Labrisomidae

noun

Distribution: Atlantic and Pacific. Mainly tropical. Cycloid scales, never small and imbedded; only the anterior edge has radii. Few species scaleless (5 in Stathmonotus, 1 in Neoclinus). Nape, nostril, and above eye often with cirri. Dorsal fin with more spines than soft-rays; some species with only a spinous dorsal fin. Viviparity occurs in the genera Xenomeda and Starksia. Male intromittent organ present only in Starksia. Feed on small benthic invertebrates.

The family Labrisomidae belongs to the Class Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) and the Order Perciformes. It contains 16 genera and 102 species. It may be found in Marine environments and is primarily Marine. Some members of this family are used in the aquarium trade. Reproductively, most members of this family are bearers. The main mode of swimming of adult fish in this family is labriform. Etymology of this family name: Greek, labros = furious, avid, eager + Greek, soma = body