Malthopsis bulla Ho & Last, 2021
Flatscale triangular batfish

Family:  Ogcocephalidae (Batfishes)
Max. size:  8.72 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 143 - 1023 m
Distribution:  Eastern Indian Ocean: Western Australia
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 5-6. This species is distinguished by the following characters:flattened body disk, with anterior portion of skull only slightly elevated above other part of disk; small rostrum, very short rostral spine, its length 3.9%-7.6% SL, and directed obliquely to upward vertically; bucklers on body uniformly flattened without sharp apices; large naked areas on central region of dorsal disk; ventral surface of disk partly covered with large bucklers on the thoracic region and smaller bucklers on belly; thoracic region and gill cavity are naked; subopercular buckler with an enlarged, anteriorly directed spine bearing spinelets along its margin; small orbit, its diameter x? = 12.2% SL); interorbital space broad (x? = 7.3%) SL; rostrum short (x? = 5.5%) SL; OD/IO = 1.3-2.0; OD/RL = 1.6-2.9; the anal fin does not reaching caudal-fin base when appressed; D 5-6; pectoral-fin rays 11-13 (Ref. 123774).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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