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 |
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