| 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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