Aldrovandia affinis (Günther, 1877)
Gilbert's halosaurid fish
Aldrovandia affinis
photo by Reyes, R.B.

Family:  Halosauridae (Halosaurs)
Max. size:  60 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; marine; depth range 730 - 2560 m
Distribution:  Circumglobal, tropical to temperate. Atlantic and Indo-Pacific, except Mediterranean.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 1-1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-12. Body white to grey-brown in color, underside darker (Ref. 3974). Insertion of the pelvic fin only slightly anterior to the origin of the dorsal fin. Lacks scale on the opercle (Ref. 37108).
Biology:  Occurs on the middle and lower slope primarily above the 4°C isotherm. Hovers within a few meters of substrate, parallel to it or inclined at varying angles (Ref. 6727). Feeds on polychaetes, pelecypods, amphipods and other benthic prey (Ref. 6727).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 23 February 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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