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Halieutichthys aculeatus (Mitchill, 1818) Pancake batfish |
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photo by
NOAA\NMFS\Mississippi Laboratory |
| Family: | Ogcocephalidae (Batfishes) | |||
| Max. size: | 10 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | reef-associated; marine; depth range 5 - 820 m | |||
| Distribution: | Western Atlantic: coast of southern USA (18.0°N-36.5°N) and throughout Gulf of Mexico. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 4-6; Anal spines: 0-0. This species of the H. aculeatus complex is distinguished by having 2 narrow black bands across pectoral fin; with well-developed outer sphenotic tubercle and strongly reduced inner sphenotic tubercle; tubercles relatively small but sharp; tubercles almost always absent dorsal to orbit; relatively fine reticulate pigmentation pattern on dorsal surface (i.e. densely arranged network of melanophores); relatively small with adult body size usually attaining <7.0 cm SL (Ref. 85070). | |||
| Biology: | Inhabits bare sandy bottom where, during the day, it rests partly covered by a thin layer of sand (Ref. 5521). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 16 September 2014 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||