Pacific Monkeyfish

Description

This is a stocky fish with a large head and a distinct bump on the nape. It has white spots distally on the pectoral fins and narrow dark bars on the tail. Characterized by having variable color, often shades of red or brown with white mottling; pectoral, pelvic, anal and caudal fins with dark cross bands and/or rows of white spots; large and rounded head; eyes lateral; extremely short snout, nearly vertical anterior profile; strongly oblique mouth; two broad spines over upper lip on lacrimal; deep occipital pit; suborbital ridge lacking distinct spines; slight hump in front of dorsal fin; depth of body 2.2 in SL.

Distribution

Western Pacific: known from scattered location from southern Japan to northern Australia.

Habitat

It is occasionally seen near shallow reefs, it usually inhabits deeper waters.