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Lophiiformes (Anglerfishes) >
Ogcocephalidae (Batfishes)
Etymology: Malthopsis: Greek, malthe, es = a marine fish of soft flesh (Ref. 45335).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; bathydemersal; depth range 200 - 475 m (Ref. 123774), usually 300 - ? m (Ref. 123774). Subtropical
Distribution
Territories | FAO areas | Ecosystems | Occurrences | Point map | Introductions | Faunafri
Southwestern Pacific: eastern Australia.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 6.2 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 123774)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal soft rays (total): 5 - 6. This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: D 5-6; pectoral-fin rays 11-13; principal bucklers are small and flattened; interspaces fully covered by small bucklers and spinules; posterior portion of skull with 5-6 irregular rows of medium-sized bucklers; rostrum pointed, usually directed more upward than forward; subopercular buckler is weak, strongly reduced or bearing few spinelets at its tip; ventral surface (including belly and thoracic region)
covered with minute prickles between mid-sized bucklers; orbit large, 11.6%-13.6% SL; interorbital space narrow, 4.7%-7.5% SL; rostrum short, 6.7%-10.6% SL; anal fin not reaching caudal-fin base when appressed (Ref. 123774).
Cross section: flattened.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Ho, H.-C. and P. Last, 2021. Review of the batfish genus Malthopsis from Australia (Lophiformes: Ogcocephalidae), with descriptions of a five new species. Bull. Mar. Sci. 97(1):165-218. (Ref. 123774)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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