Lasiognathus saccostoma Regan, 1925

Family:  Thaumatichthyidae (Wolftrap anglers (Ref. 7463), Wolftrap Seadevils (Ref. 86949))
Max. size:  7.7 cm SL (female)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 0 - 4000 m
Distribution:  Eastern Central Pacific. Atlantic Ocean: in tropical waters.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 6-7; Anal soft rays: 4-5. Escal bulb without membranous anterior crest. Distal escal appendage an elongate, cylindrical stalk, with a slender, elongate prolongation emerging anteriorly from bases of escal hooks, bearing numerous lateral serrations or filaments. Posterior escal appendage laterally compressed and rounded (Ref 27827). Length of illicium 39-46%; posterior escal appendage a compressed flange, length 1.4-4.4% SL, with irregularly rounded edge and broad base, emerging from below escal pore; escal hooks black, relative length of medial (largest) hook decreasing with age from about 10.3% SL in 30mm specimen to 3.6% SL in 77mm specimens (Ref. 86949).
Biology:  Feeds mainly on fish and occasionally on invertebrates (Ref. 27828).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 14 July 2014 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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