Genus: Thalassoma, Wrasses
elongate, fusiform
D VIII
front canines only
LL abruptly bent, 25-27
THALASSOMA
WRASSES
Elongate, fusiform, compressed body; mouth protrusible, opens at front, thick lips; rear of top jawbone not visible on cheek; toothed grinding plates in throat; 1 pair canines at front of top jaw, 1-2 pairs on bottom, none at rear of jaws; preopercle edge smooth; gill membranes fused under throat; dorsal fin with VIII spines, not obviously notched between spiny and soft parts; anal fin III, 11; lateral line unbroken, but bends abruptly down near end of soft dorsal fin; scales large (25-27 on lateral line), smooth.
A circumtropical genus contains 28 species; with 1 endemic in our region.
