Description

Dorsal spines (total): 6 - 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12 - 13; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 3 - 10. This species is distinguished by the following characters: 15 pectoral-fin rays, rarely 13, 14 or 16; 18-21 total gill rakers on outer side of first arch; 9-12 abdominal scutes, some scutes in large individuals with multiple apical points; 16-22 predorsal scales; isthmus lacking scales; body scales adherent; lateral–line scales with strong medial ridge, but no spine in small and medium sized adults, with strong spine centrally on posterior margin in large adults; scales on predorsal midline forming low raised ridge; body ovoid and deep, depth 1.9-2.1 in SL; nape gently curved, forehead almost straight to above upper lip; dorsal- and anal-fin spines of moderate thickness; body of adults grey, superimposed with deep red in life, outer margin of all fins with narrow black edge in adults; buccal cavity and opercular recess black, vomer, margins of mouth roof lateral to palatines, underside of tongue and upper surface of lower jaw stark white (Ref. 92805).

Common Names

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Teleostei

Order: Trachichthyiformes

Family: Trachichthyidae

Genus: Hoplostethus

Species: Hoplostethus melanopeza Roberts & Gomon, 2012

Climate Zone

Biology

Inhabits continental slopes, seamounts and submarine rises with collection depths recorded between about 140 and 760 m, but most often 250-400 m (Ref. 92805).

Habitat

oceanic

Conservation Status

Not Evaluated

Threat to Humans

Harmless