Pontinus longispinis Goode & Bean, 1896
Longspine scorpionfish
photo by Flescher, D.

Family:  Scorpaenidae (Scorpionfishes or rockfishes), subfamily: Scorpaeninae
Max. size:  31.6 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 556.6 g
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 75 - 440 m
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: Georgia, USA and northern Gulf of Mexico to Brazil; not occurring in the West Indies.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 12-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-10; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 6-6. Snout length almost equal to orbit diameter; third dorsal spine not elongated (Ref. 13608).
Biology:  Found on soft substrate. 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: 21 August 2012 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  venomous


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