Common Name
Armed Blindfish
Year Described
Garman, 1899
Identification
Dorsal Fin: 90-107
Anal Fin: 42-60
Pectoral Fin: 10-14
Pelvic Fin: 1 or absent
Caudal Fin: 6
Gill Rakers: 12-15 on first arch
Vertebrae: 79-88 (43-49 precaudal)
Body elongate and slender. Head large and broader than body. The mouth is oblique and the lower jaw projects beyond the upper. Teeth present on premaxilla, dentary, and vomer. Fangs small. Eyes are minute and degenerate. Often with tissue flaps on the lower jaw. The ventral fins are very short. The pectoral fin base is extended as a limb-like pedicel. Dorsal fin origin relatively far back. The dorsal and anal fins are continuous with the caudal fin, which is relatively long. Penis short.
Color
Body pale translucent with darker pigment on the peritoneum and genitalia region. Eyes black.
Size
Known specimens range from 44-126mm SL.
Habitat
Benthic at bathyal to abyssal depths (1169-5440m).
Range
In the northwestern Atlantic, known from one specimen on the Mid-Atlantic ridge. Found worldwide so likely more widespread.
References
Nielsen, J.G. 1969. Systematics and biology of the Aphyonidae (Pisces, Ophidioidea). Galathea Report v. 10: 7-90, Pls. 1-4.
Nielsen, J.G., D.M. Cohen, D.F. Markle, and C.R. Robins. 1999. Ophidiiform fishes of the world (Order Ophidiiformes). An annotated and illustrated catalogue of pearlfishes, cusk-eels, brotulas and other ophidiiform fishes known to date. FAO Fish. Synop. 125(18): 178p.
Nielsen, J.G. 2018. Revision of the cosmopolitan deep-sea genus Sciadonus (Teleostei, Bythitidae) with two new species. Cybium, 42(2), 177-187.
Other Notes
Sciadonus kullenbergi is a junior synonym of this species.