Macroramphosus scolopax (Linnaeus, 1758)
Longspine snipefish
photo by Hernández-González, C.L.

Family:  Centriscidae (Snipefishes and shrimpfishes), subfamily: Macroramphosinae
Max. size:  20 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 25 - 600 m
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: Gulf of Maine to Argentina (Ref. 37039). Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean. Indo-West Pacific. Mainly in temperate latitudes between 20° and 40°N. Presence in Somalia to be confirmed (Ref. 30573).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 6-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-13; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 18-20; Vertebrae: 24-24. Reddish pink in color, silvery below (Ref. 5382). Body compressed, without scales. Mouth is placed at the end of the long tubular snout (Ref. 35388). Snout length (6.1cm), length of second dorsal spine (LDS 3.9 cm) (Ref. 39875).
Biology:  Found between the seabed and midwater on the lower continental shelf, over sand. Juveniles found in oceanic surface waters (Ref. 2683); adults normally live close to the bottom (normally in 50-350 m depth (Ref. 47377)). Gregarious. Juveniles feed mainly on pelagic invertebrates, mainly copepods, while adults feed on bottom invertebrates (Ref. 6732). Seems to be sympatric with Macroramphosus gracilis (Lowe, 1839) all around the world (Ref. 89357).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 29 January 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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