Psammoperca Richardson 1844

Psammoperca Richardson 1844

Type species: Labrax waigiensis Cuvier & Valenciennes 1828

Diagnosis. Distinguished from other latid genera by the following combination of characters: a smooth horizontal limb of the preopercle; nostrils widely separated on each side of the head, anterior nostril with a tube-like flap or skin flap posteriorly, and posterior nostril oval and larger; tiny scales (not seen with naked eye but visible through binocular scope) on posterior uppermost part of the maxilla; one row of lateral-line scales on caudal fin; several supralamellar tooth patches only on outer face of first four gill arches and a tooth patch on the basihyal; ventral border of first and second infraorbital bones smooth (no denticulations); no parapophysis on the first 5 or 6 abdominal vertebrae; epineurals on the first 7 or 8 abdominal vertebrae; three sharp, strong spines on inferior margin of preopercle; supraneural spine formula 0/0/0 + II/I + I/; dorsal-fin rays VII‒I, 12 or 13; anal-fin rays III, 8; caudal fin with posterior border rounded; procurrent spur present; vertebrae 11 + 14 = 25.

Distribution. Two species from southern Indian coast, Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea, to western Pacific, north Okinawa Island, Japan, and south to Australia.