Genus: Rhomboplites, Snappers, Vermilion Snapper

RHOMBOPLITES

SNAPPERS

Body an elongate oval; front and rear nostrils simple holes; mouth relatively large, top jaw moderately protrusible, slips under cheek bone for most of its length when mouth is closed; jaws with distinct canines; a rhomboid-shaped patch of teeth on center of roof of mouth; each side of roof of mouth with 2 patches of teeth; 17-22 lower gill rakers; preopercle serrated, lower margin notched; dorsal continuous, often with slight notch behind spiny part, XII (rarely XIII), 11 (rarely 10 or 12); tail deeply forked, with long pointed tips; last ray of dorsal and anal fins not elongate; body, cheek and operculum scaly; snout, below eye and both jaws scale-less; membranes of soft dorsal and anal fins scaly.

A genus with 1 W Atlantic species.