Spottedtail angler (Lophiodes caulinaris)

Scientific name: Lophiodes caulinaris Garman, 1899

Spottedtail angler (Lophiodes caulinaris)

The Spottedtail angler (Lophiodes caulinaris) is a marine fish of the family Lophiidae. Native range: Eastern Pacific, Baja California, Mexico to Peru. Range extends northward to the vicinity of Morro Bay, California.

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 3 - 4; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 6 - 7; Vertebrae: 19. Head and anterior part of the body depressed; posterior part of body gradually narrowing; back and sides of head with numerous spines; first dorsal fin formed by 3 isolated cephalic spines, the first of which resembles a fishing rod (bearing a scale that looks like "bait" and two prominent, dark "eyes") and three more short, thin, post-cephalic spines connected by a low membrane. Back brown or dark brown; belly lighter; fins darker distally but may have light edges; caudal fin with a vertical row of 6 pale spots. Head is flattened and mouth is large. The first two dorsal fin spines are displaced far forward (onto the snout), and the first is modified into a lure to attract prey. Branchiostegal rays: 6.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Lophiodes caulinaris
Family
Lophiidae (Goosefishes)
Order
Lophiiformes (Anglerfishes)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
40.0
Common length
30.0
Depth range
15–311 m (49–1020 ft)
Environment
Marine; demersal; depth range 15 - 311 m
Climate
Deep-water
Distribution
Eastern Pacific: Baja California, Mexico to Peru. Range extends northward to the vicinity of Morro Bay, California.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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