Malthopsis lutea Alcock, 1891
Yellow triangular batfish
Malthopsis lutea
photo by Ho, H.-C.

Family:  Ogcocephalidae (Batfishes)
Max. size:  10 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 100 - 500 m
Distribution:  Indian Ocean: from the Andaman Sea and may extend nearby (i.e. India).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 5-5; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 4-4. This species is characterized by the following: subopercular buckler dull, with many small blunt spinelets at its tip; the ventral surface is covered with small- to mid-bucklers, totally naked between these bucklers; relatively short and blunt rostrum, directed upward; principal bucklers on dorsal surface relatively small and low; dorsal surface with few brown rings (Ref. 86633).
Biology:  A benthic species (Ref. 75154) found on the continental slope (Ref. 7300, 75154).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 13 August 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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