- Classification
- ACTINOPTERYGII
- LOPHIIFORMES
- OGCOCEPHALIDAE
- Malthopsis
Genus Malthopsis
A genus of relatively small deep-water batfishes with a depressed triangular-shaped body covered in large spiny cone-shaped scales or bucklers. Species have large subopercular spines, the cranium somewhat elevated above the body disc, a very small conical rostrum and a small mouth. The esca (fishing lure) is a small bulb. Tiny tubercles cover the tough skin between the bucklers and there is no membrane between the arm-like pectoral-fin bases and the body.
References
Ho, H.-C., & Last, P.R. 2021. Review of the batfish genus Malthopsis from Australia (Lophiiformes: Ogcocephalidae), with descriptions of five new species. Bulletin of Marine Science 97(1): 165-218 https://doi.org/10.5343/bms.2020.0037
Ho, H.-C. & K.-T. Shao. 2010. Redescription of Malthopsis lutea Alcock, 1891 and resurrection of M. kobayashi Tanaka, 1916 (Lophiiformes: Ogcocephalidae). Journal of the National Taiwan Museum 63(3): 1-18.