Squalogadus modificatus Gilbert & Hubbs, 1916
Tadpole whiptail
photo by FAO

Family:  Trachyrincidae (Armoured grenadiers)
Max. size:  35 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 600 - 1740 m
Distribution:  Atlantic and Pacific: Eastern Atlantic: off Gabon. Western Atlantic: Gulf of Mexico. Western Pacific: off Japan; New Zealand (Ref. 5755). Southeast Pacific: Nazca and Sala-y-Gomez.
Diagnosis:  Dark brown, becoming blackish on the gular and branchiostegal membranes. Inside of mouth and gill cover black. Head fully scaled, mandibular band is narrow (Ref. 37108). Orbit tiny, about 10% of head length, placed forward of small, inferior mouth. Chin barbel absent. First gill slit not restricted by membranous folds of skin, outer gill rakers long, slender. Branchiostegal rays 7. Anus immediately before anal fin. Tail straplike. Anal fin long, poorly developed. No light organ. Swimbladder regressed. (Ref 1371)
Biology:  Live at midwater as well as benthopelagic levels (Ref. 37108).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 11 July 2012 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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