Belonoperca
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''Belonoperca'' is a
genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial nom ...
of marine
ray-finned fish Actinopterygii (; ), members of which are known as ray-finned fishes, is a class of bony fish. They comprise over 50% of living vertebrate species. The ray-finned fishes are so called because their fins are webs of skin supported by bony or h ...
, related to the
grouper Groupers are fish of any of a number of genera in the subfamily Epinephelinae of the family Serranidae, in the order Perciformes. Not all serranids are called "groupers"; the family also includes the sea basses. The common name "grouper" is ...
s and included in the subfamily
Epinephelinae Groupers are fish of any of a number of genera in the subfamily Epinephelinae of the family Serranidae, in the order Perciformes. Not all serranids are called "groupers"; the family also includes the sea basses. The common name "grouper" is ...
, part of the
family Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Idea ...
Serranidae The Serranidae are a large family of fishes belonging to the order Perciformes. The family contains about 450 species in 65 genera, including the sea basses and the groupers (subfamily Epinephelinae). Although many species are small, in some ca ...
, which also includes the anthias and sea basses. They are found in the Indo-Pacific region.


Characteristics

The species within ''Belonoperca'' are elongated, predatory fish that produce the toxin grammistin in the mucus on their skin. The two species in the genus have 9 spines in their
dorsal fin A dorsal fin is a fin located on the back of most marine and freshwater vertebrates within various taxa of the animal kingdom. Many species of animals possessing dorsal fins are not particularly closely related to each other, though through c ...
, although ''B, chabanaudi'' may have 10, and both have 10 dorsal fin rays. Other members of the tribe Diploprionini have more dorsal fin rays than the species of ''Belonoperca''. They also differ from related fishes in the arrangement of the spines and rays in the anal fin.


Species

There are only two species within the genus ''Belonoperca: * '' Belonoperca chabanaudi'' Fowler & B.A. Bean, 1930 (Arrowhead soapfish) * '' Belonoperca pylei'' Baldwin &
Smith Smith may refer to: People * Metalsmith, or simply smith, a craftsman fashioning tools or works of art out of various metals * Smith (given name) * Smith (surname), a family name originating in England, Scotland and Ireland ** List of people wi ...
, 1998
(Orangespotted soapfish)


Utilisation

The soapfishes in the genus ''Belonoperca'' are sometimes found in the aquarium trade.


References

{{Taxonbar, From = Q2341714 Diploprionini Ray-finned fish genera