Arrowhead Batfish, Malthopsis parva Ho, Roberts & Shao 2013
An Arrowhead batfish, Malthopsis parva, collected near Balls Pyramid in the Tasman Sea - Paratype CSIRO H.6301-01. Source: NORFANZ Founding Parties. License: All rights reserved
Summary:
A pale brownish-grey batfish, with bright orange-yellow vermiculations between whitish bucklers on the disc, a dark tip to the rostrum, dusky patches on the rear of the disc, and two dusky-reddish bands on the caudal trunk before the fin. The pectoral fins are pale with narrow dusky tips, the caudal fin is pale with a basal reddish band and a broad reddish margin.
This is the smallest known species in the genus Malthopsis.
This is the smallest known species in the genus Malthopsis.
Cite this page as:
Bray, D.J. 2018, Malthopsis parva in Fishes of Australia, accessed 20 Sep 2024, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/5175
Arrowhead Batfish, Malthopsis parva Ho, Roberts & Shao 2013
More Info
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Distribution |
Recorded in the Australian region from the Lord Howe Rise around Balls Pyramid. Elsewhere the species occurs on the Norfolk and Kermadec Ridges, north of New Zealand and south of New Caledonia, at depths of 372–677 m. |
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Features |
Dorsal fin 5-6; Pectoral fin 13. Ventral surface fully naked ventral surface; interspaces of principal bucklers on dorsal surface lacking dermal spinules; subopercular buckler blunt, with a stout anterior-directed spinelet usually present; rostral spine directed rather more upward than forward; relatively few and loosely arranged bucklers; all bucklers blunt; appressed anal fin reaches caudal fin base. |
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Etymology |
The specific name parva is Latin meaning "small", in reference to the small adult size of this species. |
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Species Citation |
Malthopsis parva Ho, Roberts & Shao, 2013, Zootaxa 3626(1): 192, Figs. 4-5. Type locality: Three Kings Ridge, off New Zealand, depth 537-677 m, 30°45.0'S, 173°57.0'E. |
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Author |
Bray, D.J. 2018 |
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Resources |
Arrowhead Batfish, Malthopsis parva Ho, Roberts & Shao 2013
References
Ho, H.-C., Roberts, C.D. & Shao, K.-T. 2013. Revision of batfishes (Lophiiformes: Ogcocephalidae) of New Zealand and adjacent waters, with description of two new species of the genus Malthopsis. Zootaxa 3626(1): 188-200. PDF available, open access
