Footballfish
📖 Overview
Footballfish (Himantolophus albinares) is a ray-finned fish of the family Himantolophidae. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters in deep-water environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 19 cm. It occurs at depths between 330 and 1950 metres. With a trophic level of 4.2, it is a mid-level predator. It is assessed as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 5; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 4. Illicium short, its base above eyes; rays of pectoral and unpaired fins black; white spot on the dorsal and ventral margins of caudal fin base respectively; two pairs of swellings in the distal end of esca, the anterior pair only half as long as the posterior one . Distinguishing characteristics of metamorphosed female: length of illicium 36-54% SL in specimens greater than 3 cm; deeply cleft distal escal appendage, undivided part 1.0-9.4% SL; each primary branch of distal escal appendage simple, darkly pigmented except on distal tip, total length 8-13% SL in specimens 3.4-6.6 cm, 25-74% SL in specimens 7.5-19 cm; length of posterior escal appendage 8.5-21% SL in specimens 3-19 cm, faint pigmentation or absent; illicial stem with posterolateral appendages 2-9, simple or branched at tip, longest 7-23% SL in specimens greater than 3 cm; absence of dermal spinules on escal bulb and appendages .: short and / or deep.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Footballfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Footballfish is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Reproduction data for Footballfish is currently being compiled.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; bathypelagic; depth range 330 - 1950 m . Deep-water Atlantic Ocean.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Footballfish |
| 🌍CES | kulovník běloskvrnný |
| 🇫🇮Finnish | ruskopallokrotti |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | シロホシチョウチンアンコウ |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Peixe-diabo-oval-de-Maul |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Белопятнистый гимантолоф |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Pez diablo ovalado de Maul |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 白斑鞭冠鮟鱇 |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 6 records indexed .
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