Common Name
Abyssal Smoothhead
Year Described
Koefoed, 1927
Identification
Dorsal Fin: 11-15
Anal Fin: 10-13
Pectoral Fin: 8
Pelvic Fin: 7
Gill Rakers: 20-22 (total in first arch)
Branchiostegal Rays: 6-7
Body elongate and slender, with a large head. Eye diameter shorter than snout length. Snout pointed. Premaxilla, maxilla, dentaries, palatine, and vomer with teeth. Upper jaw hooked in large specimens. Rear margin of jaw extends to anterior or middle of orbit. Two supramaxilla above maxilla. Dorsal fin origin anterior to anal fin origin (anal fin similar in size). Pectoral and pelvic fins fairly large. Scales absent.
Color
Pale yellowish on body with a dark head.
Size
Maximum size to 21.7cm SL.
Habitat
Benthopelagic to abyssal from 2,000-4,156m.
Range
Gulf of Mexico
References
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.
Whitehead, P.J.P. , M.-L. Bauchot, J.-C. Hureau, J.G. Nielsen and E. Tortonese. 1986. Fishes of the North-eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Vol. I-III. UNESCO. Fishes of the North-eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean. http://species-identification.org.