Teleostei (teleosts) >
Stomiiformes (Lightfishes and dragonfishes) >
Stomiidae (Barbeled dragonfishes) > Melanostomiinae
Etymology: Eustomias: Greek, eu = good + Greek, stoma = mouth (Ref. 45335); grandibulbus: Named for its large distal bulb; noun in apposition.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; pelagic-oceanic; depth range 0 - 112 m (Ref. 58018). Subtropical
Southeast Atlantic: west of Cape Town, South Africa.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 16.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 3984)
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 26; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 40; Vertebrae: 67. Two terminal bulbs separated by a short interspace, shorter than length of distal bulb. Barbel 68% SL. Terminal filament long (20%), with a series of 5 long branches beginning a short distance (a distal bulb length) from bulb, all with small bulblets, none of which approaches the diameter of the filament. All branches with 1 or more short branches. Stem axis peppered with melanophores; lightly pigmented on axis between bulbs and in proximal part of filament. Number of middorsal paired spots under skin uncertain (obscure and diffuse in holotype) (Ref. 11333).
Body shape (shape guide): elongated.
Known based on a single specimen taken at a depth between 0-112 m.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Gibbs, R.H. Jr., 1986. Melanostomiidae. p. 236-243. In M.M. Smith and P.C. Heemstra (eds.) Smiths' sea fishes. Springer-Verlag, Berlin. (Ref. 3984)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: of no interest
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