Teleostei (teleosts) >
Argentiniformes (Marine smelts) >
Microstomatidae (Pencil smelts)
Etymology: tenuicauda: Named for its slender caudal peduncle.
Eponymy: Fridtjof Nansen (1861–1930) was a Norwegian explorer, scientist, diplomat and later recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. [...] (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; bathypelagic; depth range 0 - 328 m (Ref. 5123). Deep-water
Southwest Atlantic: restricted to the area near the subtropical convergence, around 40°S. High Seas only.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 8.4 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 5123)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 11; Anal soft rays: 8 - 10; Vertebrae: 46. Branchiostegal rays 4. Predorsal length less than 49% SL. Slender caudal peduncle, least depth is less than 5.5.% of SL. Pyloric caeca 8 (Ref. 5123).
Body shape (shape guide): elongated; Cross section: oval.
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Kawaguchi, K. and J.L. Butler, 1984. Fishes of the genus Nansenia (Microsomatidae) with descriptions of seven new species. Los Angeles County Mus. Contr. Sci. 352:1-22. (Ref. 5123)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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