Haplophryne mollis (Brauer, 1902)
Soft leafvent angler
Haplophryne mollis
photo by Pohl, R.E.

Family:  Linophrynidae (Leftvents)
Max. size:  15.9 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range - 2250 m, oceanodromous
Distribution:  Tropical and subtropical parts of all oceans. Four specimens are known from off Madeira.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 3-3; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 3-3. Mature females are unpigmented and have a nearly rounded shape of body. There are spines above the eyes and behind the mouth. The illicium consists of a rounded flap without pole. Small numerous teeth in both jaws (Ref. 557). Free lining males are characterized by: having weak sphenotic spines, nearly absent; slender and angled preopercle; moderately elevated epiotic region of skull; well developed premaxillae; 20-24 teeth on each side of upper and lower jaws (Ref. 86949).
Biology:  Also mesopelagic (Ref. 7300). A small deep-sea angler fish. Males dwarfed, becoming parasitic on females (Ref. 10762). An 8 cm female was found with 3 parasitic males of 18 mm length, attached to her ventral side. Adult (=parasitic) males are colorless with reduced teeth, jaws, and eyes. Information on the maximum length of female was taken from Ref. 10762.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 15 July 2014 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:  First record in the Chathams Island (Ref. 45493). Recorded as scarce in the Northeastern and Eastern Chatham Rise (Ref. 87166). Voucher specimen(s) held at the NMNZ. Also from Ref. 86949.


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 Not for publication.