Pontinus rathbuni Goode & Bean, 1896
Highfin scorpionfish
photo by JAMARC

Family:  Scorpaenidae (Scorpionfishes or rockfishes), subfamily: Scorpaeninae
Max. size:  33.4 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range - 146 m
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: Virginia, USA and Bahamas to Venezuela.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 5-5. Snout short and almost equal to orbit diameter; third dorsal spine not elongated (Ref. 13608).
Biology:  Have a thick glandular tissue on posterior margin of fin spines which is believed to be venomous (Ref. 57406).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 20 August 2012 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  venomous


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