Eustomias vitiazi Parin & Pokhil'skaya, 1974
Vitiaz dragonfish

Family:  Stomiidae (Barbeled dragonfishes), subfamily: Melanostomiinae
Max. size:  15.8 cm SL (male/unsexed); 9.74 cm SL (female)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 0 - 415 m
Distribution:  Western Central Pacific: Queensland, Australia.
Diagnosis:  A single, ovoid terminal bulb 1-1.2% SL. Barbel length short to intermediate 32-60% SL. Short terminal filaments 9 or more of various sizes; shortest filaments often bulblet-tipped; longer ones with bulblets and inclusions of various sizes and shapes; 1 filament thicker and longer than others, not forked, with 1 or more long inclusions filling most of its distal end. Axis of stem lightly or not pigmented. A dark spot usually at the base of the bulb. External chevron-shaped or roundish striated areas unpigmented. Middorsal paired spots between occiput and dorsal-fin origin 7 (Ref. 11333).
Biology:  Mesopelagic species (Ref. 7300, 75154).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 13 August 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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