| Family: |
Regalecidae (Oarfishes) |
| Max. size: |
300 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
pelagic-oceanic; marine |
| Distribution: |
Southern Oceans: collected relatively neaer the surface over or near the continental slope of New Zealand, Australia (with Tasmania), southern Namibia, and Argentina (including Falkland Is or Malvinias. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 2-7; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 0-0. Distinguished in having just 6 to 9 gill rakers on the first gill arch, 8 to 11 pectoral fin rays, and just 2 caudal fin rays. Start of the dorsal fin having 1 to 3 simple elongated rays, apparently never ornamented; not forming a single or double crest but are membranously joined to each other as well as to the dorsal fin. No cristophore. Head is shallow, with gently sloping snout. (Ref. 92949). Body silvery in color. Dorsal fin rose-colored and with more than 400 soft rays (Ref. 4171). Opercular bones well-developed. Small, protrusible mouth, without visible teeth; premaxilla extending forward along dorsal profile of head; axis of maxilla oblique. Skin of fragmented body naked, studded with numerous hard tubercles. Lateral line runs along sides consisting of a chain of oblong plates to form a continuous tube (Ref. 43600). |
| Biology: |
Rare species, known from only seven specimens. Occurs in the open ocean habitat (Ref. 4171). Found only in the southern oceans from 25°S to 59°S. Apparently also capable of autotomy, unique amongst lampridiforms. Early life history stages (eggs and larvae) unknown. Predators, prey, and parasites unknown (Ref. 92949). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 11 October 2018 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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