Bembrops morelandi Nelson, 1978
Flathead

Family:  Bembropidae (Duckbill flatheads)
Max. size:  20.7 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 366 - 395 m
Distribution:  Southwest Pacific: known only from New Zealand.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 6-6; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-14; Anal soft rays: 16-17. Color in alcohol yellowish gray dorsally, slightly lighter ventrally. Snout relatively long, 1.8x eye diameter. Scales present on lateral and dorsal sides of snout. Upper jaw extending behind anterior margin of eye, almost to the mid-line. Maxillary tentacle long. Lateral line rising sharply above pectoral fin at base for 2-2.5 scale rows and then descending gradually along length of pectoral fin, separated from origin of first dorsal fin by 2 rows of scales, from origin of anal fin by 5, and from insertion of anal fin by 3. First spine of the first dorsal fin prolonged, even in a relatively small specimen. Predorsal length (to first dorsal fin) almost equal to head length. Pectoral fin rounded (Ref 13203).
Biology:  Holotype taken in 366-395 m.
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.