| Family: |
Radiicephalidae (Tapertails) |
| Max. size: |
76 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
pelagic-oceanic; marine; depth range - 570 m |
| Distribution: |
Eastern Atlantic: off Morocco and the Azores (Ref. 6739) southward to Cape Point, South Africa (Ref. 6551). Eastern Pacific: present in the California Current region (Ref. 36609). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 152-160; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 6-7; Vertebrae: 114-121. Body and tail silvery in color; dorsal base blackish (Ref. 6551). Branchiostegal rays: 4-6 (Ref. 36609). Pelvic fins absent in adults. |
| Biology: |
Mesopelagic species (Ref. 6808). Adults feed on lantern-fishes (Myctophidae) and possibly euphausiid crustaceans (Ref. 6739). Oviparous, with planktonic larvae (Ref. 36609). They have the ability to discharge dark brown fluid from the ink-sac when alarmed. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 07 May 2013 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.
