rudderfish or sea chub, common name for members of the family Kyphosidae, small-mouthed fishes of warm seas throughout the world. Rudderfishes commonly follow vessels (whence their name), scavenging on refuse. Best known is the Bermuda chub, averaging 3 to 4 lb (1.3–1.8 kg), common off the Florida coasts. Rudderfishes are classified in the phylum Chordata, subphylum Vertebrata, class Actinopterygii, order Perciformes, family Kyphosidae.
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