Symphurus thermophilus Munroe & Hashimoto, 2008
Western Pacific tonguefish

Family:  Cynoglossidae (Tonguefishes), subfamily: Symphurinae
Max. size:  8.71 cm SL (male/unsexed); 10.17 cm SL (female)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 239 - 733 m
Distribution:  Pacific: an endemic species in the western Pacific Ocean collected at several active hydrothermal vent sites with a disjunct distribution over a wide geographic range from Kaikata Seamount (26°42.30'N, 141°04.70'E; near Bonin Island, off southeastern Japan) to the Rumble 3 Submarine Volcano (35°44'S, 178°72-79'W) on the Kermadec Ridge, northern New Zealand (Ref. 78522).
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Occurs on a variety of substrata only within active hydrothermal vent sites (Ref. 78522).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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