Pteroidichthys
Pteroidichthys is a genus of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Scorpaenidae, the scorpionfishes. The scorpionfishes in this genus are distributed in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Taxonomy. "Pteroidichthys" was first described as a genus in 1856 by the Dutch herpetologist, ichthyologist and physician Pieter Bleeker when he described "Pteroidichthys amboinensis" and he placed it in a monotypic genus. The genus name is a compound of "pteroides" which means "similar to "Pterois"", and "ichthys" meaning "fish". Bleeker thought that this taxon was close to the lionfishes but was distnguished by, among other features, the lack of head  spines. Species. There are currently 4 recognized species in this genus: Characteristics. "Pteroidichthys" scorpionfishes have a body which is strongly compressed and elongated, the width of the body is equivalent to 10–24% of their standard length while its depth is equivalent to 28–40% of its standard length. They have 12 spines in their dorsal fin and there are no black blotches on the lower part of the caudal fin. These scorpionfishes vary in size from a maximum standard length of in "P. acutus" to a total length of in "P. amboinensis". Distribution and habitat. "Pteroidichthys" scorpionfishes are found in the  Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean, occurring in the Red Sea as well. It is found as far north as Japan and south to Australia. They are demersal fishes which occur over soft substrates. These fishes are found in depths that range from . Biology. "Pteroidichthys" scorpionfishes are ambush predators and tend to be solitary fishes.