Teleostei (teleosts) >
Scombriformes (Mackerels) >
Trichiuridae (Cutlassfishes) > Aphanopodinae
Etymology: Aphanopus: Greek, aphanes = hidden + Greek, pous = foot (Ref. 45335).
Eponymy: Sergey Vladimirovich Mikhailin (1943–1981) was a Russian ichthyologist at the All-Union Research lnstitute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanography, Moscow. [...] (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; benthopelagic; depth range 905 - 2000 m (Ref. 6181). Deep-water; 23°S - 39°S, 54°W - 84°E (Ref. 6181)
Southeast Atlantic: Namibia and at Walvis Ridge. Southwest Atlantic: off Argentina. Indian Ocean: on seamounts off Mozambique and the West Australian Ridges. Western Pacific: Southeast Australia, North Island in New Zealand and the Challenger Plateau (Ref. 41692).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 90.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 36731)
Dorsal spines (total): 42 - 45; Dorsal soft rays (total): 61 - 66; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 51 - 57; Vertebrae: 111 - 117. Pelvic fins represented by a single spine in juveniles, inserted before the base of the pectoral fins, but entirely absent in adults. Body color is coppery black with iridescent tint. The inside of the mouth and gill cavities black.
Body shape (shape guide): eel-like; Cross section: compressed.
Occurs on the continental slope or underwater rises (Ref. 10818).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Nakamura, I. and N.V. Parin, 1993. FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 15. Snake mackerels and cutlassfishes of the world (families Gempylidae and Trichiuridae). An annotated and illustrated catalogue of the snake mackerels, snoeks, escolars, gemfishes, sackfishes, domine, oilfish, cutlassfishes,. scabbardfishes, hairtails, and frostfishes known to date. FAO Fish. Synop. 125(15):136 p. (Ref. 6181)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: of no interest
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