Bigeye hatchetfish

📖 Overview

Bigeye hatchetfish (Polyipnus laruei), first described by Vourey, Dupoux & Harold, 2017 is a tiny fish in the family Sternoptychidae (order Stomiiformes). Adults typically reach 4.60 cm in maximum length. It inhabits marine coastal and open-ocean environments. It occurs in Deep-water waters. It is broadly omnivorous, taking invertebrates, plant matter, and detritus. On the IUCN Red List, it is classified as Data Deficient.

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal soft rays (total): 11; Anal soft rays: 15; Vertebrae: 32. This member of the Polyipnus spinosus species group has the following unique characters: with a single OVB photophore (vs. three in other members); VAV, ACA and ACB photophores form a nearly continuous series in the form of a shallow, sigmoidal curve along the ventral margin of the body from the pelvic-fin base to near the insertion of the posteriormost anal-fin ray (vs. a noticeable space between the VAV and ACA photophores in other members except P. fraseri with no ACA photophores, but there is a gap between the VAV and ACB photophores); and the ACA photophores are separate from each other, not united in a common organ; a combination of the following features further serve to distinguish the new species - relatively large eye with diameter 22.4 % SL; with spines on photophore scales of PV, VAV, ACB, and ACC clusters; with bifurcated posttemporal spines with prominent serration; ACB photophores 6; gill rakers 25 on left side, and 26 on right; a long and broad lateral pigment bar extending below the lateral midline .: short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Bigeye hatchetfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; bathypelagic. Deep-water

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

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