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Notacanthus sexspinis Richardson, 1846 Spiny-back eel |
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photo by
Le Noury, P. |
| Family: | Notacanthidae (Deep-sea spiny eels) | |||
| Max. size: | 60 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | benthopelagic; marine; depth range 360 - 1300 m | |||
| Distribution: | Southeast Atlantic: Walvis Bay to Durban, South Africa. Southwest Atlantic: Brazil. Southeast Pacific: Chile. Eastern Indian Ocean: southern Australia, from Western Australia to New South Wales and Tasmania. Southwest Pacific: New Zealand. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 5-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0-1; Anal spines: 10-18; Anal soft rays: 115-160. Pelvic fins with 1-3 spines, the first of which is rudimentary (Ref. 27363). Body dark brown, with darker fins (Ref. 27363) and mouth (Ref. 6594). | |||
| Biology: | Occurs on the continental slope (Ref. 9563). Feeds on benthic copepods and polychaetes (Ref. 27637). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||