The porgies are an important family of tropical and subtropical fishes of modest size, probably best know for their dental work.
Most porgies feed on shelled animals, including some that have pretty stout armour.
Success for the porgy is a result of heavy, strong teeth, especially those to the side and rear of the jaw. There, molars are arranged in several rows to give the porgies a powerful crushing and grinding apparatus. But all these have the molar teeth. Most porgies inhabit offshore reefs or flats, and rarely seen, but some porgies are common acquaintances with coastal residents. The two best known around the Gulf are the pinfish and sheepshead.