The members of the family vary greatly in form, from elongated and streamlined to very deep.... dorsal fins,

The members of the family vary greatly in form, from elongated and streamlined to very deep-bodied and thin from side to side. In general, however, they bear the following features in common: two dorsal fins, the first of which may be reduced to a few small spines; anal and second dorsal fins, usually high in front; pectoral fins slim and often sickle-shaped; tail base very slender; tail strong, either forked or crescent-shaped; scales small; lateral line (series of small sense organs along the head and sides) often partly or wholly covered with large, hard, keeled scales (scutes). Many of the carangids are small, but some grow to a large size. The first rays of the second dorsal fin extend into filaments that reach to the tail.