Lopholiparis flerxi Orr, 2004
Hardhead snailfish

Family:  Liparidae (Snailfishes)
Max. size:  3.25 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic-oceanic; marine; depth range - 285 m
Distribution:  Northeast Pacific: Aleutian Islands.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 35-35; Anal soft rays: 28-28; Vertebrae: 40-40. This species is characterized by the following; with frontal, sphenotic, and operc1e enlarged and heavily ossified, its body is otherwise soft, naked, and smooth; large pelvic disk, its longitudinal diameter 43.9% head length (HL); low dorsal- and anal-fin ray counts low: D VII, 28; A 28; pectoral-fin rays 29; principal caudal-fin rays 13; the anterior 6 weakly punctate dorsal-fin rays form a small lobe; short gill opening, extending from above pectoral fin to pectoral-fin ray 2; no pseudobranch; teeth strongly trilobed; nostrils single; cephalic lateralis pores 2-6-7-2; no subcutaneous gelatinous layer; body pale yellow in alcohol; no pigments on orobranchial cavity, peritoneum, stomach, intestines, and pyloric caeca (Ref. 57785).
Biology:  Apparently occurs over coarse bottom with hard patches, over-grown with sponges; with bottom temperature of 4.2°C (Ref. 57785).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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