Alepocephalus tenebrosus Gilbert, 1892
California slickhead
Alepocephalus tenebrosus
photo by Van Orden, W.

Family:  Alepocephalidae (Slickheads)
Max. size:  61 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 46 - 5500 m
Distribution:  North Pacific: Bering Sea to at least California, USA. Southeast Pacific: Chile (Ref. 35724).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15-18; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 15-18; Vertebrae: 51-55. Branchiostegal rays: 6-7.
Biology:  Found near or on bottoms (Ref. 2850). Feed on small crustaceans. Regarded as inferior food because of its soft, fleshy texture (Ref. 4525). Oviparous, with mesopelagic and bathypelagic larvae (Ref. 35724).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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