Animal Species:Obese Dragonfish, Opostomias micripnus (Günther, 1878)
The Obese Dragonfish is a deepwater species that has large teeth and a long barbel. It occurs to depths of 5000 m, in the the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans
Obese Dragonfish, Opostomias micripnus
Mark McGrouther
© NORFANZ Founding Parties
Identification
The Obese Dragonfish can be recognised by its scaleless, black body and large mouth with long fang-like teeth, the anterior-most in the lower jaw piercing the upper jaw. It has a chin barbel, photophores (light-producing organs) in rows along the body and a photophore behind and below both eyes. The dorsal fin is similar to the anal fin and located directly above it on the dorsal margin.
Size range
It grows to at least 55 cm in length and is one of the largest species in the family Melanostomiidae.
Distribution
The species occurs in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans. In Australia it is known from New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.
The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.
Distribution by collection data
Ozcam map of Obese Dragonfish specimens in the Australian Museums.
Habitat
The Obese Dragonfish is a deepwater pelagic species that occurs to depths of around 5000 m.
Classification
- Species:
- micripnus
- Genus:
- Opostomias
- Subfamily:
- Melanostomiinae
- Family:
- Stomiidae
- Order:
- Stomiiformes
- Class:
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
References
- Gomon, M.F., Bray, D. & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 2008. The Fishes of Australia's Southern Coast. Reed New Holland. Pp. 928.
Mark McGrouther
, Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:
Tags fishes, ichthyology, Obese Dragonfish, Opostomias micripnus, Melanostomiinae, Stomiidae, deepsea, large teeth, long barbel, black, odd-shaped, 30 cm - 1 m, pelagic, marine,
