Melamphaes lugubris Gilbert, 1890
Highsnout melamphid

Family:  Melamphaidae (Bigscale fishes or ridgeheads)
Max. size:  8.5 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 50 - 3400 m
Distribution:  North Pacific: Japan (Ref. 559); Gulf of Alaska to northern Baja California, Mexico.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 3-3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-16; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 7-9; Vertebrae: 28-31. Pectorals long and slender, reaching beyond anus but not as long as head (Ref. 6885). Dark brown or black in color; black on throat and branchiostegals (8-8) (Ref. 6885).
Biology:  In the sub-arctic region, young may be found at depths between 50-300 m while older individuals occur at depths between 200-500 m (Ref. 6885). Further south, in the transition zone, young are found from 200-300 m and older individuals between 200-500 m (Ref. 6885). Oviparous, with planktonic larvae and eggs (Ref. 36655).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 30 December 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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