(Family):Mouth large, upper jaw protractile. A single, large, strong canine on anterior premaxillary. Eyes large. Two dorsal fins not clearly separated; the first with 12 spines, the last spine shortest; the second with 14 soft rays, lacking a spine. Anal fin with 3 spines and 17〜18 soft rays, the 1st spine minute. Dorsal and anal fins without fin-lets. Pectoral fin long, its length equal to head length. Pelvic fin with a spine and 5 soft rays. Body scales small cycloid, irregular in size and shape, very deciduous. Lateral line high, running along base of dorsal fin, not extending caudal peduncle. Lateral line scales not deciduous, but never tube-shaped. Preopercle serrated on lower margin. Vomer and palatine without teeth. Vertebrae 30. (Genus and Species):One genus and species, Scombrolabrax heterolepis.
Distribution:
Tropical or subtropical waters of Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans. Type locality─Madeira.
Remarks:
Some authers put the present species in the family Gempylidae. (Fujii)