Tripod fish

Description

Up to 500 mm in total length. not a Bathypterois, but is a Gadidae or Moridae, both of which families have species of this general body form with multiple dorsal fins, a fanlike caudal, but most prominently - elongate, barbel-like pelvic fin-rays. The genus here is probably the Moridae genus Laenomena. This looks like L. laureysi, the Guinean codling, except known only down to 500 m. There are other choices from this area, but the taxonomy of these fishes is not so good. The other option is the genus Urophycis in the Gadidae. Nearly all Laemonema and Urophycis species have a small terminal chin barbel at the tip of the lower jaw (this extends forward and might be visible in a higher quality image). Many species also have the leading ray of the first dorsal fin elongated into a projecting filament. Most species of both genera have the pelvic rays elongated and conjoined for about 1/2 of their length, then they split apart at the distal end.

Item Type:	Image
Title:	Tripod fish
Creator(s):	Curry, Rob
Identification:	Jones, Daniel
Date:	July 2009
Copyright:	SERPENT project
Classification:	Kingdom Animalia > Phylum Chordata (Chordates) > Class Actinopterygii (Ray finned Fish) > Gadiformes (Cods) > Moridae (Codlings/deep sea codfishes)
Species:	Laemonema sp.
Behaviour:	Swimming above seabed.
Site:	Atlantic > South Atlantic > Nigeria > Usan field Atlantic > Central Atlantic > Nigeria > Usan field
Site Description:	Equipment
Depth (m):	750m
Latitude:	3 deg 29' 00" N
Longitude:	7 deg 28' 00" E
Countries:	North Africa North Africa
Habitat:	Benthic
Rig:	Bourbon Diamond
Project Partners:	Total E&P Nigeria, Bourbon, Oceaneering
ROV:	Millennium 73
Keywords:	Tripod fish
Deposited By:	Mr Rob Curry
Deposited On:	08 December 2009

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