View data on Catalog of Fishes here.
Dorsal-fin rays (rarely 12) 13–14; anal-fin rays 15–16; pectoral-fin rays 13–14; total gill rakers (rarely 21) 22–24; vertebrae 33–34.
Largest specimen less than 65 mm SL; body broad, tapering to long narrow caudal peduncle; post-temporal spine stout, relatively short (less than one-half eye diameter), slightly spinose dorsally; frontal ridges more vertically oriented than P. indicus and minutely spinose; preopercle spine short, curving anteriorly; abdominal keel scales with multiple spines; these scales extend well below ventral bod margin; post-temporal spine length less than one-half the distance from its base to point of dorsal blade; subcaudal scale." smooth; supra-abdominal photophores arranged in a straight line, step-like arrangement; the three supra-anal photophores separated slightly but definitely from anal photophore group; jaws large; teeth minute; undersurface of lower jaw markedy spinose; gill rakers long, spinose on internal surface; dorsal spine high; pigment in preservative similar to P. indicus, although dorsal pigment bar is longer and broader.
Post-temporal spine complex, bearing one or two basal supplementary spines; dorso-lateral edge of fused, post-temporal-supracleithrum serrate; abdominal keel scales with spiny ventral surfaces; supra-anal photophore group usually not distinctly separated anal group. Post-temporal spine with a single distinct basal spine; anal-subcaudal distance greater than one-half of the length of the subcauclal group ; anal photophore number 6 to 9. Abdominal keel scales rectangular, with many small ventral spines; post-temporal spine long and smooth or short and spinose dorsally only; first supra-anal photophore about even with or raised above third; anal photophores 8 to 9. Ventral margin of subcaudal photophores smooth; anal-subcaudal distance greater than three-fourths length of subcaudal group; first supra-anal photophore lower than last; post -temporal spine short, less than one-half diameter of orbit.
Known only fron the Hawaiian Islands where it appears to be endemic.
Baird RC. 1971. The Systematics, Distribution, and Zoogeography of the Marine Hatchetfishes (family Sternoptychidae). Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zooology 142(1):1–128.
Baird RC. 1971. The Systematics, Distribution, and Zoogeography of the Marine Hatchetfishes (family Sternoptychidae). Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zooology 142(1):1–128.
To 65 mm SL.
Approach to Pailolo Channel, between Molokai Island and Maui Island, Hawaiian Islands, Albatross station 4088, depth 297-306 fathoms.
Holotype: USNM 51599.
Polyipnus nuttingi, commonly known as Nutting's hatchet fish, is a species of ray-finned fish in the family Sternoptychidae. It occurs in deep water in the Indo-Pacific Ocean, at depths between about 384 and 658 metres (1,300 and 2,200 ft).[2]
Media related to Polyipnus nuttingi at Wikimedia CommonsPolyipnus nuttingi, commonly known as Nutting's hatchet fish, is a species of ray-finned fish in the family Sternoptychidae. It occurs in deep water in the Indo-Pacific Ocean, at depths between about 384 and 658 metres (1,300 and 2,200 ft).
