Caristius digitus Stevenson & Kenaley, 2013

Family:  Caristiidae (Manefishes)
Max. size:  18.5 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; marine; depth range - 1260 m
Distribution:  Western Indian Ocean (off South Africa) and Southwestern Pacific (east coast of Australia).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 34-34; Anal soft rays: 21-21; Vertebrae: 38-38. This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following characters: presence of multiple fingerlike papillae present along dorsal margin of hyoid arch and at articulation of interhyal and posterior ceratohyal; elongated pharyngobranchial teeth (vs. short, stout pharyngobranchial teeth); and high gill raker counts (22-26 vs. 18-22) (Ref. 94277).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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