Melanocetus niger Regan, 1925

Family:  Melanocetidae (Black Seadevils)
Max. size:  11 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 1200 - 2000 m
Distribution:  Eastern Pacific: Chile.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-15; Anal soft rays: 4-4. Distinguishing characteristics of metamorphosed female: nearly straight anterior margin of vomer; least outside width between frontals 14.3-24.3% SL; upper jaw with 51-87 teeth, lower jaw with 37-57 teeth; vomerine teeth 0-4; length of longest tooth in lower jaw 6.9-10.5% SL; width of pectoral fin lobe 9.1-13.5% SL; width of escal bulb 3.8-5.0% SL; illicium length 29.8-38.8% SL; esca without crest; relatively thick integument (Ref. 86949)
Biology:  Specimens captured by open nets fished at maximum depths of 1200-2000m (Ref. 86949).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 11 October 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.