Short-headed tonguefish

📖 Overview

Based on recovered landings where this species is included in an assemblage of fish species which generally live at, or about at, depths shallower than 100 m, this fish is a shallow-water species of tonguefish inhabiting depths of approximately 100 m or so .

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal soft rays (total): 81 - 87; Anal soft rays: 69 - 74; Vertebrae: 45 - 48. This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: ID pattern1-2-2-2-2; caudal-fin rays 12; vertebrae, abdominal 9 (3 + 6), total 45-48; hypurals 4; D 81-87, A 69-74, longitudinal scale rows 72-82, transverse scale rows 26-30, scale rows on head posterior to lower orbit 15-18; with a moderately wide body (BD= 24.9–27.5% of SL); preanal length short (PAL = 21.4-25.9% of SL); head relatively short (HL= 17.3-20.8% of SL) and with its length usually shorter than its width (HW/HL= 1.04-1.19); postorbital length relatively long (POL = 69.6-74.9% of HL); upper head lobe is usually wider than lower head lobe; dorsal-fin origin at, or slightly posterior to, vertical through posterior margin of upper eye; predorsal length long (PDL = 22.4-28.9% of HL); snout relatively short (SNL = 13.4-19.4% of HL, SNL/ED = 1.21-1.71), rounded to obliquely blunt anteriorly; eyes moderate (ED = 9.5-12.7% of HL); equal in position (anterior margin of upper eye equal to anterior margin of lower eye, or slightly subequal with anterior margin of upper slightly in advance of anterior margin of lower eye); a membrane covering both eyes; fleshy ridge well-developed on the posterior part of ocular-side lower jaw; with continuous fleshy membrane connecting anterior nostril to ventral part of lower eye. Colouration: ocular-side pigmentation uniformly yellow to light brown, blind-side uniformly white; both sides of body with distinct dermal spots on bases of anteriormost dorsal- and anal-fin rays; peritoneum reddish, with bluishblack pigmentation on dorsalmost surface .Cross section: flattened.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Short-headed tonguefish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Short-headed tonguefish is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Reproduction data for Short-headed tonguefish is currently being compiled.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; demersal; depth range ? - 100 m . Tropical

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

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