Melamphaes simus Ebeling, 1962
Ridgehead
photo by SFSA

Family:  Melamphaidae (Bigscale fishes or ridgeheads)
Max. size:  2.9 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 0 - 800 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific and Atlantic: in tropical and subtropical waters. Southeast Pacific: Chile (Ref. 9068). South China Sea (Ref.74511).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 3-3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15-17; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 8-10; Vertebrae: 28-30. Branchiostegal rays: 8 (Ref. 36655). Head with obtuse angle in the frontal margin over front of eye. Preopercular angle with a feeble protection marking end of weak ridge (Ref. 37108).
Biology:  Adults found mainly below 150-200 m (Ref. 6747). Larvae and juveniles primarily found in depths as shallow as 35-40 m (Ref. 36655). Oviparous, with planktonic eggs and larvae (Ref. 36655). Collections were done mainly by using nonclosing nets (Ref. 117121).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 July 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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