The family has 17 genera and 150 species. Prevalent in tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific. Most of them - marine fish, but about 30 species often come into the brackish waters of bays and estuaries. One kind even lives in fresh water.

Typical habitats for grumblers are coral reefs and seagrass beds in coastal waters. Adult fish are crepuscular and nocturnal, and juveniles are often active during the day. They eat mainly benthic invertebrates: molluscs, crustaceans and worms.

Most members of the family is not very large - about 30 centimeters in length, and most small - only 15. However, some species grow 1 meter. Typical body has massive head with a small mouth and a rather large eyes. The dorsal fin is divided rounded notch at the barbed and soft parts. The name "sea grumblers" these fish have, because many species are capable of a loud "grunting" sounds at the expense of the swim bladder, compressed the surrounding muscles.

In the painting is dominated by yellow, silver-gray and brown tones. Monochromatic-colored species are rare, some grumblers on the body is present patchy picture, but the most typical color for the members of this family is a drawing of the longitudinal strips.

Large species are have important commercial value, and small - are quite popular with aquarists. Often, in aquariums containing juveniles as adults are require a very large spacious aquarium for smaller species at least 400 liters, and large - from 1000 lt. Fry is popular thanks to a brighter color. Striped or spotted pattern is often lost in adults. In good conditions, live long. Feed on mollusks and crustaceans, both fresh and frozen.