(Family):Dorsal fin separated distinctly into spinous and soft portions. Pelvic fin thoracic. Dorsal fin spine long, the longest one subequal to longest ray. No fleshy keel on caudal peduncle. (Genus):Body low, depth less than 35% of length. Cephalic scaled area exceeding anterior margin of eye, reaching rostral region. (Species):Vomerine teeth molariform, band broad. Anal fin with 2 spines. Soft dorsal rays 15〜17 (Butler, 1979). A slender mucus canal runs from temporal region to caudal peduncle. Lateral line following dorsal profile. A bony keel on ventral midline from pelvic fin to isthmus (embedded in dermis, detectable by touch).
Distribution:
Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Oceans.
Remarks:
Identification followed Butler (1979). Fin formulae and bony keel on ventral midline are diagnostic for the species. (Shimizu)