Zalieutes elater (Jordan & Gilbert, 1882)
Roundel batfish
Zalieutes elater
photo by Robertson, R.

Family:  Ogcocephalidae (Batfishes)
Max. size:  15 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 18 - 113 m
Distribution:  Eastern Central Pacific: Point Conception in California, USA to Peru; rare north of Baja California, Mexico.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 4-6; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 4-4; Vertebrae: 18-19. Branchiostegal rays: 6 (Ref. 36492). First dorsal spine modified to form a lure called illicium (Ref. 36492).
Biology:  Found on sand bottom (Ref. 2850). Adults feed on small crustaceans and fish (Ref. 4525). Oviparous, with planktonic larvae (Ref. 36492). Eggs are presumably contained in floating rafts (Ref. 36492).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 25 May 2007 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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