Description

Dorsal spines (total): 5 - 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 2; Anal spines: 14 - 17; Anal soft rays: 125 - 145; Vertebrae: 225 - 239. Presence of palatine and dentary teeth in two or more rows. Numerous dorsal spines. Small specimens are pale tan or pale bluish gray, large specimens are dark brown (Ref. 37108).

Common Names

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Teleostei

Order: Notacanthiformes

Family: Notacanthidae

Genus: Notacanthus

Species: Notacanthus chemnitzii Bloch, 1788

Climate Zone

Biology

Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302) and epibenthic (Ref. 58426). Not uncommon in depths around 180 m off Iceland and Greenland. Individuals with nearly ripe eggs have been found in late autumn off Iceland. Mostly found at depths well below 200 m, but enters slightly shallower water on Grand Banks in Canada (Ref. 7251). Feeds primarily on sea anemones (Ref. 4449).

Habitat

benthopelagic

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Threat to Humans

Harmless