Chlorophthalmus corniger Alcock, 1894
Spinyjaw greeneye
Chlorophthalmus corniger
photo by Bineesh, K K

Family:  Chlorophthalmidae (Greeneyes)
Max. size:  17 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 265 - 458 m
Distribution:  Western Indian Ocean: southern Indonesia (off the south coast of Java) and SW Thailand to India (off Chennai, Tuticorin and Kerala), the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Somalia. Records from the Philippines, the South China Sea and elsewhere in the western Pacific Ocean are misidentifications.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 10-11; Anal soft rays: 9-10. This species is distinguished by the following set of characteristics: lower jaw terminating in a distinct forwardly projecting horizontal plate with strong, spine-like processes directed forward from the plate’s corners; silvery grey body with numerous minute black spots and traces of broad darker crossbars; black colour at base of anterior dorsal fin spines and distal parts of dorsal fins; adipose fin tiny with numerous black spots; caudal fin black; 3.5 scales above lateral line; 3 rows of cheek scales; very large head, 34.3-40·1% SL; large eye, 29·8-40·8% HL; long pectoral fin, extending to beyond dorsal fin base, 21.7-26.2% SL; body silvery grey with minute black dots and traces of broad darker crossbars; operculum dark dorsally, silvery ventrally (Ref. 95053).
Biology:  Found offshore (Ref. 30573).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 12 October 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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