Hemitripteridae
The Hemitripteridae are a family of marine fish, commonly known as “sea ravens”, “scorpionfishes”, or “wolf-fishes”. These fish are generally found in cold, shallow, rocky waters of the North Atlantic and Pacific oceans, inhabiting the bottom or near the shore. They are characterized by their robust, often spiny bodies and their relatively large mouths. They are active predators, feeding primarily on crustaceans, fish, and other invertebrates.
Common Names
Hemitripteridae are commonly known by various names, including:
- Sea ravens
- Scorpionfishes (although this term is more broadly used for the order Scorpaeniformes)
- Wolf-fishes (although this term can also refer to the Anarhichadidae family)
Characteristics
Members of the Hemitripteridae family share several distinctive characteristics:
- Robust, often spiny bodies with large heads and mouths
- Well-developed preopercular spines, which can be venomous in some species
- Three dorsal fins, the first two with spiny rays and the third with soft rays
- Two separate anal fins
- Pectoral fins that are large and fan-shaped
- Pelvic fins that are small and located under the throat
- Most species have a distinctive coloration, often with blotches, stripes, or other patterns
Environments
Hemitripteridae are typically found in cold, shallow waters of the North Atlantic and Pacific oceans, often inhabiting rocky shores and reefs. They are bottom dwellers, using their pectoral fins to move along the seafloor and their large mouths to capture prey.
References
For further information on Hemitripteridae, refer to these reliable sources: