Australian prowfish | |
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Red indian fish (Pataecus fronto) | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Superorder: | Acanthopterygii |
Order: | Scorpaeniformes |
Suborder: | Scorpaenoidei |
Family: | Pataecidae T. N. Gill, 1872 |
Genera | |
see text |
The Australian prowfishes are a small family, the Pataecidae, of ray-finned fishes classified within the order Scorpaeniformes. Australian prowfishes are distinguished by a long dorsal fin that begins far forward on the head, forming a "prow" shape, and extends all the way to the caudal fin. They lack scales and pelvic fins.[1]