Pyramodon ventralis Smith & Radcliffe, 1913
Pallid pearlfish
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Carapidae (Pearlfishes), subfamily: Pyramodontinae
Max. size:  18.1 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; marine; depth range 184 - 470 m, oceanodromous
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: Japan, Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand (Ref. 559) and New Caledonia (Ref. 31524).
Diagnosis:  Eel-like, moderate to relatively deep body depth; a large single vomerine fang; pelvic fin rays present; swim bladder large, filling visceral cavity and extending past anus; dorsal and anal fin radials robust and elongate; dorsal fin anteriad or directly over anal fin origin; lacking rockerbone, cardiform teeth, and intrinsic swim bladder constrictions or tunic ridges (Ref. 34024). Body lightly pigmented with dorsal and anal fin margins pigmented over posterior quarter; precaudal vertebrae 14-15; anus anterior, distance from snout to anus 99 to 133% head length (Ref. 34024).
Biology:  Found on the continental slope (Ref. 75154). Free-living and benthic or pelagic (Ref. 58302). Uncommon species (Ref. 34024).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 15 August 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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