Family: |
Chaunacidae (Sea toads o coffinfishes) |
Max. size: |
25.8 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
Environment: |
bathydemersal; marine; depth range 360 - 950 m |
Distribution: |
Southwest Pacific: seamounts and oceanic ridges of northern New Zealand and southern New Caledonia. |
Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 3-3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-12; Anal soft rays: 6-7. This species of the Chaunax fimbriatus-species group is characterized possessing a cirri on head, reticulate colour pattern on dorsal surface and more than 3 pairs of spinules in lateral-line neuromast complex. It is further distinguished from its congeners in having greyish dorsal background colour with pale reticulate pattern; cirri present above the eye and none on the lower part of maxilla; 4-6 pairs of stout spinules bridging each neuromast; pectoral-fin rays 14; relatively long and slender illicium; elongate illicial trough, longer than wide; numerous thin brownish cirri on esca; gill rakers: GRi = 12-13 (3+8-9); GRii = 9; GRiii = 9; GRiv = 7-8; lateral-line neuromasts: AB = 11-12 (modally 11); AC = 7-9 (8); BB' = 4-5 (4); BD = 2-3 (2); CD = 5-8 (6-7); EF = 3-4 (4); FG = 3-4 (3); GH = 11-13 (12); BI = 30-35 (Ref. 93086). |
Biology: |
|
IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 12 August 2019 Ref. (130435)
|
Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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