Humpback anglerfish
📖 Overview
Meso- and bathypelagic . Males dwarfed and non-parasitic . Caught with plankton nets . Capable of catching and swallowing prey larger than itself, as witness the approximately 24.0 cm SL specimen of Chauliodus sp. in the stomach of a 6.6 cm SL individual (NMNZ P 14537) . Larvae are found primarily in upper 100 m . Oviparous, with planktonic larvae . Eggs are presumably contained in floating gelatinous rafts .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13 - 17; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 3 - 5. Esca with compressed posterior and anterior crests; anterior margin of vomer nearly straight; minute skin spines present over most of body . Branchiostegal rays 6 . Caudal-fin rays 8. Scales are cone-shaped, hollow and translucent; with circular base and a free edge pointing towards the caudal region. Left otolith, oblong shape with regular edges, inner face does not present rostrum, antirostrum or cisure . Distinguishing characteristics of metamorphosed female: least outside width between frontals 13.5-28.6% SL; upper jaw with 48-134 teeth, lower jaw 32-78 teeth; length of longest tooth in lower jaw 8.4-25% SL; width of pectoral fin lobe 10.7-17.8% SL; width of escal bulb 4.3-8.6% SL; length of illicium 32.4-60.8% SL; skin with minute spinules over most of body; relatively thick integument 1.55 mm . Distinguishing characteristics of metamorphosed male: upper denticular with 9-13 ventrally directed anterior teeth and posteromedial series of 8-11 teeth; lower denticular 12-24 teeth; posterior nostril contiguous with eye; at most 24 olfactory lamellae; skin naked or spinulose .: short and / or deep.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Humpback anglerfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Humpback anglerfish is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Oviparous .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; bathypelagic; depth range 100 - 4500 m , usually 100 - 1500 m . Deep-water; 50°N - 50°S, 180°W - 180°E South China Sea and East China Sea (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centrocetus spinulosus | Regan & Trewavas | 1932 | Synonym |
| Melanocetus cirrifer | Regan & Trewavas | 1932 | Synonym |
| Melanocetus ferox | Regan | 1926 | Synonym |
| Melanocetus krechi | Brauer | 1902 | Synonym |
| Melanocetus megalodontis | Beebe & Crane | 1947 | Synonym |
| Melanocetus rotundatus | Gilchrist | 1903 | Synonym |
| Melanocoetus rotundatus | Gilchrist | 1903 | Synonym |
| Xenoceratias braueri | Koefoed | 1944 | Synonym |
| Xenoceratias brevirostris | Regan & Trewavas | 1932 | Synonym |
| Xenoceratias heterorhynchus | Regan & Trewavas | 1932 | Synonym |
| Xenoceratias laevis | Regan & Trewavas | 1932 | Synonym |
| Xenoceratias micracanthus | Regan & Trewavas | 1932 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 90 records indexed .
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