Malthopsis asperata Ho, Roberts & Shao, 2013
Roughspine triangular batfish

Family:  Ogcocephalidae (Batfishes)
Max. size:  7.5 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic-oceanic; marine; depth range 183 - 670 m
Distribution:  Pacific Ocean: tropical; seamounts off Australia, New Caledonia, and New Zealand.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 5-6; Anal soft rays: 4-4. This species is distinguished by the following characters: having stout principal bucklers with prominent spines; D 5-6; pectoral-fin rays 12; ventral surface with small bucklers and minute prickles; subopercular buckler have 3 small spinelets: one directed forward, another outward and third backward; few blunt spinelets on its margin; interspaces of principal bucklers covered with small buckler and prickles; pointed rostral spine, directed forward and upward (Ref. 92977).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 13 August 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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