This fish (E. insidiator) is said to seize marine animals by suddenly thrusting out its mouth and engulphing those that come within the reach of the elongated tube. It attains a length of twelve inches, is common in the tropical Indo-Pacific, and varies much in coloration.
Anampses.—Distinguished by its singular dentition, the two front teeth of each jaw being prominent, directed forwards, compressed, with cutting edge. D. 9/12, A. 3/12.
Beautifully coloured fishes from the tropical Indo-Pacific. Ten species.
Platyglossus.—Scales in thirty or less transverse series; lateral line not interrupted. A posterior canine tooth. Dorsal spines nine.
Small beautifully coloured Coral-fishes, abundant in the equatorial zone and the coasts adjoining it. Some eighty species are known (inclusive of the allied genera Stethojulis, Leptojulis, and Pseudojulis).
Novacula.—Body strongly compressed, oblong, covered with scales of moderate size; head compressed, elevated, obtuse, with the supero-anterior profile more or less parabolic; head nearly entirely naked. Lateral line interrupted. No posterior canine tooth. D. 9/12, A. 3/12; the two anterior dorsal spines sometimes remote or separate from the others.
Twenty-six species are known from the tropical zone, and the warmer parts of the temperate zones. They are readily recognised by their compressed, knife-shaped body, and peculiar physiognomy; they scarcely exceed a length of twelve inches.
Julis.—Scales of moderate size; lateral line not interrupted. Head entirely naked. Snout of moderate extent, not produced; no posterior canine tooth. Dorsal spines ten.
Co-extensive with Platyglossus in their geographical distribution, and of like beautiful coloration and similar habits. Some of the most common fishes of the Indo-Pacific, as J. lunaris, trilobata, and dorsalis, belong to this genus.
Coris.—Scales small, in fifty or more transverse series; lateral line not interrupted. Head entirely naked. Dorsal spines nine.