Genus: Phenacoscorpius, Scorpionfishes, Shorttube Scorpionfish
no pit behind eyes
D XII, 8-9
LL incomplete: front 4-19 pores only
ridge under eye: 5-6 spines
preoperculum - 1st spine largest
pectoral - center rays longest, 15-17, upper rays branched
scales rough
scales rough
PHENACOSCORPIUS
SCORPIONFISHES
Head very bony, with strong spines; no pit on top of head behind eyes; ridge under eye with 5-6 spines: roof of mouth with or without teeth on sides but not at front; 1st (top) preopercular spine the largest; dorsal fin XII,8-9; anal fin III, 5; pectoral 15-20, with upper rays branched in adult, central rays longest, lower rays with tips extending beyond fin membrane; scales rough; lateral line incomplete, with only 4-19 pored scales at front; lateral line with tubes on scales.
A circumglobal tropical to subtropical genus with 7 species; one endemic species in our area.
