Australian prowfish
| Australian prowfish | |
|---|---|
| Red indian fish (Pataecus fronto) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Clade: | Eupercaria |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Suborder: | Scorpaenoidei |
| Family: | Pataecidae T. N. Gill, 1872 |
| Genera | |
|
see text | |
The Australian prowfishes, comprising the small family Pataecidae, are ray-finned fishes classified within the order Scorpaeniformes. They are distinguished by a long dorsal fin that begins far forward on the head — forming a "prow"-like shape — and extends all the way to the caudal fin. They lack scales and pelvic fins.