Teleostei (teleosts) >
Argentiniformes (Marine smelts) >
Microstomatidae (Pencil smelts)
Etymology: obscura: From the dark color of the body and scale pockets.
Eponymy: Fridtjof Nansen (1861–1930) was a Norwegian explorer, scientist, diplomat and later recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. [...] (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; benthopelagic; depth range 0 - 490 m (Ref. 41397). Deep-water
Western Indian Ocean: Yemen and Somalia, Arabian Peninsula.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 15.2 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 41397)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal soft rays (total): 9 - 10; Anal soft rays: 9 - 10; Vertebrae: 42 - 44. Branchiostegal rays 4. Caudal peduncle long and narrow; 2.2-2.6 times the depth. Anterodorsal distance is 48-52% SL. Intensively black pigmented scale pockets; adipose fin pigmented only along its base (Ref. 41397).
Body shape (shape guide): elongated.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Kobyliansky, S.G., 1992. Two new species from the genus Nansenia (Microstomatidae, Salmoniformes) from the western Indian Ocean. J. Ichthyol. 32(7):30-36. (Ref. 41397)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: bycatch
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