Classification / Names
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Teleostei (teleosts) >
Beryciformes (Sawbellies) >
Melamphaidae (Bigscale fishes or ridgeheads)
Etymology: Melamphaes: Greek, melan, -anos = black + Greek, amphi = both side (Ref. 45335); proximus: Name from Latin 'proximus' meaning nearest or closes, referring to its close relation to the Atlantic M. longivelis.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; bathypelagic; depth range 990 - 1162 m (Ref. 117111). Deep-water
Indo-West Pacific: from Madagascar and West Australia seamounts (Big Australian Bight) to off New Guinea Island and to Japan.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 9.3 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 117111)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal spines (total): 3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15 - 16; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 8; Vertebrae: 28 - 29. This species is distinguished by the following characters: first gill arch with 18-19 rakers; eye diameter is greater than width of suborbital bone; depth of caudal peduncle more than twice in its length; 28-29 vertebrae, of them trunk 12-13; haemal arch of first caudal vertebra no spurs; D III 15-16, A I 8, soft rays in ventral fin 7; the ventral fin begins beyond vertical of posterior margin of pectoral fin insertion; the anal fin begins beyond vertical of last ray of dorsal fin (Ref. 117111).
Body shape (shape guide): fusiform / normal; Cross section: other (see remarks).
Gonadal maturity at stage III for males (5.05 cm SL) and stage IV for female (9.3 cm SL) (Ref. 117111).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Kotlyar, A.N., 2015. Revision of the genus Melamphaes (Melamphaidae). 3. Oligo-raker species: M. proximus sp. n., M. contradictorius sp. n., and M. succedanaus sp. n. J. Ichthyol. 55(5):619-629 (Ref. 117111)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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