Bathypterois perceptor

Common Name

Shortnose Tripodfish

Year Described

Sulak, 1977

Identification

Dorsal Fin: 14
Anal Fin: 9
Pelvic Fin: 9 (first two thickened and elongate)
Pectoral Fin: two tiny rays; then 2 rays thickened and elongate; then 1 tiny ray; then 13 joined rays of moderate length
Branchiostegal Rays: 13
Gill Rakers: 12 on epibranch, 1 on corner, and 28 lower (first arch)
Lateral Line: 57-61
Vertebrae: 59

Body fairly elongate with a tiny eye, relatively short snout, 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 slightly elongate (much less than 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 whitish-pink with a silvery cast. Centers and edges of scale pockets with minute melanophores. Head body colored except for black eye and gill membranes.

Size

Maximum size to 165mm SL.

Habitat

Deep slope waters from 1,200-1,600m over soft bottoms.

Range

Southwestern Atlantic: off SE Brazil

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

Most closely related to Bathypterois longifilis from the SW Pacific and B. ventralis from the E. Pacific.