Author: Cocco, 1838
Ichthyococcus ovatus Cocco, 1838
Status in World Register of Marine Species:
Accepted name: Ichthyococcus ovatus (Cocco, 1838) (updated 2009-06-25)
Diagnosis: body moderately elongate; eyes tubular, directed dorsally; mouth small; premaxillary teeth uniserial, dentary teeth biserial anteriorly; gillrakers on first arch 20-25, very short; branchiostegal rays 10, 4 on epihyal. Dorsal finrays 11-12, followed by a dorsal adipose fin long based, over entire anal fin; pectoral finrays 8; pelvic finrays (6) 7, its base behind dorsal fin origin; anal finrays 15-17, its origin well behind end of dorsal fin base; anal fin base about equal to or slightly shorter than dorsal fin base; last dorsal and anal finrays split to base; small pre-anal ventral adipose fin present. Vertebrae 40-42. Photophores (adult): ORB 2; BR 11 (12); OP 3; IV 25 (2426); VAV + AC 21-24; OA 24-25 (23-26). Colour: back dark, scale pockets edged dark, finrays speckled basally; flanks silvery-translucent, peritoneum silvery. Size: to 50 mm SL.
Habitat: pre-metamorphic post-larvae in upper 150 m; metamorphic postlarvae at 400-750 m; juveniles and adults centred in 200-500 m; no diel vertical migrations. Food: no data. Reproduction: probable year-round spawning, with peak late spring early summer; length at metamorphosis up to about 28 mm SL, accompanied by marked shrinkage. Photophore complement complete at about 15-17 mm SL.
Distribution: subtropical in Atlantic, Mediterranean; uncommon north of Gulf of Cadiz; northernmost record 45° 26' N, 25° 45' W.
Eggs, larvae and young stages. Sanzo, 1913: 1-7;1930: 69, fig. 12, pl. 8-9; 1931: 49, pl. 4 (fig. 5-8) | Jespersen and Tåning, 1926: 38, fig. 23-24 | Grey, 1964: 158.
Otoliths (sagitta). Kotthaus, 1967: 18, fig. 21-22.