Chaunax nudiventer Ho & Shao, 2010
Naked-belly Coffinfish
photo by Ho, H.-C.

Family:  Chaunacidae (Sea toads o coffinfishes)
Max. size:  16.6 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 282 - 1089 m
Distribution:  Southwest Pacific: New Caledonia, South Fiji Ridge and now off northern New Zealand.
Diagnosis:  A species of the C. abei species group that differs from its congeners in having large spots on the dorsal surface; a largely naked area on abdomen; a relatively short head (27.0–29.8% SL) and a relatively long tail (tail length 1=34.0-35.6% SL), reflected in the relatively elongated body; dermal spines on body surface all simple, relatively slender and elongated; and relatively high lateral line neuromast counts, 39–50 (mainly 41–43) in lateral line proper, 3–5 (mainly 4) in upper peropercular series, and 15–19 (mainly 16–17) in pectoral series, which is well extended beyond pectoral fin base (Ref. 84087).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 12 August 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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