Fish Families (179) – Alphabetical Index 

There are two sections – the first is alphabetical by Common Family Name and the second is alphabetized by Scientific Family Name.

FISH FAMILIES SORTED BY COMMON NAME:
Anchovy Family – Engraulidae (12)
Angelfish Family – Pomacanthidae (6)
Argentine Family – Argentindae (1), see Pacific Argentine
Barracuda Family – Sphyraenidae (7)
Bass, Sea, Family – Polyproionidae (1), see Giant Sea Bass
Bass (Sea) Family – Serranidae (35)
Batfish Family – Ogocephalidae (3)
Bigeye Family – Pricanthidae (7)
Bigscale and Ridgehead Family – Melamphaidae (1), see Crested Bigscale
Billfish Family – Istiophoridae (5)
Blenny, Combtooth, Family – Blenniidae (11)
Blenny, Kelp, Family – Clinidae (4)
Blenny, Labrisomid, Family – Labrisomidae (23)
Blenny, Tube, Family – Chaenopsidae (13)
Bluefish Family – Pomatomidae (1), see Bluefish
Boarfish Family – Caproidae (1), see Deepbody Boarfish
Bonefish Family – Albulidae (4)
Boxfish Family – Ostraciidae (6)
Bristlemouth Family – Gonostomatidae (1), see Pacific Portholefish
Butterfish Family – Stromateidae (4)
Butterflyfish Family – Chaetodontidae (6 )
Cabezon Family – Scorpaenichthyidae (1), see Cabezon
Cardinalfish Family – Apogonidae (7)
Carp and True Minnow Family – Cyprinidae (31)
Catfish, North American Family – Ictaluridae (5)
Catfish, Sea, Family – Ariidae (8)
Catfish,  Seven-finned, Family – Heptapteridae (2), see Pale Catfish & South American Catfish
Catfish, Suckermouth Armored, Family – Loricariidae (2), see Amazon & Vermiculated Sailfin Catfish
Chub, Sea, Family – Kyphosidae (8)
Cichlid Family – Cichlidae (20)
Clingfish Family – Gobiesocidae (11)
Cobia Family – Rachycentridae (1), see Cobia
Codlet Family – Bregmacerotidae (1), see East Pacific Codlet
Codling Family – Moridae (1), see Blue Antimora
Combfish Family – Zaniolepididae (3)
Cornetfish Family – Fistularidae (2)
Croaker Family – Scianidae (58)
Cutlassfish Family – Trichluridae (4)
Damselfish Family – Pomacentridae (25)
Darter and Perches Family – Percidae (2) – see Bigscale Logperch & Rio Grande Darter
Dolphinfish Family – Corphaenidae (2)
Dragonet Family – Callionymidae (1), see Blackliped Dragonet
Eel, Conger Family – Congridae (5)
Eel, Cusk, Family – Ophidiidae (9)
Eel, Duckbill, Family – Nettastomatidae (1), see Dogface Witch Eel
Eel, False Moray, Family – Chlopsidae (2), see Mexican False & Stripesnout False Moray
Eel, Freshwater, Family – Anguillidae (1), see American Eel
Eel, Moray Family – Muraenidae (25)
Eel, Pike Conger, Family – Muraenesocidae (1), see Conehead Eel
Eel, Snake, Family – Ophichthidae (11)
Eel, Spaghetti, Family – Mornguidae (1), see Smalleye Spaghetti Eel
Eel, Swamp, Family – Synbrachidae (1) , see Obscure Swamp Eel
Eel, Viviparous Brotula, Family – Bythitidae (1), see Red Brotula
Eelpout Family – Zoarcidae (1), Blackbelly Eelpout
Filefish Family – Moncanthidae (7)
Flagfin Family – Aulopidae (1), see Eastern Pacific Flagfin
Flagtail Family – Kuhliidae (1), see Barred Flagtail
Flashlightfish Family – Anomalopidae (1), see Panamic Flashlightfish
Flounder, Lefteye, Family – Bothidae (5)
Flounder, Righteye, Family – Pleuronectidae (9)
Flounder, Sand, Family – Paralichthyidae (24)
Flyingfish Family – Exocoetidae (9)
Frogfish Family – Antennaridae (3)
Gar Family – Lepisoteidae (3)
Goatfish Family – Mullidae (4)
Goby Family – Gobiidae (31)
Goosefish Family – Lophiidae (2)
Greenling Family – Hexagrammidae (2)
Grouper Family – Epinephelidae (33)
Grunt Family – Haemulidae (39)
Guitarfish Family – Rhinobatidae (8)
Gunnel Family – Pholidae (1), see Rockweed Gunnel
Gurnard, Flying, Family – Dactylopteridae (1), see Flying Gurnard
