Animal Species:Longray Spiderfish, Bathypterois longifilis (Günther, 1878)

Alternative Name/s

Feeler Fish

Identification

The Longray Spiderfish has a moderately elongate body that is covered with deciduous cycloid scales. It has an elongate lower caudal fin lobe and elongate pelvic fins. There are tiny needle-like teeth in both jaws.

Size range

The species grows to 30 cm in length.

Distribution

The Longray Spiderfish occurs in marine waters of Australia and New Zealand. In Australia it is known from off southern Queensland to off southern New South Wales.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums.  Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Longray Spiderfish specimens in the Australian Museums.

What does this mean?

Habitat

It is a benthic species that lives in depths from 500 m to 5000 m.

Feeding and Diet

Dietary items include crustaceans and squid.

Classification

Species:

longifilis

Genus:

Bathypterois

Family:

Ipnopidae

Order:

Aulopiformes

Class:

Actinopterygii

Subphylum:

Vertebrata

Phylum:

Chordata

Kingdom:

Animalia

What does this mean?

References

1. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
2. Sulak, K.J. 1977. The systematics and biology of Bathypterois (Pisces, Chlorophthalmidae) with a revised classification of benthic myctophiform fishes. Galathea Report. 14: 49-108.

Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated: 28 July 2012

Tags Fishes, Ichthyology, Longray Spiderfish, Bathypterois longifilis, Ipnopidae, tripodfish, needle-like, marine, Feeler Fish, elongate, cycloid scales, 30 cm - 1 m,