Family Diodontidae 

 Genus Chilomycterus 



(211) Chilomycterus schoepfii (Walbaum) 1792 

 Burrfish, porcupinefish, oysterfish 



Specimens: (PLATE 75) 



This warm water fish is an infrequent stray into Rhode Island 

 waters in late summer and fall. During July, 1957, over a dozen 

 specimens, six to eight inches (TL), were obtained from the Point 

 Judith traps. 



Family Molidae 

 Genus Mola 



(212) Mola mola (Linnaeus) 1758 

 Oceanic sunfish, mola, headfish 



Specimens: 



This oceanic species is an occasional visitor into Rhode Island 

 waters during the summer months. Trawler fishermen frequently 

 report seeing this large fish basking in the sun on the surface of 

 the water off Block Island. In July, 1954, a sunfish estimated at 

 1,000 pounds was taken in the traps off Point Judith. On August 

 29, 1953, the writer observed a large mola on the surface of the 

 sea, three miles SE of Block Island. 



Family Lophiidae 

 Genus Lophius 



(213) Lophius americanus Cuvier and Valenciennes 1837 

 Anglerfish, goosefish, molykite 



Specimens: (PLATES 4, 76) 



The anglerfish is a year round resident in Rhode Island waters. 

 During the summer of 1957, there were a few goosefish from two 

 to four feet (TL) in each haul of the trap. This grotesque fish is 

 common in the nets of inshore and offshore trawlers fishing on the 

 bottom. 



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