Morish Idol - It's own family?

[TheFishTeen]

Is the Morish Idol (Zanclus Canescens) really the only member of the Zanclidae family? This is hard to believe knowing there are so many species of fish in the ocean.

 

[Toddrtrex]

Same with Premnas biaculeatus -- maroon clown fish.

 

[TheFishTeen]

Same with Premnas biaculeatus -- maroon clown fish.

Weird, considering syngnathoides biaculeatus is a completely different animal. Obviously not the same family either, just same name.

If its its own family, then why call it a clownfish???

 

[anbosu]

It looks like a clownfish, and for common names that is good enough.

 

[Fishfirst]

Maroon Clownfish are in the same family as all other clownfish (Pomacentridae), but is in its own genus Preminus not Amphiprion. Moorish Idols are in a completely seperate family from everything else. Another example of this is Engineer Gobies. Everyone is getting confused between Family and Genus. Family is further up the taxonomic totum pole.