All larvae with unusually elongate dorsal and ventral fin rays, fan-shaped large pectoral fins. Epidermal layer of head and body greatly distended by transparent, gelatinous connective tissue, giving larvae balloon-like appearance (Pietsch, 1984). Lophius gastrophysus larvae with three conspicuous melanophores on trunk and caudal region, two on pre-opercular and sub-orbital regions, some on ventral and first dorsal fin rays (Lophius gastrophysus).
Table Lophiiformes
22 geographic zones