Grammonus opisthodon, the bighead brotula, is a species of fish known from South Africa.
| Grammonus opisthodon | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Ophidiiformes |
| Family: | Bythitidae |
| Genus: | Grammonus |
| Species: | G. opisthodon
|
| Binomial name | |
| Grammonus opisthodon Smith, 1934
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| Synonyms[1] | |
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Description
editThis fish has an eel-like body with a rounded head. It is dark brown in colour with small brown spots on the head. The dorsal, anal and caudal fins are translucent and continuous with many fine rays.[2] They have no spiny rays.[3] The largest known specimen was 5 cm (2.0 in) long.[4]
Distribution and habitat
editThis fish is known from two nearby sites off the coast of the Eastern Cape of South Africa. It has been found at a depth of 22 m (72 ft) at Port Alfred and the Storms River Mouth.[2]
Conservation
editOnly two specimens have been collected - one prior to 1934 and a second in the early 1980s.This species is currently listed as data deficient by the IUCN as very little is known about it.[4]
References
edit- ^ "Grammonus opisthodon". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
- ^ a b Zsilavecz, Guido (2005). Coastal fishes of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay : a divers' identification guide. Cape Town: Southern Underwater Research Group. ISBN 0-620-34230-7. OCLC 70133147.
- ^ Cohen, D.M., 1986. Bythitidae. p. 354-356. In M.M. Smith and P.C. Heemstra (eds.) Smiths' sea fishes. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.
- ^ a b Holleman, W., Fennessy, S., Russell, B. & Maunde, C. 2020. Grammonus opisthodon. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T135442457A137454516. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T135442457A137454516.en. Accessed on 15 March 2023.