Porichthys bathoiketes

Common Name

Deepwater Midshipman

Year Described

Gilbert, 1968

Identification

Dorsal Fin: II, 33-36
Anal Fin: 31-33
Pectoral Fin: 15-18
Pelvic Fin: I, 2
Gill Rakers: 11-14
Vertebrae: 42-44
Photophores: 22-29 (mandibular), 37-49 (branchiostegal), 33-43 (gular), 30-38 (gastric), 34-44 (ventral), 33-38 (anal)

Photophores on body. Anterior end of branchiostegal photophore series with a forward-facing, U-shaped commissure. A single opercular spine. Uppermost pectoral fin rays with glands present. No scales. Four lateral lines.

Color

Body relatively dark compared to other species (scale edges dark). Seven to eight dark saddles along dorsum posterior to gill cover, with the last few coalescing. Sides lighter than belly. Dorsal and anal fins with a continuous dark margin.

Size

Maximum size to 103mm SL.

Habitat

Benthic

Range

Honduras to Colombia

References

Gilbert, C. R. 1968. Western Atlantic batrachoidid fishes of the genus Porichthys, including three new species. Bulletin of Marine Science v. 18 (no. 3): 671-730.