Pseudobathylagus milleri (Jordan & Gilbert, 1898)
Stout blacksmelt
Pseudobathylagus milleri
photo by Orlov, A.

Family:  Bathylagidae (Deep-sea smelts)
Max. size:  21.6 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 550 - 6600 m
Distribution:  North Pacific: Iwate Prefecture, Japan to the Bering Sea (Ref. 559) and to British Columbia, Canada and California, USA (Ref. 4925).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-9; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 23-27; Vertebrae: 50-54. Adipose fin far back on caudal peduncle, relatively large and long; pectorals rather small (Ref. 6885). Color black to dark brown (Ref. 6885).
Biology:  Occurs at a minimum depth of 550 m upon reaching about 5 cm length (Ref. 54657; 82347). Oviparous, with planktonic eggs and larvae (Ref. 35604). Generally mesopelagic and bathypelagic and not ascending to epipelagic depth range (Ref. 96339).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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