Rachycentridae
by E. Tortonese
Body elongate, head depressed. Premaxillae not protractile. Mandible prominent. Short conical teeth on jaws, vomer, palatines and tongue. 2 dorsal fins, the first of 7-8 short, depressible and isolated spines. Caudal fin lunate in adults, oblong-rounded in young.
Habitat: pelagic, also inshore. Gregarious or solitary. Food: fishes, crabs, shrimps and squids. Reproduction: the period is presumed to differ according to the region (from April through October in Gulf of Mexico). Eggs pelagic.
Genera 1.