LEIOGNATHIDAE Slipmouths
Small, sedentary fish, shoals in shallow coastal water. Feeds on invertebrates. Elongate oval compressed body with naked, bony ridges to dorsum of head. Conspicuous concave lower jaw profile produces pointed snout. Terminal mouth protractile and maxilla absent from external edge of mouth. Eyes relatively large. High lateral line closely concurrent to dorsum profile. Extended spinous front dorsal almost continuous to soft-rayed portion. At least six species present in the Arabian Gulf.