Teleostei (teleosts) >
Lophiiformes (Anglerfishes) >
Himantolophidae (Footballfishes)
Etymology: Himantolophus: Greek, himas or himantos = leather strap, thong or leash (referring to the thick leathery illicium) + Greek, lopho or lophio = crest or tuft (referring to the baited illicium projecting from the head) (Ref. 86949); borealis: From the Latin borealis meaning northern (Ref. 43997).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; bathypelagic; depth range 1210 - ? m (Ref. 43997). Deep-water
Northwest Pacific.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 6.2 cm SL (female)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 5; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 4; Vertebrae: 18. Distinguishing characteristics of metamorphosed female: short illicium 26-32% SL; distal escal appendage 22-24% SL, distal one-fourth to one-third of length bifurcated twice, darkly pigmented except for extreme distal tips; posterior escal appendage 4.8-7.1% SL, bifurcated distally; postolateral appendages 2 at base of escal bulb and distal appendage (Ref. 86949).
Body shape (shape guide): short and / or deep.
Males and larvae unknown (Ref. 43997). Minimum depth from Ref. 58018.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Kharin, V.E., 1984. Two new species of deep water anglerfish (Ceratiodei: Himantolophidae, Gigantactinae) from the North Pacific. J. Ichthyol. 24(3):112-117. (Ref. 43997)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: of no interest
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