Rathbunella ronquils are distinguished from other genera in the family Bathymasteridae by having the branchiostegal membranes being broadly united , free from isthmus, creating a thick fold. Their gill rakers are short and robust, with small patches of teeth. There are around 100 vomerine teeth which are arranged in concentric arcs which number between 7 and 9. They have between 72 and 88 pored scales in the lateral line. Unlike Bathymaster but like Ronquilus there are scales on the cheeks and crown.[6] The only species for which a maximum published length is given is R. hypoplecta with a total length of 16 cm (6.3 in).[5]
Distribution, habitat and biology
Rathbunella ronquils are found in the eastern North Pacific Ocean where they are distributed from San Francisco Bay in northern California south to Bahia San Carlos in Baja California.[7] They are solitary, demersal fishes of shallow coastal waters in rocky areas.[8] The demersal eggs are guarded by the males.[6]
^ abStevenson, Duane; Ann C. Matarese (2005). "The ronquils: a review of the North Pacific fish family Bathymasteridae (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Zoarcoidei)". Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington. 118: 367โ406. doi:10.2988/0006-324X(2005)118[367:TRAROT]2.0.CO;2.