Zaphotias pedaliotus (Goode & Bean, 1896)
Longray fangjaw
Zaphotias pedaliotus
photo by Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, Canada

Family:  Gonostomatidae (Bristlemouths)
Max. size:  7.5 cm SL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 2.7 g
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 100 - 1200 m
Distribution:  Eastern Atlantic: Rockall Trough, rare north of Gulf of Cadiz, Spain (Ref. 4769); Canary Islands to Gulf of Guinea (Ref. 4463). Western Atlantic: in tropical waters. Northwest Atlantic: Canada (Ref. 5951). Indian Ocean: in tropical waters.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16-20; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 28-31. Silvery operculum and peritoneum; tail translucent ventrally; dorsal and caudal rays pigmented (Ref. 3991). Single row of body photophores (Ref. 37473).
Biology:  Mesopelagic species, showing marked stratification of size with depth, with the largest individuals deepest (Ref. 4869); also bathypelagic (Ref. 5951). Exhibits diel color change, darkening slightly at night (Ref. 4769). Feeds on zooplankton.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 11 May 2012 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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