Epigonus lenimen (Whitley, 1935)
Big-eyed cardinalfish
Epigonus lenimen
photo by CSIRO

Family:  Epigonidae (Deepwater cardinalfishes)
Max. size:  22 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 530 - 820 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: south of Madagascar, Great Australian Bight, Tasmanian Sea, east of New Zealand.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9. Opercular spine present. Largest spine on all fins generally larger than the diameter of the eye. There are no contrasting pigmented black sections on the head (Ref. 31632).
Biology:  A mesobenthic-pelagic species living mainly above the bottom (Ref. 31632).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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