Lepidopus dubius Parin & Mikhailin, 1981
Doubtful scabbardfish
Lepidopus dubius
photo by FAO

Family:  Trichiuridae (Cutlassfishes), subfamily: Lepidopodinae
Max. size:  43 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; marine; depth range 20 - 500 m
Distribution:  Eastern Atlantic: equator to 14°30'S.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 83-89; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 48-53; Vertebrae: 91-96. Upper head profile slightly convex, rising gently from snout to nape; posterior confluence of frontal ridges before rear margin of orbits. Orbits nearly touching upper profile, interorbital space strongly convex. Pelvic fins reduced to 1 scale-like spine and 1 - 2 tiny soft rays. Pyloric caeca 13. Color is silvery; edges of jaws and opercle blackish.
Biology:  Juveniles epipelagic to mesopelagic from 20 to 220 m (Ref. 6181).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 13 May 2013 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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 Not for publication.