São Tomé deepwater cardinalfish
📖 Overview
São Tomé deepwater cardinalfish (Epigonus lustrans), first described by Okamoto, Fricke & Yagishita, 2025 is a small fish in the family Epigonidae (order Acropomatiformes). Adults typically reach 10.60 cm in maximum length. It inhabits marine coastal and open-ocean environments. Recorded depth range: 6 to 71 metres. It occurs in Tropical waters. It feeds on a mix of small fish and invertebrates as a mid-level predator.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 9; Vertebrae: 25. This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: dorsal-fin rays VII-I, 10; pectoral-fin rays 16-17; total gill rakers 23-25; vertebrae 10 + 15; pyloric caeca 8; pored lateral-line scales 46-49 + 4; absence of opercular spine; absence of maxillary mustache-like processes; absence of lingual teeth; small conical teeth on lower jaw; pair of ribs present on last abdominal vertebra (Fig. 1e); absence of tubercle on inner symphysis of lower jaw; pectoral-fin length 16.8-22.8% SL; postorbital length 10.8-12.7% SL; silvery white gill cover; and light brown pectoral fin .: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for São Tomé deepwater cardinalfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; demersal; depth range 6 - 71 m . Tropical Central Atlantic: São Tomé and Príncipe.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
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