Alepocephalus planifrons Sazonov, 1993

Family:  Alepocephalidae (Slickheads)
Max. size:  31.7 cm SL (female)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 400 - 750 m
Distribution:  Southeast Pacific.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 17-20; Anal soft rays: 18-21; Vertebrae: 52-54. Head relatively short, <39.5-0.025% SL. Snout short (22-28%HL); broadly triangular anteriorly when viewed from above. Orbit diameter about 1/5 to 1/4 HL, along the whole upper edge and on the separate elongate-shaped part of the lower-posterior part of the orbit are accumulation s of whitish connective tissue. Interorbital space very wide, ca. 17-30% HL, flat, narrows very slightly at the middle of the orbit. Upper jaw extends to below the center of the orbit. Branchiostegal rays 8-9. Transverse rows of scales above lateral line 60-65, 30-35 predorsal. Gill rakers' length less than gill lamellae length, and completely free at the base. Opercle has a projection at the lower anterior corner; subopercle has a wide posterior edge usually with no separate processes. Anus not shifted forward from the origin of the anal fin. Pyloric caeca 12-18 (Ref. 41471).
Biology:  Inhabits continental slopes.
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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