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  • v elongate
    thin dotted stripes
    D > 60 spines + rays
    1 LL
    Diplospinus multistriatus, Striped escolar
    pelvic = tiny spine
    anus midway between snout & C
  • body depth ~1/4 SL
    preopercle: 2 spines
    pelvics > pectorals
    2 LL, lower branches off behind pectoral
    Epinnula magistralis, Domine escolar
    D & A no finlets
    D XV-XVI
    skin smooth, scales small, no tubercles, no belly keel
  • very elongate, very compressed
    D1 deep notch, XXVI-XXXII, low, long base
    D & A: 5-7 finlets behind
    tail base - no keels
    Gempylus serpens, Common snake-mackerel
    lower jaw strongly projecting
    2 LLs along back
  • body fusiform
    eye large, oval
    D1 VIII-IX, v low
    4-6 finlets after D & A
    tail base with 3 keels
    mouth opens at front
    pelvics well developed
    1 sinuous LL
  • elongate, slender, compressed
    long head; large eye
    D XX-XXI, deep notch, long base
    D & A: 2 finlets behind
    Nealotus tripes, Black snake-mackerel
    pelvic = 1 tiny spine
    A: II free spines, 1st large
    1 straight LL
  • body depth ~1/4 SL
    pelvics < pectorals
    2 LL, originate together
    skin smooth, small scales, no tubercles
    Neoepinnula americana, American sackfish
    preopercle no spines
    D XVI
    tail base no keels
  • body depth ~10% SL
    tip both jaws: conical skin knob
    D XIX-XXI+ II
    1 LL
    Nesiarchus nasutus, Black gemfish
    pelvics I, 5, < pectorals
    D & A: 2 rear finlets
    skin smooth
  • elongate, compressed
    long head; large eye
    D XVII-XVIII, deep notch, long base
    D & A 2 finlets behind
    no pelvics; A no free spines
    1 LL, bends down over pectoral
  • fusiform
    D XIII-XV (low) + 15-18
    D & A 2 rear finlets
    tail base no keels
    Ruvettus pretiosus, the Oilfish
    pelvics well developed
    skin v rough; belly - keel of bony scales
    1 LL, obscure, slight bend