Enoplosus.—Body much elevated, the depth being still more increased by the high vertical fins. All the teeth are villiform, without canines; teeth on the vomer, palatine bones, and the tongue. Two dorsal fins, the first with seven spines. Præoperculum serrated, with spinous teeth at the angle. Scales of moderate size.
A small and very common marine species (E. armatus) on the coast of Australia, especially New South Wales. It is readily recognised by the peculiar shape of its body, and eight black transverse bands on a whitish ground.
This, and the preceding genus, leads to the true “Sea perches,” which never, or but rarely, enter fresh water:—
Centropristis.—Body oblong, with scales of small or moderate size. Teeth villiform, with small canines in both jaws; vomerine teeth placed in an angular band, or a short triangular patch; teeth on the palatine bones, but none on the tongue. One dorsal, with the formula 10/12 or less; anal fin 3/7(6). Præoperculum serrated; sometimes with the angle projecting, and armed with long spines.
About twenty species of small size are known from temperate and tropical seas.
Anthias.—Body rather short, compressed, with scales of moderate size. Teeth villiform, with small canines in both jaws; teeth on the vomer, and palatine teeth. One dorsal, generally with ten spines; anal fin with three; caudal forked. The rays of one or more fins may be prolonged. Præoperculum serrated.
About twenty species are known from temperate and tropical seas; they are mostly of small size, and agreeably coloured, pink and yellow being the predominant colours. Anthias sacer is common in the Mediterranean, and was well known to the ancients. Aristotle says that the fishers of Sponges call it sacred, because no voracious fishes came to the places which it frequented, and the diver might descend with safety.—Callanthias is a genus closely allied to Anthias.
Serranus.—Body oblong, compressed, with small scales. Teeth villiform, with very distinct canines in both jaws; teeth on the vomer and palatine bones, none on the tongue. One dorsal, mostly with nine or eleven, rarely with eight, ten or twelve spines; anal fin with three: all the spines being stout. Præoperculum serrated behind and at the angle, but not below.
