Scientific Name
Psednos whitleyi

Common Name
Bigcheek snailfish

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 48; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 41; Vertebrae: 56. Caudal-fin rays 6; 3 pectoral radials, two upper radials notched, a large fenestra between them; depth at occiput 106% HL; gill opening extending ventrally in front of 4-5 pectoral-fin rays; opercular lobe small but distinct, protruding as a right angle; tongue light dusky; orobranchial cavity dusky, black-dotted; peritoneum and stomach black, anterior part of intestine dark brown to black; pyloric caeca short, similar in length, 3.5-4.5% SL, all dark-dotted; gill arches without melanophores (Ref. 42734).

Classification

Classified By

Stein, Chernova & Andriashev, 2001

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Scorpionfishes and Flatheads (Scorpaeniformes)

Family

Snailfishes (Liparidae)

Distribution

Region

Eastern Indian Ocean

Distribution

Eastern Indian Ocean: off northwest Tasmania, Australia.

Range

Unknown

Environment

Climate

Deep-water

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

900 m

Depth To - meters

920 m

Zone

bathydemersal

Environment

Marine; bathydemersal; depth range 900 - 920 m (Ref. 42734)

Trophic Level

3.32 s.e. 0.46 Based on size and trophs of closest relatives

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

9.1 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Unknown

Vulnerability

Low vulnerability (12 of 100)

Resilience

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated