Author: Günther, 1878
Bathysaurus mollis Günther, 1878
Status in World Register of Marine Species:
Accepted name: Bathysaurus mollis Günther, 1878 (updated 2009-06-25)
Diagnosis: adipose fin present. Dorsal fin base c. 1 1/4 times length of anal fin base. Lateral line not extending on to caudal fin. Tip of one unbranched pectoral ray elongated and upturned. Dorsal finrays 15-17; anal finrays 11-13; pelvic finrays 8; pectoral finrays 16-17. Branchiostegal rays 8. Vertebrae 50-52. Colour: white; peritoneum, branchial and buccal regions dark. A series of faint vertical bars evident in smaller specimens. Size: to 85 cm (40-65 cm typically).
Habitat: benthic on the continental rise and the abyss. Depth range 1,550-4,800 m; commonly found below 2,000 m (in water colder than 4 °C) Solitary, lurking bottom feeder. Food: no data; probably piscivorous. Reproduction: larva has been described by Johnson (1974).
Distribution: circumglobal (except perhaps for the tropical eastern Pacific) between lat. 50° N and 20° S. About 50 specimens have been obtained worldwide. In the eastern North Atlantic known from off Northern Ireland to off Cape Blanc and at points along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Recorded once from the Mediterranean.
Eggs, larvae and young stages. No data.
Otoliths (sagitta). No data.