Gibberichthys latifrons (Thorp, 1969)
Small-scaled gibberfish

Family:  Gibberichthyidae (Gibberfishes)
Max. size:  13 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 320 - 2000 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: from Tanzania, Comoros, Madagascar, to Samoa, Moluccas, Marquesas and New Guinea (Ref 9788); north to Taiwan (Ref. 129007),
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 6-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-9; Anal spines: 3-6; Anal soft rays: 7-8; Vertebrae: 30-32
Biology:  Mesopelagic, bathy-, and benthopelagic rare species, mostly occurring over continental and island slopes. Distinctive kasidoron larval and pre-juvenile stage in epipelagic waters. Zooplankton pickers, with small crustaceans in stomachs of both pre-juveniles and adults (Ref. 9788). The largest specimen collected from Taiwan (10.3 cm SL) is a mature female with two large ovaries containing many large, loose eggs (c. 0.6-0.7 mm); while three other specimens (9.72-10.1 and 10.07 cm SL) are mature males with well-developed testis (Ref. 129007).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 12 October 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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