Polycentridae

Journal of Fish ( Monocirrhus polyacanthus )

The many spines ( Polycentridae ) are a family of Ovalentaria in the group of relatives perch ( Percomorphaceae ). The four questions to the family species live in tropical South America and West Africa. They were counted before the Nanderbarschen ( Nandidae ). Today, however, we see no evidence of a closer relationship. Studies of the morphology of the eggs speak for the monophyly of Polycentridae.

Features

The Polycentridae are small, hochrückige and laterally strongly flattened, only 4.5 to 8 centimeters long predatory fish, the well camouflaged motionless lurking between water plants for prey and suck it in through this sudden opening of the mouth. All Polycentridae are brut nurturing and care of eggs and fish larvae.

Species

There are four species in four monotypic genera:

Swell

• Joseph S. Nelson: Fishes of the World, John Wiley & Sons, 2006, ISBN 0-471-25031-7
• Many spines on Fishbase.org (English)