Description (by E. Tortonese)
Short, deep body. Eyes near dorsal edge. Mouth small; jaws short and strong with 1-2 rows of few incisor-like teeth. Gill openings small, slit-like. Scales large, thick and rough, in regular series. Two dorsal fins, the anterior with 3 spines; second dorsal and anal fin longer, similar and opposed; pelvic fins absent, replaced by short spine at end of long and movable pelvic bone; all soft fins with branched rays. Colours often bright. Species oviparous, with demersal eggs.
Distribution
This family comprises some 12 genera which occur on reefs and in open waters in tropical and subtropical seas.
Recent revision: Fraser-Brunner, 1935.
Species included on this CD-rom:
Pervagor tomentosus (Linnaeus)