Eustomias macronema Regan & Trewavas, 1930
Bigbarb dragonfish
Eustomias macronema
photo by Møller, P.R.

Family:  Stomiidae (Barbeled dragonfishes), subfamily: Melanostomiinae
Max. size:  17.2 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine
Distribution:  Atlantic Ocean: roughly between 35°-20°N; near 30°W between 20°-25°S. Also known from the Indian and Pacific oceans.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0. Barbel length less than 20% of standard length; barbel with 5 branches apparently arising together from stem; lateralmost pair of branches, which actually arise from base of mediolateral pair, usually shortest; mediolateral pair usually longest; diameter of stem distal to branches greater than that proximal to branches; stem solidly pigmented, pigment extending onto dorsal surface of terminal bulb; terminal bulb elongate and with an unpigmented tip usually directed dorsally; swollen ventrally, its length 2.0 - 2.5 times its thickness; a single terminal filament arising ventral to bulb tip, usually about as long as distal barbel, but occasionally minute.
Biology:  Mesopelagic species (Ref. 7300, 75154).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 11 October 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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