| Roosterfish | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Nematistiidae |
| Genus: | Nematistius |
| Species: | N. pectoralis |
| Binomial name | |
| Nematistius pectoralis Gill, 1862 |
|
The roosterfish, Nematistius pectoralis, is a game fish common in the marine waters surrounding Mexico, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama, and in the eastern Pacific Ocean from Baja California to Peru.[1] It is the only fish in the genus Nematistius and the family Nematistiidae. It is distinguished by its "rooster comb", seven very long spines of the dorsal fin.
The roosterfish has an unusual arrangement of its ears: the swim bladder penetrates the brain through the large foramina and makes contact with the inner ear. It uses its swim bladder to amplify sounds.
Rooster fish can reach over 4 feet in length and over one hundred pounds. The weight of the average fish hooked is about 20 pounds. The fish is popular as a game fish, but like most fish in the jack family (besides the amberjack and California yellowtail) it is not considered a good eating fish.