Abyssal spiderfish

Abyssal spiderfish
Abyssal spiderfish from Oceanic Ichthyology by G. Brown Goode & Tarleton H. Bean (1896)
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Aulopiformes
Family:	Ipnopidae
Genus:	Bathypterois
Species:	B. longipes
Binomial name
Bathypterois longipes Günther, 1878

The abyssal spiderfish, Bathypterois longipes, is a species of deepsea tripod fish, a demersal fish living on the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, even on the abyssal plain. It is one of the deepest-dwelling fish known.

Biology

This solitary species grows to about 9–22 centimetres (3.5–8.7 in) long at its adult maximum. It uses its specialized fin rays (tripod) to elevate body into water column. Specialized sensory pectoral fins are spread facing anteriorly, probably to detect prey. It feeds on planktonic crustaceans.

Distribution and habitat

Atlantic Ocean: Off northwestern (south of Cape Verde; off Cape Blanc) and southwestern Africa, both sides of North Atlantic, off Uruguay in the South Atlantic.

A bathydemersal species, it lives in extremely cold water, at temperatures of 0 – −9 °C (32–16 °F). Depth ranges for the abyssal spider fish are 2,615–5,610 metres (8,579–18,406 ft).

References

1. Nunoo, F.; Poss, S.; Russell, B.; Bannerman, P. (2015). "Bathypterois longipes". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2015 e.T190243A15603030. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T190243A15603030.en . Retrieved 12 November 2021.

External links

• WoRMS entry
• Fishbase entry