Microcanthidae

Tea, Yi-Kai & Gill, Anthony C., 2020, Systematic reappraisal of the anti-equatorial fish genus Microcanthus Swainson (Teleostei: Microcanthidae), with redescription and resurrection of Microcanthus joyceae Whitley, Zootaxa 4802 (1), pp. 41-60 : 48

Key to the genera of Microcanthidae

1 Dorsal-fin rays X, 20–21; anal-fin rays III,17–19; body with vertical or oblique bars................................ 2

- Dorsal-fin rays XI,15–18; anal-fin rays III,13–16; body with horizontal or near-horizontal stripes...................... 3

2 Body circular in lateral view; dorsal- and anal-fin rays subequal in length; scales ctenoid; body pale in preservation (white to cream in life) with five dark vertical bars (black in life); profile of head concave; caudal peduncle ringed with a dark vertical bar (black in life); caudal fin slightly forked........................................................... Tilodon

- Body ovate in lateral view; anterior dorsal- and anal-fin rays longer, outline of fish rhomboidal when fins extended; scales cycloid; body pale in preservation (white to silver in life) with five tan oblique bars (brown to yellowish in life); profile of head slightly rounded to almost straight; caudal peduncle not ringed with dark bar; caudal fin forked................. Neatypus

3 Anal-fin rays III,15–16; body ovate in lateral view; anal-fin spines pungent, the second not blade-like; body pale in preservation (silver in life) with 5–6 tan horizontal stripes (brown in life); profile of head gently sloping; caudal fin strongly forked................................................................................................. Atypichthys

- Anal-fin rays III,13–15; body circular in lateral view; anal-fin spines pungent and bony, the second blade-like; body pale in preservation (cream to bright yellow in life) with five near-horizontal dark stripes (black in life); profile of head steep, slightly concave; caudal fin emarginate................................................................ Microcanthus