Hagfish Family – Myxinidae (1), see Pacific Hagfish
Hake, Phycid, Family – Phycidae (1), see Spotted Hake
Hakefish, Merlucciid, Family – Merlucciidae (1), see Pacific Hake
Halfbeak Family – Hemiramphidae (8)
Hatchetfish Family – Sternoptychidae (3)
Hawkfish Family – Cirrhitidae (2)
Herring Family – Clupeidae (17)
Herring, Longfin, Family – Pristigasteridae (1), see Yellowfin Herring
Jack Family – Carangidae (50)
Jawfish Family – Opistognathidae (9)
Lanternfish Family – Myctophidae (4)
Leather Bass Family – Dermatolepis (1), see Marbled Grouper
Lightfish Family – Phosichthyidae (1), see Panama Lightfish
Livebearers Family – Poeciliidae (17)
Lizardfish Family – Synodontidae (8)
Louvar Family – Luvaridae (1), see  Louvar
Mackerel Family – Scombridae (24)
Mackerel, Snake, Family – Gempylidae (2), see Oilfish Snake Mackerel
Medusafish Family – Centrolophidae (1), see Medusafish
Milkfish Family – Chanidae (1), see Milkfish
Mojarra Family – Gerreidae (18)
Mola Family – Molidae (1), see Ocean Sunfish
Moorish Idol Family – Zanclidae (1), see Moorish Idol
Mullet Family – Mugilidae (5)
Needlefish Family – Belonidae (10)
Parrotfish Family – Scaridae (16)
Pencilsmelt Family – Microstomatidae (1), see California Smoothtongue
Pipefish and Seahorse Family – Syngnathidae (3), see Barred Pipefish, Pacific Seahorse Fringed Pipefish
Pomfret Family – Bramidae (1), see Sickle Pomfret
Porcupinefish Family – Diodontidae (4)
Porgy Family – Sparidae (14)
Prickleback Family – Stichaeidae (2), see Black Prickleback & Monkeyface Prickleback
Puffer Family – Tetradontidae (13)
Pupfish Family – Cyprinodontidae (4)
Ray, Butterfly, Family – Gymnuridae (1), see California Butterfly Ray
Ray, Cownose, Family – Rhinopteridae (2), see Cownose Ray & Golden Cownose Ray
Ray, Devil and Manta, Family – Mobulidae (3)
Ray, Eagle, Family – Myliobatidae (2)
Ray, Eagle, Pelagic, Family – Aetobatidae (1), see Spotted Eagle Ray
Ray, Electric, Family – Narcinidae (3)
Ray, Torpedo Electric, Family – Torpedinidae (1) – see Pacific Electric Ray
Remora Family – Echeneidae (6)
Ribbonfish Family – Trachipteridae (1), see King-of-the-Salmon
Rockfish and Scorpionfish Family – Scorpaenidae (62)
Roosterfish Family – Nematistiidae (1), see Roosterfish
Ronquil Family – Bathymasteridae (1), see Bluebanded Ronquil 
Sablefish Family – Anopolopomatidae (1), see Sablefish
Sand Flounder Family – Paralichthyidae (22)
Sand Lance Family – Ammodytidae (1), see Panamic Sand Lance
Sand Stargazer Family – Dactyloscopidae (2)
Sculpin Family – Cottidae (11)
Searobin Family – Triglidae (10)
Shark, Bramble, Family – Echinorhinidae (1), see Prickly Shark
Shark, Bullhead, Family – Heterodontidae (2), see Horn Shark & Mexican Horn Shark
Shark, Cat, Family – Scyliorhinidae (1), see Swell Shark
Shark, Cow, Family – Hexanchidae (2), see Bluntnose Sixgill & Broadnose Sevengill Shark
Shark, Dogfish, Family – Squalidae (1), see Pacific Spiny Dogfish
Shark, Ghost, Family – Chimaeridae (2), see EP Black Ghostshark & Spotted Ratfish
Shark, Hammerhead, Family – Sphyrnidae (3)
Shark, Hound, Family – Triakidae (8)
Shark, Mackerel, Family – Lamnidae (2), see Great White Shark & Shortfin Mako
Shark, Megamouth, Family – Megachasmidae (1), see Megamouth Shark
Shark, Nurse, Family – Ginglymostomatidae (2), see Pacific Nurse Shark & Nurse Shark
Shark, Requiem, Family – Carcharhinidae (21)
Shark, Thresher, Family – Alopiidae (1), see Common Thresher & Pelagic Thresher
Shark, Whale, Family – Rhincodontidae (1), see Whale Shark
Silversides, New World Family – Atherinopsidae (10)
Silversides, Old World Family – Atherinidae (1), see Hardhead Silverside
