Epigonus exodon Okamoto & Motomura, 2012
Epigonus exodon
photo by Okamoto, M.

Family:  Epigonidae (Deepwater cardinalfishes)
Max. size:  9.7 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; marine; depth range 450 - 480 m
Distribution:  Western Indian Ocean: RĂ©union.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 8-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-10; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 9-9; Vertebrae: 25-25. This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: no opercular spine; no ribs on last abdominal vertebra; anteriorly projecting teeth on each side of symphysis of lower jaw; narrow tongue; presence of a shallow V-shaped tooth patch on rear two-thirds of tongue; no mustache-like process of maxillary; gill rakers 6+20-22 = 26-28; vertebrae 10+15; pored lateral-line scales 35-37 to end of hypural plus 3 on caudal fin; D fin VII-I,10; pyloric caeca 7 (Ref. 91464).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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