Bathypterois phenax Parr, 1928
Blackfin spiderfish
Bathypterois phenax
photo by SFSA

Family:  Ipnopidae (Deep-sea tripod fishes), subfamily: Ipnopinae
Max. size:  18 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 800 - 2657 m
Distribution:  Eastern Atlantic: Off Sierra Leone and Liberia and off South Africa (as Bathypterois ater). Western Atlantic: at bathyal depths between latitude 40°N-5°N including Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, and off southern Brazil.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-15; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 8-10. Black in color (Ref. 5320).
Biology:  Common on mid and lower continental slope. Rests on the bottom with the use of elongated, stiffened outer pelvic and lower caudal fin rays (tripod). Sensory pectoral fins are thrown forward in front of its head, facing the current. Feeds on benthopelagic plankton. Synchronously hermaphroditic (Ref. 6688). Spawning is seasonal with peak during fall in the Bahamas (Ref. 3590).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 15 May 2013 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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