Author: Bauchot, 1962
Bathypterois mediterraneus Bauchot, 1962
Status in World Register of Marine Species:
Accepted name: Bathypterois dubius Vaillant, 1888 (updated 2009-06-25)
Diagnosis: dorsal finrays 15; anal finrays 8-9; pelvic finrays 8; two outermost rays thickened and elongated (24-86% SL); pectoral finrays 9-11, visible externally, two uppermost ray(s) pronounced (74-120% SL). Lowermost caudal ray(s) 24-70% SL. Adipose fin present. Subcaudal notch present. Lateral line scales 54-57. Underside of lower jaw unscaled. Colour: head and body black; scale pockets outlined in white; fins dusky to black. Size: 19 cm (max.), 9-13 cm typically.
Habitat: benthic on continental slope and rise at 260-2,800 m. Behaviour: usually solitary, but may aggregate occasionally. Food: benthopelagic plankton. Reproduction: synchronously hermaphroditic (Mead, 1966c).
Distribution: endemic to the Mediterranean (both basins).
Eggs, larvae and young stages. No data.
Otoliths (sagitta). No data.