Genus Serranus Cuvier, 1816

Type species Perca cabrilla Linnaeus, 1758

Diagnosis. Dorsal-fin X, 12–15; anal-fin rays III, 7; pectoral-fin rays 12–17; pelvic-fin rays I, 5, pectoral fin above, or slightly in front of, pelvic fin; gill rakers 6–12+12–23 (18–35 total); circumpeduncular scales 26–38; lateral-line scales 67–77; scales from dorsal fin to lateral line 9–12; scales from anal-fin origin to lateral line 20–26. Caudal fin truncate to emarginate or moderately forked, 17 principal rays with 15 branched; scales ctenoid, some species with cycloid scales on head or trunk; supramaxilla absent; maxilla, snout and chin naked; teeth on dentary, premaxillary, vomer and palatines; mouth moderately protractile; opercle with usually three flat spines (two opercular spines in S. drewesi, Iwamoto & Wirtz, 2018), central spine largest and directed horizontally; preopercle serrate; lateral line complete with pored scales. Branchiostegal rays 7. Vertebrae 10 + 14 = 24.