Little velvetfishes or simply velvetfishes are a family, the Aploactinidae, of scorpaeniform fishes.

As the name implies, they are small fish that have skin with a velvet texture. They are generally flattened in shape, with small pelvic fins, and a fleshy pad under the head, which, in at least one species, forms a sucker for attaching the fish to the sea floor. Some also have venom

Venom

Venom is the general term referring to any variety of toxins used by certain types of animals that inject it into their victims by the means of a bite or a sting...

ous spines. They live on the sea bottom close to the shore, at depths of up to 100 metres (328.1 ft).

Classification

There are about forty known species of velvetfish, although, since they are rarely seen, it is likely that there are many more remaining to be discovered. The species are grouped into sixteen genera:

Family Aploactinidae

• Genus Acanthosphex
• Genus Adventor
• Genus Aploactis
• Genus Aploactisoma
• Genus Bathyaploactis
• Genus Cocotropus
• Genus Erisphex
• Genus Kanekonia
• Genus Matsubarichthys
• Genus Neoaploactis
• Genus Paraploactis
• Genus Peristrominous
• Genus Prosoproctus
• Genus Ptarmus
• Genus Sthenopus
• Genus Xenaploactis