Species: Lophius gastrophysus, Blackfin Goosefish

Lophius gastrophysus Miranda-Ribeiro, 1915

Blackfin Goosefish

Head and front of body flattened, broad, body narrowing behind; ridge from top of eye to snout rough, with knobs, spines or ridges; bone behind eye with 2-3 spines; mouth broad, with many long, sharp teeth; gill opening large, opens entirely below and behind pectoral base; dorsal fin consists of III isolated spines on head (1st spine acts as a fishing pole, with a lure), several short spines not joined by membrane above pectoral fin; length of 3rd head spine greater than minimum distance between the 2 ridges that run along snout, length of 1st behind-head spine =/> that same minimum distance; soft dorsal fin (9-10 rays) behind, on rear of body; anal fin 8-9; pectoral fin 22-26.

Dark brown above; lower surface with dark reticulations in adult; underturned inner edge of pectoral with a distinct black band, underside of base of fin gradually getting darker; no black membrane connecting rear dorsal spines.

Reaches 60 cm.

Lives on soft bottoms.

Depth range: 40-1464 m, usually below 200 m.

Cape Hatteras to northern Argentina.