Short-rod anglerfish

📖 Overview

Short-rod anglerfish (Microlophichthys microlophus) is a ray-finned fish of the family Oneirodidae. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters in deep-water environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 11.8 cm. It occurs at depths between 800 and 2200 metres. With a trophic level of 3.9, it is a mid-level predator. It is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal soft rays (total): 5 - 7; Anal soft rays: 4 - 6. Metamorphosed females distinguished by the following characteristics: wide ethmoid cartilage and vomer, wider than distance between anterolateral tips of lateral ethmoids and frontals; presence of vomerine teeth; large and nearly circular nasal foramina; frontals short, lying posterior to the ethmoid region, dorsal margin convex; ventromedial extensions of frontals approach each other on midline, making contact with parasphenoid; frontals separated from prootics; presence of pterosphenoid; anterior end of illicial trough wider and shallower than posterior end; well developed sphenotic spines; symphysial cartilage of upper jaw longer than wide; lower jaw with well developed symphisial spine; hyomandibula with double head; well developed quadrate spine, longer than articular spine; deeply notched posterior margin of opercle; short and broad subopercle, dorsal end rounded or tapering to a blunt point, ventral end nearly circular; first pharyngobranchial reduced to a tiny remnant; absence of second hypobranchial; caudal fin rays without internal pigmentation; extremely short illicium, approximately equal to length of escal bulb; pterygiophore of illicium cylindrical throughout, emerging on snout from between frontal bones, anterior end barely exposed, posterior end concealed beneath the skin; first ray of dorsal fin well developed; dorsal fin rays 5-7; anal fin rays 4-6; short and broad pectoral fin lobe, shorter than longest rays of pectoral fin; pectoral fin rays 18-20; coracoid lacking posteroventral process; simple pelvic bones, with or without distal expansion; skin smooth and naked, without dermal spinules; darkly pigmented skin of caudal peduncle extends well past base of caudal fin .

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Short-rod anglerfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; bathypelagic; depth range 800 - 2200 m . Deep-water

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 13 records indexed .

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