Classification / Names
Common names | Synonyms | Catalog of Fishes(genus, species) | ITIS | CoL | WoRMS | Cloffa
Teleostei (teleosts) >
Beryciformes (Sawbellies) >
Melamphaidae (Bigscale fishes or ridgeheads)
Etymology: Melamphaes: Greek, melan, -anos = black + Greek, amphi = both side (Ref. 45335); papavereus: Name from Latin 'papaverous', referring to the small black dotted pigment spots on body and fins (as if poppy seeds are scattered).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; bathypelagic; depth range 0 - 1000 m (Ref. 117121). Deep-water
Eastern Indian Ocean: India, Bay of Bengal.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 3.5 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 117121)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal spines (total): 3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 8; Vertebrae: 25. This species is distinguished by the following characters: rakers on first gill arch 18; suborbital bone width is significantly greater than eye diameter; total vertebrae 25, abdominal 11; descending spinules ('spurs') on haemal arm of first caudal vertebra 2; D III,15; A I,8; P 7, with ventral fin starting under the vertical line of posterior margin of pectoral fin basement; anal fin starting behind vertical line of last dorsal fin ray; head and body with black dotted pigment spots (Ref. 117121).
Known only from one specimen caught in the Bay of Bengal with a nonclosing net at 0-1000 meters depth (Ref. 117121).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Kotlyar, A.N., 2016. Revision of the genus Melamphaes (Melamphaidae): 6. Oligo-Raker species: M. papavereus, M. simus, M. hubbsi. J. Ichthyol. 56(3):325-335. (Ref. 117121)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
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Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = No PD50 data [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.01072 (0.00442 - 0.02595), b=3.10 (2.89 - 3.31), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.3 ±0.2 se; based on size and trophs of closest relatives
Resilience (Ref.
120179): Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (10 of 100).