Author: (Woods, 1973)
Diretmoides pauciradiatus Woods, 1973
Status in World Register of Marine Species:
Accepted name: Diretmoides pauciradiatus (Woods, 1973) (updated 2009-06-25)
Diagnosis: metamorphosis from juvenile to adult stages. Juveniles: cephalic and preopercular spines, dorsal spines directed caudad, ventral spines directed rostrad. Adults and adolescents from about 20 mm SL: no spines on head; body distinctly longer than high. D. 24-28; A 18-22; P 16-20. Vertebrae 27-31. Colour: silvery in adolescents, black in adults. Size: to 37 cm SL.
Habitat: mesopelagic, juveniles from near the surface to about 200 m depth, adults mainly below 500 m depth. Behaviour: see family. Food: see family. Reproduction: round the year in subtropical and tropical waters.
Distribution: worldwide in tropical and subtropical waters; presence doubtful inside the area; most southern record from off South Africa near Cape Town.
Eggs, larvae and young stages. Post, 1976: 97 (key), fig. 2 a-f.
Otoliths (sagitta). No data.