Genus Brachionichthys

A genus of handfishes with the following combination of characters: body relatively elongate (depth 28–35% SL at second dorsal-fin origin), head weakly compressed, oval in cross section, relatively small, length 45–49% SL; mouth relatively small, caudal peduncle long, 7–11% SL; illicium very slender, 4–12 times length of esca; skin surface rough, densely covered with monospinulate scales; spinules upright, protruding well above skin surface, originating from centre of scale base; scale bases subcircular, not deeply embedded; dermal appendages present on arm of pectoral-fin (sometimes present on ventrolateral surface of body); no enlarged fleshy warts on skin; black spots and/or streaks over body, and dorsal and caudal fins; pectoral-fin usually with 7 rays; anal-fin rays 8–11 (mainly 9–10); vertebrae 22–26.