Animal Species:Triplewart Seadevil, Cryptopsaras couesii Gill, 1883

The Triplewart Seadevil has a large head and a tiny eye. The skin has needle-like spinules. It has a small pectoral fin and three club-like caruncles on its back in front of the dorsal fin. The illicium terminates in a small small rounded esca.

A 5 cm standard length Triplewart Seadevil.

A 5 cm standard length Triplewart Seadevil.
Robin McPhee © NORFANZ Founding Parties

Identification

The Triplewart Seadevil has a large head and a tiny eye. The skin has needle-like spinules. It has a small pectoral fin and three club-like caruncles on its back in front of the dorsal fin. The illicium terminates in a small small rounded esca.

Size range

Females grow to 44 cm in length. Males are much smaller than females, only growing to 12 cm.

Distribution

The Triplewart Seadevil occurs in marine waters of the three major oceans in tropical to subpolar latitudes.

In Australia, specimens have been collected from off New South Wales, Tasmania and Western Australia.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums.  Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Cryptopsaras couesii

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Triplewart Seadevil specimens in the Australian Museums.

What does this mean?

Habitat

It is usually found in mesopelagic depths, but has been recorded from the surface down to around 4000 m.

Other behaviours and adaptations

Sexually mature males are usually found attached as parasites to females.

Classification

Species:
couesii
Genus:
Cryptopsaras
Family:
Ceratiidae
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  • Anderson, M.E. & R.W. Leslie. 2001. Review of the deep-sea Anglerfishes (Lophiiformes: Ceratioidei) of Southern Africa. Ichthyological Bulletin. 70: 1-32.
  • Bertelsen, E., & Pietsch, T.W. 1983. The Ceratioid Anglerfishes of Australia. Records of the Australian Museum. 35: 77-99.
  • Brauer, A. 1906. Die Tiefsee-Fische. I. Systematischer Teil. In: C. Chun. Wissenschaftl. Ergebnisse der Deutschen Tiefsee-Expedition "Valdivia," 1898-99. Jena. v. 15: 1-432, Pls. 1-18.
  • 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.


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Tags Cryptopsaras couesii, Triplewart Seadevil, large head, tiny eye, needle-like spinules, 30 cm - 1 m, marine, tropical water, subpolar water, mesopelagic, lure, odd-shaped, black,