Genus: Pontinus, Scorpionfishes, Scorpionfish
no pit behind eyes
D XII, 8-12
roof mouth with teeth
ridge under eye: 3-4 spines
ridge under eye: 3-4 spines
preoperculum - 1st spine largest
pectoral: no rays branched
pectoral: no rays branched
body scales rough
PONTINUS
SCORPIONFISHES
Head very bony, with numerous spines, without pit behind eyes; ridge under eye with 3-4 spines; uppermost preopercular spine longest; teeth on roof of mouth at sides but not at front; slit present behind last gill arch; dorsal fin XII, 8-12; anal fin III, 5; pectoral with longest rays in center, 15-20 rays, all unbranched; scales rough, present on cheek, behind eye and on chest; lateral line complete, with tubes on scales.
A worldwide tropical to temperate genus with 21 species; represented in shallow waters of the Greater Caribbean by 3 endemics and one W Atlantic species.
