Bathylagoides wesethi (Bolin, 1938)
Snubnose blacksmelt

Family:  Bathylagidae (Deep-sea smelts)
Max. size:  13.5 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 25 - 1130 m
Distribution:  Eastern Pacific: California Current region from Oregon, USA to southern Baja California.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-14; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 13-17; Vertebrae: 43-47. Slender body, narrowed toward the end of caudal peduncle. Maximum depth slightly behind the pectoral fin base. Caudal peduncle short and narrow. Pectorals short, far from reaching origin of dorsal fin. Radial pattern of operculum present. Few gill rakers on the inner surface of epibranchial of first gill arch (Ref. 33679).
Biology:  Oviparous, with planktonic eggs and larvae (Ref. 35604). Minimum depth from Ref. 58018.
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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