Species: Rhonciscus pauco, Opalescent Grunt

Rhonciscus pauco Tavera, Scharer & Acero, 2022

Opalescent Grunt

Elongate (depth 32-37.4% SL), strongly compressed; upper head profile convex; eye relatively large, 9.4-10.4%of SL; mouth moderate oblique, opens at front, strongly protrusible, inside not red, lips thin; chin with 2 pores at front and 2 inside hole behind, plus a longitudinal groove; gill rakers 16 (5+11); preopercle coarsely serrated, 2-3 large spines at corner, 20-21 small spines on vertical edge; tail base long (15.2-20% SL); dorsal fin XIII, 12, last two spines relatively long, so fin is moderately notched; anal III, 7, second anal spine very long and stout; pectoral fins relatively long (28-32.5% SL), passing tips of depressed pelvic fins; pelvic fin with filament on first ray; no scales on soft dorsal and anal fins; 48-50 pored lateral line scales; 7 oblique rows of scales between lateral line and origin of dorsal fin.

Opalescent silver with golden speckling; eye orange; some of scales on back, particularly at rear of body, with a black dot at base; fins translucent; outer edge of spinous dorsal membrane black; trailing edge of caudal fin with black dots.

Size: grows to at least 30.5 cm.

Inhabits deep soft bottoms.

Depth: 200-360 m.

Known only from western Puerto Rico.