Genus: Cratinus, Sea-Basses

elongate
head long, low, pointed
head long, low, pointed
D: X; middle spines longer than head

CRATINUS
SEA-BASSES
Body elongate, little compressed; head low, long, pointed; mouth large, oblique, lower jaw strongly projecting; preopercle with vertical edge serrated, lower edge smooth; 12-15 short lower gill rakers; dorsal fin with X spines, middle ones very elongated; anal fin with III spines; tail edge straight; scales small, very rough.
This subtropical to warm temperate genus has a single species, which is endemic to the eastern Pacific and enters the southern fringe of our region.