Tripod fish

Tripod fish ( Bathypterois grallator )

The tripod fish ( Bathypterois grallator ) is a deep sea fish of the genus Bathypterois from the family of compound eyes fish ( Ipnopidae ). The species lives in the Atlantic Ocean, in the western Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean on the ground deep-sea floor at a depth of 880-4720 m.

Features

Bathypterois grallator is averaging about 30 and a maximum of about 37 centimeters in length, the largest species of the genus. The body is moderately elongate and slender. The basic color is black, the pores of the lateral line organ and the pockets of the scales are offset white and the dorsal fin is unpigmented. The first of the eight rays of the pelvic fins is prolonged vigorous and strong and reached 104-144 % of the standard length of the animal. The second beam is thin and the first deposited. The lowest beam of the caudal fin is also extended greatly and reaches 97-134 % of standard length. The side -set eyes are small. The teeth are curved backwards, cut at the top and in the upper jaw is larger than in the mandible.

The pectoral fins have seven to ten externally visible, moderately delayed rays shorter from top to bottom. About this sit two, including one or two very short, rudimentary rays. The dorsal fin is where behind the pectoral fins and just before the anal fin. Both unpaired fins have 12 or 13 rays. An adipose fin is missing. The number of gill rakers on the first sheet is on the upper branch 8 to 9 and on the bottom 19 to 23, a further mandrel is located at the angle between them.

Way of life

Tripod fish stick individually to near the ground. Insert the above three rays of the abdomen and tail fins to stand on the sea floor, the head of the flow is asserted. These rays appear when swimming flexible, but can be stiffened to a halt. The animals feed mainly on copepods and other small crustaceans.

They are hermaphroditic and at least one larval form seems to reside in open water.