Skate Family – Rajidae (6)
Sleeper Family – Eleotridae (6)
Smelt, Deepsea, Family – Bathylagidae (1), see Snubnose Blacksmelt
Snailfish Family – Liparidae (1), see Blacktail Snailfish
Snapper Family – Lutianidae (23)
Snipefish Family – Macroramphoisidae (2), see Longspine & Slender Snipefish
Snook Family – Centropomidae (7)
Sole, American Family – Achiridae (3) – see Lined Sole, Pacific Lined Sole & Network Sole
Spadefish Family – Ephippidae (2), see Atlantic Spadefish & Pacific Spadefish
Splitfin Family – Goodeidae (9) 
Squirrelfish Family – Holocentridae (9)
Stargazer Family – Uranoscopidae (2)
Stickleback Family – Gasterosteidae (1), see Threespine Stickleback
Stingray Family – Potamotrygonidae (1), see Chupare Stingray
Stingray, American Round, Family – Urotrygonidae (8)
Stingray, Whiptail, Family – Dasyatidae (5)
Sturgeon Family – Acipenseridae (1), see White Sturgeon
Sucker Family – Catostomidae (8)
Sunfish Family – Centrarchidae (11)
Surfperch Family – Embiotocidae (17)
Surgeonfish Family – Acanthuridae (7)
Sweeper Family – Pempheridae (1) – see Glassy Sweeper
Swordfish Family – Xiphiidae (1) – see Swordfish
Tarpon Family – Megalopidae (1), see Tarpon
Tenpounder Family – Elopidae (2), see Ladyfish & Machete
Tetras Family – Characidae (3)
Thornback Family – Platyrhynidae (1), see Thornback
Threadfin Family – Polynemidae (3)
Tilefish Family – Malacanthidae (6)
Toadfish Family – Batrachoidadae (6)
Tonguefish Family – Cynoglossidae (3)
Topminnow Family – Fundulidae (4), see California Killifish
Gulf Killifish, Longjaw Killifish & Plains Killifish
Triggerfish Family – Balistidae (11)
Triplefin Family – Tripterygiidae (5)
Tripletail Family – Lobotidae (2), see Atlantic Tripletail & Pacific Tripletail
Trouts and Salmon Family – Salmonidae (4)
Trumpetfish Family – Aulostomidae (1), see Chinese Trumpetfish
Wrasse Family – Labridae (32)

FISH FAMILIES SORTED BY SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Acanthuridae – Surgeonfish Family (7)
Achiridae – American Sole Family (3) – see Lined Sole, Pacific Lined Sole & Network Sole
Acipenseridae – Sturgeon Family (1), see White Sturgeon
Aetobatidae – Pelagic Eagle Ray Family (1), see Spotted Eagle Ray
Albulidae – Bonefish Family (4)
Alopiidae or Thresher Shark Family (1) – see Common Thresher & Pelagic Thresher
Ammodytidae or Sand Lance Family (1), see Panamic Sand Lance
Anguillidae or Freshwater Eel Family (1), see American Eel
Anomalopidae or Flashlightfish Family (1), see Panamic Flashlightfish
Anopolopomatidae or Sablefish Family (1), see Sablefish
Antennariidae – Frogfish Family (3)
Apogonidae – Cardinalfish Family (7)
Ariidae – Sea Catfish Family (8)
Argentindae or Argentine Family (1), see Pacific Argentine
Atherinidae or Old World Silverside Family (1), see Hardhead Silverside
Atherinopsidae – New World Silversides Family (10)
Aulopidae or Flagfin Family (1), see Eastern Pacific Flagfin 
Aulostomidae or Trumpetfish Family (1), see Chinese Trumpetfish
Balistidae – Triggerfish Family (11)
Bathylagidae or Deep-sea Smelt Family (1), see Snubnose Blacksmelt
Bathymasteridae or Ronquil Family (1), see Bluebanded Ronquil
Batrachoidadae – Toadfish Family (6)
Belonidae – Needlefish Family (10)
Blenniidae – Combtooth Blenny Family (11)
Bothidae – Lefteye Flounder Family (5)
Bramidae or Pomfret Family (1), see Sickle Pomfret
Bregmacerotidae or Codlet Family (1), see East Pacific Codlet
Bythitidae or Viviparous Brotula Family (1), see Red Brotula
Callionymidae or Dragonet Family (1), see Blackliped Dragonet
Caproidae or Boarfish Family (1), see Deepbody Boarfish
Carangidae – Jack Family (50)
