| Family: |
Melamphaidae (Bigscale fishes or ridgeheads) |
| Max. size: |
10.6 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
bathypelagic; brackish; marine; depth range 100 - 3200 m |
| Distribution: |
North Atlantic: off the American, European and African coasts; central part of the Ocean - above the Corner Ridge and North-Atlantic Ridge (northern most 57°46'N, 11°05'W). South Atlantc: Vema Seamount, Argentina to South Africa (northern most 18°39'S, 04°16'W, all other catches up to 40°S. Indian Ocean: off South Africa, Madagascar and Mozambique ridges. Pacific: Northwest - off Nampo Is. And Ogasawara (Bonin); Northeast - off California; Southwest - Tasman Sea. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 3-3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 5-5; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 17-17. Light brown body; unpigmented fins; mouth and branchial cavity light brown. Well-developed post temporal spine, directed antero-dorsally. About 20 transverse rows of scales (nape to caudal fin) (Ref. 31511). Head with obtuse angle in lateral margin (Ref. 37108). |
| Biology: |
A mesopelagic oceanic species (Ref. 84880) |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 15 July 2014 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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