Alvheim's pufferfsh

📖 Overview

Alvheim's pufferfsh (Chelonodontops alvheimi) is a ray-finned fish. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters in benthic, deep-water environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 11.7 cm. It occurs at depths between 72 and 164 metres. With a trophic level of 3.3, it is a low-level carnivore, feeding on invertebrates and small organisms.

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal soft rays (total): 11; Anal soft rays: 9; Vertebrae: 20. This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: a strongly tapered body, caudal peduncle slender (caudal-peduncle depth 7.4-7.8% SL); dorsom with spinules, from internarial region to dorsal-fn origin; caudal-fn length 17.4-18.5% SL, nasal organ with two divided flat skin flaps that are almost equal in size. Colouration: dorsum with many small, round to elongate white spots on a greenish brown background; lateral silvery band (sometimes indistinct) from the suborbital region to caudal-fn base forming lower boundary to spotted region; ventral sides of head and body are creamy-white; three indistinct crossing dark brown bars on the dorsal side of the head and body, the first on interorbital region, second just dorsal to gill opening, while the third at dorsal-fn base; blackish marking crossing the posterior of the caudal peduncle; iris is bright yellow; dorsal, anal and pectoral fins hyaline while the caudal fin is brownish with irregular blackish vertical band posteriorly and hyaline margin .Cross section: oval.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Alvheim's pufferfsh is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; demersal; depth range 72 - 164 m . Deep-water Indian Ocean: Myanmar.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🐠 Related Species

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