Genus: Malacanthus, Sand Tilefish, Tilefishes
very elongate
no nape ridge
no nape ridge
D 54-60
preoperculum smooth
operculum: sharp spine
MALACANTHUS
TILEFISHES
Body very elongate (depth 13-19% of SL), slightly compressed; head slender, profile rounded; no ridge along midline of head before dorsal fin; preopercle smooth; a large, sharp spine at angle of operculum; dorsal fin IV-V, 54-60; anal fin I, 37-55; scales rough on body, smooth on head.
A circumtropical genus, except for eastern Atlantic, with 3 species; 1 W Atlantic species occurs in the Greater Caribbean.
