Genus Oxycheilinus

A small genus of Indo-Pacific labrids (type species: Cheilinus arenatus Valenciennes 1840), with the following combination of characters: IX, 10 dorsal-fin rays, III, 8 anal-fin rays, a moderately shallow body (depth less than head length), interrupted lateral line, 6 predorsal scales, cheek and opercle with 2 rows of scales, ventral and posterior margins of preopercle naked, and anterior tip of lower jaw extending beyond anterior tip of upper jaw.