Under investigation in this paper is the N-coupled generalized nonlinear Schrodinger (N-CGNLS) equations with cubic-quintic nonlinearity, which describe the effects of quintic nonlinearity on the ultrashort optical pulse propagation in N fields of an optical fiber. Lax pair and Darboux transformation (DT) for such equations are, obtained. Via the modified DT, the first- and second-order vector rogue waves are analytically presented. Through the variation of the coefficient rho(1), which is relevant to the quintic nonlinearity, time-retarded induced Raman process and nonlinear dispersion, rogue-wave rotation happens, but, rho(1) has no effect on the wave peaks and cores. Two different patterns of the second-order vector rogue waves for the 3-CGNLS equations are analyzed graphically: One pattern with one peak surrounded by four tails, the other pattern including three separated equal peaks. Finally, condition for the modulation instability is given. (C) 2016 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.