Chaunax africanus Ho & Last, 2013
African coffinfish
Chaunax africanus
photo by Ho, H.-C.

Family:  Chaunacidae (Sea toads o coffinfishes)
Max. size:  22.7 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 162 - 200 m
Distribution:  Western Indian Ocean: Mozambique (probably endemic in the southwestern Indian Ocean).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 3-3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-12; Anal soft rays: 6-7. This species which is a member of the C. fimbriatus-species group is distinguished from its congeners in having the following characters: body is covered by variable-sized, irregular brownish patches and a complex white reticulate pattern; eye circled by prominent radiating brownish markings; dorsal-fin base with 2-3 pairs of narrow brownish bars; pale reticulate markings frequently double-lined; pattern extending forward to front of lower jaw, and over pectoral and caudal fins; bridging each neuromast are 3-4 pairs of spinules; second gill arch with 8-9 rakers; short and stout illicium; small illicial trough oval in shape; esca with numerous thin pale cirri with brown tips; pale gill chamber; peritoneal membrane black; lateral-line neuromast counts: upper preopercular = 2, infraorbital = 6-7, hyomandibular = 3, pectoral = 10-12, body proper = 31-32 (Ref. 94130).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 12 October 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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