Polysteganus coeruleopunctatus (Klunzinger 1870)

This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: scale rows above lateral line 6½; scales rows between 5th dorsal-fin spine base and lateral-line scale 5½ or 6½; pored lateral-line scales 51 or 52; suborbital depth subequal to or greater than the orbit diameter; dorsal-fin rays are reddish pink as well as similar reddish pink on upper margin dorsal-fin ray (no clear yellow or faint yellowish); body with 7 or 8 faint irregular blue spotted lines, not visible from all angles; reddish membranes on caudal-fin lobes and caudal fin with clear white lowest margin of lower caudal fin lobe; without blue iridescence on each scale of dorsal and lateral sides of whitish pink body; canines are large, both upper and lower canines on both jaws usually visible even when mouth closed; body deep 44-46% (mean 44%) of SL; anal- and pelvic- fin rays are whitish or reddish hyaline; no yellow (white) rear margin of branchiostegal rays and membrane; weak bony bulge present before and above eye, forming a low median ridge in larger specimens of over 30 cm SL; caudal fin is moderately forked (Ref. 106993).

Dorsal spines (total): 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 8

Occurs mainly in deep waters around reefs (Ref. 30573). Carnivorous predator (Ref. 30573). Sold fresh in markets.

fisheries: commercial

Occurs mainly in deep waters around reefs. Carnivorous predator. Not of any great commercial importance in South Africa, but taken by line fishermen and ski-boat anglers. Sold fresh in markets.