Chaunax flavomaculatus Ho, Roberts & Stewart, 2013
Yellowspot frogmouth

Family:  Chaunacidae (Sea toads o coffinfishes)
Max. size:  12.2 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; marine; depth range 353 - 375 m
Distribution:  Southwest Pacific: New Zealand.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 3-3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-12; Anal soft rays: 7-7. This species which is a member of the Chaunax abei-species group is distinguished from its congeners in having a mix of bifurcated and simple dermal spinules and large yellow spots on a pinkish background dorsally when fresh and uniformly creamy white when preservedl gill rakers: GRi = 11 (2+9); GRii = 9; GRiii = 8-9; GRiv = 7; lateral-line neuromasts: AB = 11; AC = 8; BB' = 4; BD = 2; CD = 5-6; DG=3-4; EF = 4; FG = 3; GH = 12-13; BI = 32-34 (Ref. 93086). Description: globular head, its skull is elevated posteriorly; deep body with trunk cylindrical, slightly compressed, tapering posteriorly; flattened ventral surface; loose and flaccid skin; broad interorbital space; short and stout caudal peduncle and is slightly depressed, tapering posterior; rounded eyes, directed dorsolaterally, covered by a dermal membrane broadly connected to adjoining skin, forming a clear 'window' (Ref. 93086).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 12 August 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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 Not for publication.