Family: ARGENTINIDAE, Argentine, Argentines

FAMILY ARGENTINIDAE

ARGENTINES

These small fishes have elongate, compressed, silvery bodies; large eyes; mouth small, opens at the front; the upper jaw lacking teeth; fins without spines; one dorsal fin (10-14) at mid-body, plus a small adipose fin behind it above the anal fin; pectorals low on the sides; pelvics 10-15, under (but behind the origin of) dorsal fin; anal fin small (11-25); tail fin strongly forked; scales small, smooth, easily detached.

The family occurs worldwide in tropical to temperate areas and has 2 genera with 25 species. Four species in one genus occur in the Greater Caribbean, 2 endemics and 2 W Atlantic.