers

• Order: Cyprinodontiformes

• Family: Poeciliidae

• black suborbital mark present (sometimes)

• anal fin modified (in males)

Sunfishes

• Order: Perciformes

• Family: Centrarchidae

• body form “bass-like” or deeper

• posterior edge of operculum lacking a sharp spine

Perches (Darters)

• Order: Perciformes

• Family: Percidae

• body form “perch-like”

• two dorsal fins

Sculpins

• Order: Scorpaeniformes

• Family: Cottidae

• big, frog-like face and mouth

• strongly tapered (from above)

Temperate Basses

• Order: Moroniformes

• Family: Moronidae

• body form “bass-like” or deeper

• posterior edge of operculum terminating in a sharp spine

Drums & Croakers

• Order: Acanthuriformes

• Family: Sciaenidae

• long soft dorsal fin (> 24 rays)

• not the smartest-looking fish