Genus: Alphestes, Hamlets, Mutton Hamlet Grouper
head deep, profile straight
snout < eye
snout < eye
D XI, 17-19
C rounded
teeth depressible
preoperculum: strong hidden spine points forwards
ALPHESTES
HAMLETS
Head and body deep, strongly compressed; large eyes; snout short, < eye; front head profile straight; rear of top jaw exposed when mouth closed; roof of mouth with small teeth; 3-5 rows of small depressible teeth on each jaw, a pair of small canines at front of both jaws; preopercle serrated, with large forward-curving spine at lower front corner; dorsal with XI spines, 17-19 rays, with little or no notch between spiny and soft parts; tail rounded; flank scales smooth; camouflage color pattern.
A neotropical genus, with two species in the eastern Pacific, and one in the west Atlantic, which occurs in the Greater Caribbean.
