Species: Ectreposebastes imus, Midwater Scorpionfish

Ectreposebastes imus Garman, 1899

Midwater Scorpionfish

Body relatively deep, soft and flabby; head relatively large , its bone relatively weak, translucent, cavernous; no pit on top of head behind eyes; eye diameter ~1/2 width between eyes; head spines poorly developed; horizontal ridge under eye with 1st spine tiny, next 2 much larger; eye medium size, about ½ size of distance between eyes; numerous small conical teeth on jaws; teeth present on sides roof of mouth; preopercular margin with 5 spines, 2nd spine longest; a small slit behind 4th gill arch; a single dorsal fin, strongly notched at the rear of the spiny part, XII strong, venomous spines, 9-10 soft rays; anal fin III, 5-6.5; pelvics I, 5, under pectorals; pectorals large, 18-20; tail fin round; lateral line complete, a continuous groove covered by thin membraneous scales; scales smooth, tiny, not in definite rows, ~100 vertical rows above lateral line; top of head with scales; swim bladder rudimentary or absent.

Adults dark red-brown; inside mouth black, with orange and red patches. Juveniles black.

Reaches 20.5 cm.

On the bottom and in midwater.

Depth: 150-2000 m.

Scattered records throughout all 3 oceans; New York to Suriname.