Mergui velvetchin

📖 Overview

Mergui velvetchin (Hapalogenys merguiensis), first described by Iwatsuki, Satapoomin & Amaoka, 2000 is a medium-sized fish in the family Hapalogenyidae (order Perciformes). Adults typically reach 17.90 cm in maximum length. It inhabits marine coastal and open-ocean environments. Recorded depth range: 78 to 180 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): 6; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 9 - 10; Vertebrae: 24. Head and body generally dark brownish when fresh. Two indistinct oblique dark bands on body, the first descending from the nape to behind the pectoral fin; the second from base of anterior 2nd or 3rd dorsal fin spines and soft dorsal fin base, curving backward thru the lateral line to soft anal fin and caudal peduncle. Maxillary scales absent. Eye diameter greater than one quarter of the head length. Ten pores on and behind the chin; often with slitlike pores posteriorly. Fleshy lower lip with a cluster of very short dense papillae. At the origin of the dorsal fin is a procumbent spinelike process (exposed tip of first pterygiophore) .: short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Mergui velvetchin is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; pelagic-neritic; depth range 78 - 180 m . Tropical west coast of Thailand.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 2 records indexed .

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