Diretmoides pauciradiatus (Woods, 1973)
Longwing spinyfin
photo by Ramjohn, D.D.

Family:  Diretmidae (Spinyfins)
Max. size:  37 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 0 - 950 m
Distribution:  Eastern Atlantic: Guinea Bissau to Angola (Ref. 6536). Western Atlantic: eastern Florida, Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean and northern Brazil. Indian Ocean: Mozambique, Madagascar, and Western Australia. Pacific: Indonesia, South China Sea, and Kyushu-Palau Ridge (Moore, pers. comm.).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 24-26; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 18-21. Tip of pelvic fin not reaching origin of anal fin (Ref. 13608).
Biology:  Mesopelagic. Young near the surface while aged adults often descend below 1,000 m depth (Ref. 2683). Largest adults may be benthopelagic (Ref. 9851). Plankton-eaters like the other members of the family (Ref. 6744). Breed all year round (Ref. 6744). Minimum depth range taken from Ref. 27000.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 21 May 2013 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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