Hilgendorf's Saucord

Helicolenus hilgendorfii attains a maximum standard length of 27 cm (11 in). It has an elongated, compressed body with a large head which has weak spines. The orbit protrudes a little over the dorsal profile of the head. They do not have a swim bladder. There are no teeth in the front of the jaws. The preoperculum has 5 spines and the operculum has 2. The body is covered with ctenoid scales and there are 26-27 scales in the lateral line. The dorsal fin has 12 short spines with the membranes between them being slightly notched, and 11-13 soft rays. The anal fin is slightly shorter than the spiny dorsal fin and contains 3 spines and 4-6 soft rays. The pectoral fin extends to just in front of the anus while the pelvic fin has a single spine and 5 soft rays and the caudal fin is truncate. The body is light red in colour with orange-red mottling on the flanks above the lateral line. The spines of the dorsal fin are orange-red with the rest of the fin being a light colour.

Helicolenus hilgendorfii is found in the northwestern Pacific Ocean from Japan and southern Korea southwards into the East China Sea. It is a demersal species which is found in areas of sandy and muddy substrates. it is found at depths of 150 to 300 m (490 to 980 ft).