本属魚類の著しい特徴は非常に細長い体である。本属魚類は4種報告されている。S. maculatus, S. chilensisの鼻弁は三角形を呈し(図b),S. biviusでは黒色小点が鞍状斑紋をふちどらない(Springer, 1979)。 (上野・佐々木)
Distinctive characters:
Body behind pelvic fin exceedingly elongate, so that preanal length only 1/3 of TL. First dorsal orignated above the rear end of pelvic base. Second dorsal similar to first dorsal in shape and slightly larger. No enlarged denticle along upper margin of caudal fin. Anal fin low, its base length longer than those of first and second dorsals. A small spiracle immediately behind eye. Nasal flap rather long and across nasal aperture, its tip simply rounded and never acutely pointed or bilobed (Fig. a). Labial folds distinct, continuous around the corner of mouth. Teeth similar on jaws, 3〜5 cusped, and central cusps larger.
Distribution:
Off the coasts of Suriname and Brazil.
Remarks:
The present genus characterized by elongate body and contains 4 species. S. maculatus and S. chilensis with triangular nasal flaps (Fig. b) and S. bivius with spots irregularly scattered not bordering saddles (Springer, 1979). (Uyeno and Sasaki)