Pontinus furcirhinus Garman, 1899
photo by Jimenez Prado, P.

Family:  Scorpaenidae (Scorpionfishes or rockfishes), subfamily: Scorpaeninae
Max. size:  27 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range - 300 m
Distribution:  Eastern Pacific: southern Baja California, Mexico to Peru.
Diagnosis:  Body and head slightly compressed; body depth contained 2.9 times in standard length; eyes large, their diameter greater than snout length; inter-orbital space narrow, usually less than half eye diameter; tip of maxilla reaching posterior rim of the eye; third dorsal spine prolonged and straight; pectoral fins with 17 rays; medium sized ctenoid scales; lateral scales fewer 60; body uniformly reddish with small, irregular, brown or olive green spots on the dorsal region (Ref. 55763).
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: 01 May 2008 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  venomous


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