Triplewart Seadevil, Cryptopsaras couesii Gill, 1883

Scientific name: Cryptopsaras couesii
  • Updated
    27/06/19
  • Read time
    2 minutes
Triplewart Seadevil, Cryptopsaras couesii Click to enlarge image
A 5 cm standard length (glossary) Triplewart Seadevil trawled during the NORFANZ expedition at a depth between the surface and 1200m south-west of Norfolk Island, May 2003 (NMV A25114-04). Image: Robin McPhee
© NORFANZ Founding Parties

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Cryptopsaras
    Species
    couesii
    Family
    Ceratiidae
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    Females grow to 44 cm in length. Males are much smaller than females, only growing to 12 cm.

Introduction

The Triplewart Seadevil has a large head and a tiny eye. The skin has needle-like spinules. It has a small pectoral fin and three club-like caruncles on its back in front of the dorsal fin. The illicium terminates in a small small rounded esca.

Identification

The Triplewart Seadevil has a large head and a tiny eye. The skin has needle-like spinules. It has a small pectoral fin and three club-like caruncles on its back in front of the dorsal fin. The illicium terminates in a small small rounded esca.

Habitat

It is usually found in mesopelagic depths, but has been recorded from the surface down to around 4000 m.

Distribution

The Triplewart Seadevil occurs in marine waters of the three major oceans in tropical to subpolar latitudes.

In Australia, specimens have been collected from off New South Wales, Tasmania and Western Australia.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia

Other behaviours and adaptations

Sexually mature males are usually found attached as parasites to females.

References

  • Anderson, M.E. & R.W. Leslie. 2001. Review of the deep-sea Anglerfishes (Lophiiformes: Ceratioidei) of Southern Africa. Ichthyological Bulletin. 70: 1-32.
  • Bertelsen, E., & Pietsch, T.W. 1983. The Ceratioid Anglerfishes of Australia. Records of the Australian Museum. 35: 77-99.
  • Brauer, A. 1906. Die Tiefsee-Fische. I. Systematischer Teil. In: C. Chun. Wissenschaftl. Ergebnisse der Deutschen Tiefsee-Expedition "Valdivia," 1898-99. Jena. v. 15: 1-432, Pls. 1-18.
  • Stewart, A.L. & T.W. Pietsch. 1998. The ceratioid anglerfishes (Lophiiformes: Ceratioidei) of New Zealand. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand. 28 (1): 1-37.