Heterophotus ophistoma Regan & Trewavas, 1929
Wingfin snaggletooth
photo by JAMARC

Family:  Stomiidae (Barbeled dragonfishes), subfamily: Astronesthinae
Max. size:  35.6 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 790 - 1420 m
Distribution:  Eastern Atlantic: Western Sahara south to Namibia, not recorded close to the coast. Western Atlantic: Bermuda south to Brazil including Caribbean Sea and the southern Subtropical Convergence. Also, Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-13; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 12-17. Teeth on jaws very short, spine-like; photopores of ventral row excluding AC series arranged in discontinuous, close-set groups of 1 to 5 (Ref. 559). Barbel shorter than head, dark stem, flattened and tapering tip (Ref. 37473). Black in color (Ref. 37039).
Biology:  Meso- and bathypelagic (Ref. 58302).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 19 May 2013 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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