Owstonia whiteheadi (Talwar, 1973)
Indian bandfish
photo by Bineesh, K.K.

Family:  Cepolidae (Bandfishes), subfamily: Owstoniinae
Max. size:  25.5 cm SL (male/unsexed); 24 cm SL (female)
Environment:  pelagic-neritic; marine; depth range 220 - 350 m
Distribution:  Indian Ocean: India.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 4-4; Dorsal soft rays (total): 22-23; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 16-16; Vertebrae: 28-28. This species is distinguished by the following characters: D IV,22-23; A I,16; pectoral fin rays 19-20; pelvic fin rays I,5; lateral Line scales 39-41; gill rakers 18-21+ 35-39; total vertebrae 28; in males, pelvic fins long, reaching on to anal; black pigmentation between membrane of maxilla and premaxilla (Ref. 88162).
Biology:  Caught by commercial deep-sea shrimp trawler in bycatch landings (Ref. 88162).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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