Genus: Bellator, Searobin, Searobins

BELLATOR

SEAROBINS

A large, squarish, bony head that has many ridges and spines; narrow between eyes; mouth opens at front or slightly under snout; teeth on jaws and roof of mouth simple; two separate dorsal fins, usually XI + 11; pectoral fins short, 12 joined rays, reaching origin of anal fin, with 3 enlarged, free rays at bottom of fin that are detached from main fin; body with rough scales; upper rear flap of operculum without scales; nape not scaled.

A neotropical to subtropical genus with 8 species; represented by 2 endemics and 2 W Atlantic species in shallow water in our region.