Scopeloberyx robustus (Günther, 1887)
Longjaw bigscale
photo by Welter-Schultes, F.

Family:  Melamphaidae (Bigscale fishes or ridgeheads)
Max. size:  7.3 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 0 - 4740 m
Distribution:  Circumglobal: In tropical to temperate waters; except Arctic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. Eastern Atlantic: Gulf of Guinea and west of the Canary Islands. Eastern Pacific: California Current region (Ref. 36655). Western Pacific: Kuril Island (Ref. 52443). South China Sea (Ref.74511).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 2-3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-13; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 7-9; Vertebrae: 24-24. Dark brown body; black head, mouth, and branchial cavity; pigmented fins. Transverse rows of scales, 28 (Ref. 31511). Gill rakers on the first arch, 14-17 (Ref. 37108).
Biology:  Mesopelagic and bathypelagic at 340-1200 m depth (Ref. 36665). Oviparous, with planktonic eggs and larvae (Ref. 36655). Significant morphological variation between Indo-Pacific and other populations.
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 15 July 2014 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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