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🌊 Marine 🌡️ Tropical

Horns-up dragonfish

Melanostomias dio Villarins, Fischer, Prokofiev & Mincarone, 2023
Max Length
18 cm
Max Weight
Lifespan
Trophic Level
4.1
Depth
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
31.00/100
Typical Length
Depth Zone
deep-water

📖 Overview

Horns-up dragonfish (Melanostomias dio) is a ray-finned fish of the family Stomiidae. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters in deep-water environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 18 cm. With a trophic level of 4.1, it is a mid-level predator.

Scientific Name
Melanostomias dio
Authority
Villarins, Fischer, Prokofiev & Mincarone, 2023
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Elongated
Max Length
18 cm
Trophic Level
4.1
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
31.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal soft rays (total): 16; Anal soft rays: 19; Vertebrae: 55. This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: chin barbel ending in a prominent terminal bulb with the barbel stem not extending below the bulb as a separate termination; two relatively large, slender membranous appendages arising bilaterally from the distal margin of the bulb .: elongated; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Horns-up dragonfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Horns-up dragonfish is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Reproduction data for Horns-up dragonfish is currently being compiled.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; bathypelagic; depth range ? - 440 m . Tropical Southwest Atlantic: Brazil.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🌑 Deep Water
Trophic Level
4.1±0.7

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00309 × L3.12 (TL)
Max TL
18cm
Dorsal Rays
16
Anal Rays
19
Vertebrae
55

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
31.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
4.1
Apex / Top predator
Body Shape
Elongated
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Villarins, Fischer, Prokofiev & Mincarone, 2023

👥 Community & Contribute

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