Troutperches and Relatives: Percopsiformes

Troutperches and their relatives are less than 8 inches (20 centimeters) long and have an adipose (ADD-uh-pohs) fin, a short fin between the dorsal (DOOR-suhl) fin and the tail fin. The dorsal fin is the fin along the midline of the back. If pelvic fins are present, they are located on the belly and farther back from the head than they are on other fishes. Pelvic fins, the rear pair, correspond to the rear legs of four-footed animals. The body is covered with smooth or rough scales.