| Family: |
Melamphaidae (Bigscale fishes or ridgeheads) |
| Max. size: |
7.3 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
bathypelagic; marine; depth range 0 - 4740 m |
| Distribution: |
Circumglobal: In tropical to temperate waters; except Arctic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. Eastern Atlantic: Gulf of Guinea and west of the Canary Islands. Eastern Pacific: California Current region (Ref. 36655). Western Pacific: Kuril Island (Ref. 52443). South China Sea (Ref.74511). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 2-3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-13; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 7-9; Vertebrae: 24-24. Dark brown body; black head, mouth, and branchial cavity; pigmented fins. Transverse rows of scales, 28 (Ref. 31511). Gill rakers on the first arch, 14-17 (Ref. 37108). |
| Biology: |
Mesopelagic and bathypelagic at 340-1200 m depth (Ref. 36665). Oviparous, with planktonic eggs and larvae (Ref. 36655). Significant morphological variation between Indo-Pacific and other populations. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 15 July 2014 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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