Carcharhinidae – Requiem Shark Family (21)
Castostomidae or Sucker Family (8)
Centrarchidae or Sunfish Family (11)
Centrolophidae or Medusafish Family (1), see Medusafish
Centropomidae – Snook Family (7)
Chaenopsidae – Tube Blenny Family (13)
Chaetodontidae – Butterflyfish Family (6)
Chanidae or Milkfish Family (1), see Milkfish
Characidae – Tetras Family (3)
Chimaeridae or Ghostshark Family, see EP Black Ghostshark & Spotted Ratfish
Chlopsidae or False Moray Family (2), see Mexican False & Stripesnout False Moray
Cichlidae – Cichlid Family (20)
Cirrhitidae – Hawkfish Family (2)
Clinidae or Kelp Blenny Family (4)
Clupeidae – Herring Family (17)
Congridae – Conger Eel Family (5)
Corphaenidae – Dolphinfish Family (2)
Cottidae – Sculpin Family (11)
Cynoglossidae – Tonguefish Family (3)
Cyprinidae – Carp and True Minnow Family (31)
Cyprinodontidae – Pupfish Family (4)
Dactylopteridae or Flying Gurnard Family (1), see Flying Gurnard
Dactyloscopidae – Sand Stargazer Family (2)
Dasyatidae – Whiptail Stringray Family (5)
Dermatolepis or Leather Bass Family (1), see Marbled Grouper
Diodontidae – Porcupinefish Family (4)
Echeneidae – Remora Family (6)
Echinorhinidae or Bramble Shark Family (1), see Prickly Shark
Eleotridae – Sleeper Family (6)
Elopidae or Tenpounder Family (2), see Ladyfish & Machete
Embiotocidae – Surfperch Family (17)
Engraulidae – Anchovy Family (12)
Ephippidae or Spadefish Family (2), see Atlantic Spadefish & Pacific Spadefish
Epinephelidae – Grouper Family (33)
Exocoetidae – Flyingfish Family (9)
Fistulariidae – Cornetfish Family (2)
Fundulidae or Topminnow Family (4), see California Killifish, Gulf Killifish, 
Longnose Killifish & Plains Killifish
Gasterosteidae or Stickleback Family (1), see Threespine Stickleback
Gempylidae – Snake Mackerel Family (2), see Oilfish & Snake Mackerel
Gerreidae – Mojarra Family (18)
Ginglymostomatidae – Nurse Shark Family (2), see Pacific Nurse Shark & Nurse Shark
Gobiesocidae – Clingfish Family (11)
Gobiidae – Goby Family (31)
Gonostomatidae or Bristlemouth Family (1), see Pacific Portholefish
Goodeidae – Splitfin Family (9)
Gymnuridae or Butterfly Ray Family (1), see California Butterfly Ray
Haemulidae – Grunt Family (39)
Hemiramphidae – Halfbeak Family (8)
Heptapteridae or Seven-finned Catfish (2), see Pale Catfish & South American Catfish
Heterodonitdae or Bullhead Shark Family (2), see Horn Shark & Mexican Horn Shark
Hexagrammidae – Greenling Family (1)
Hexanchidae or Cow Shark Family (1), see Bluntnose Sixgill & Broadnose Sevengill Shark
Holocentridae – Squirrelfish Family (9)
Ictaluridae – North American Catfish Family (5)
Istiophoridae – Billfish Family (5)
Kyphosidae – Sea Chub Family (8)
Kuhliidae or Flagtail Family (1), see Barred Flagtail
Labridae – Wrasse Family (32)
Labrisomidae – Labrisomid Blenny Family (23)
Lepisoteidae – Gar Family (3)
Liparidae  or Snailfish Family (1), see Blacktail Snailfish
Lobotidae or Tripletail Family (2), see Atlantic Tripletail & Pacific Tripletail
Lophiidae – Goosefish Family (2)
Loricariidae or Suckermouth Armored Catfish Family (2), see Amazon Sailfin Catfish & Vermiculated Sailfin Catfish
Lutianidae – Snapper Family (23)
Luvaridae or Louvar Family (1), see Louvar
Macroramphoisidae or Snipefish Family (2), see Longspine & Slender Snipefish
Malacanthidae – Tilefish Family (6)
Megachasmidae or Megamouth Shark Family (1), see Megamouth Shark
Megalopidae or Tarpon Family (1), see Tarpon
Melamphaidae or Bigscale and Ridgehead Family (1), see Crested Bigscale
Merlucciidae or Merlucciid Hake Family (1), see Pacific Hake
