Hoplostethus cadenati Quéro, 1974
Black slimehead
Hoplostethus cadenati
photo by Bañón Díaz, R.

Family:  Trachichthyidae (Slimeheads)
Max. size:  30 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 70 - 1000 m
Distribution:  Eastern Atlantic: along the coast of northwest Africa between 27°30'N to 10°10'N and 1°26'S to 26'14°S. Reported from Cape Verde (Ref. 27000). Western Indian Ocean: off Transkei, South Africa (Ref. 4181).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 4-6; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-13; Anal spines: 2-3; Anal soft rays: 8-10. Body, head and fins dark grey in color (Ref. 4181).
Biology:  Lives near the bottom in deep water, from 200 to at least 500, but possibly to 1000 m depth. Feeds on crustaceans (Ref. 3695).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 20 May 2013 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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