Desmodema polystictum (Ogilby, 1898)
Polka-dot ribbonfish
Desmodema polystictum
photo by Khan, M.M.

Family:  Trachipteridae (Ribbonfishes)
Max. size:  110 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 0 - 500 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Japan, Taiwan (Ref. 5193), Philippines, Australia, New Zealand (Ref. 5755). Eastern Atlantic: 16°11'N (ISH unpublished) to Namibia (Ref. 4506) and South Africa (one specimen washed ashore at Xora River and 1 found in the tide pool at Simonstown, False Bay). Western Atlantic: Florida, USA and Cuba (Ref. 7251). Northern Indian Ocean: 2 records from Pakistan and India (Ref. 93850; Ref. 93851). Probably circumtropical.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 120-128. Specimens less than 10 cm are silvery in color with many dark spots (Ref. 2713).
Biology:  Epi- (Ref. 58302) and mesopelagic species (Ref. 4506). Feeds upon various organisms like small fish, squids, octopus, and crustaceans (Ref. 4525).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 07 May 2013 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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