Taiwanese flashlight fish

📖 Overview

Taiwanese flashlight fish (Protoblepharon mccoskeri) is a ray-finned fish of the family Anomalopidae. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters in benthic environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 30.5 cm. With a trophic level of 3.7, it is a mid-level predator. It is assessed as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List.

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 11. This species is distinguished from its only congener, P. rosenblatti, in having the following features: deeper body, 2.3 in SL (vs. 2.8 in SL); dorsal profile more strongly convex; pelvic fin origin anterior to (vs. posterior to) vertical through origin of dorsal fin, prepelvic length and pectoral fin are much shorter, the appressed fin falling short of (vs. reaching) lateral line; shorter pelvic fin, the appressed fin falling short of (vs. reaching well beyond) midpoint between pelvic and anal fin origins; eye and light organ smaller; longest dorsal-fin spine the second (vs. the seventh); first, second and sixth dorsal-fin spines longer; seventh dorsal-fin spine much shorter; pseudobranch filaments 38 (vs. ca. 27); scale rows along vertical between origin of dorsal fin and lateral line ca. 30 (vs. ca. 18); scale rows along body axis over 260 (vs. ca. 145); enlarged scales surrounding anal fin base 37 (vs. 21 at anal fin base); single row of enlarged cycloid, plate-like scales along the margin of gill cavity (vs. 2-3 irregular rows of small scales) .: fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Taiwanese flashlight fish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; demersal; depth range ? - 300 m . Subtropical Northwest Pacific: eastern Taiwan.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

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