Genus: Dermatolepis, Leather Basses
body deep, very compressed
forehead oblique
forehead oblique
D: XI, 18-20
grey + dark spots
DERMATOLEPIS
LEATHER BASSES
Body deep (deepest at origin of dorsal fin), strongly compressed; snout much longer than eye; forehead profile oblique, steep; rear nostrils 2-3 times larger than front nostrils; rear of top jaw exposed when mouth closed; teeth depressible; preopercle finely serrated; dorsal fin with XI, 18-20 rays, membranes only slightly notched between spines; pectorals rounded, distinctly longer than pelvics; tail fin with straight edge; body scales smooth.
This genus includes three species, one endemic to the eastern Pacific, one in the W Atlantic and one in the western Indian Ocean.
