STROMATEIDAE Butterfishes By Seishi Kimura Pampus argenteus Pampus chinensis Medium sized marine fishes, maximum size about 60 cm. Body strongly deep and compressed. Snout short, blunt. Mouth small, terminal or slightly inferior, not protractile. Teeth on jaws uniserial, small and flattened with 3 minute cusps. No teeth on vomer or palatines. Gill membranes joined to breast (Pampus) or not usually connected to isthmus (Peprilus and Stromateus). Branchiostegal rays 5 or 6. Caudal peduncle short and compressed with no scutes or keels. Dorsal fin single, anal fin similar in shape to dorsal fin. Caudal fin forked or emarginate. Pectoral fins long. Pelvic fins absent in adults. Body covered with small cycloid scales. Lateral line single dorsolaterally on body. Color: body silvery white, dark brownish in some species. Similar families occurring in the area. Carangidae: Parastromateus niger, very similar in shape to Pampus, having small scutes along posterior part of lateral line; gill membrane not united to isthmus. Centrophidae: pelvic fins present; 7 branchiostegals. Nomeidae: 2 dorsal fins; pelvic fins present. Remarks. Coastal fishes, feeds mainly on zooplanktons. Three genera, Pampus (Indo-West Pacifc), Peprilus (western Atlantic and eastern Pacific), and Stromateus (Atlantic and eastern Pacific). Important food fishes.