ABSTRACT
Six families of this morphologically diverse order of fishes are found in the western central North Atlantic (Anomalopidae, Anoplogasteridae, Berycidae, Diretmidae, Holocentridae, and Trachichthyidae) comprising 24 species in 15 genera. The remaining family Monocentridae does not occur in the Atlantic. Most genera have one or two species and they are listed in Table Beryciformes 1 with their meristics. Larvae resemble perciform larvae with prominent head and fin spines so great care is needed to insure correct identification. Berciforms have more than 6 pelvic fin elements whereas perciforms have 6 or fewer. Larvae are known for each family, several genera and some species. Details are given in the individual family chapters. Larvae are encountered in mixed surface layer samples throughout our area whereas most adults inhabit the full vertical extent of the oceans: epipelagic to bathybenthic. Adults of the species of the Family Holocentridae are associated with coral reefs and most often only encountered at night as they are nocturnal.
