Genus Neocyttus

Neocyttus Gilchrist, 1906

Diagnosis: body very deep and almost rhomboid, the predorsal profile distinctly concave. Superficial head bones roughly granulated where scaleless, the lachrymal with several small spines; snout fully scaled, as also lanceolate inter-orbital area, but operculum and suboperculum scaleless. Eye large, mouth small. Pectoral fins high up and rounded; pelvic fins nearer to anal fin origin than to isthmus; dorsal fin with VII+ 34-36 finrays, the second spine long, the soft finrays with lateral spinules; anal fin with IV + 30-32 finrays, the first spine long, the soft finrays with lateral spinules; all fin spines strong, with many longitudinal grooves. Scales strongly adherent, ctenoid, the cteni robust and erect. Colour: body grey, fin membranes and gill cover blackish. Size: 17.2-21.5 cm SL.

Habitat: in deep water (two specimens from 988-1,208 m); one Madeiran specimen found on a sandy beach 'a little alive' (G. E. Maul, in litt.). Food: no data. Reproduction: an oreosoma stage recently caught with an expanded belly.

Distribution: off Ireland, Madeira.

Species 3; in Clofnam area 1.

Species of this genus in the program:
Neocyttus helgae

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