Paraliparis plagiostomus Stein, Chernova & Andriashev, 2001
Sharkmouth snailfish

Family:  Liparidae (Snailfishes)
Max. size:  13.7 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range - 993 m
Distribution:  Eastern Indian Ocean: west coast of Tasmania, Australia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 59-59; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 54-54; Vertebrae: 65-65. Caudal-fin rays 8; pectoral fin deeply notched, pectoral girdle with 3 round radials; jaws long, mouth inferior, teeth tiny, tooth plates appear smooth; pores with distinctly contoured rims; chin pores one diameter apart; snout slanted, protruding, subrostral fold deep and entirely covering upper lip; interorbital narrow; pectoral upper ray horizontal with upper part of eye; upper pectoral lobe short, 63% HL, lower lobe short; gill opening equal to eye, dorsolaterally located, completely above horizontal through upper margin of eye; HL 18.7% SL, mandible-anus short, 10.9% SL; uniformly brownish-black, mouth and tooth plates dark grey, tongue black-dotted, gill arches dark grey, peritoneum black (Ref. 42734).
Biology:  Found on the continental slope. Benthic (Ref. 75154).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 04 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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