Polymixia nobilis Lowe, 1836
Stout beardfish
Polymixia nobilis
photo by Cambraia Duarte, P.M.N. (c)ImagDOP

Family:  Polymixiidae (Beardfishes)
Max. size:  48 cm TL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 14 years
Environment:  benthopelagic; marine; depth range 100 - 770 m
Distribution:  Eastern Atlantic: Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, Cape Verde and St. Helena Islands. Western Atlantic: West Indies, Saba Bank, Leeward Islands, off northern coast of Cuba and west of the Bahamas. Reported to occur in the northern coast of South America (Ref. 5217).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 5-5; Dorsal soft rays (total): 34-37; Anal spines: 4-4; Anal soft rays: 15-16; Vertebrae: 29-29. Dark brownish grey in color, silvery below; black blotch on distal part of anterior dorsal rays (Ref. 6624). Snout blunt, rounded, adipose. Hyoid barbels present (Ref. 37108).
Biology:  Found on semi-hard and soft bottoms on the continental shelf and slope. Marketed fresh and frozen.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 15 July 2014 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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