Species: Pristipomoides macrophthalmus, Cardinal Snapper

Pristipomoides macrophthalmus (Müller & Troschel, 1848)

Cardinal Snapper

Body a moderately deep elongate oval (depth at origin of dorsal fin 32-39% of SL), fusiform; flattened between eyes; mouth relatively large, top jaw moderately protrusible, slips under cheek bone for most of its length when mouth is closed; one or more rows of pointed conical teeth on jaws, with enlarged canines at front; teeth on front and sides of roof of mouth numerous, small and slender; center of roof of mouth with V shaped tooth patch; gill rakers 6-8+13-17; dorsal fin continuous, not notched between spiny and soft parts, X, 11; anal fin III, 8; last ray of dorsal and anal fins conspicuously longer than preceding rays, usually produced in a filament; pectorals long, about 2/3 head length, 15-17 rays; tail fin forked; scales medium-sized to small; body, cheek and operculum scaly; snout, below eye and both jaws scale-less; dorsal and anal fins scaleless; lateral line scales 54-57.

Pink, paler below; dorsal fin with yellow border; caudal fin with red rear edge.

Reaches 50 cm.

Nearbottom on soft and semi-hard bottoms.

Depth range: 100-611 m.

Bermuda to E Venzuela, also in Brazil.