Common Name
Dubious Spiderfish
Year Described
Vaillant, 1888
Identification
Dorsal Fin: 14-16
Anal Fin: 8-10
Pelvic Fin: 8 (first two thickened and elongate)
Pectoral Fin: two tiny rays; then 2 rays thickened and elongate; then 1-4 tiny rays; then 9-11 joined rays of moderate length
Branchiostegal Rays: 13
Gill Rakers: 12-14 on epibranch, 1 on corner, and 28-30 lower (first arch)
Lateral Line: 59-63
Vertebrae: 61-65
Body fairly elongate with a tiny eye and a large mouth. Teeth small. Pectoral fin in two parts, with several elongate rays extending beyond caudal fin base and a short ventral section. Ventral fins with first rays thickened and elongate (up to half of SL). Anal fin origin under last ray of dorsal fin. Lowermost caudal fin principle rays are slightly elongate (much less than SL). Sub-caudal notch present. Adipose fin present. Body scales small and simple.
Color
Body and head black, with pale edges to scale pockets. Fins dark to black.
Size
Maximum size to 205mm SL.
Habitat
Continental slope and rise from 750-1941m over soft bottoms.
Range
Northwestern Atlantic: a single record from south of Newfoundland.
References
Sulak, K. J. 1977. The systematics and biology of Bathypterois (Pisces, Chlorophthalmidae) with a revised classification of benthic myctophiform fishes. Galathea Report v. 14: 49-108, Pls. 1-7.
Other Notes
Related to Bathypterois phenax of the tropical W. Atlantic and B. atricolor of the tropical E. Atlantic.