Hardhead Snailfish

This species is characterized by the following; with frontal, sphenotic, and operc1e enlarged and heavily ossified, its body is otherwise soft, naked, and smooth; large pelvic disk, its longitudinal diameter 43.9% head length (HL); low dorsal- and anal-fin ray counts low: D VII, 28; A 28; pectoral-fin rays 29; principal caudal-fin rays 13; the anterior 6 weakly punctate dorsal-fin rays form a small lobe; short gill opening, extending from above pectoral fin to pectoral-fin ray 2; no pseudobranch; teeth strongly trilobed; nostrils single; cephalic lateralis pores 2-6-7-2; no subcutaneous gelatinous layer; body pale yellow in alcohol; no pigments on orobranchial cavity, peritoneum, stomach, intestines, and pyloric caeca (Ref. 57785).

Dorsal spines (total): 7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 35; Analsoft rays: 28; Vertebrae: 40

Apparently occurs over coarse bottom with hard patches, over-grown with sponges; with bottom temperature of 4.2°C (Ref. 57785).

Apparently occurs over coarse bottom with hard patches, over-grown with sponges; with bottom temperature of 4.2°C (Ref. 57785).