Hoplostethus melanopus (Weber, 1913)
Smallscale slimehead
Hoplostethus melanopus
photo by Reyes, R.B.

Family:  Trachichthyidae (Slimeheads)
Max. size:  25 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 400 - 914 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: Natal in South Africa, Somalia, the United Arabic Emirates on the Madagascar Ridge (Ref. 9869) to Japan (Jon Moore, pers. comm.) and Indonesia. Southeast Atlantic: off Namibia and Cape Town, South Africa.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 4-5; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-16; Anal spines: 2-3; Anal soft rays: 8-10. Body and head brownish grey; fins dusky to blackish (Ref. 4181).
Biology:  Found on the continental slope (Ref. 75154). Lives close to the bottom (Ref. 27121).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 09 October 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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