Melanostomias niger Gilchrist & von Bonde, 1924
Fangtooth dragonfish
Melanostomias niger
photo by Fischer, L.G.

Family:  Stomiidae (Barbeled dragonfishes), subfamily: Melanostomiinae
Max. size:  26 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine
Distribution:  Eastern Indian Ocean: Australia (Ref. 7300). Southwest Pacific: New Zealand (Ref. 5755). Southeast Atlantic: Namibia to South Africa. Associated with the southern Subtropical Convergence. South Atlantic between 20° and 50°S and Pacific (Ref. 47377).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15-17; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 17-20
Biology:  Mesopelagic species (Ref. 4468, 75154).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 12 October 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.