Grunters or tigerperches are ray-finned fishes in the family Terapontidae (also spelled Teraponidae, Theraponidae or Therapontidae). This family is part of the Suborder Terapontoidei of the order Centrarchiformes.
Characteristics The Terapontidae is a large family of small to medium-sized perciform fishes which occur in marine, brackish and fresh waters in the Indo-Pacific region. They are characterised by a single long-based dorsal fin which has a notch marking the boundary between the spiny and soft-rayed portions. They have small to moderate-sized scales, a continuous lateral line reaching the caudal fin, and most species lack teeth on the roof of the mouth. The marine species are found in inshore sea and brackish waters, some species are able to enter extremely saline and fresh waters. In Australia and New Guinea there are a number of species restricted to fresh water.
Classification The following genera are classified within the family Terpontidae:
Amniataba Whitley, 1943 Bidyanus Whitley, 1943 Hannia Vari, 1978 Helotes Cuvier, 1829 Hephaestus De Vis, 1884 Lagusia Vari 1978 Leiopotherapon Fowler, 1931 Mesopristes Bleeker, 1873 Pelates Cuvier, 1829 Pelsartia Whitley, 1943 Pingalla Whitley, 1955 Rhynchopelates Fowler, 1931 Scortum Whitley, 1943 Syncomistes Vari, 1978 Terapon Cuvier, 1816 Variichthys Allen, 1993
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