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Oneirodidae (Dreamers)
Etymology: Dolopichthys: Greek, 'dolops' or 'dolopos' = ambusher + Greek, 'ichthys' = fish (meaning "a fish that attacks by surprise") (Ref. 86949).
More on authors: Regan & Trewavas.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; bathypelagic; depth range 800 - 2000 m (Ref. 86949). Deep-water
Tropical to temperate parts of all oceans.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 11.5 cm SL (female)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal soft rays (total): 5 - 8; Anal soft rays: 4 - 6. Characterized by having escal morphology: escal bulb with small rounded, anteriorly to anteroventrally directed papilla on anterior midline, continuous internally with slightly larger posteriorly to posterodorsally directed papilla on dorsal midline; compressed posterior appendage sigmoidal in shape and usually twice as long as escal bulb; darkly pigmented swollen basal part of posterior appendage in specimens 84mm and larger; presence of filaments on posterior appendage, pigmented in specimens 84 mm and larger; dorsal fin rays 5-8; anal fin rays 4-6; pectoral fin rays 17-22 (Ref. 86949).
Body shape (shape guide): short and / or deep.
Mesopelagic (Ref. 10524).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Bertelsen, E., 1990. Oneirodidae. p. 498-507. In J.C. Quero, J.C. Hureau, C. Karrer, A. Post, and L. Saldanha (eds.) Check-list of the fishes of the eastern tropical Atlantic (CLOFETA). JNICT, Lisbon; SEI, Paris; and UNESCO, Paris. Vol. 1. (Ref. 10524)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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