Genus: Eques, Drum Croaker, Drums, Jacknifes
oblong, tapering
broad oblique bars
broad oblique bars
D: front spines long, 45-55
mouth horizontal, under snout
preopercle weakly serrated
A: II (2nd strong), 6
EQUES
DRUMS, JACKNIFES
Body oblong, deep at front, tapering to a thin tail base; snout overhangs horizontal mouth; chin with 5 pores, no barbels; <20 gill rakers; preoperculum weakly serrated; top corner of gill opening notched; dorsal fin with long base, deep notch between spiny and soft parts, spiny part very high (longer than head), more than 45 soft rays; anal fin with short base, II (2nd spine strong), 6; body with broad oblique black bars; the lateral line extends to the center of the end of the tail fin.
A tropical genus endemic to the west Atlantic; with 2 W Atlantic species, both present in the Greater Caribbean.
