Mascarenichthys remotus Schwarzhans & Møller, 2011
Mascarenichthys remotus
photo by W. Schwarzhans & P. R. Møller

Family:  Dinematichthyidae (Viviparous brotula)
Max. size:  3 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; marine
Distribution:  Southern Indian Ocean: endemic to the Rodrigues Islands.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 76-77; Anal soft rays: 62-63; Vertebrae: 42-43. This species is distinguished by the following characters: vertebrae 12 + 30-31= 42- 43; rays on dorsal fin 76-77 and on anal fin 62-63; head with scale patch on cheeks with 4 rows on upper cheek and 2 rows on lower cheek; pseudoclaspers, 2 pairs, outer pseudoclasper flap-shaped, bent outwards, with pointed tip and symmetrical fleshy expansions anterior and posterior, inner pseudoclasper small, narrow, anteriorly inclined, not hidden in below isthmus in resting position; otolith with sulcus with separate small cauda and large ostium, otolith length to otolith height 2.1 (Ref. 88966).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 16 August 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.