Melamphaes occlusus Kotlyar, 2012

Family:  Melamphaidae (Bigscale fishes or ridgeheads)
Max. size:  11.7 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 1500 - 1610 m
Distribution:  Southwestern Indian Ocean: Madagascar Ridge.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 3-3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16-16; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 8-8; Vertebrae: 29-29. This species is distinguished by the following: first gill arch with 22 rakers; total vertebrae 29, abdominal 11; haemal arch of the first caudal vertebra with 2 spines directed downwards and to the sides ('spurs'); D III,16, P 15; V I,8; ventral fin originates beyond the vertical of the posterior margin of the pectoral fin insertion; anal fin originates beneath the last ray of the dorsal fin (Ref. 90261).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 30 December 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.