Genus: Diplectrum, Sandperches, Sea-Basses

DIPLECTRUM

SANDPERCHES, SEA-BASSES

Body elongate, moderately compressed; rear of top jaw exposed when mouth closed; teeth fixed, not movable; lower corner of preopercle with bony spur supporting 1-2 groups of large spines; dorsal fairly low, X, 11-13; anal III, 6-8;  tail concave to forked; pelvics inserted under or a little before pectorals; lateral line complete; scales moderately small, rough; snout and between eyes scaleless.

A neotropical genus of 12 species; 9 endemics found in our area.