Microstomatidae or Pencilsmelt Family (1), see California Smoothtongue
Mobulidae or Devil and Manta Ray Family (3) 
Molidae or Mola Family (1), see Ocean Sunfish
Monacanthidae – Filefish Family (7)
Moridae or Codling Family (1), see Blue Antimora
Mornguidae or Spaghetti Eel Family (1), see Smalleye Spaghetti Eel
Mugilidae – Mullet Family (5)
Muraenidae – Moray Eel Family (25)
Mullidae – Goatfish Family (4)
Muraenesocidae or Pike Conger Family (1), see Conehead Eel
Myctophidae – Lanternfish Family (4)
Myliobatidae – Eagle Ray Family (3)
Myxinidae or Hagfish Family (1), see Pacific Hagfish
Narcinidae – Electric Ray Family (3)
Nematistiidae or Roosterfish Family (1),  see Roosterfish
Nettastomatidae or Duckbill Eel Family (1), see Dogface Witch Eel
Odontaspididae or Sand Shark Family (1), see Sand Tiger
Ogocephalidae – Batfish Family (3)
Ophichthidae – Snake Eel Family (11)
Ophidiidae – Cusk-eel Family (9)
Opistognathidae – Jawfish Family (9)
Ostraciidae – Boxfish Family (6)
Paralichthyidae – Sand Flounder Family (24)
Pempheridae or Sweeper Family  (1) – see Glassy Sweeper
Percidae or Darter and Perches Family (2) – see Bigscale Logperch & Rio Grande Darter
Pholidae or Gunnel Family (1) – see Rockweed Gunnel
Phosichthyidae or Lightfish Family (1), see Panama Lightfish
Phycidae or Phycid Hake Family (1), see Spotted Hake
Platyrhynidae or Thornback Family (1), see Thornback
Pleuronectidae – Righteye Flounder Family (9)
Poeciliidae – Livebearer Family (17)
Polynemidae – Threadfin Family (3)
Polyproionidae or Sea Bass Family (1), see Giant Sea Bass
Pomacentridae – Damselfish Family (25)
Pomatomidae – Angelfish Family (6)
Pomatomidae or Bluefish Family (1), see Bluefish
Potamotrygonidae or Stingray Family (1), see Chupare Stingray
Pricanthidae – Bigeye Family (7)
Pristigasteridae or Longfin Herring Family (1),  see Yellowfin Herring
Rachycentridae or Cobia Family (1), see Cobia
Rajidae – Skate Family (6)
Rhincodontidae or Whale Shark Family (1), see Whale Shark
Rhinobatidae – Guitarfish Family (8)
Rhinopteridae – Cownose Ray Family (2) – see Cownose Ray & Golden Cownose Ray
Salmonidae – Trouts and Salmon Family (4)
Scaridae – Parrotfish Family (16)
Scianidae – Croaker Family (58)
Scombridae – Mackerel Family (24)
Scorpaenidae – Rockfish and Scorpionfish Family (62)
Scorpaenichthyidae or Cabezon Family (1),  see Cabezon
Scyliorhinidae or Cat Shark Family (1),  see Swell Shark
Serranidae – Bass (Sea) Family (35)
Sparidae – Porgy Family (14)
Sphyraenidae – Barracuda Family (7)
Sphyrnidae – Hammerhead Shark Family (3)
Squalidae or Dogfish Shark Family (1), see Pacific Spiny Dogfish
Squatinidae or Angel Shark Family (1), see Pacific Angel Shark
Sternoptychidae – Hatchetfish Family (3)
Stichaeidae or Prickleback Family (2), see Black Prickleback & Monkeyface Prickleback
Stromateidae – Butterfish Family (4)
Synbrachidae or Swamp Eel Family (1), see Obscure Swamp Eel
Syngnathidae or Pipefish and Seahorse Family (3), see Barred Pipefish, Pacific Seahorse & Fringed Pipefish
Synodontidae – Lizardfish Family (8)
Tetradontidae – Puffer Family (13)
Torpedinidae or Torpedo Electric Ray Family (1) – see Pacific Electric Ray
Trachipteridae or Ribbonfish Family (1), see King-of-the-Salmon
Triakidae – Hound Shark Family (8)
Trichluridae – Cutlassfish Family (4)
Triglidae – Searobin Family (10)
Tripterygiidae – Triplefin Family (5)
Uranoscopidae -Stargazer Family (2)
Urotrygonidae – American Round Stingray Family (8)
Xiphiidae – Swordfish Family (1) – see Swordfish
Zanclidae or Moorish Idol Family (1), see Moorish Idol
Zaniolepididae or Combfish Family (3)
Zoarcidae or Eelpout Family (1), see Blackbelly Eelpout