Alepocephalus rostratus Risso, 1820
Risso's smooth-head
photo by Wirtz, P.

Family:  Alepocephalidae (Slickheads)
Max. size:  50 cm SL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 23 years
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 300 - 2250 m
Distribution:  Eastern Atlantic: northeast Atlantic and western Mediterranean to Cape Verde (Ref. 4736); Morocco to Cameroon, then from Angola to Namibia (Ref. 4460).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 16-20; Anal spines: 17-20
Biology:  Found over soft bottoms (Ref. 4736). Feeds on pelagic crustaceans like euphausiids, decapods and mysids (Ref. 27637).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 11 July 2012 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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