ANIMAL SPECIES:Humpback Blackdevil, Melanocetus johnsonii Gunther, 1864
The Humpback Blackdevil is a soft-bodied fish that lacks scales and pelvic fins. It has a large head and mouth, with long pointed teeth. There is a short illicium with a bulbous esca on the snout. Live fish are black. The species is sexually dimorphic Females grow to 18 cm in length but males only grow to 2.9 cm.
Alternative Names/s
The Humpback Blackdevil has also been called Johnson's Anglerfish.Identification
The Humpback Blackdevil is a soft-bodied fish that lacks scales and pelvic fins. It has a large head and mouth, with long pointed teeth. There is a short illicium with a bulbous esca on the snout. Live fish are black.
Two species of Melanocetus occur in Australian waters. The second is Murray's Abyssal Anglerfish, Melanocetus murrayi. Females can be distinguished by the shape of the anterior margin of the vomer (nearly straight in M. johnsonii vs deeply concave in M. murrayi) and size and shape of the escal bulb. Males can be distinguished by the number of denticular teeth on the snout and lower jaw (11 or more and 12 - 24 respectively for M. johnsonii vs 3 - 5 and 10 - 13 for M. murrayi) and the number of dorsal and pectoral fin rays (13 - 15 and 17 - 20 for M. johnsonii vs 12 - 14 and 15 - 18 for M. murrayi).
Size range
The species is sexually dimorphic Females grow to 18 cm in length but males only grow to 2.9 cm.Distribution
It occurs at mesopelagic depths in tropical and temperate waters worldwide.
In Australia it is known from off central to southern New South Wales and near Norfolk Island.
Distribution by collection data
Biomaps map of Humpback Blackdevil specimens in the Australian Museum collection.
Classification
- Species:
- johnsonii
- Genus:
- Melanocetus
- Family:
- Melanocetidae
- Class:
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
References
- Bertelsen, E., & Pietsch, T.W. 1983. The Ceratioid Anglerfishes of Australia. Records of the Australian Museum. 35: 77-99.
- Pietsch, T. W. 1999. Melanocetidae. in Carpenter, K.E. & V.H. Niem (Eds). FAO Species Identification Guide for Fishery Purposes. The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. Volume 3. Batoid fishes, chimaeras and bony fishes part 1 (Elopidae to Linophrynidae). FAO, Rome. Pp. iii-vi, 1398-2068.
- Stewart, A.L. & T.W. Pietsch. 1998. The ceratioid anglerfishes (Lophiiformes: Ceratioidei) of New Zealand. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand. 28 (1): 1-37.
Would you like to add a comment?
Sign up to add comments and find out more about the other benefits you can enjoy.
Would you like to add a tag?
Sign up to add tags and find out more about the other benefits you can enjoy.
A Humpback Blackdevil with a Multitspotted Lanternfish View full size
© Australian Museum
A Humpback Blackdevil with mouth extended View full size
Kerryn Parkinson
© NORFANZ Founding Parties
what's on
18 Mar 08
See, hear, touch and even smell the world of dinosaurs.
Level 2, Dinosaurs Exhibition
Support us
Help us continue to provide quality research, education, community programs and exhibitions.
Online Shop
Featuring a selection of products relating to the collections.
Australian Museum Members
Join today to come to the Museum for free and enjoy many other benefits.
AMBS
Australian Museum Business Services - Ecological, archaeological and heritage consulting.
Museum as a Venue
We have many unique venues ideal for dinner, cocktails, weddings and conferences.