Notacanthus sexspinis Richardson, 1846
Spiny-back eel
photo by Le Noury, P.

Family:  Notacanthidae (Deep-sea spiny eels)
Max. size:  60 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 360 - 1300 m
Distribution:  Southeast Atlantic: Walvis Bay to Durban, South Africa. Southwest Atlantic: Brazil. Southeast Pacific: Chile. Eastern Indian Ocean: southern Australia, from Western Australia to New South Wales and Tasmania. Southwest Pacific: New Zealand.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 5-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0-1; Anal spines: 10-18; Anal soft rays: 115-160. Pelvic fins with 1-3 spines, the first of which is rudimentary (Ref. 27363). Body dark brown, with darker fins (Ref. 27363) and mouth (Ref. 6594).
Biology:  Occurs on the continental slope (Ref. 9563). Feeds on benthic copepods and polychaetes (Ref. 27637).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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