| Family: |
Melamphaidae (Bigscale fishes or ridgeheads) |
| Max. size: |
6.4 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
bathypelagic; marine; depth range 150 - 1000 m |
| Distribution: |
Atlantic Ocean. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 2-3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-12; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 9-10; Vertebrae: 27-30. Branchiostegal rays: 8 (Ref. 36655). Large eye, measures more than 20% of head length. Body slender and angular. Scales on body and operculum mostly missing. Pelvic fin long, extends almost to anal fin origin. Gal bladder well developed (Ref. 37108). |
| Biology: |
Mesopelagic species, adults trawled at depths below 400 m, juveniles below 150 meters. There is significant morphological variation between Indo-Pacific and other populations. Oviparous, with planktonic eggs and larvae (Ref. 36655). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 06 January 2015 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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