Author: Günther, 1878
Bathypterois longipes Günther, 1878
Status in World Register of Marine Species:
Accepted name: Bathypterois longipes Günther, 1878 (updated 2009-06-25)
Diagnosis: dorsal finrays 12-14; anal finrays 9-10; pelvic finrays 8-9, two outermost rays thickened and elongated (30-54% SL); pectoral finrays 11-13 visible externally, two uppermost rays pronounced (90-107% SL) and united; lowermost caudal ray(s) 27-30% SL. Adipose fin present. No subcaudal notch. Lateral line scales 54-58. Underside of lower jaw unscaled. Colour: head and body black; scale pockets outlined in white; fin membranes transparent. Size: 25 cm (max.), typically 15-20 cm.
Habitat: benthic at abyssal depths, 2,600-5,600 m. Behaviour: solitary. Uses tripod to elevate body into water column. Specialized sensory pectoral fins are spread facing anteriorly, probably to detect prey. Food: planktonic crustaceans. Reproduction: synchronously hermaphroditic. A larval Bathypterois described by Okiyama (1973) may pertain to this species.
Distribution: probably circumglobal at tropical and temperate latitudes, but absent where bottom temperatures exceed 4 °C (e.g. the Mediterranean). Several captures in the eastern North Atlantic.
Eggs, larvae and young stages. No data.
Otoliths (sagitta). No data.