Common Name
Abyssal Spiderfish
Year Described
Günther, 1878
Identification
Dorsal Fin: 12-14
Anal Fin: 9-10
Pelvic Fin: 8-9 (first two thickened and elongate)
Pectoral Fin: two tiny rays; then 2 rays thickened and elongate; then 1-3 tiny rays; then 9-11 joined rays of moderate length
Branchiostegal Rays: 11-13
Gill Rakers: 12 on epibranch, 1 on corner, and 27-29 lower (first arch)
Lateral Line: 54-58
Vertebrae: 52-55
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 long ventral section extending to beyond dorsal fin. Ventral fins with first rays thickened and elongate (less than SL). Anal fin origin under middle rays of dorsal fin. Lowermost caudal fin principle rays are slightly elongate (much less than SL). There is no sub-caudal notch. Adipose fin present. Body scales small and simple.
Color
Body and fins black, with scale pockets outlined in white. Fin membranes pale.
Size
Maximum size to 250mm SL.
Habitat
Benthic on the abyssal plain from 2,600-5,600m.
Range
Off the eastern U.S. and from S. Brazil to Uruguay. Props itself up on pelvic and caudal rays.
References
Franco, M.A., A.C. Braga, G.W. Nunan, & P.A. Costa. 2009. Fishes of the family Ipnopidae (Teleostei: Aulopiformes) collected on the Brazilian continental slope between 11 degrees and 23 degrees S. J. Fish Biol. 75(4): 797-815.
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.
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.