Genus: Cryptotomus, Bluelip Parrotfish, Parrotfishes

CRYPTOTOMUS

PARROTFISHES

Body elongate (depth 22-25% of SL), cigar-shaped; snout pointed; no cirrus at front nostril; teeth not fused into a beak, free, with flattened pointed tips; without canines on side of rear of top jaw; large crushing plates of molar teeth form “pharyngeal mill” in throat; gill membranes with free fold of skin at midline under throat; gill rakers 10-11; dorsal fin IX, 10, no notch between spines and rays; anal fin III, 9; scales large, smooth; 4 scales on top of nape before dorsal fin; lateral line in 2 sections.

The genus contains a single W and central Atlantic species.