APOGONIDAE Cardinalfishes By Koichi Shibukawa Apogon angustatus Apogon compressus Apogon cookii Apogon crassiceps Apogon fleurieu Apogon fuscus Apogon guamensis Apogon hyalosoma Apogon lateralis Apogon leptacanthus Apogon moluccensis Apogon poecilopterus Apogon thermails Archamia ataenia Archamia fucata Cheilodipterus macrodon Cheilodipterus quinquelineatus Fowleria variegata Small sized (up to about 20 cm), compressed and oblong or moderately elongate fishes. Eyes large; mouth large, oblique with variable dentition; a single opercular spine. Scales usually ctenoid, but cycloid in some groups and absent in Gymnapogon and Paxton; lateral line continuous, incomplete or absent in some groups. Two separated dorsal fins, the first with VI-VIII spines and the second with one spine and 8-14 soft rays (except for Paxton having a single dorsal fin with VI spines and 19 rays); anal fin with II spines (except for Paxton with a single spine) and 8-18 soft rays; pelvic fin I, 5; caudal fin forked, emarginate, truncate, or rounded. Color: variable with patterns of light- or dark-colored stripes, reticulation, spots, vertical or diagonal bars, or nearly plain. Similar families occurring in the area. Chanidae: a single dorsal fin but deeply notched, III anal-fin spines. Remarks. Chiefly inhabit marine coastal waters, but also found in fresh and brackish water areas in some groups.