Centrolophus Lacepède, 1803
Large fishes with an elongate body, rather firm, compressed and with a long, compressed caudal peduncle. Mouth large. Small conical teeth in a single series in the jaws; no teeth on the roof of the mouth, basibranchials or tongue. A single long dorsal fin originating slightly behind the end of the pectoral fin base, with 4 or 5 weak spines graduating in length to the longer rays; anal fin much shorter than dorsal, originating at about midbody and with 3 weak spines; pectoral fins short, usually somewhat rounded and never produced; small pelvic fins originating under pectoral fin base. Scales very small, cycloid and easily shed, extending onto fleshy bases of the median fins. Lateral line slightly arched anteriorly, straightening out about midbody and extending onto caudal peduncle; top of head and snout naked. Skin thick, with usually prominent pores. Colour light to dark uniform brown.
An antitropical genus with two species, one in the North Atlantic and western Mediterranean and another very similar one in the Southern Ocean.
See family for biology.
Species 2; in Clofnam area 1.
Recent revision: Haedrich (1967).
Species of this genus in the program:
Centrolophus niger