Haplophryne mollis (Brauer, 1902)
Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 3; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 3. Mature females are unpigmented and have a nearly rounded shape of body. There are spines above the eyes and behind the mouth. The illicium consists of a rounded flap without pole. Small numerous teeth in both jaws (Ref. 557). Free lining males are characterized by: having weak sphenotic spines, nearly absent; slender and angled preopercle; moderately elevated epiotic region of skull; well developed premaxillae; 20-24 teeth on each side of upper and lower jaws (Ref. 86949).
Common Names
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Teleostei
Order: Lophiiformes
Family: Linophrynidae
Genus: Haplophryne
Species: Haplophryne mollis (Brauer, 1902)
Climate Zone
Location
Biology
Also mesopelagic (Ref. 7300). A small deep-sea angler fish. Males dwarfed, becoming parasitic on females (Ref. 10762). An 8 cm female was found with 3 parasitic males of 18 mm length, attached to her ventral side. Adult (=parasitic) males are colorless with reduced teeth, jaws, and eyes. Information on the maximum length of female was taken from Ref. 10762.
Habitat
bathypelagic