Acanthonus armatus

Common Name

Bony-eared Assfish

Year Described

Günther, 1878

Identification

Dorsal Fin: 100-108
Anal Fin: 93-99
Pelvic Fin: 2
Pectoral Fin: 16-19
Caudal Fin: 8
Gill Rakers: 4-5 upper limb, 16-22 lower limb
Branchiostegal Rays: 8-9
Vertebrae: 9-10 precaudal, 51-55 caudal vertebrae

Body elongated with a relatively huge head (over one-fourth TL). Body tapers rapidly after head, creating a tadpole shape. Snout large and rounded. Two strong spines on snout tip. Eye small. Mouth subterminal. Jaw extends well past posterior margin of orbit. Small teeth present in jaws, on palatine, and on vomer. One basibranchial tooth patch. A strong spine on upper opercle and multiple strong spines on preopercular margin. Dorsal and anal fins confluent with caudal fin. Caudal fin small. Pectoral fin moderate and rounded. Pelvic fin rays fairly short, on throat, and close together. Scales small.

Color

Body and head translucent whitish, with branchial area, gut, opercle, lower head, and eye blackish. Living specimens with yellowish markings on thoracic area and tail.

Size

Maximum size to 33.5cm TL.

Habitat

Occurs near the bottom on the abyssal plains (1957-4417m).

Range

Scattered records in the north Atlantic, the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea (Colombia, Venezuela), and off Brazil.

References

Cohen, D. M., G. W. Mead, A. G. K. Menon, A. C. Wheeler, & P. J. Whitehead, P. J. 1966. On the genera Acanthonus and Typhlonus (pisces, Brotulidae). Galathea Report: Scientific Results of the Danish Deep-Sea Expedition Round the World 1950-52, 8, 33.

McEachran, J.D. and J.D. Fechhelm. 1998. Fishes of the Gulf of Mexico. Volume 1: Myxiniformes to Gasterosteiformes. University of Texas Press, Austin. i-viii + 1-1112.