Eustomias perplexus Gibbs, Clarke & Gomon, 1983

Family:  Stomiidae (Barbeled dragonfishes), subfamily: Melanostomiinae
Max. size:  13.35 cm SL (male/unsexed); 14.7 cm SL (female)
Environment:  pelagic-oceanic; marine; depth range 0 - 2600 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: China and Papua New Guinea.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 24-24; Anal soft rays: 35-35; Vertebrae: 67-67. A single terminal bulb, its length more than twice its width, with a terminal projection that may be undeveloped or up to 55% of bulb length. Bulb and projection combined 0.8-2.2% SL. Barbel 67-83% SL, except in the smallest specimen. Axis of stem moderately to fairly dark pigmented proximally, becoming lighter or unpigmented distally. External chevron-shaped or roundish striated areas unpigmented, becoming closely spaced distally. Widely spaced spherical inclusions present in distal 1/3 to 1/2 of stem, sparse or absent before bulb. Middorsal paired spots between occiput and dorsal-fin origin 8, sometimes 9 (Ref. 11333).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 13 August 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.