A Revision of Irvine’s Marine Fishes of Tropical West Africa by ALASDAIR J. EDWARDS Tropical Coastal Management Studies, Department of Marine Sciences and Coastal Management, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, United Kingdom ANTHONY C. GILL Department of Zoology, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, United Kingdom and PARCY O. ABOHWEYERE, Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research, Wilmot Point Road, Bar-Beach, P.M.B. 12729, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................1 SHARKS AND RAYS (EUSELACHII) .......................................................................................4 Sixgill and Sevengill sharks (Hexanchidae) ......................................................................................4 Sand tiger sharks (Odontaspididae) .................................................................................................5 Mackerel sharks (Lamnidae) .........................................................................................................5 Thresher Sharks (Alopiidae) ..........................................................................................................7 Nurse sharks (Ginglymostomatidae) ...............................................................................................7 Requiem sharks (Carcharhinidae) ...................................................................................................8 Hammerhead sharks (Sphyrninae) ................................................................................................11 Smooth-hounds (Triakidae) ..........................................................................................................12 Angel sharks (Squatinidae) ..........................................................................................................13 Electric rays (Torpedinidae) .........................................................................................................14 Guitarfishes (Rhinobatidae) ..........................................................................................................15 Sawfishes (Pristidae) ...................................................................................................................18 Skates and rays (Rajidae) ............................................................................................................19 Sting rays (Dasyatididae) .............................................................................................................20 Butterfly rays (Gymnuridae) ........................................................................................................23 Eagle rays (Myliobatididae) ..........................................................................................................25 BONY FISHES (OSTEICHTHYES) ...........................................................................................25 Ladyfishes (Elopidae) ..................................................................................................................27 Tarpons (Megalopidae) ................................................................................................................28 Bonefishes (Albulidae) ................................................................................................................29 Herrings (Clupeidae) ...................................................................................................................30 Anchovies (Engraulididae) ...........................................................................................................34 Lizardfishes (Synodontidae) .........................................................................................................34 Sea catfishes (Ariidae) ................................................................................................................35 Morays (Muraenidae) ..................................................................................................................36 Shortfaced eels (Heterenchelyidae)...............................................................................................40 Conger eels (Congridae) ..............................................................................................................40 Snake eels (Ophichthidae) ...........................................................................................................41 Needlefishes (Belonidae) .............................................................................................................44 Halfbeaks (Hemiramphidae) ........................................................................................................45 Flyingfishes (Exocoetidae) ...........................................................................................................46 Cornetfishes (Fistulariidae) ..........................................................................................................48 Pipefishes and sea horses (Syngnathidae) .....................................................................................49 Squirrelfishes and soldierfishes (Holocentridae) .............................................................................50 Groupers, seabasses, hinds, creolefishes, combers, seaperches and soapfishes (Serranidae) .............51 Soapfishes (Grammistinae) ..........................................................................................................60 Bigeyes and glasseyes (Priacanthidae) .........................................................................................61 Tilefishes (Malacanthidae) ...........................................................................................................61 i Bluefishes (Pomatomidae) ...........................................................................................................62 Jacks, scads, pompanos, runners, bumpers, leerfish, etc. (Carangidae) ............................................64 Dolphinfishes (Coryphaenidae) .....................................................................................................75 Snappers (Lutjanidae) ..................................................................................................................77 Mojarras (Gerreidae) ...................................................................................................................80 Grunts (Haemulidae) ...................................................................................................................81 Croakers, drums, meagres and weakfishes (Sciaenidae) ................................................................86 Red mullets (Mullidae) .................................................................................................................93 Emperors (Lethrinidae) ................................................................................................................94 Sea breams (Sparidae) ................................................................................................................95 Picarels (Centracanthidae) ......................................................................................................... 101 Moonies (Monodactylidae) ......................................................................................................... 103 Spadefishes (Ephippidae) ........................................................................................................... 104 Sicklefishes (Drepanidae) .......................................................................................................... 106 Butterflyfishes (Chaetodontidae) ................................................................................................ 107 Damselfishes (Pomacentridae) ................................................................................................... 108 Wrasses (Labridae) ................................................................................................................... 110 Parrotfishes (Scaridae) .............................................................................................................. 113 Weeverfishes (Trachinidae) ....................................................................................................... 115 Duckbills (Percophidae) ............................................................................................................. 116 Stargazers (Uranoscopidae) ....................................................................................................... 117 Surgeonfishes (Acanthuridae) .................................................................................................... 117 Hairtails, cutlassfishes, frostfishes and scabbardfishes (Trichiuridae) ............................................ 118 Mackerels and tunas. (Scombridae) ............................................................................................ 119 Billfishes, spearfishes, marlins and sailfishes (Istiophoridae) ......................................................... 125 Swordfishes (Xiphiidae) ............................................................................................................. 111 Gobies (Gobiidae) ...................................................................................................................... 112 Labrisomids (Labrisomidae) ......................................................................................................