Common names from other countries
Classification / Names
Common names | Synonyms | Catalog of Fishes(genus, species) | ITIS | CoL | WoRMS | Cloffa
Teleostei (teleosts) >
Beryciformes (Sawbellies) >
Melamphaidae (Bigscale fishes or ridgeheads)
Etymology: Melamphaes: Greek, melan, -anos = black + Greek, amphi = both side (Ref. 45335); papavereus: Name from Latin 'papaverous', referring to the small black dotted pigment spots on body and fins (as if poppy seeds are scattered).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; bathypelagic; depth range 0 - 1000 m (Ref. 117121). Deep-water
Eastern Indian Ocean: India, Bay of Bengal.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 3.5 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 117121)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal spines (total): 3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 15; Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 8; Vertebrae: 25. This species is distinguished by the following characters: rakers on first gill arch 18; suborbital bone width is significantly greater than eye diameter; total vertebrae 25, abdominal 11; descending spinules ('spurs') on haemal arm of first caudal vertebra 2; D III,15; A I,8; P 7, with ventral fin starting under the vertical line of posterior margin of pectoral fin basement; anal fin starting behind vertical line of last dorsal fin ray; head and body with black dotted pigment spots (Ref. 117121).
Body shape (shape guide): fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
Known only from one specimen caught in the Bay of Bengal with a nonclosing net at 0-1000 meters depth (Ref. 117121).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Kotlyar, A.N., 2016. Revision of the genus Melamphaes (Melamphaidae): 6. Oligo-Raker species: M. papavereus, M. simus, M. hubbsi. J. Ichthyol. 56(3):325-335. (Ref. 117121)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Tools
Special reports
Download XML
Internet sources
