Luthulenchelys Heemstraorum

📖 Overview

Luthulenchelys Heemstraorum (Luthulenchelys heemstraorum) is a ray-finned fish. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters. This species can reach a maximum total length of 47.3 cm. With a trophic level of 3.7, it is a mid-level predator. It is assessed as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List.

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

This species is distinguished by an body with tail 62%, head 7.2%, and body depth at gill opening 1.3% of total length; dorsal-fin origin nearly 2 head lengths behind pectoral-fin tips; pectoral fin elongate; posterior nostril a hole within upper lip, covered by a flap that extends below edge of lip; no barbels on upper lip and a no slit at posterior nostril; pores small but conspicuous, SO 1 + 4, IO 4 + 2, POM5 + 2; teeth small and conical, biserial on upper jaw, uniserial on lower jaw, a single vomerine tooth; coloration uniform grey-black; vertebral formula 20/61/165. Counts and measurements of the holotype (in mm): total length 472; head 34.0; trunk 144; tail 294; predorsal distance 64; pectoral-fin length 8.25; pectoral base 2.4; body depth ~6 at gill openings; body width ~6 at gill openings; body depth ~5 at anus; body width ~5 at anus; snout 7.5; tip of snout to rictus 11.2; snout overhang 3.5; eye diameter 3.0; interorbital width 3.5; gill opening height 3.1; isthmus width 2.6 .: eel-like.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Luthulenchelys Heemstraorum is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; benthopelagic; depth range ? - 460 m . Tropical South Africa.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

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