Melanostomias bartonbeani Parr, 1927
Scaleless black dragonfish
photo by Dolgov, A.

Family:  Stomiidae (Barbeled dragonfishes), subfamily: Melanostomiinae
Max. size:  26.2 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 25 - 2000 m
Distribution:  Eastern Atlantic: from 56°N east of 40°W south to Guinea Bissau, also from Namibia to South Africa. Western Atlantic: west of 40°W between 45°N-25°N, and from Brazil to Argentina. Northwest Atlantic: Canada (Ref. 5951). Also Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-16; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 16-20. Barbel expanded end wide proximally, tapers to a point distally. Stem of barbel pigmented. Numerous small photophores present (Ref. 37473).
Biology:  Mesopelagic species (Ref. 4468).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 20 May 2013 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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