Description: Up to 500 mm in total length. not a Bathypterois, but
is a Gadidae or Moridae, both of which families have species of this general body form with multiple dorsal fins, a fanlike caudal, but most prominently - elongate,
barbel-like pelvic fin-rays. The genus here is probably the
Moridae genus Laenomena. This looks like L. laureysi, the
Guinean codling, except known only down to 500 m. There are
other choices from this area, but the taxonomy of these fishes is not so good. The other option is the genus
Urophycis in the Gadidae. Nearly all Laemonema and Urophycis species have a small terminal chin barbel at the
tip of the lower jaw (this extends forward and might be visible in a higher quality image). Many species also
have the leading ray of the first dorsal fin elongated into a projecting filament. Most species of both genera have the pelvic rays elongated and conjoined for about 1/2 of their length, then they split apart at the distal end. Item Type: Image Title: Tripod fish Copyright: SERPENT project Species: Laemonema sp. Behaviour: Swimming above seabed. Site: Atlantic -- South Atlantic -- Nigeria -- Usan fieldAtlantic -- Central Atlantic -- Nigeria -- Usan field Site Description: Equipment Depth (m): 750m Latitude: 3 deg 29' 00" N Longitude: 7 deg 28' 00" E Countries: North AfricaNorth Africa Habitat: Benthic Rig: Bourbon Diamond Project Partners: Total EandP Nigeria, Bourbon, Oceaneering ROV: Millennium 73 Deposited By: Mr Rob Curry Deposited On: 08 December 2009
