Rhynchohyalus natalensis (Gilchrist & von Bonde, 1924)
Glasshead barreleye
Rhynchohyalus natalensis
photo by SFSA

Family:  Opisthoproctidae (Barreleyes or spookfishes)
Max. size:  16 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic-oceanic; marine; depth range - 775 m
Distribution:  Eastern Atlantic: Madeira and off Cape Town, South Africa (Ref. 6597). Western Atlantic: in tropical waters. Western Pacific: off the Ogasawara Islands (Ref. 559), Australia (Ref. 7300), and New Zealand (Ref. 5755). Reported from the Hawaiian Islands (Ref. 58302).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-12; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 7-10. Scattered melanophores ventrally; pelvic fins and area around anus black; head translucent (Ref. 6597). Body compressed. Brown in preserved specimen, with black pigment cells scattered in lower half (Ref. 37473).
Biology:  Mesopelagic (Ref. 58302). Eggs and larvae are pelagic. Does not exhibit diurnal vertical migration (Ref. 6686).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 10 July 2014 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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