Melanonus zugmayeri Norman, 1930
Arrowtail
photo by Serrano, A.

Family:  Melanonidae (Melanonids)
Max. size:  28 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 991 - 3000 m, oceanodromous
Distribution:  Atlantic, Indian and Pacific: in tropical and temperate waters but rare in the temperate northeast Atlantic.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 67-81; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 50-61. Pale to dark brown in color (Ref. 6607). Teeth on upper jaw in three rows, median row enlarged, needle-like teeth; a pair of enlarged teeth near symphysis; lower jaw teeth biserial, inner row enlarged; vomerine and palatine teeth in a single row (Ref. 13608).
Biology:  Oceanic, meso- (Ref. 6525) and bathypelagic (Ref. 58302). Minimum depth from Ref. 58018.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 11 July 2012 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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