Obese Dragonfish, Opostomias micripnus (Günther, 1878)
Click to enlarge image
© NORFANZ Founding Parties
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Opostomias
- Species
- micripnus
- Subfamily
- Melanostomiinae
- Family
- Stomiidae
- Order
- Stomiiformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum
- Vertebrata
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- It grows to at least 55 cm in length and is one of the largest species in the family Melanostomiidae.
Introduction
The Obese Dragonfish is a deepwater species that has large teeth and a long barbel. It occurs to depths of 5000 m, in the the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans
Identification
The Obese Dragonfish can be recognised by its scaleless, black body and large mouth with long fang-like teeth, the anterior-most in the lower jaw piercing the upper jaw. It has a chin barbel, photophores (light-producing organs) in rows along the body and a photophore behind and below both eyes. The dorsal fin is similar to the anal fin and located directly above it on the dorsal margin.
© NORFANZ Founding Parties
Habitat
The Obese Dragonfish is a deepwater pelagic species that occurs to depths of around 5000 m.
Distribution
The species occurs in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans. In Australia it is known from New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.
The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.
References
- Gomon, M.F., Bray, D. & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 2008. The Fishes of Australia's Southern Coast. Reed New Holland. Pp. 928.
