Epigonus pandionis (Goode & Bean, 1881)
Bigeye
Epigonus pandionis
photo by NOAA\NMFS\Mississippi Laboratory

Family:  Epigonidae (Deepwater cardinalfishes)
Max. size:  23.5 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 172.3 g
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 200 - 600 m
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: New Jersey, USA (Ref. 31632) and the northern Gulf of Mexico to northeastern South America (Ref. 9626). Eastern Atlantic: Gulf of Guinea to Agulhas Bank.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-10; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 9-9. Membranous edge at the upper border of the gill cover is absent or poorly developed. No opercular spines. Caudal peduncle is short, body is deep (Ref. 31632). Specimens less than 8 cm SL with a dark band on peduncle at caudal base and a thin black ring on central part of peduncle (disappears in specimens greater than 11 cm SL) (Ref. 4329).
Biology:  A mesobenthic-pelagic species living mainly above the bottom (Ref. 31632). Found on the continental slope (Ref. 7321).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 11 July 2012 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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