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Malthopsis gigas Ho & Shao, 2010 Giant triangular batfish |
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photo by
Ho, H.-C. |
| Family: | Ogcocephalidae (Batfishes) | |||
| Max. size: | 13.64 cm SL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | bathydemersal; marine; depth range 210 - 650 m | |||
| Distribution: | Indo-Pacifc: Madagascar and Somalia to French Polynesia; north to Japan, south to New Zealand. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal soft rays (total): 5-6. This species differs from its congeners in having the following characters: relatively long and strong rostrum (5.2-11.5% SL, x = 8.6% SL); rostral spine directed forward and upward; body heavily covered with strong conical bucklers; numerous small and flat bucklers covering dorsal surface between principal bucklers; dorsal and anal fins relatively long, 17.6-29.5% SL and 17.4-24.2% SL, respectively; dorsal surface with black spots; anal fin when fully laid back extends beyond caudal fin base; largest adult body size (up to 136.4 mm) among its congeners 9Ref. 84006). | |||
| Biology: | ||||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 13 August 2019 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||