Scorpionfishes of families Apistidae, Tetrarogidae, and Aploactinidae of Nha Trang Bay (South China Sea, central Vietnam)

Abstract

The review of the scorpionfishes from the families Apistidae, Tetrarogidae, and Aploactinidae of the fauna of Nha Trang Bay (central Vietnam) is given. Seven species are noted in the bay, with one species in Apistidae and up to three species in the families Tetrarogidae and Aploactinidae in each. Five species more of Tetrarogidae are known for central Vietnam from the published data, though these data need verification. The captures of the velvetfish Erisphex simplex are recorded for the first time after description of this species. E. simplex and species of genus Paraploactis are indicated for the fauna of Vietnam for the first time. A brief description and pictures are given for each species. The key to the families of scorpionfishes of Nha Trang Bay and species of the families in question is presented.