Callyodon.—Differing from Scarichthys in having the upper lip double posteriorly only.
Nine species from the tropical zone.
Pseudoscarus.—Jaws forming a strong beak, the teeth being soldered together. The upper jaw projecting beyond the lower. Two or more series of scales on the cheek. The dentigerous plate of the lower pharyngeal longer than broad.
This tropical genus contains by far the greatest number of Scaroid Wrasses, some seventy species being known, and a still greater number of names being introduced into the various Ichthyological works. They are beautifully coloured, but the colours change with age, and vary in an extraordinary degree in the same species. They rapidly fade after death, so that it is almost impossible to recognise in preserved specimens the species described from living individuals. Many attain to a rather large size, upwards of three feet in length. The majority are eaten, but some acquire poisonous properties from their food, which consists either of corals or of fucus.
Odax.—The edge of each jaw is sharp, without distinct teeth. The dentigerous plate of the lower pharyngeal triangular, much broader than long. Cheeks and opercles scaly; scales of the body small or rather small; lateral line continuous. Snout conical. Dorsal spines rather numerous, flexible.
Fig. 243.—Odax radiatus.
Six species from the coasts of Australia and New Zealand. Small. The species figured (O. radiatus) is from Western Australia.
Coridodax.—Jaws as in Odax, head naked. Scales of the body small; lateral line continuous. Snout of moderate extent. Dorsal spines numerous, flexible.
The “Butter-fish,” or “Kelp-fish” of the colonists of New Zealand (C. pullus), is prized as food, and attains to a weight of four or five pounds. It feeds on zoophytes, scraping them from the surface of the kelp, with its curiously formed teeth. Its bones are green, like those of Belone.