Bathypterois grallator (Goode & Bean, 1886)
Tripodfish

Family:  Ipnopidae (Deep-sea tripod fishes), subfamily: Ipnopinae
Max. size:  43.4 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 878 - 4720 m
Distribution:  Tropical to warm temperate Atlantic, Indian and Western Central Pacific oceans. Western Atlantic: eastern seaboard of the U.S. from about 40°N to the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean..
Diagnosis:  Elongate pelvic and caudal fin rays held body above the sediment. These rays appeared flexible when the fishes swam and stiff when they were perched on the bottom (Ref. 7460).
Biology:  Benthic (Ref. 58302). Found on lower slope, continental rise and oceanic ridges. Solitary. Perches on substrate with the aid of specialized fin rays (tripod), facing the current. Feeds on nektonic copepods and other small planktonic crustaceans. Synchronously hermaphroditic (Ref. 6688).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 16 May 2013 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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