Epigonus draco Okamoto, 2015
Dragon deepwater cardinalfish

Family:  Epigonidae (Deepwater cardinalfishes)
Max. size:  16 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathypelagic; marine; depth range 391 - 786 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: from the Philippines, the Solomon Is and Vanuatu.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 8-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-10; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 9-9; Vertebrae: 25-25. This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: D VII-I,10; pectoral-fin rays 19-20; total gill rakers 22-23; pyloric caeca 7-9; pored lateral-line scales 47-49 + 3-4; scales below lateral line 9; vertebrae 10+15; with opercular spine; no maxillary mustache-like process; no ribs on last abdominal vertebra; uppermost margin of pectoral-fin base is lower than horizontal line through center of eye; proximal radial of first anal-fin pterygiophore is slender; mouth cavity is black (Ref. 105887).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:  Collected between Luzon and Mindoro Is. (Ref. 105887).


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