Amaoka’s flabby whalefish (Gyrinomimus amaokai), first described by Su, Paxton & Ho, 2026 is a large fish in the family Cetomimidae (order Beryciformes). Adults typically reach 47.50 cm in maximum length. It inhabits marine coastal and open-ocean environments. Recorded depth range: 0 to 3000 metres. It occurs in Subtropical waters.
Vertebrae: 51 - 53. This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: 2-5 (very rarely 1) spines on dorsal and ventral arms of the lateral-line scales which, at least in preserved specimens, penetrate the skin of the lateral-line canal; cavernous tissue present around anus and extending to base of anterior 2nd-14th anal-fin rays; filaments on fourth gill arch well developed, its length 43.2-64.6% filament on first arch; anal lappets 8-14, with last over anal-fin rays 12-16, and with scales; vertebrae 32-34 + 17-20 = 51-53; GRIII 1 + 1 + 1; dorsal-fin rays 17-21; anal-fin rays 17-20; lateral-line pores 18-22; lateral-line scales 17-21; and IO 7 + 2 (very rarely 8 + 2) and copular tooth plate elongated, greatest width 3.3-4.1 in length .: elongated.
Behavioural data for Amaoka’s flabby whalefish is currently being reviewed.
Marine; bathypelagic; depth range 0 - 3000 m . Subtropical Northwest Pacific: Japan.
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