Symphysanodon

Symphysanodon, also known as the slopefishes, is a genus of small marine ray-finned fishes. Most are found in the Indo-Pacific, but three species, S. berryi, S. mona, and S. octoactinus, are found in the Western Atlantic. They are found on rocky reefs at depths of. Traditionally, this genus is the only member of the family Symphysanodontidae, but in 2017 a new species, C. aureolateralis, was placed in its own genus Cymatognathus.

Description

The largest species of Symphysanodon can reach in length. Their bodies are slender and compressed, with blunt snouts. They are red, pink, oranges or yellow in colour. The caudal fin is usually distinctively forked. The dorsal fins have 9 dorsal spines and 10 soft rays, whereas the anal fin has three anal spines and seven or eight soft rays.

There are currently 12 recognized species in this genus:Symphysanodon andersoni Kotthaus, 1974 Symphysanodon berryi W. D. Anderson, 1970 Symphysanodon disii Khalaf & Krupp, 2008 Symphysanodon katayamai W. D. Anderson, 1970 Symphysanodon maunaloae W. D. Anderson, 1970 Symphysanodon mona W. D. Anderson & V. G. Springer, 2005 Symphysanodon octoactinus W. D. Anderson, 1970 Symphysanodon parini W. D. Anderson & V. G. Springer, 2005 Symphysanodon pitondelafournaisei Quéro, Spitz & Vayne, 2009 Symphysanodon rhax W. D. Anderson & V. G. Springer, 2005 Symphysanodon typus Bleeker, 1878 Symphysanodon xanthopterygion W. D. Anderson & Bineesh, 2011