Key to the genera of Apogonidae

Note this key uses external characters where possible to afford more use. Where the key is inclusive of all genera in a subfamily or a tribe that half of the couplet is so indicated.

1 Some pored lateral-line scales on body..................................................................... 3

- No pored lateral-line scales or scales absent on body.......................................................... 2

2 Single dorsal fin, six spines [Paxtoninae].............................................................. Paxton

- Two dorsal fins, seven spines (Gymnapogonini)............................................................. 4

3 One pored lateral line, sometimes partially pored followed by pits or grooves...................................... 7

- Two inconspicuous lateral-line scales, one dorsal (pored then notched), one ventral (notched) [Pseudamiinae].... Pseudamia

4 Scales present........................................................................................ 5

- Scales absent............................................................................... Gymnapogon

5 Second dorsal fin I,8–9................................................................................. 6

- Second dorsal fin I,12–13...................................................................... Lachneratus

6 Anal rays 11–13................................................................................ Cercamia

- Anal rays 8 or 9............................................................................. Pseudamiops

7 Silver or blackish band (bioluminous in life) along ventral side from hyal region extending past abdomen onto caudal peduncle (Siphamiini)................................................................................... Siphamia

- No such bioluminous bands............................................................................. 8

8 Longest procurrent caudal-fin rays segmented.............................................................. 10

- Longest procurrent caudal-fin rays spinous, not segmented..................................................... 9

9 Dorsal-fin rays 9; anal-fin rays 9................................................................. Sphaeramia

- Dorsal-fin rays 13–15; anal-fin rays 12–14......................................................... Pterapogon

10 Dorsal-fin rays 8–13.................................................................................. 11

- Dorsal-fin rays 14–15; anal-fin rays 13–14............................................................. Quinca

11 Lateral-line scales less than 29.......................................................................... 12

- Lateral-line scales greater than 32 (Lepidamiini)..................................................... Lepidamia

12 Preopercular ventral edge ossified, serrated, crenulated or smooth.............................................. 13

- Preopercular ventral edge with unossified flap (Apogonini)................................................... 15

13 First three infraorbitals with upper edges smooth to crenulated................................................. 19

- First three infraorbitals with upper edges strongly serrated (Pristiapogonini)...................................... 14

14 Dorsal fin VI–I,9; Dark spot on body below lateral line under first dorsal fin; dark spot(s) under posterior base of second dorsal fin; No stripe from snout onto opercle through eye..................................................... Pristicon

- Dorsal fin VII–I,9; No spots on body below dorsal fins; Stripe from snout onto opercle through eye, may continue on body............................................................................................. Pristiapogon

15 Predorsal scaled...................................................................................... 16

- Predorsal without scales along the center line to origin of first dorsal fin.................................. Astrapogon

16 Anal-fin rays 8....................................................................................... 17

- Anal-fin rays 9.............................................................................. Paroncheilus

17 Stomach and intestine pale............................................................................. 18

- Stomach and intestine black....................................................................... Zapogon

18 Preopercular flap not extends past vertical edge......................................................... Apogon

- Preopercular flap extends past vertical edge......................................................... Phaeoptyx

19 Supramaxilla large, easy to detect........................................................................ 20 - Supramaxilla small difficult to detect or absent............................................................. 23

20 First dorsal spines 7 or 8 [Amioidinae].................................................................... 21

- First dorsal spines 6 (Glossamiini)....................................................................... 22

21 Anal-fin rays 8; canine teeth; basicaudal bar......................................................... Amioides

- Anal-fin rays 7; villiform teeth; spots on body....................................................... Holapogon

22 Preopercle edges serrate; only a basicaudal spot......................................................... Yarica

- Preopercle edges smooth; body with many markings.................................................. Glossamia

23 Anal-fin rays 8–9..................................................................................... 27

- Anal-fin rays 10–19................................................................................... 24

24 Edge of preopercle serrated (Archamiini).................................................................. 26

- Edge of preopercle smooth (Rhabdamiini)................................................................. 25

25 Anal fin rays 10–11; Dorsal fins VII–I,10–11; Some canine teeth......................... Rhabdamia (Bentuviaichthys)

- Anal-fin rays 12–13; Dorsal fins VI–I,9; Villiform teeth.................................... Rhabdamia (Rhabdamia)

26 Anal-fin rays 15–17; No bars or stripes on head or body; First dorsal-fin spine 1.1–1.4 in second dorsal-fin spine... Archamia

- Anal-fin rays 12–19; two yellow bars on head, or 1–23 bars on body, or darkish or yellowish mid-line stripe; First dorsal spine 1.3–3.4 in second dorsal-fin spine................................................................. Taeniamia

27 No canine teeth; some lateral dentary teeth may be slightly enlarged............................................ 28

- Canine and canoid teeth present (Cheilodipterini)................................................. Cheilodipterus

28 First dorsal spines 6–8, if 6 spines then second dorsal-fin rays 8 or anal-fin rays 9.................................. 29

- First dorsal spines 6; second dorsal-fin rays 9, anal-fin rays 8............................................ Fibramia

29 First dorsal spines 6–8, if 6 spines then body with one or more stripes extending to caudal fin........................ 32

- First dorsal spines 6; no body stripes..................................................................... 30

30 Anal-fin rays 9; no cheek mark.......................................................................... 31

- Anal-fin rays 8; narrow or broad cheek mark......................................................... Nectamia

31 Preopercle edge serrate; caudal peduncle and/or caudal base with one small dark spot or diffuse large darkish region; no small dark snout mark................................................................................. Zoramia

- Preopercle edge smooth; no dark marks on caudal base or caudal peduncle; small dark snout mark................ Verulux

32 Stomach and intestine pale; first dorsal spines 7 or 8......................................................... 34

- Stomach and intestine with melanophores to completely blackish; first dorsal spines 7.............................. 33

33 Fourth dorsal spine longer than third spine; caudal fin emarginate, truncate or rounded........................... Jaydia

- Third dorsal spine longer than fourth, if fourth longer then caudal fin forked (Ostorhinchini)................ Ostorhinchus

34 Edge of preopercle serrated............................................................................. 38

- Edge of preopercle smooth............................................................................. 35

35 Palatine teeth absent.................................................................................. 36

- Palatine teeth present................................................................................. Foa

36 Pored lateral-line scales from posttemporal to base of caudal fin................................................ 37

- Pored lateral-line scales usually short, only pits present past dorsal fins..................................... Fowleria

37 First dorsal fin with 8 spines, or dark mark on opercle if 7 spines.............................. Neamia and Fowleria * *Species of Neamia have fused hypurals 2 + 3 and 4 + 5; Species of Fowleria have 5 free hypurals

- No dark mark on opercle..................................................................... Apogonichthys

38 Posttemporal serrate; basisphenoid present.................................................... Apogonichthyoides

- Posttemporal smooth; basisphenoid absent........................................................... Vincentia