Odacidae | |
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A greenbone (Odax pullus) | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Perciformes |
Suborder: | Labroidei |
Family: |
Odacidae Günther, 1861 |
Genera | |
The Odacidae are a small family of fishes in the order Perciformes, commonly known as cales, and weed whitings. They are related to the much larger families of the wrasses and parrotfish.
Odacids are found in coastal waters off Southern Australia and New Zealand. They include species that feed on small invertebrates, as well as herbivorous grazers, some of which are able to feed on chemically unpleasant varieties of kelp otherwise unpalatable to fish.