Icosteus aenigmaticus Lockington, 1880
Ragfish
Icosteus aenigmaticus
photo by Van Orden, W.

Family:  Icosteidae (Ragfish)
Max. size:  213 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 0 - 1420 m
Distribution:  North Pacific: Japan to southeastern Alaska and to Point Loma, southern California, USA.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 52-55; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 34-40. Pectorals rounded, pedunculate (Ref. 6885). Generally of a chocolate color (Ref. 6885). Young more robust, with an expanded and rounded caudal fin, 5 pelvic rays, and a brown and yellow irregularly blotched with faint purple color, dusky on fins (Ref. 6885).
Biology:  Adults occur near bottom; juveniles in shallow water or offshore near the surface (Ref. 50277). Feeds on jellyfish (Ref. 50277), fishes and squids (Ref. 2850), as well as octopuses (Ref. 4525).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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