Year Described
Günther, 1878
Identification
Dorsal Fin:
Anal Fin:
Pectoral Fin: 16-19
Caudal Fin: 6
Pelvic Fin: 2
Gill Rakers: 11-13 well developed on lower first arch
Vertebrae: 17-19
Body elongate, robust and tapering posteriorly. Tail long and slender. Head large and flattened with greatest body depth around pectoral fin base. No spines on head. Snout short and blunt. Mouth inferior and very large, extending well past orbit. Teeth in jaws, vomer and palatines. Two median basibranchial tooth patches. Eye large. Preopercle smooth. Opercular spine small and buried in skin. Dorsal and anal fins continuous with tail. Tail elongated. Pectoral fins large with filamentous and thickened lower rays. Pelvic fins filamentous. Body and head covered in small scales. Branchiostegals 8-9.
Color
Preserved fish uniformly brown with darker gill covers.
Size
Maximum size to 240mm SL.
Habitat
Found near the bottom from 1280-4775m.
Range
Bermuda to the Bahamas and the S. Caribbean Sea.
References
Nielsen, J. G., D. M. Cohen, D. F. Markle and C. R. Robins. 1999. FAO species catalogue. Volume 18. Ophidiiform fishes of the world (Order Ophidiiformes). An annotated and illustrated catalogue of pearlfishes, cusk-eels, brotulas and other ophidiiform fishes known to date. FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) Fisheries Synopsis No. 125: i-xi + 1-178.
Other Notes
Bathonus guentheri is a synonym.
A revision of the genus Bathyonus is needed as the species are not well diagnosed.