Species: Peristedion unicuspis, Enigma Armored Searobin

Peristedion unicuspis Miller, 1967

Enigma Armored Searobin

Head and body flattened below, body completely covered in a heavy armor of 4 rows of bony spiny scales, those at rear of series along center of top of back with 1 back-pointing spine; body not rectangular, dimensions at anus < dimensions at head; head moderately broad; snout long, depressed; bony rim around sides of head with spines and undulations, ends in broad triangular wing; no spine at nostril, no spine at base of snout plates; rostral plates narrow, moderately long, < snout, directed to front; lower jaw with 1 serrated ridge; barbels: filamentous barbell very long, reaches to end of 1st body scute, with filaments in pairs on 1 side, singletons on the other; 4 thin lower lip barbells in 2 clusters; 8-9 chin barbels in 5 clusters, barbell tips pointed; gill rakers 5+21; dorsal fin divided into separate spiny and soft parts, VIII + 19-20, both parts low; anal fin without spines, 19; pectoral fin 12 + 2 free rays, 1st free ray longer than main fin; pelvic fins wide apart, below base of pectorals, I,5 rays; front edge of first spiny plate under belly behind front of bony pelvic girdle.

Head and body pale grey; inside of rear of mouth and lining of body cavity very dark; 1st dorsal with outer half of front 5 spines black; 2nd dorsal with a few scattered dark spots, no dark margin; center of pectoral fin with a small black spot.

Reaches 16 cm.

Found on sand/mud bottoms.

Depth range: 356-530 m.

The Bahamas.