Common Name
Mozambique Assfish
Year Described
Tomiyama, Takami, & Fukui, 2016
Identification
Dorsal Fin: 116-117
Anal Fin: 95-98
Pelvic Fin: 1
Pectoral Fin: 26-27
Caudal Fin: 8
Gill Rakers: 14-15 (long rakers on first arch)
Vertebrae: 13 (precaudal), 50-52 (caudal), 63-65 (total)
Oblique Scales: 30-31
Body elongate, compressed, and tapering strongly post-anus. Body depth 15-18% SL. Head large (HL 19-22% SL). Mouth inferior. Anterior nostril on snout, posterior between front nostril and eye. Eye small. Mouth large, extending well past orbit. Rear of maxilla expanded. Tooth patches present on dentary, premaxilla, vomer, palatine, and basibranchial. Teeth tiny and conical. Preopercle lacks spines. Opercular spine weak. Dorsal and anal fins continuous with tail. Dorsal fin origin between preopercle and pectoral base (predorsal length 18-20% SL). Anal fin base averages under the 22nd dorsal fin ray. Dorsal fin slightly higher anteriorly. Caudal fin present but small. Pectoral fin moderate, at eye level, and fan-like. Pelvic fin origin below preopercle margin and does not reach anus. Body flabby and weakly muscled. Cycloid scales cover head and body but absent on jaw. Lateral line absent.
Color
Color dark brown in preservative with paler yellow-brown fins. Gill area and peritoneum blackish.
Size
Two known specimens are 431-478mm SL.
Habitat
Found in deep water over soft bottoms (1200-1600m).
Range
Known from two specimens: one from the western Indian Ocean and one from off S. Brazil.
References
Tomiyama, S., and A. Fukui. 2021. First Record of the Rare Deepwater Assfish Bassozetus mozambiquensis (Ophidiiformes: Ophidiidae) from the Western South Atlantic. Species Diversity, 26(2), 187-190.