Himantolophus albinares Maul, 1961
Himantolophus albinares
photo by JAMARC

Family:  Himantolophidae (Footballfishes)
Max. size:  19 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 330 - 1950 m
Distribution:  Atlantic Ocean.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 5-5; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 4-4. Illicium short, its base above eyes; rays of pectoral and unpaired fins black; white spot on the dorsal and ventral margins of caudal fin base respectively; two pairs of swellings in the distal end of esca, the anterior pair only half as long as the posterior one (Ref. 13608). Distinguishing characteristics of metamorphosed female: length of illicium 36-54% SL in specimens greater than 3 cm; deeply cleft distal escal appendage, undivided part 1.0-9.4% SL; each primary branch of distal escal appendage simple, darkly pigmented except on distal tip, total length 8-13% SL in specimens 3.4-6.6 cm, 25-74% SL in specimens 7.5-19 cm; length of posterior escal appendage 8.5-21% SL in specimens 3-19 cm, faint pigmentation or absent; illicial stem with posterolateral appendages 2-9, simple or branched at tip, longest 7-23% SL in specimens greater than 3 cm; absence of dermal spinules on escal bulb and appendages (Ref. 86949).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 09 July 2014 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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