Saccogaster maculata Alcock, 1889
Saccogaster maculata
photo by FAO

Family:  Bythitidae (Livebearing brotulas)
Max. size:  8.7 cm SL (male/unsexed); 8.1 cm SL (female)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 265 - 600 m
Distribution:  Indian Ocean: Bay of Bengal and Gulf of Aden.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 83-85; Anal soft rays: 53-56; Vertebrae: 53-55. This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: distinct pair of (probably) free spines on frontal plate above and behind eyes; strong ethmoidal spine located in front of eyes; with scales on sides of body but not on predorsal; some specimens possess ventral arm of opercle terminating in a short spine; opercular spine free, with one prong; with 2 posterior infraorbital pores, 1 supraorbital pore at upper angle of gill opening and 1 posterior mandibular behind maxillary; anterior gill arch with 3 long rakers about half length of longest filaments; pectoral peduncle is elongated; with several tooth rows on palatines; vertebrae, precauda 12-13, total 53-55; fin D 83-85, A 53-56, pectoral 17-18 (Ref. 93007).
Biology:  Rare species (Ref. 34024).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 16 August 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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