Lactariidae: False trevallies, milk trevallies

Abstract

Body oblong, strongly compressed. Head large; subequal to height of body, contained 2.8 to 3.2 times in standard length; snout 3.8 to 4.3 times in head length; maxilla reaching to posterior third of eye; mouth large and oblique, with a prominent lower jaw; one pair of small, sharp canine teeth at front of each jaw; gillrakers 16 to 21. Two dorsal fins of about equal height, the first with 7 or 8 spines, the second with 1 spine and 20 to 22 soft rays; pectoral fins long and pointed; pelvic fins just below pectoral fin bases, half as long as the pectorals; anal fin with 3 spines and 25 to 28 rays, its base longer than that of second dorsal fin; caudal fin forked. Scales medium-sized, cycloid (smooth), very easily shed (market specimens often lack almost all scales). Lateral line scales 62 to 78.