#phycidae

 FORKBEARD
(Phycis phycis)

Salvador, X.“Phycis phycis”

Don’t let the barbel deceive you (sorry, goatee), the forkbeard was actually named for its bifid pelvic fins situated near the ventral side of the fish’s head. Like a beard, if you will. A forkbeard. It’s not actually the only forkbeard out there though, as P. phycis shares its genus with P. blennoides: the greater forkbeard, or sweaty betty. I should have saved that one for another post.