Lophiodes reticulatus

FamilyScientific NameAuthorYearCommon Name
LophiidaeLophiodes reticulatusCaruso and Suttkus1979Reticulate Goosefish

Lophiodes reticulatus

Unique Characters: Gill opening extending in front of pectoral fin. Bony ridge on snout smooth. Soft dorsal-fin rays 8; anal-fin rays 6; pectoral-fin rays 14-21. Spinous portion of dorsal fin with 6 spines, 3 cephalic, 3 post-cephalic (last postcephalic spine may be very small and very close to previous spine). Dorsal surface of head, body, and pectoral fins covered with fine mesh- or chain-like pattern.

Similar Species:

White Anglerfish
Lophiodes beroe

Club Bait Anglerfish
Lophiodes monodi

Lophiodes beroe
White Anglerfish – Lophiodes beroe
Photo Credit: NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research

Lophiodes monodi
Club Bait Anglerfish – Lophiodes monodi
Photo Credit: NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research

White Anglerfish Lophiodes beroe. Gill opening extending in front of pectoral fin. Bony ridge on snout smooth. Soft dorsal-fin rays 8; anal-fin rays 6; pectoral-fin rays 14-21. Spinous portion of dorsal fin with 5 spines, 3 cephalic, 2 postcephalic. Chain-like color pattern absent. First dorsal-fin spine (illicium) darker than surrounding skin on head; bait (esca) a pale, unpigmented bulb.

Club Bait Anglerfish Lophiodes monodi. Gill opening extending in front of pectoral fin. Bony ridge on snout smooth. Soft dorsal-fin rays 8; anal-fin rays 6; pectoral-fin rays 14-21. Spinous portion of dorsal fin with 5 spines, 3 cephalic, 2 postcephalic. Chain-like color pattern absent. First dorsal-fin spine (illicium) pale, not darker than surrounding skin on head; bait (esca) with pigment becoming progressively darker toward tip.

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