Sciaenidae

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Sciaenidae (drum, meagre; subclass Actinopterygii, order Perciformes) A large family of mainly marine fish that have an elongate body, two dorsal fins, an anal fin with two spines that is much shorter than the second dorsal fin, and a lateral line that continues into the base of the tail fin. Many species have a swim-bladder which can be used to produce sound. There are about 160 species, with world-wide distribution in tropical to temperate waters.

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