Pearleye
Benthalbella infans, drawing by Erich Zugmayer
The pearl eyes ( Scopelarchidae ) are a family of deep-sea fish from the order of lizard fish relatives ( Aulopiformes ). The fish live with the exception of the Mediterranean, the Arktischern Ocean and the Southern Ocean in all oceans. Full-grown pearl eyes keep to mainly at depths of 500 to 1000 meters, the larvae between 100 and 200 meters. They feed on prey on other meso- and bathypelagischen fish, for example, of bristle mouths or lantern fish.
Features
Be pearl eyes, depending on the type 3.6 to 23 inches long. They have large, straight up, or laterally upward Tubusaugen. The tongue is covered with strong and teeth. Her whole body and the head region behind the eyes is covered with cycloid scales. Along the lateral line organ are 40 to 65 scales. You have 40 to 65 vertebrae. A swim bladder is absent.
Fins formula: Dorsal 5-10, Anal 17-39, 18-28 pectoral
Genera and species
There are 18 species in four genera:
- Genus Benthalbella Benthalbella dentata
- Benthalbella elongata
- Benthalbella infans
- Benthalbella linguidens
- Benthalbella macropinna
- Rosenblattichthys alatus
- Rosenblattichthys hubbsi
- Rosenblattichthys nemotoi
- Rosenblattichthys volucris
- Scopelarchoides climax
- Scopelarchoides danae
- Scopelarchoides kreffti
- Scopelarchoides nicholsi
- Scopelarchoides signifer
- Scopelarchus analis
- Scopelarchus guentheri
- Scopelarchus michaelsarsi
- Scopelarchus stephensi