Shorefishes of the Greater Caribbean online information system

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Genus: Pontinus, Scorpionfish, Scorpionfishes


All Families:   All Genera:   All Species:

no pit behind eyes
D XII, 8-12
roof mouth with teeth
ridge under eye: 3-4 spines
preoperculum - 1st spine largest
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.