Idiastion kyphos

FamilyScientific NameAuthorYearCommon Name
ScorpaenidaeIdiastion kyphosEschmeyer1965Sharpcheek Scorpionfish

Idiastion kyphos

Unique Characters: Dorsal-fin spines almost always 12. Palatine teeth present. First preopercular spine longest, not counting accessory spine at base of first spine. Soft dorsal fin rays 10 1/2 or fewer (usually 8 1/2 or 9 1/2). Scales on body ctenoid (rough to touch). Some upper pectoral-fin rays branched at tip, except in small juveniles. Suborbital ridge with 7 or more spinous points. 9 1/2 soft dorsal-fin rays; third dorsal-fin spine not especially elongated.

Similar Species: Spinycheek Scorpionfish Neomerinthe hemingwayi. Dorsal-fin spines almost always 12. Palatine teeth present. First preopercular spine longest, not counting accessory spine at base of first spine. Soft dorsal fin rays 10 1/2 or fewer (usually 8 1/2 or 9 1/2). Scales on body ctenoid (rough to touch). Some upper pectoral-fin rays branched at tip, except in small juveniles. Suborbital ridge with 3 or 4 spinous points, not counting any on preoperculum. 10 1/2 soft dorsal-fin rays or if 9 1/2 then third dorsal-fin spine elongated.

Neomerinthe hemingwayi
Spinycheek Scorpionfish – Neomerinthe hemingwayi

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