Common Name
Sargasso Blindfish
Year Described
Nielsen, 2015
Identification
Dorsal Fin: 59-65
Anal Fin: 47-53
Pectoral Fin: 12-14
Pelvic Fin: 1
Caudal Fin: 7-8
Gill Rakers: 11-13 (long rakers), the rest degenerate
Vertebrae: 63-65 (26-28 precaudal)
Elongate, relatively slender, and translucent, with loose gelatinous skin. Head very large with blunt snout. Mouth extending well past eye. Eye tiny and embedded under skin. Premaxillary, dentary, and vomer with small teeth. Pseudobranchs present. Penis with two small claspers. Dorsal fin origin further back than in Aphyonus gelatinosus (>42.5-46.0% SL). Dorsal and anal fins continuous with caudal fin.
Color
Fresh specimens are pale translucent yellow with a very dark peritoneum.
Size
Specimens range from 61-118mm SL.
Habitat
Abyssal from 4279-5011m.
Range
Known from the Sargasso Sea and off Venezuela.
References
Nielsen, J. G. 2015. Revision of the aphyonid genus Aphyonus (Teleostei, Ophidiiformes) with a new genus and two new species. Zootaxa, 4039(2), 323-344.
Other Notes
Differs from P. rassi in having more long gill rakers (11-13 vs. 3-4) and much lower meristics.