Murray's abyssal anglerfish
📖 Overview
Murray's abyssal anglerfish (Melanocetus murrayi), first described by Günther, 1887 is a tiny fish in the family Melanocetidae (order Lophiiformes). Adults typically reach 2.00 cm in maximum length. It inhabits marine coastal and open-ocean environments. Recorded depth range: 100 to 6370 metres. It occurs in Deep-water waters. It feeds on a mix of small fish and invertebrates as a mid-level predator. On the IUCN Red List, it is classified as Least Concern.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal soft rays (total): 12 - 14; Anal soft rays: 4. Distinguishing characteristics of metamorphosed female: deeply concave anterior margin of vomer, least outside width between frontals 9.1-17.8% SL; upper jaw with 34-178 teeth, lower jaw 46-142 teeth; length of longest tooth in lower jaw 7.7-16.7% SL; width of pectoral fin lobe 6.1-8.9% SL; width of escal bulb 1.9-5.1% SL; length of illicium 23.1-37.2% SL; esca with minute crests or absent; skin with minute spinules restricted to caudal peduncle; relatively thin integument 0.48 mm . Distinguishing characteristics of metamorphosed male: upper denticular with 9-12 ventrally directed anterior teeth and posteromedial series of 3-5 teeth; lower denticular 10-13 teeth; posterior nostril contiguous with eye; 12-14 olfactory lamellae; skin naked or with few scattered dermal spinules .: short and / or deep.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Murray's abyssal anglerfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; bathypelagic; depth range 100 - 6370 m , usually 1000 - 2500 m . Deep-water; 65°N - 60°S, 180°W - 180°E
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melanocetus tumidus | Parr | 1927 | Synonym |
| Melanocetus vorax | Brauer | 1902 | Synonym |
| Rhynchoceratias acanthirostris | Parr | 1927 | Synonym |
| Rhynchoceratias latirhinus | Parr | 1927 | Synonym |
| Rhynchoceratias longipinnis | Parr | 1930 | Synonym |
| Rhynchoceratis latirhinus | Parr | 1927 | Synonym |
| Xenoceratias acanthirostris | Parr | 1927 | Synonym |
| Xenoceratias latirhinus | Parr | 1927 | Synonym |
| Xenoceratias longipinnis | Parr | 1930 | Synonym |
| Xenoceratias regani | Koefoed | 1944 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 27 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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