Danaphryne nigrifilis (Regan & Trewavas, 1932)

Family:  Oneirodidae (Dreamers)
Max. size:  10.5 cm SL (female)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 0 - 2000 m
Distribution:  Tropical to temperate parts of all oceans.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 5-7; Anal soft rays: 4-5. Metamorphosed females distinguished by the following characteristics: narrow snout, width of ethmoid cartilage and vomer considerably less than the distance between anterolateral tips of the lateral ethmoids and frontals; frontals short, lying posterior to the ethmoid region, dorsal margin convex; frontals separated from prootics; presence of vomerine teeth; large and nearly circular nasal foramina; presence of pterosphenoid; anterior end of illicial trough wider and shallower than the posterior end; well developed sphenotic spines; symphysial cartilage of upper jaw longer than wide; lower jaw with well developed symphysial spine; hyomandibula with double head; well developed quadrate spine, longer than articular spine; deeply notched posterior margin of opercle; long and narrow subopercle, dorsal end long and slender, tapering to a point, ventral end nearly circular; absence of first pharyngobranchial; well developed second pharyngobranchial; second hypobranchial articulates directlywith second basibranchial; caudal fin rays without internal pigmentation; illicium longer than length of escal bulb; pterygiophore of illicium cylindrical throughout length, emerging on snout from between frontal bones, anterior end exposed, posterior end concealed beneath skin; well developed first ray of dorsal fin; dorsal fin rays 5-7; anal fin rays 4-5; short and broad pectoral fin lobe, shorter than longest rays of pectoral fin; pectoral fin rays 16-19; coracoid lacking posteroventral process; simple pelvic bones, expanded distally; skin smooth and naked, without dermal spinules; darkly pigmented skin of caudal peduncle extends well past base of caudal fin (Ref. 86949).
Biology:  Also mesopelagic (Ref. 10524).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 11 October 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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