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Melanostigma atlanticum Koefoed, 1952 Atlantic soft pout |
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photo by
Mac Eachern, W.J. |
| Family: | Zoarcidae (Eelpouts), subfamily: Gymnelinae | |||
| Max. size: | 15 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | bathypelagic; marine; depth range 400 - 1853 m | |||
| Distribution: | Northwest Atlantic: New Brunswick in Canada to Virginia in USA. Eastern Atlantic: Off the western coast of Scotland and in the Mediterranean (Gulf of Genoa; also off Spain) (Ref. 4695), Faeroe-Iceland Ridge and between Cap Blanc, Mauritania and the Canary Islands (Ref. 6950). | |||
| Diagnosis: | ||||
| Biology: | Occurs in midwater over the continental slope. Mostly found from 365-550 m depth, but enters shallower water in the northern part of range (Ref. 7251); prefers salinity of 33.4-34.7 ppt. (Ref. 5951). Bathypelagic (Ref. 58426). Feeds on foraminifera, copepods, and ostracods (Ref. 9731). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 08 July 2014 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||