Asquamiceps caeruleus

Common Name

Blueheaded Smoothhead

Year Described

Markle, 1980

Identification

Dorsal Fin: 16-18
Anal Fin: 15-17
Pectoral Fin: 14-16
Pelvic Fin: 5
Lateral Line: absent
Gill Rakers: 22-27 (total on first arch)
Pyloric Caeca: 9-11
Branchiostegal rays: 5-7
Vertebrae: 21-22 precaudal, 20-22 caudal

Body moderately elongate and slender, with a very large head. Eyes smaller than snout. Teeth present on dentary but absent on the maxilla, premaxilla, palatine, and vomer. One supramaxilla above the maxilla. Rear margin of jaw extends beyond the posterior margin of orbit. Dorsal fin origin about even with anal fin. Pelvic fins very small. Pectoral fin short and fan-like; overlapped by posterior opercular flap. Scales absent on head. Scales are larger on dorsal and ventral midline, forming a low ridge.

Color

Body black with a bright cobalt blue head. Bases of fins light blue.

Size

Maximum size to 34cm SL.

Habitat

Bathypelagic from 1,900-2,740m.

Range

Western Gulf of Mexico and off eastern Brazil.

References

Costa, P.A.S.; Braga, A.C.; Melo, M.R.S.; Nunan, G.W.A.; Martins, A.S.; & Olavo, G. 2007. Assembleias de teleósteos demersais no talude da costa central brasileira. p. 87–107. In: Costa, P.A.S.; Olavo, G.; Martins, A.S. (eds.). Biodiversidade da fauna marinha profunda na costa central brasileira. Rio de Janeiro: Museu Nacional (Série Livros 24).

McEachran, J.D. and J.D. Fechhelm. 1998. Fishes of the Gulf of Mexico. Volume 1: Myxiniformes to Gasterosteiformes. University of Texas Press, Austin. i-viii + 1-1112.