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I found this photo in a local news page. The page claims that this fish is a new species that was found by a Malaysian fisherman. Is this true or is it a known fish and already has a name?

enter image description here

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  • $\begingroup$ Can you please add the link to the local news website? It looks like an April Fish ;) $\endgroup$
    – Remi.b
    Nov 10, 2013 at 17:03
  • $\begingroup$ @Remi.b updated the question with the link. It is in Arabic anyway :) hope you can understand the language. You can use google translate if you don't. $\endgroup$
    – user3130
    Nov 10, 2013 at 17:07
  • $\begingroup$ BTW, Alarabiya.Net is a well known well trusted news source in the Middle East. $\endgroup$
    – user3130
    Nov 10, 2013 at 17:10
  • $\begingroup$ Found a similar article in an English website: muldersworld.com/photo.asp?id=7644 $\endgroup$
    – user3130
    Nov 10, 2013 at 17:17
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    $\begingroup$ There are tons of similar article on this fish. Here, here and here $\endgroup$
    – Remi.b
    Nov 10, 2013 at 17:23

2 Answers 2

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This is a species in the Peristediidae family, commonly called armored searobins or armored gurnards.

found in deep waters around the world, with most species in tropical regions. They are related to the searobins in the family Triglidae, and some authorities classify them in that family,[2][3] but they are encased in heavy scales with prominent spines. They have prominent and often elaborate barbels on their chins.

Characteristics of Peristediidae [Source]:

The scorpaeniform family Peristediidae (armored sea robins) is characterized by (1) a body entirely enclosed by four rows of spinous bony plates (scutes) on each side; (2) a large bony head with spines and ridges; (3) each first infraorbital (lachrymal) anteriorly extending in distinct rostral projections; (4) barbels on the lower jaw, and (5)pectoral fins with the two ventral most fin rays free and enlarged (Miller 1974; Miller & Richards 2002; Richards 1984, 1999; Kawai 2008, 2013)

Specifically, this looks similar to other species in the genus Satyrichthys.

Armored Gurnard

Satyrichthys welchi (Source: Taiwan Biodiversity Informaiton Facility)

According to Pogoreutz et al. 2013:

The genus Satyrichthys is diagnosed as follows: (1) no teeth in upper and lower jaws; (2) lateral margin of the head smooth; (3) the ventral row of bony plates on caudal peduncle extending posteriorly, separating the posterior bony plates of the lower lateral series; (4) only the posterior lip and chin barbels branched, and (5) fewer than 20 soft rays in dorsal and anal fin (Kawai 2008, 2013).

An important character in separating species of the genus Satyrichthys is the number of lip and chin barbels (Miller 1964, Kawai 2008, 2013)

One similar looking species is Satyrichthys welchi (the Robust armoured-gurnard) [pictured above] found in the South China sea:

Range Map

Source: AquaMaps

According to FishBase, here are some characteristics of Satyrichthys welchi:

  • Dorsal spines (total): 7
  • Dorsal soft rays (total): 17
  • Anal spines: 0
  • Anal soft rays: 18
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    $\begingroup$ @AlwaysConfused thanks a lot for the bounty! Glad you appreciated the answer! You should Youtube the family -- some species walk on barbs like they're tiny legs! :D $\endgroup$
    – theforestecologist ♦
    May 11, 2017 at 3:46
  • $\begingroup$ I also want to know about the 2 eye-like objects on the head-portion at back (shown) side. Are the eyes? or nostrils? or something else? And also, is its mouth present at the lower (frontal) portion? and is there any advantage/function of 2 protruding portion beside mouth region. $\endgroup$
    – Always Confused
    May 11, 2017 at 3:58
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The front part of the fish looks like part of the cranium of a fish. I'd bet that the tusks have been "made" by removing some bones in the middle.

Well, after having looked at the links given by Remi.b, it seems that it's not even necessary to remove bones. This is probably a Peristediidae.

You can find some images on fishbase

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    $\begingroup$ blood-mark in mouth-portion $\endgroup$
    – Always Confused
    Aug 10, 2016 at 13:32
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    $\begingroup$ Aww I missed the old answer also contained the taxonomic designation in the second paragraph. sorry for that. $\endgroup$
    – Always Confused
    May 10, 2017 at 6:18

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