Southern African triangular batfish
📖 Overview
Southern African triangular batfish (Malthopsis austrafricana) is a ray-finned fish of the family Ogcocephalidae. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters in benthic environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 8.4 cm. It occurs at depths between 170 and 700 metres. With a trophic level of 3.3, it is a low-level carnivore, feeding on invertebrates and small organisms. It is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: body covered with conical bucklers and numerous prickles; long rostrum (mean 8.3% SL) is stout, pointed, with a broad base, directed forward horizontally; top of head with 3 irregular rows of bucklers; ventral surface of disk is densely covered by prickles and small flat bucklers, some have slightly larger and denser bucklers on breast than on belly; blunt subopercular buckler without well-developed spines; small orbit (mean 12.5% SL); small spinelets on the tips of both post-subopercular bucklers; broad interorbital space (mean 8.4% SL), forming a deep groove; OD/RL = 1.1-1.9; OD/IO = 1.3-1.7; when depressed, anal fin reaches or is beyond caudal-fin base .: other (see remarks); Cross section: flattened.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Southern African triangular batfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; demersal; depth range 170 - 700 m . Tropical South Africa, Mozambique and Madagascar.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
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