Scientific Name
Aphanopus microphthalmus

Common Name
Smalleye scabbardfish

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 41 - 43; Dorsal soft rays (total): 53-55; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 43 - 46; Vertebrae: 99 - 102. Pelvic fins represented by a single spine in juveniles inserted before the base of the pectoral fins, but entirely absent in adults. Body color is coppery black with iridescent tint. The inside of the mouth and gill cavities black.

Classification

Classified By

Norman, 1939

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Cutlassfishes (Trichiuridae)

Distribution

Region

Western Indian Ocean

Distribution

Western Indian Ocean: in tropical areas. Western Central Pacific: Southeast Asia. References to a catch from Walvis Ridge in the southeastern Atlantic are based on a single specimen from the collection of Pakhorukov that requires confirmation.

Range

16°N - 12°S, 44°E - 60°E

Environment

Climate

Deep-water

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

810 m

Depth To - meters

1022 m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Marine; benthopelagic; depth range 810 - 1022 m (Ref. 26165)

Trophic Level

4.22 s.e. 0.72 Based on size and trophs of closest relatives

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

100.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5078 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Unknown

Vulnerability

Moderate to high vulnerability (47 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Assuming tmax>10)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated