Scaleless Black Dragonfish [Melanostomias bartonbeani]
Description
The Scaleless Black Dragonfish, scientifically known as Melanostomias bartonbeani, is a deep-sea fish that is completely dark in color, hence its name. This species lacks scales, and its body is elongated with a length of about 25 centimeters. It has a large mouth equipped with sharp, fang-like teeth, and a bioluminescent barbel is attached to its chin used to lure prey in the darkness of deep water. This barbel can be retracted into a pouch below the fish's eye. The species inhabits the Atlantic Ocean at depths between 500 to 2,000 meters.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Chordates
Chordata
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Fish
Actinopterygii
|
| Order |
Dragonfishes
Stomiiformes
|
| Family |
Scaleless Dragonfishes
Bathophilidae
|
| Genus |
Scaleless Black Dragonfish
Bathophilus
|