| Family: |
Diretmidae (Spinyfins) |
| Max. size: |
40 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
bathypelagic; marine; depth range 0 - 2100 m |
| Distribution: |
Broadly distributed tropical and temperate species (Ref. 9927). Eastern Atlantic: off Morocco to Sierra Leone and from Angola to South Africa. Western Atlantic: Caribbean Sea (Ref. 6744); reported from Guianas (Ref. 13608). Western Indian Ocean: at about 38°S. Western Pacific: off Japan, China Sea, Arafura Sea (Ref. 9819), off Victoria, Australia (Ref. 6536) and New Zealand (Ref. 5755). Including west of Ireland, Flemish Cap, and Gulf of Maine (Moore, pers. comm.). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 26-29; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 20-23. Adults greyish black in color (Ref. 6622). Tip of pelvic fin reaching origin of anal fin (Ref. 13608). |
| Biology: |
Juveniles found near the surface; adults mesopelagic below 500 m (Ref. 27121). May occur at depths greater than 2,000 m (Ref. 6536). Feed on small crustaceans and planktonic organisms (Ref. 27121). Breed all year round (Ref. 6744). Minimum depth range taken from Ref. 27000. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 21 May 2013 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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