Common Name
Abyssal Halosaur
Year Described
Günther, 1878
Identification
Dorsal Fin: 11-13
Anal Fin:
Pectoral Fin: I, 11-12
Pelvic Fin: I, 9
Lateral Line Scales: 12-16 (to pelvic), 26-32 (to anus)
Branchiostegal Rays: 11-13
Gill Rakers: 15-16 (total on first arch)
Pyloric Caeca: 10-12
Body very elongate and moderately compressed. Scales absent on top of head but present on opercle. Lateral line scales slightly larger than the body scales. Scales above lateral line number 14-16. Scales around belly usually 9. First dorsal ray is long, unbranched, and segmented. Pectoral fin almost reaches dorsal fin.
Color
Body pale to dark brown with darker scale edges. Opercle and head darker brown. The lateral line sheath is darkly pigmented (unlike other halosaurs). The median fins are dark. The interior of the mouth is gray. The pyloric caeca are unpigmented.
Size
Maximum size to 90cm TL.
Habitat
Benthopelagic from 1,100-3,200m.
Range
Scattered records from Nova Scotia to Cape Hatteras off the eastern U.S. Also off Cuba and in the central Atlantic on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
References
McDowell, S.B. In: Cohen, D.M., N.B. Marshall, A.W. Ebeling, D.E. Rosen, T. Iwamoto, P. Sonoda, S.B. McDowell, W.H. Weed III, and L.P. Woods. 1973. Fishes of the Western North Atlantic. Part 6. Hereromi, Cyprinodontoidei, Berycomorphi, Xenoberyces, Anacanthini. Memoir No. 1. Sears Foundation for Marine Research; Yale University, New Haven, CT. 698 pp., 235 plates.
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.