Halosaurus guentheri Goode & Bean, 1896
Halosaurus guentheri
photo by JAMARC

Family:  Halosauridae (Halosaurs)
Max. size:  60 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 550 - 1600 m
Distribution:  Eastern Atlantic: Western Sahara to Mauritania, and the Canary Islands. Western Atlantic: New York, USA to Venezuela, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. Reported off the Guianas (Ref. 13608).
Diagnosis:  Scales present on the dorsal surface of the head and one lateral line scale for each myotome. Grayish white with a dark brown checkerboard or net like pattern formed by dark spots on each scale pocket (Ref. 37108).
Biology:  Inhabits bathyal depths. Feeds on small crustaceans, annelids, mollusks and echinoderms (Ref. 4448).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 12 June 2013 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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