The Sciaenidae is reported as monophyletic family with a cosmopolitan distribution throughout the
continental shelf waters of tropical regions (Chao, 1978, 1986; Sasaki, 1989), and are easily distinguished from all
other Perciformes by having a long continuous dorsal fin, with a deep notch separating a shorter anterior spinous
portion from a longer posterior portion supported by soft rays. All sciaenids have one or two spines in the anal fin
(usually three or more in other Percoidei).