Eustomias pacificus Gibbs, Clarke & Gomon, 1983

Family:  Stomiidae (Barbeled dragonfishes), subfamily: Melanostomiinae
Max. size:  15.7 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 0 - 1000 m
Distribution:  Eastern Central Pacific: off Oahu, Hawaiian Islands and from 21°N, 144°W. Also Western Central Pacific (Ref. 39804).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 24-24; Anal soft rays: 39-39; Vertebrae: 69-69. A single, ovoid terminal bulb 0.8-1.8% SL, with nipple-like distal protuberance. Barbel 41-58% SL. A single but complex terminal filament with 2 long branches arising together near its base, followed by 1-5 large bulblets, then by 2 shortest branches arising together, each usually with a prominent large bulblet; all branches and the main filament with numerous, prominent small bulblets. Filament length 12% SL. Axis of stem lightly or unpigmented; a prominent, wide, black circle forming a cap at base of terminal bulb. External chevron-shaped or roundish striated areas unpigmented. Middorsal paired spots between occiput and dorsal-fin origin usually 7, sometimes 8. Anterior margin of fleshy orbit with a distinct slender pedicel extending posteriorly over the eye (Ref. 11333).
Biology:  Mesopelagic (Ref. 58302). Environment and depth range needs to be checked.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 13 August 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.