Pseudocetonurus Sazonov and Shcherbachev, 1982

Iwamoto, Tomio, Nakayama, Naohide, Shao, Kwang-Tsao & Table, Hsuan-Ching Ho, 2015, Synopsis of the Grenadier Fishes (Gadiformes; Teleostei) of Taiwan, Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences 62 (3), pp. 31-126 : 97

Genus Pseudocetonurus Sazonov and Shcherbachev, 1982

Pseudocetonurus Sazonov and Shcherbachev, 1982:5–6 (type species Pseudocetonurus septifer Sazonov and Shcherbachev, 1982 by monotypy).

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES.— BR 7; V 9 or 10, rarely 8; inner GR-I 13–18 total; pyl. caeca 22–34. Head enlarged, notably broad and deep, preopercle and suborbital bones deep and large; orbit small in adults, proportionally larger in young, diameter 19–31% HL; interorbital width 33–44% HL. Snout high, bluntly pointed, little protruding beyond mouth; mouth large, upper jaw 41–49% HL; chin barbel small, 7–10%; gill opening wide, extending ventrally to below end of maxilla. Spinous ray of 1D smooth proximally, finely serrated distally; abdominal area short, periproct between V and A, closer to V bases. Light organ developed: a small round dermal window between V bases. Head fully scaled except for gular and gill membranes; small, awl-shaped spinules on body scales, no reticulations on anterior field; grooved lateral line scales over trunk present or absent. Teeth small, in narrow band on premaxillary, in single series in dentary. Ground color black to dark brown overall.

REMARKS.— This genus is closely similar to Ventrifossa and would likely be categorized in that taxon except for its very dark color, greatly expanded head, and commensurately expanded bones of the opercular series. Only the single species known.